TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "STORM"

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! Our word prompt this week is "storm." We have more of Robbie and Dale's story. They arrive at the Sawyer's house in Las Vegas, but find a surprise there to greet them. 

When you finish, don't forget to skip over to the other fabulous stories. Find them HERE. 

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Scott and Dale chatted on the ride to the Sawyer family home. Robbie looked out the window as the glitz and glitter of the City disappeared and private homes came into view. He pulled up in front of a large two-story house.

“This is it,” Scott said, turning off the car.

Robbie swallowed. The imposing structure stopped him. His legs attempted to turn and run, but he clamped down on his impulses and pushed forward slowly.

Dale took his hand. “Don’t be scared. It’ll be okay.”

“I’m not scared,” he lied.

“Sure. Right.” She smiled. “You have that deer-in-the-headlights look.”

“Do I?”

She nodded. As soon as they approached the front step, the door flew open.

“Welcome!” shouted a slim, salt-and-pepper haired woman.  She threw her arms open. Behind her, only partially visible, Robbie spotted a young woman with arms crossed over her chest, scowling.

“Mom’s in a good mood,” Dale said to her brother as she approached the door.

“Don’t be fooled. The storm’s brewing,” Scott said.

Dale raised her eyebrows. “Angela’s here?”

Scott nodded. “Angela’s here.”

Robbie pointed to the young woman behind Dale’s mom. “Angela?”

Dale nodded.

Her mother stepped out of the house and into a big hug with her daughter. Mrs. Sawyer let her go and grabbed Robbie’s hand. “You must be Robbie. I’m Barbara Sawyer. My, you’re handsome.”

Schlepping the luggage, Scott followed Robbie inside.

“Put their bags in Dale’s room,” Mrs. Sawyer said.

“But Mom we’re not…” Dale started.

Barbara patted her daughter’s hand. “I’m not old fashioned, dear. I understand these things.”

Robbie covered his snicker with his hand. Color rushed into Dale’s face.

A pretty blonde stepped out of the shadows. When she uncrossed her arms, she revealed an impressive rack. Robbie couldn’t believe it—a woman who was his “type” right there in the Sawyer household. She sashayed toward him, offering a slim hand with red lacquered nails.

“I’m Angela Sawyer, Dale’s cousin.”

“Robbie Anthony. Nice to meet you.”

She shot him a seductive smile as her hooded eyes roamed over his body. “There’s plenty of room in the guest room with me,” she said, her red lips parted slightly.

Robbie spotted Dale’s frown and sidled up to her. He slid his arm around her shoulders, drawing her up against him. “No, thanks. I’m sure I’ll be very comfortable with Dale.”

When he spotted Scott’s smirk, relief flooded Robbie. He didn’t want to insult anyone, but he’d be damned if Angela was going to put down Dale. Mrs. Sawyer smiled and took his hand.

“Perfect. Come, let me introduce you to the family.” As she passed Dale, she gave her shoulder a little squeeze. “This one’s a winner!”

Watching Dale cringe, Robbie laughed. He snagged her hand and pulled her along beside him. This was going to be a Thanksgiving like no other.

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "STAR"

        

Welcome! This week the word prompt is "star". We're with Robbie and Dale as they wing their way to 

Las Vegas for Thanksgiving. Things are starting to heat up. Take a gander, then hop over to the other 

stories by our talented authors.  Find them HERE . Thanks for stopping by. 

P.S., Don't forget to leave a comment.

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      “Should I call for a limo?”

      “Nope. Scott is picking us up.”

Oh, yeah. He forgot. That’s what family does. They pick you up from the airport. He had a lot to learn.

She patted his hand, then combed her fingers through her hair. “Don’t worry. He’s gonna love you.”

“Really? He doesn’t even know me.”

“You’re a normal guy with a good job. No, wait. Make that a great job. Nothing like guys I’ve brought home in the past.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. Kinda charity cases. You know, guys out of work. Guys detoxing from drugs. Stuff like that.”

