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.