Hello, 

 This will be the last excerpt of The Kicker, Part 1 that I post here on Tuesday Tales. I'm sorry about this. Please don't be mad. It's longer than usual and you'll know why when you read it. The book will be out in a few weeks, and you'll be able to read the end of this story then. In the meantime, with out further adieu...Dale & Robbie: 

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Dale’s stomach flipped as she depressed the gas pedal harder. She had to beat him to The Beast. Sweat broke out on her brow. Maybe Trunk wouldn’t even be there? There was no game that afternoon, so where else would he be but in his wife’s bar, right? Maybe he went to a movie. As much as she tried to convince herself he wasn’t there, her heart knew the truth. Her pulse raced and her stomach turned queasy.

Racing into a space on the street, she jammed on the brakes and bolted out of the car, not bothering to lock it. Once inside, she glanced around and didn’t see Robbie. Tuffer sat alone at a table in the back. She let out a breath she’d been holding. Thank God! Trunk lounged against the bar, chatting with Bull Brodsky, an offensive lineman for the Kings. Dale rushed over. She wrapped her hand around his upper arm.

“Hey, Dale! Happy Thanksgiving, hon. Tell me, how was Robbie?” Trunk snickered.

“Look, the bet is off. Okay. It was a mistake. I never should have agreed.”

“Why? The guy didn’t fall for you? I find that hard to believe.”

“According to Demson, he fell hard. So you win!” Bull chimed in.

“Yeah. Now all that’s left to collect the dough is to break up with him,” Trunk added.  

Dale raised her hands. “No, no. No bet. I didn’t win. He didn’t fall for me. Call it off, okay? Honestly, it wasn’t...”

“Dale,” Robbie called.

She turned in time to see him come out from the men’s room to join Tuffer.

“There he is. Lover boy. Tell him Dale,” Trunk said.

“Tell me what?” Robbie approached his teammates at the bar.

“No. Nothing. There’s nothing to tell,” Dale said, grabbing his arm and dragging him toward the door. “I’m hungry. Let’s go eat.”

Robbie freed his arm and walked up to Trunk. “Tell me what?”

Dale edged between them. “Trunk, don’t!”

“Come, Dale. Don’t steal the moment. I’ve been waiting for this for years.” Trunk pushed her aside.

“What’s he talking about Dale?” Robbie looked at her.

“Don’t believe him. Don’t believe him.”

“She doesn’t love you, pal. You think she does, but it’s phony,” Trunk said, pushing his finger into Robbie’s shoulder.

“Of course, she does.” Robbie shoved Trunk’s hand away.

“It’s all a bet.”

“Trunk, don’t!” Dale wailed, her eyes filling.

“What do you mean, a bet?” Robbie’s eyebrows lowered.

“I bet her she couldn’t break your heart.”

Robbie shot a quizzical look first at Trunk, then at Dale.

“That’s right,” Bull chimed in. “He said you didn’t have a heart to break.”

“And she said you did and laughed.”

“So, I bet her a hundred bucks she couldn’t break your heart.”

“Really?” Robbie’s eyebrows rose.

“Yep. She’d have to get you to fall in love with her first. And then she’d dump you, like you dumped all those women who fell for you. Then she’d break your heart. If you even have a heart to break,” Trunk said.  

Robbie faced her. “Dale? Did you make that bet?”

With tears streaming down her face, she nodded.

“Did you dump him yet?” Bull asked.

A hush fell over the bar as the patrons listened.

“No,” she whispered.

“I guess his finding out about the bet is as good as dumping him, right Bull?”

Brodsky nodded.

The color drained out of Robbie’s face. “So this was all a gag?”

“No,” she whispered, reaching for him. He sidestepped, avoiding her grasp.

“Yeah. It was. There you go! That’s the payoff,” Trunk said, pulling five twenties from his wallet. She ignored him. Her heartbeat doubled, sweat broke out on her brow. “Don’t. Please Robbie. Let me explain.”

The light in his eyes turned cold and hard, his expression to stone. “Your performance over the last two nights deserves way more than a hundred bucks.” Robbie yanked out his wallet from his back pocket. He grabbed a fistful of bills and threw them at Dale.

She gasped, drawing her hand over her mouth. Her eyes grew wide and wet. The bills floated to the floor.  “Please Robbie. Can we go somewhere and talk?”

As he shook his head, Robbie’s eyes filled. A tear slid down his cheek, but he caught it and wiped it away.

“She had to make you cry to win the hundred bucks. Bingo. You win, Dale.” Trunk shoved the money into Dale’s hand. She pushed him and the bills away. 

Robbie shot her a wounded stare, “Congratulations,” he choked out, then turned on his heel and strode out of the bar.

“Robbie! Wait! It’s not true!” Dale called, following him to the door.