“You went out with guys like that?”

“No. They weren’t boyfriends, just kinda friends. Guys I knew who needed help.”

“What about me?”

“You’re a star, they’ll be thrilled.” She frowned. “But they may think there’s more between us than there is. Just sayin’. Expect anything.”

“So instead of pumpkin pie for dessert, there’s gonna be a shotgun wedding?” His voice squeaked a bit, so he cleared his throat.

She patted his hand again. “Not that bad.”

“But close?”

She shrugged. “Just people making assumptions.”

“That’s nothing new. People have been making wrong assumptions about me all my life.”

Her gaze met his. “I get it.”

“Oh no, you don’t. The guys on the team are only the half of it.”

“Really? Do you want to tell me about it?”

“Don’t want to bring the mood down. Let’s just say that in high school, the sheriff kept an eye on me, so did the principal. Everyone expected me to break the law.”

“And did you?”

He laughed. “No, Ma’am. I put my nose to the grindstone. Days were spent playing football. Kicking mostly. And nights were spent with homework and reading. I didn’t even have a girlfriend. Didn’t go to my proms, either."

“Aw come on. I find that hard to believe.”

Emotion closed his throat for a second. “With everyone expecting me to fuck up because my homelife was a disaster, I did everything I could to prove them wrong. I got a full scholarship to Duke. Brushed the dust of that sleepy, nasty little town off my shoulders and never looked back.” His voice had a hard edge. His gaze went to the window -nighttime-- the sky was black. 

A squeeze from Dale’s hand on his drew his attention. He took a deep breath and attempted a smile.

“It must have been hard.”

He nodded.

“I’m proud of you. You took the high road, the harder path.”

“To me going to jail for stealing was a much harder path than studying. So tell me about Scott again.”

Dale filled him in on her favorite brother as the plane landed in Las Vegas. His nerves kicked up and his stomach twisted as they left the plane and hurried toward the exit. 

A young man in a pilot uniform greeted them. After hugging Dale, he approached Robbie. He drew his eyebrows together as his gaze did a quick tour of the kicker. 

TUESDAY TALES - PICTURE PROMPT

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales, picture prompt week. This is the picture I choose. We have more from "The Kicker, Pt. 1" It's the limo driving Dale and Robbie to the airport. This week we creep into Robbie's mind as he's on his way to spend Thanksgiving with her family. 

Don't forget to read all the stories and see which pictures each author selected. You'll find them HERE. 

Thanks for stopping by. 

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Robbie’s nerves kicked up at each warning from Dale about a member of her family. Convinced he’d say the wrong thing, he wondered if he could simply nod and smile. Her family would hate him. They’d get it he was a player and circle the wagons around their wonderful daughter, sister, niece. He sighed. They’d be right, of course. But if her family was as wonderful as she said and they accepted him, he’d be ready to make the leap of his life.

The thought of making a permanent commitment made him sweat. As the plane taxied down the runway, Robbie mentally reminded himself Dale was la crème de la crème. He’d been looking for a girl exactly like her for years. He frowned, staring out the window. The guys didn’t get it. His search for the perfect woman had led to serial dating. He’d finally found her. Her big, close family could be his surrogate family. Terrified to hope, he tamped down his expectations.

“Breathe,” he whispered to himself.

“What?” Dale cracked open a drowsy eye.

Nothing. Talking to myself.”

She slipped her arm through his. She rested her head on his shoulder and went back to sleep. Faint whisps of her perfume floated to his nose. He could hardly wait to make love to her. It would be explosive and the anticipation drew blood to his groin. He picked up a magazine. No way could he get hard on the plane.

Once Dale’s shyness fell away, he’d show her exactly how much a man can love a woman. He licked his lips and cleared his throat. She stirred.  He needed to have her by his side forever. He patted her hand, then closed his fingers over it and shut his eyes. Maybe his dreams would finally come true?

