They are all ready, then Larian, the squad leader and today’s roastee arrives with her entourage which includes the rest of the cheering squad. Today the girls are dressed in their matching cheer leader outfits. Short skirts, tight tops and sneakers over white socks, bare more of the girls than they are used to.
“Looking good ladies.” Mary quips as they do a group hug for luck.
“Listen Larian,” Sharon warns. “We don’t know how to cheer or do any routines! Larian, casts them a knowing smile and encouragingly tells the girls. “I’ll tell you just what to do! Don’t worry. Follow my lead.”
Directed to pose on their hands and knees the hostess’s are a bit surprised when the other girls on the team start climbing onto their backs. Four, eight, oh my! Twelve girls are using them as if they were building foundations. Mary’s hooters graze the ground. Patsy has no problems with her bulging muscular arms. Lyn asks them to stop using her feet as a ladder. And Sharon has a wedgie because they keep slipping on the bulge of her huge bum. After everyone climbed on they were all in place except for the last girl on
top. The audience cheered as the intricate dance of their cheer unfolds.. The last cheerleader waves and the crowd roars, it’s Larian herself climbing up over all the suspended girls to stand right at the top.
She waves to her fans and begins to spell out the letters of the words to her book. Letters are yelled out as they spelled the name of Larian’s latest new book CHASE Gimmie a C, gimmie an H... On and on she goes with the crowd roaring the letters out as she asks for them. By the time the whole name of the book is called out, the girls can’t hold the twelve other cheer leaders anymore. As they fall so do all of those squad members, right on top of them.
Oliver, who usually has to cook a huge meal, is happy that the after game trip to McDonalds will save him having to cook for all of these people. He is serving soft drinks and Gatorade, which was the Miami Dolphin’s creation. He has bags of chips, popcorn, warm peanuts, and huge, also warm, soft pretzels, covered with sprinkled salt.
He stands by the bleachers and watches, as he awaits his boss lady's tiniest instruction.
Meanwhile the hostesses, under a pile of warm flesh and screaming, struggle to breathe. Finally the girls are extricated from beneath the dozen women.
All four of them lie on the ground gasping for breath and inhaling big gulps of air. Finally they struggle to get up before the game continues on.
Sharon makes it to the microphone first while Lyn mutters. “What we won’t do for our authors.” Sharon begins. “We welcome you to the AR&T halftime show. And for out biggest attraction we give you the wonderful and talented author Larian Wills! Grab your copy of CHASE, and don’t forget to have her sign it for you. Then after the game we are all going to jump on the AR&T bus and go down to McDonald’s for a Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, feast! Thank you all for coming today.
And when you comment let us know how you feel. Football or no football that Is the question! Do you love it or do you hate it?
Tiffany swore she was pregnant, but Chase never knew if she’d lied. Eleven years after her father had had him beaten and ran out of town, Chase couldn’t stand not knowing. Despite the possibility of another beating and the prison sentence they’d promised him if he ever returned, Chase went back and faced far worse than prison.
After eleven years Sydney didn’t cherish the chance to have Chase as much as she feared he would learn too many secrets.
Chase had to decide if the stories so many were so eager to tell him were true. Did Sydney kill to become the only heir to the Gibson fortune? Was her obsessive/compulsive disorder so severe that she’d held on to his child only to trap him or that she would kill again if he made her angry?
After eleven years Sydney didn’t cherish the chance to have Chase as much as she feared he would learn too many secrets.
Chase had to decide if the stories so many were so eager to tell him were true. Did Sydney kill to become the only heir to the Gibson fortune? Was her obsessive/compulsive disorder so severe that she’d held on to his child only to trap him or that she would kill again if he made her angry?
EXCERPT
Despite the threat of prison or death, Chase had to know, did he have a child or had Tiffany lied again.
Eighteen and in deep trouble, Chase is given a choice, keep his mouth shut about the beating they gave him and leave town or go to prison for rape. Twelve years later he can’t leave the doubt alone. Was Tiffany pregnant? Discovering Tiffany didn’t lie, at least that time, he returned. Suffering the lengths they went to be rid of him, he knows what they’d do if they saw him. Only wanting to see the boy, from a distance, not cause trouble, he never expected to be allowed anywhere near the child. He gets a startling invitation to stay with disturbing results. Tiffany disappeared years before, both her parents are dead, all three under suspicious circumstances. The lone family survivor, Tiffany’s younger sister, inherited the family fortune and his son. Grateful to Sydney for the care she gives Ryan, fascinated by her, he can’t help seeing something is not right even before he’s told were there enough evidence, she’d be on trial for murder.