He jumped into his car and sped off. Dale sank to her knees, burying her face in her hands. What had she done? Oh God, what had she done?

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That's it until the book releases. I apologize for leaving you here, but there was no way around it. I will post here when the book is up for preorder. Thank you so much for reading Robbie's story. Don't forget to hop on over to the wonderful Tuesday Tales stories. You'll find them HERE. 

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "BRIGHT"

 

Welcome! This week we have more of Robbie & Dale's story, though we are winding down. There will probably only be one or maybe two more episodes of this tale before it ends in a huge twist. You'll have to wait for the book to come out to find out what happens. But in the meantime, let's trot alongside Robbie & Dale during their courtship. Don't forget to visit the other authors and read their wonderful stories. Find them HERE

At the jewelry store

“Cold feet? Groom? Wait a minute…” Robbie sensed blood draining from his head. Lightheaded, he stumbled to a chair and fell in, almost knocking it over. “Groom,” he muttered.

“Of course. Of course. But if you’ve picked the right young lady, you won’t be backing out.”

“If. Yeah, if.” Robbie muttered, lowering his head between his knees.

“If she agrees,” Tuffer added. “Come on, Rob. It’s okay. You’ll be okay.”

“Do you need a glass of water?” The man asked, snatching the credit card off the counter and folding a firm grip around the ring box.

“Might be a good idea,” Tuffer said.

Robbie lay back against the chair and closed his eyes against the brilliant light from the spotlight in the ceiling. The room spun, so he opened them quickly.

“Come on, Robbie. You said you loved the girl. Think about sleeping with her every night.”

Robbie laughed. Leave it to Tuffer to come up with a practical way to jolt him out of his faint. “Yeah. Right.” He took a deep breath. 

“If you’re going to chicken out, do it now, before you break the young lady’s heart,” the man said, his voice cold.

Robbie straightened up. “No sir. Not going to chicken out. She’s the right girl. And marriage is the right way. Just got a little nervous. But I’m fine now. I’ll take the ring.”

“Good.” The man disappeared intp the back room and returned with the ring and Robbie’s credit card. “Here you go, sir. And I wish you good luck and many happy years together. I hope you’ll come back soon to choose your wedding bands.”

Robbie pocketed the small box and his card. “Thanks.”

“Can’t believe you actually did it,” Tuffer said. “Let’s celebrate. Dinner is on me.”

“Sorry. Can’t. Having dinner with Dale.”

“Going to propose tonight?” The two men strolled down the sidewalk to Robbie’s car.

“Maybe. I want to set the stage. You know. Go someplace special.”

“You worried she’s going to turn you down?”

“Maybe.” He started the motor.

“Okay. Then a drink at The Savage Beast?”

“Sure. Why not?” Robbie pulled out and did a u-turn heading for the bar. At the stoplight, he phoned Dale.

“I’m heading to The Beast with Tuffer. Can you meet me there and then we’ll go to dinner?”

“Sure,” she said. He ended the conversation and hit the gas pedal.

****

 The Beast? Oh no. No, no, no. Dale had managed to keep Robbie away from that bar while they were dating. But now he was headed there. Trunk Mahoney was sure to be hanging out. Crap! She had to get there and warn Trunk not to mention the bet. In fact, she had to cancel the bet, if it wasn’t too late.

That's all for today, folks. Thanks for stopping by. 

Tuesday Tales - Word Prompt "Dirt"

Howdy! Welcome!        

This week we have another episode of Robbie's story. He's home from his magical Thanksgiving with Dale and her family and off to shop for an engagement ring with his good friend, Tuffer Demson. Although the road to true love looks smooth from this vantage point, things may change in the near future...

Don't forget to stop by and read the fabulous stories by the other Tuesday Tales authors. Find their stories HERE. Thanks for stopping by. 

 Robbie arrive home from the airport late. He awoke at eight the next morning. He dressed,  pulling on a warmer jacket. He hurried along to the coffee shop on Main Street to meet his buddy, Tuffer Demson -- for breakfast, then ring shopping. 

When Robbie arrived, Tuffer’s large frame had already filled one side of a booth. Robbie slid into the other side and gave his order for coffee to the waitress.

“This is a fucking miracle,” Tuffer said, digging into a stack of hotcakes.

“I know, right?” Robbie added milk to his beverage.

“Yeah. Boy are the guys gonna shit bricks.” Tuffer grinned and shook his head.

“Don’t tell them. Let me surprise Dale first, okay?”

“There's already plenty of dirt going around about you and Dale., but whatever you say. You’re da man!” Tuffer added more syrup to his breakfast.

Anxiety mixed with excitement in his blood. Fear mixed with anticipation of happiness and his body didn’t know how to react – flight, adrenaline and out the door, or increased pulse and heading to the jewelry store. The love side won. Robbie hurried  down the block, dragging Tuffer behind him.