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT - SPIDER

 

Howdy! This week "spider" is our word prompt. Dale is not quite the innocent bystander she looks like. She has a secret. Let's find out what it is. Thanks for stopping by. Check out the other stories, which you can find HERE.

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As she approached the buffet, Robbie entered the room. They locked gazes. He gave her a polite nod.

Dale made a quick salad at the salad bar, then took a seat in a corner, praying he wouldn’t join her. As if reading her mind, he joined his fellow Kings, Trunk Mahoney, and Bullhorn Brodsky. She was close enough to eavesdrop on their conversation.

“So, Robbie, which hot chick is cooking turkey for you this year? Or are you eating a tv dinner?” Bull asked.

“I’ve been invited,” Robbie said, then took a bite of his sandwich.

“Yeah? Who’d invite you? Not one of your one-night stands?” Trunk asked.

“They are not one-night stands,” Robbie said.

“Yeah?” Bull said before picking up a French fry.

Trunk shot a look at Dale. “So. Who invited you?”

“Never mind.”

“I don’t believe you. Tell us.” Trunk pressed.

Dale’s appetite went South.

“If you must know, Dale.”

Trunk widened his eyes and stared directly at her. Damn, Robbie. Why couldn’t he shut up?

“I guess you got lucky, again!” Bull said, shaking his head.

“Shut the fuck up! She’s right over there, she’ll hear you. And, if it’s any of your business, no, I didn’t. We’re just friends.”

“Not for long,” snickered Bull.

“Fuck you, Brodsky.”

Dale shoveled her salad in her mouth and then downed her coffee. As she cleaned off her tray, a deep voice behind her and a hand on her arm stopped her.

“I’m sorry about that asshole Brodsky.”

She faced Robbie. His aftershave teased her nose. She didn’t realize how tall he was. He lowered his gaze to hers and her pulse jumped. For a second, she thought he was going to kiss her.

When he leaned in, his breath was warm on her ear, and his shoulder rubbed up against hers. “You haven’t given me your address.”

She rattled it off in a wobbly voice.

“Great. Pick you up at seven?”

She nodded. He shot her a warm smile that sent a zing all the way to her core. He turned and strode out of the room, leaving a void. She let out a breath. The man was sex on legs.

Another masculine voice snapped her out of her reverie.

“Dale, you’re not falling for the guy, are you?”

It was Trunk Mahoney.

“No, no.”  

“That wasn’t part of our bet. You were just supposed to make him think you were falling for him.”

“Huh? Oh, yeah. Right, right.”

“Then drop him. Stomp on his worthless heart.”

She’d pushed the stupid bet out of her mind, sort of, and let her guard down. Robbie’d sneaked into her affections.

“Don’t you need a hundred bucks?” Trunk laughed. “At the first sign of tears, his, I’ll pay up.”

Dale bit her lip, thinking,  What have I done? I’m just like a spider who eats her mate.

 

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "STINGY"

 

Welcome! This week we have another episode of "The Kicker, Part 1". The word prompt this week  is "stingy."

Dale is securing a seat on the same place for Robbie. Her brother, Scott, is a pilot and got her the ticket. But it seems he's assuming a few things about Robbie and Dale that aren't true!! Read on and find out.

When you're finished, hop over to the other author's blogs to read their wonderful stories. You'll find them HERE. Thanks for stopping by. 

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“Dale? What time is it? Why are you calling? Are you in trouble?” her brother asked.

“No, no. I need you to do me a big favor.”

He chuckled. “This sounds familiar.”

“No, really. I need you to get me another seat on the same flight as me, okay?”

“What? Do you know how hard that was? You’re kidding, right?”

“No, I’m not. I know and I’ll be grateful forever. But this is important.”

“Who’s it for? Some guy?”

Dale felt heat grow in her face. “Yeah.”

“Really? That’s a different story.”

