TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "NAIL"

 

Welcome! We have another episode of "The Kicker" today. Remember to read all the wonderful stories. You'll find them HERE. Thanks for stopping by. 

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Charlie nodded. "Oh, it's real all right. It's real." He shook his head. "Foolish." 

Merrily looked over at Tyler, who immediately looked away. "I get it." She nodded. Was he the guy at the lake, watching her? Her gaze ran up and down his physique. Yep. Sure looked like the guy. But why would he do that? 

"Tyler, huh?" It only took one more look to realize this guy wasn't going to admit anything. Anyone else would be clamoring to take credit for such an exquisite gift. But not Tyler Bentley. Why? And why give it to her? He barely knew her.

Intrigued, she made up her mind to find out why. What did the diamond heart mean? Surely he couldn't have bought it for her, he barely knew her. And he didn't know she'd be here. With a sharp intake of breath, she got it.

"What's wrong?" Courtney asked.

"Nothing."

Clear as ice. He must have bought it for someone else. Someone who wouldn't want it now, or maybe didn't even know about the necklace. Someone he didn't want to give it to. Maybe an ex-girlfriend who died? Or ran off with a linebacker? Merrily chuckled to herself. This necklace was meant as a token of love to someone who either wasn’t around to get it or didn't want it.

Sneaking another peek at him, she sensed warmth spread through her chest. Maybe he'd been dumped just like she had. Her heart squeezed. Tyler Bentley. Who would have thought it, right? Tyler Bentley, pro football player, tossed out like an empty pizza box? Couldn't be.

Still, why would he put an expensive piece of jewelry up as a Secret Santa gift? Did he mean it for her? Was he trying to tell her something? The heat in her chest rose to her cheeks. Damn. He must have been the guy watching her skate at the lake. Did he have a crush on her or something? No way. No way. She shook her head.

"Come on, come on. Give it to me. You gotta wear this. It's too beautiful to stay in the box." Courtney eased the necklace around her sister's neck.

"It's almost obscene," Connie said to Charlie.

"It's the givers prerogative. He can give it to whoever he wants," Charlie said.

"How do you know it's a 'he'? Maybe it's some old lady who doesn't have daughters and wanted to pass along this beautiful necklace she got from her husband? Hmm, Charlie?" Merrily narrowed her eyes and stared at him.

Charlie's colored got redder. "Connie, more eggnog?" He took her cup and hightailed it to the drink table. Then she knew she'd nailed it.

Merrily laughed.

"What have you been up to, Merrily Adams? Why is that young man giving you such a..such an intimate gift?" Connie put her hands on her hips.

"I have no idea, Mom. But I'm going to find out." She fingered the pendant.