“Gotta get there when the store opens,” Robbie said, puffing from the exertion and the cold Connecticut air. When he opened the shop door, a man came out from the back.

“Good morning, Gentlemen, can I help you?”

Robbie froze. Words caught in his throat as the flight side pulled ahead.

“Yeah. Sure. My friend is looking for an engagement ring,” Tuffer said, nudging the kicker.

“For you?” The man gazed directly at the linebacker.

“No, no. For his girlfriend. He’s gonna pop the question.”

“May I ask how much you wish to spend?” The man said, pulling out a tray of small rings.

“Oh, no. Those are too small,” Robbie said, shaking his head.

“What did you have in mind?”

“How big can I get for ten grand?”

The man’s eyes widened and so did his grin. “For that amount you can get a beautiful, impressive ring. Diamond? Ruby? Emerald?”

“Diamond.” 

Robbie held his breath as he chose the diamond, not having any idea what tempest awaited him.

TUESDAY TALES - PICTURE PROMPT WEEK

 

Welcome! This week is picture prompt week. I picked the ring. Hint, hint, why!! Lol. Yes, Robbie and Dale's story continues. Hop on over to read the great Tuesday Tales stories and see the pictures they're writing to HERE. Thanks for stopping by!

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“Let’s see. Hmm. I don’t want to be away from you. When I am, I miss you and wonder when you’re going to be with me and hope it’s soon. I care what you think of me, so I try to improve my behavior. I think about you all the time and what I can do to make you happy. I feel totally comfortable with you. I love your honesty, even if it hurts. I trust you – which is huge for me. And I want to touch you, kiss you, and make love to you every hour of the day. Is that love?”

“Say something,” he said.

“You nailed it.”

He grinned. “Now you. How do you feel about me?”

“Ditto.”

He laughed. “Come on! A smart girl like you can do better than that.”

She pushed her chair back. “I’m not comfortable doing this.” Robbie grabbed her wrist.

“Oh no. You’re not getting away. You think I was comfortable? But you asked. Now I’m asking.

She plopped down in her chair and fidgeted with a napkin. “I admit I love you, too.”

“Really? You’re not just saying that?”

She smiled. “You know me. I’m honest. Brutal.”

“True.” He picked up their plates and headed for the kitchen. Dale followed. Upon entering, she spied Barbara and Ralph, quiet as mice, their ears to the doorway.

“Is there no privacy in this house?” Dale raised her voice.

Ralph wiped his eyes, hugged Robbie, and scooted out the back door, with Barbara right behind. Staring at Barbara’s gorgeous ring, Robbie got ideas.

He laughed. “That’s family!”

“That’s nosy parents who want to run your life.” Dale grumbled, frowning.

“Be grateful you have them.”   

“I am, most of the time,” she said, snaking her arm around his waist and resting her head on his shoulder.

 

TUESDAY TALES - TOUGH

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! We're back with Robbie and Dale this week.  Our word prompt is "tough". When you finished my story, hop on over to the other authors to read their works. Find them HERE. 

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Dale couldn’t believe her ears. Robbie wanted a family? When did this metamorphosis take place?“Since I see how happy a family can be, like yours,” he said.

Silence. Her parents glanced at each other over the table before making flimsy excuses to leave. They pushed to their feet, grabbed the dishes, and fled to the kitchen. Robbie kept eating. He finished his sandwich, then polished off the sweet potatoes left on his plate. Dale continued to stare.

“Is that so?”

“A guy can change his mind.”

“Really?” She raised her eyebrows.

“I’ve never seen how a normal family is. I like it.”

“Oh, and now, all of a sudden, you want one of your own? Like that ice cream cone looks good, Mommy. Buy me one, too?” Dale picked at the food remaining on her plate. 

“That’s harsh. Aren't you being a little tough on me?”

“Having a family like mine takes work. Tons of commitment. And patience. Don’t think my parents always get along. Sometimes they don’t. But they’ve stuck it out…together. Now you’re willing to do that?”

Robbie took her hand in both of his. “I could do it if I had a woman like you.”

“Me?” Her voice went up an octave.

“Yes. You’d be worth it.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Her eyes wetted. “Do you mean that or are you just saying it to please my family?”

“You should know me well enough now to know I’d never do that. I don’t give a rats ass what most people think. But I do care what you think of me. What do you think of me?”

Dale freed her hand and sat back. “What do I think? I think there are many layers to you. That you’ve been dealt a bad hand in life regarding family. A winning hand in football, but a definite loser in relationships.”

“That’s pretty accurate.”

“And so? What do you think of me?” she asked.