“You’ll do it then?”

“This isn’t some sick puppy who has no place to go for Thanksgiving, is it? Not another one of your human rescue attempts?”

“No, no. It’s true he has no family and no place to go, but he’s the kicker on the Connecticut Kings.”

“Oh? Really? I see you’re making better choices. Okay. I’ll see what I can do. But I expect a favor in return.”

“Anything.”

“Two tickets to the Kings game when Julie and I come East in December. And good seats. No, great seats!”

“Done.”

“Is this guy stingy, looking for a freebie, or can he pay? Or do you plan to do that, too?”

“He’s a pro football player. Of course he can pay.”

“Good. It’s about time you brought home someone we could approve of. He’s earning a good living?”

“Yes.”

“Excellent. Mom and Dad will be pleased. Nice to see you’re finally seeking out marriage material,” he said, then yawned. “Sorry. It’s late here.”

“Thanks, Scott. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Sis.”

She chuckled to herself. Scott thinks Robbie is marriage material? What a joke! Maybe bringing him home where her whole family would be waiting for him to pop the question was not a good idea. How could she tell Scott over the phone that Robbie’s deathly allergic to marriage?

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "TURKEY"

 

Welcome! This week the word prompt is "turkey" - which is not surprising! More conversation between Dale and Robbie in "The Kicker's Story, Part 1". Don't forget to read the wonderful Tuesday Tales stories by terrific authors. Find them HERE. Thanks for stopping by. 

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 He shook his head. “Oh, I couldn’t. No. Really.”

“Why? You got somewhere else to go for Thanksgiving?”

“No, but…”

“You don’t like turkey?”

“I love turkey.”

“Then you’re coming. My family’s always bugging me to bring a football player home for the holiday.”

“I’d be the first?”

“Yeah. Perfect. Come on. Don’t say ‘no’.”

His face brightened as if the sun suddenly rose and  beamed right on him.

“Well, okay. If you really want me to.”

“I do. Good! I’m excited!” She grinned and grabbed his arm.

“You? I’m like crazy!” He took her in his arms and placed a sweet kiss on her lips, then stepped back. “I’m sorry, was that wrong?”

“No. Oh, no.”

“So where does your family live, anyway.”

“Las Vegas.” She wore a smug smile.

“Las Vegas!!”

“Yep. I bet if we called right now we could get you a ticket for the same flight.”

“No, way.”

“My brother works for the airline. I’ll call him.”

Robbie put his hand on her arm. “No, don’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s two o’clock.”

“Oh, yeah. I’ll call him in the morning.”

“Ok. I can’t believe it. You really want me to come?” he asked.

“I do. I really do. They’re gonna freak out.”

“Them? I’m already freaking out!” He laughed.

She cupped his cheek. “You sure are different.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, at the stadium, you’re like…well, obnoxious.”

He chuckled. “Yeah. I do that to keep the guys from bugging me.”

“But they tease you even more.”

“Jealous. They’re jealous ‘cause they think I’m getting’ a ton more than they are.”

“Aren’t you?”

His eyes shone with a sexy gleam. “A gentleman never tells. If I go to Vegas with you the team is gonna think we’re lovers.”

“I’ll tell them we’re just friends. Okay?”

“Whatever works.” Robbie yawned. “I think I’m ready to sleep.”

“Me, too.” She leaned forward to kiss him on the cheek. “Goodnight, Robbie.”

“Goodnight, Dale. Sweet dreams.” He pushed to his feet, turned out the light and left, closing the door softly behind him. She waited a couple of minutes before picking up her phone.

“Scott?” she whispered.  

TUESDAY TALES - PICTURE PROMPT WEEK

 

Welcome! We have another peek into that midnight conversation between Robbie and Dale, in an episode of "The Kicker, Part One." 

Don't miss the other great stories! Find them HERE. Thanks for stopping by. 