Sydney was scared, more scared than she had ever been in her life. Chase had changed. After eleven years, of course he changed. After what they did to him, a difference was expected, but Chase was still Chase. When she’d glanced at the man standing at the fence and saw his profile, she knew him instantly. Her heart had nearly stopped beating. He was heavier, older, both showing in his face. He passed through those lanky years when upward growth had so outdistanced width, maturing and balancing out to a nice package. His wide shoulders and tight buns in well-fitting Levis drew more than one interested look from the women who sat around her.
Strong hands clasped together as he leaned against the top rail of the fence. Not exceptionally tall, only a fraction under six feet in high school and probably not much taller now, his compact body gave the impression of strength. A ball cap sat low on his forehead to cast a shadow over sunglass covered slate gray eyes, eyes that missed little, she would bet. Though to the casual observer he seemed to idly watch the Pop Warner teams preparing for battle on the football field, she saw the tension in him.
To pretend she didn’t know him and keep walking up those stairs with her gut clenched in a knot was one of the hardest of all the farces she ever pulled off, especially when she wanted to run out on the field, snatch up who she knew he was there to see, and flee. She was always so good at pretending she didn’t see or didn’t care, didn’t understand or didn’t know. If she ignored Chase, maybe he would go away. Maybe he really wasn’t there to try to take away the only thing that made her life worth living. She couldn’t stop thinking of how she felt about him all those years ago either.
She could control her outward appearance sufficiently. People looking at her never knew what she was feeling. Her conscience was another matter. She sat there, pretending to watch the kids, really watching the man while her fear, conscience, and desire carried on an internal battle.
Chase had the right to know his son. His son had the right to know his father. Conscience. Chase would hate her for what she did to take possession of the baby, the only part of Chase she would ever have. Fear. Not once in the years since the very first time she had spoken to him had she felt anything for any member of the opposite sex the way she did for Chase, as a boy or the man she covertly watched. Desire.
Common sense threw itself into the mental argument as well. To think she was still in love with Chase was silly. To even think at thirteen years old she could really have been in love with a boy three years older was ridiculous. Even as a fifteen-year-old, still harboring the notion when he disappeared? What did she know of love? Hell, what did she, as a twenty-six-year-old woman, know of love between a man and woman? She’d been stupid to spend all those years comparing every man she met to the fantasy she wove around Chase.
Still that was what she did. She told herself she wasn’t in love with him. To think so was stupid and foolish, as foolish as the temptation to go down and tell him, “If you want your son, you have to take me with him.”
Practicality prevailed. If she didn’t know why Chase was there, she couldn’t control her fear or conscience. She had to find out, and no matter what it was, she couldn’t allow Chase to walk away without at least talking to him. Hiding what Sydney Gibson really felt behind the shield she so perfected, she went down to him. Conscience took precedence when she saw the way Chase watched those boys, the way he looked sad when she pointed out his son, and when he backed away, promising not to cause any trouble. Holding him there, wanting to share was, of course, egged on by desire, and though she hoped it didn’t show, fear was the strongest emotion. What if Chase discovered what she did? What would he do if he discovered the truth.
Larriane AKA Larion Wills, two names one author, thousands of stories
buy link for all in one place go to: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref= nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias% 3Dstripbooks&field-keywords= Larion+Wills&rh=n%3A283155% 2Ck%3ALarion+Wills&ajr=3
my links:
***GIVEAWAY***
Contest ends tomorrow and everyone who comments is elligible.
Morning Ladies - Go Boise State Broncos!!!!! Wahooo - OW! Someone is standing on my head. Mary, help me! What a fun party - I love hometown football! And Big Mac's (I must admit) are my guilty pleasure! Great idea Larion! The book sounds terrific. RAH RAH RAH - hit in the right, hit in the left, hit in the .....
ReplyDeleteOOOPS Patsy give me an arm and knock those ladeeda cheerleaders that toppled me down into next week, will ya
ReplyDeleteGood day, Larion, welcome back! Chase sounds right up my aley, just the kind of book I love. Let's hear it, sisters.
ReplyDelete!CHASE
*She flexes those huge biceps* I'll save you Nell...er...Sharon!
ReplyDeleteHi Larion. Haven't seen you around for awhile. Now that summer is winding down, I'm sure we'll run into each other on blogs around the net. Congratulations on "Chase".
ReplyDeleteGood morning Larrion and good morning sister hostesses (Hugs all round)
ReplyDeleteSomeone stole my comment - I commented earlier on and it was there and now it's gone! Cuddles, did you steal my comment?
Not to worry, hello James, nice to meet you. Do stay around and enjoy the game (and the nonsense) Olvier's got plenty of snacks and afterwards we're all going to MacDonalds.
Did I really say Olvier sorry Oliver!
ReplyDeleteI spelt your name wrong too Larion. *sigh* I think I need some Gatorade or something!
Welcome James, grab a Big Mac, oooh Patsy got the last one. OLIVER, another run to the golden arches please
ReplyDeleteLyn dear, such er a shock seeing your bare tootsies. Here, glue these pom poms on them, please!