He reclaimed her hand and held it to his lips. “I think you are a rare gem. One that comes along maybe once in a lifetime. And I’m in love with you.”

“What?” She jumped to her feet. “No way. You’ve told me you’ve never been in love.”

“Right. I haven’t. But I am now.”

“And you know that how?” She returned to her seat.

                           

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That's all. Thanks for stopping by. 

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "CHAOS"

 Welcome! This week we have more of Robbie Anthony's story. He got Dale into his apartment for the night. Will she be safe? She discovers a bookcase full of paperbacks. Which book does she pick? Don't forget to hop on over to the great Tuesday Tales authors. Find them HERE. Thanks for coming.

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Robbie ended the call. Tuffer was right. Proposal was the only thing. Dale would probably say “no”, but he had to try. For a moment he allowed his mind to take a flight of fancy. What if she said “yes”? Best sex ever and being with Dale every day. Cooking together. The dream was too big. His eyes filled. Everyone he knew thought being a professional football player was the dream of a lifetime. Hah! What did they know? Totally wrong. Having a loving family was his dream of a lifetime. The notion he might get it overwhelmed him. He brushed a few stray tears off his cheeks, then picked up the axe and went back to work.

When he finished, he stacked the wood in a neat pile. Then he carted a load inside and set up a fire in the fireplace.

“Lunch!” Came Dale’s voice from the kitchen. Robbie washed up then joined Dale and her parents at the table. The rest of the company had departed right after breakfast. Robbie chowed down on the delicious sandwich, then piled his plate high with reheated potatoes and stuffing from the bowls on the table.

“This meal is almost as good as yesterday’s,” he said.

“So, tell me, Robbie. What are your plans?” Ralph asked.

“You mean about football?”

“About life. Where are you going and all that crap.” Ralph took a bite of his sandwich.

Robbie paused. Should he tell the truth? Spill the beans he planned to marry Dale? One glance around the table told him to keep it to himself. Dale would probably kill him if he told her parents before he got her consent. Still, the urge to treat them like family already gripped his heart. A new kind of chaos for him. 

“Oh. Well, gee. No specific plans right now. But some day I’d sure like to have a nice family like you have, Ralph.”

Dale choked on a mouthful of potatoes. Her father pounded her back. She stared at a grinning Robbie. He left the table to retrieve a glass of water and handed it to Dale. After she took a healthy drink, she raised her gaze to his. 

“Really? Since when?” she asked.

                                    ****************************

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

TUESDAY TALES - PICTURE PROMPT!

 

Welcome! This is picture prompt week and all posts must not be over 300 words. We're still on The Kicker's Story, Part 1. Robbie's out chopping wood. He takes a break to call his pal, Tuffer Demson. And we get a chance to listen in. Please excuse the locker room language. It's the way two guys would speak to each other without others present. 

When you're finished, hop on over to the other stories by the wonderful Tuesday Tales writers. Find them HERE. 

      

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Robbie put down the axe and picked up his phone. He simply had to call Tuffer Demson, his only friend.

“Hey, Rob. What’s up?”

“It’s happened.”

“What’s happened? You okay?”

“Probably not. I’ve fallen.”

“Are you hurt? Did you call 911?”

Robbie laughed. “No, no. In love. Fallen in love.”

“You? No way. Come on. It’s not April Fool’s Day.”

“Seriously, Tuffer.” Robbie plopped down on a tree stump.

“You fell for Dale?”

“And her whole family. Man, these are the nicest people in the world.”

“No kidding? Really?”

“Really.”

“Congratulations, dickwad! I been saying it’d happen one day.”

“And you were right.”

“So what are you gonna do about it?”

“What do you mean?”

“Have you told her yet?”

“No. Just figured it out this morning.”

“Did you sleep with her yet?”

“Last night. And it was amazing. Now I know the difference between fucking and making love.”

Tuffer laughed. “It’s about time.”

“I’m only twenty-eight.”

“Are you going to propose?”

“Me? She’d never believe it.” Robbie paced.

“Oh yes she would. Especially if you’ve got a ring.”

“A diamond?” He raised his eyebrows.

“Yep.”

Silence. Robbie hadn’t considered the next step. He figured he’d lose her, like he lost everything else that ever mattered. Maybe not?

“I need a ring?” Robbie sat down on a stump again.

“There’s a jewelry store in town. That’s where I bought mine.”

“Will you go with me?”

Tuffer laughed. “You’re not afraid to face the goal posts, the defensive line, and a football, but you’re afraid to pick out a diamond ring?”

“Shut up, Tuffer.”

“Okay, okay. I’ll go with you. Not wasting any time, are you?”

“I don’t want to lose her,” he pushed to his feet.

“The guys’ll shit their pants when they find out.”

“Don’t tell anyone, okay?”

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That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by.