J.C. Lovero

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Mar, 2021

Stories (11)

11 Stories

2139 karma pts

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“Shimmering Sawdust” by J.C. Lovero

It started with a spot on his chest. A patch of dry skin, the scratch of grating sandpaper against fresh-cut cedar in the garage on Saturday mornings.“It strips away the flaws,” his father used to say. Aromatic, and naturally rot-resistant, it was his favorite wood to work with. Known for its beauty and durability, he was drawn to white cedar. Paler in color, and weathered to a silvery gray.He picked at the little patch of skin on his chest constantly—tightness in his eyes—as he highlighted a passage in his textbook. The jan...

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“Dispensed Desire” by J.C. Lovero

“What are you wearing?” “This is going way too fast.” “First time?” “No. I mean, yes.” “You’re not sure?” “I’ve never called in to something like this before.” “Got it. Okay, we can slow it down.” “Thanks.” “What would you like to call me?” “Don’t you have a name?” “I have the one I was born with. Our names—what we call one another—are tied ...

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“Darker Than Red Velvet” by J.C. Lovero

“Death by chocolate?” Dimitri asked.I sighed at the phone pressed against my cheek. “I’m afraid so. Activate ‘Quinn-is-a-jerk’ protocol.”“Text me the address.”#“Nice place, love,” Dimitri said. His head swiveled around the restaurant with sparkling eyes. Best friends for years, Dimitri was made for the cover of GQ. About six foot two, handsome in a winsome way, muscular, and tan. Born into money, Dimitri had blond hair that was meticulously cut and carefully combed. He was a striki...

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“Betwixt Worlds” by J.C. Lovero

This must be what fairy tales are like.Dawn broke crisp and clear, winking at me through the small window opposite the foot of the bed. The cottage evoked memories of my attic back home: from the exposed wood of the floors and walls, to the dust that hung in the air. I rolled over, yanking the covers over me.“Krissy?” “Five more minutes,” I said. It was a luxury to sleep in on the weekends after another late night in the lab. Plus, with many scientists redeployed to the field, the Vraxed threat left us s...

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“How to Disrupt Inertia” by J.C. Lovero

Out of all the people in class, he was the LAST one I wanted to be paired with for the semester.I raised my hand.Coach Campbell’s feet rested on top of his desk. He raised an eyebrow, maintaining his focus on the Sports Illustrated magazine. “Yes, Miss Lawson?”“Can I be reassigned to a different partner?” I cast a sidelong glance in Nathan’s direction. “If I’m going to keep my spot as head cheerleader, I really can’t fail physics.”After our breakup last summer, I’d rather work alone.Coa...

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“Galaxies Without Walls” by J.C. Lovero

They can build walls all the way to the sky, and it’s up to us to fly above them. The Council can pin us down with the might of a thousand Regulators, but we will fight back. How many are out there? The Defectives who refuse to stop believing. Who… love in galaxies without walls. ◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣Five days before chipping procedureI tied up my shoelaces as I straddled the bench ...

56 comments 56 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“Like Clockwork” by J.C. Lovero

If you would have told me a year ago that I’d fall in love with the noisy neighbor in Apt. 2704-110B after he had me poisoned, I wouldn’t have believed you.Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s go back to the beginning. Me: Professor Clive Hargraves of Gaslight City’s School of Magic. A refined gent and one of the last remaining practicing magicians in London. In fact, magic had fallen so out of favor that the scholars of our time, the likes of Darwin and Huxley, suggested that humans were evolving past it! Poppycock, I say!<...

34 comments 34 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“A Week in the Life of a Reedsy Writer” by J.C. Lovero

(TW: swearing, sassiness, and schadenfreude)FridayYou read over the story one more time, checking for any rogue adverbs, split infinitives, comma splices, or anything that could violate the terms of service. Clock check: 10:59 PMCrap. One more hour, and you blink rapidly at the cursor on the screen. Does this even fit the prompt for this week? Too late to change. You’ve never been one of those prodigies that could whip out a story in the same day like Last-Minute Lacey. Whi...

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“The Bad Best Friend's Diary” by J.C. Lovero

Thursday, April 21stBack home after falling for her tricks AGAIN.Elena asked me to skip eighth period to hang out at the coffeehouse. Ordered my usual: venti caramel macchiato, extra shot, extra hot, extra whip, and sugar-free. Barista rolled her eyes as she scribbled on the cup—hope she didn’t add extra ingredients. When Elena offered to pay, I should have known she was up to something.“You should try tea sometime,” she said as she wrapped her palms around her cup, raising it to her face. “The...

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“Our Father” by J.C. Lovero

(Note: Lola = grandmother)“Peace be with you.”“And also with you.”The cold water lingered on my forehead, traveling slowly before settling on the lines in between my eyebrows. Even though it had been over thirty years, stepping foot into the church was like riding a bicycle—you stumbled and swerved at the beginning until you got your bearings again. I looked down at the open casket, taking in a cleansing breath as I stared at your face, pale and peaceful. A stark contrast to how I’d describe you when you were...

28 comments 28 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“Mango Tango Tea” by J.C. Lovero

Thursday, December 24th I paid the cashier for the hot water and tea bag. I’ve always preferred coffee for myself, but this seemed like a safer bet in the hospital cafeteria. Besides, tea was Nathan’s favorite, and he could drink it when he woke up. I dipped the tea bag up and down, watching the hot steam escape from the styrofoam cup. Its sweet, floral fragrance lingered in the air, tickling my nostrils as I sipped.I thought about the last time I spoke to Nathan. I could tell he was… off. I probed him ...

17 comments 17 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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Author bio

Your home for gay love stories. Officially sorted to House Ravenclaw. Social Media: medium.com/@jc_lovero Twitter @jc_lovero Email jc.lovero.author@gmail.com Want to get to know me? Check out my interview on Deidra and Russell's podcast! Ep. 38 readlotswritelots.com Copyright © 2023 J.C. Lovero All Rights Reserved. Using content without written permission is prohibited.

Shortlisted 4 stories ⭐️

Contest #150

Galaxies Without Walls – read story

Contest #148

Like Clockwork – read story

Contest #132

Our Father – read story

Contest #128

Mango Tango Tea – read story