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“So tell me about you. About your mother,” Dale said, watching him and sipping her drink.

“Not much to tell.”

“Does she come to games?”

He shook his head. “She has another life now. New family.”

“Really?” She raised her eyebrows.

“Yeah. My dad died when I was like sixteen. He had a heart attack. My mom went out and found someone else. Guy’s got bucks, I’ll give you that. They got married and moved to Arizona. I went to live with my aunt. I think they’ve got a kid, maybe two. I don’t know. Don’t see them.”

Emotion closed Dale’s throat and shock stole her breath. Tears stung as she glanced out the window at a bare tree. She dropped her gaze to her hands toying with the quilt seam when Robbie placed his hands on hers.

“Hey, it’s okay. Don’t get upset. It happened a long time ago. I’m glad she’s happy and not carrying on about dad being gone. She’s got a new life and so do I. So I guess it’s a win/win, right?”

Dale stared silently into his blue eyes, which belied his comment. She saw pain hiding there, masked as acceptance.

“How about you? Any brothers or sisters?”

Struggling to find her voice, she nodded and swallowed before squeaking out, “two brothers and two sisters.”

“Close family?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“You’re lucky.” His voice took on a wistful tone.

Dale’s mind raced. Confused, not knowing what to think, she put down her empty glass and took his hand in both of hers.

“Hey, it’s okay. It’s nobody’s fault. Just a bad break, losing my dad is all.”

“Thanksgiving’s in two weeks. Are the Kings playing?”

“Not this year,” he said, squeezing her small hand in his.

“Why don’t you join my family for Thanksgiving?”

Tuesday Tales - Word Prompt "Pan" - Another Episode from "The Kicker, Part 1"

 

Welcome! This week our word prompt is "pan". We have another episode of "The Kicker's Story, Part 1." Things take a turn you might not expect. Thanks for coming. Don't forget to read all the great stories. Find them HERE. 

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Unable to sleep, Dale curled up into a fetal position and wrapped the quilt around her. A light snow fell. Warmth and safety surrounded her, but not drowsiness. Nope, damn – wide awake. Pushing up, her gaze panned the room from one end to the other and spied a bookcase. Books? This man read?

It was crammed with paperbacks. Perusing the spines she spied lots of sports biographies, a few books on history, then half a shelf on relationships! She laughed out loud, then clapped her hand over her mouth.

She took a well-worn book down. A self-help book? The book fell open to the chapter on parents. The apartment grew chilly. She climbed back into bed, snuggling under the quilt and read the chapter about mothers and sons.

After twenty minutes, there was a light tap on the door.

“Yes?” Uh oh. Was this it? His middle of the night seduction?

The door creaked open a crack.

“Are you awake? Are you decent?”

“Yes.”

“Can I come in?”

“It’s your house.”

“But this is your room tonight.”

“Of course.” She shoved the book under the covers and pulled the quilt up.

Clad in a  terry robe, he entered the room.  “Can’t sleep?”

She shook her head.

“Me, neither.”

“How come?” she asked.

He shrugged, but his cheeks pinked.

“Because I’m here?” Dale asked.

He fidgeted with the sash of his robe, accidentally exposing a sliver of his chest, smooth skin and dark hair. Her eyes didn’t miss an inch. So he slept nude? Her breath quickened. Her fingers itched to part the robe and get a good look. He was slender, a fine physical specimen of a man, even if he was messed up about women.

“Maybe.”

“Do I make you nervous?” she asked.

He nodded.

She laughed. “Really? Why?”

“Because you’re so much above me.”

Now she laughed harder. “No, I’m not.”

“I’m just a dumb athlete, a kicker. Nothing special.”

“That’s not true. First, I can see by your choice of books, you’re not dumb. And it takes a lot of skill to do what you do.”

“You think so?”

The hopeful light in his eyes touched her heart. Whoever told this guy he was ordinary?  

That's it for this week. Thanks for stopping by.