ReplyDeleteI'm here, I'm here waving wildly. Two bit, four bits, six bits, a dollar, all for Roast and Toast, stall up and hollar. whoooooo!!! hi y'all I'm so happy to see our great hosts and Jim you're so early. SUPER!!
ReplyDeleteHey, Hywela, don't worry about the spelling. I don't know how many times I've dealt with that both ways. between misspellings and mispronunciations i answer to just about anything.
ReplyDeleteLarion, such a joy to have y'all back in the house!
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you Larion and I am so pumped up with excitement - I finally get to be a cheerleader! Go Team Go! Oliver...don't I look too cute in my cheerleading outfit? Another Big Mac please!
ReplyDeleteRah, rah, sis boom bah! Let's cheer Larion's book on to great sales. Hi, all. Waving from still-fall Missouri. Love a long mind fall and this is one for the record books. Now, back to the computer. Got books to get out!
ReplyDeletePD
Patsy, so funny you said that. I wanted to be a cheerleader so bad I could taste it. I finally joined the marching band, me and my clarinet. Larion, were you one? Lyn? Mary?
ReplyDeleteHey, Pat. winter moved in on us last night. we're looking for snow the second time already this year. I'm about to shiver my pom poms I shaking so much. Good thing I got my tights on. how's my barefoot buddy doing?
ReplyDeletePD, RAW RAW RAW! Welcome, before you go back to your NANO, grab a burger and fries
ReplyDeleteSorry to disappear folks, I've been busy glueing pompoms on my tootsies, I dunno, the things I do for the sisterhood!
ReplyDeleteHi Dale, nice to see you! Larion, it's cold and damp and miserable this side of the pond, I'd actually much prefer a bit of snow!
It's great to get to be a cheerleader. We didn't have them over here when I was a gal, and they're not that widespread now! What fun (wves her virtual pompoms with glee)
I did try out once. didn't yell loud enough to suit them. they should try me now. I had to sit in the stands and harass the ones that made it. should have seen the look on one girls face when a small group of us turned the cheer around to her. total astonishment. lol Oliver, get the freezers. Hywela has a sticker in her tootsie
ReplyDeleteJust dropped in to say hello. Can't stay, have a lot to do today. Enjoy your day, Larion. It's always fun to celebrate with these ladies.
ReplyDeleteHi Roseeanne, so glad you could join us, even if you can't stay too long!
ReplyDeleteRoseanne, you are such a doll. Did you get some goodies. Oliver has the tailgate loaded.
ReplyDeleteMorning all. I really hate this outfit. It's squeezing my hooters really badly!
ReplyDeleteLove the color of polish on your huge toes Lyn. Very pretty. Now that we got that difficult cheer outta the way what say you guys to doing a few more? Gimmie an A!
Mary, one of your baloons er hooters is deflating. wink Waves to Roseanne
ReplyDeleteGood day my pretties. RAW RAW RA. Larion, that cheerleading skirt certainly becomes your legs.
ReplyDeleteI'm back from the golden arches. Plenty of junk food to fuel you ladies. Wink
ReplyDeletegiggle. thank you Oliver. they look much better on top of stiletto heels though. these shoes are so clumsy. Give me a Mac, a Mac, a Mac. and where's my french fries
ReplyDeleteI just saw Patsy running away with the french fries. Let's get her Nibby. Larion wants her fries.
ReplyDeleteLyn, grabs the fries as Patsy runs buy, We can hear her yelling "Curses foiled again!!! Give her a few Oliver it's apparently an obsession!
Sharon and Larion -I tried out but was thrown out like an old sock! The rejection killed me. I joined drill team and was a drill teamer -never could play any instrument so this is great! Finally! *Waving at the crowd*
ReplyDeleteLyn - your feet are turning blue with cold and Mary try not to take too big of a breath, might ease the constricture some!
Love your cheerleading routine, ladies - hope you didn't get too squashed at the end of of it.
ReplyDeleteLarion - an intriguing excerpt, best of luck with 'Chase'.
Hi Paula
ReplyDeleteGreat to see you again - do have a French Fry!
thank you Paula. and don't feel bad P.L. I joined drama and had a ball without freezing my knoc--toes off. lol. I was so shy then, afraid to really yell, sooo unladylike. can't say that now. OLIVER! he is soooo cute.
ReplyDeleteWhatever you do Sharon. Try not to put strain on those drawers of yours. They are already stretched to the max.
ReplyDeleteThis is as close to cheerleading this nerd ever got. Yup high school nerd, that's me!
Larion, where did you get the idea for this story?? Tell us more about it?? Watch out for the french fries. Lyn eats them awfully fast!
ReplyDeleteGive me a C. Give me a H. Give me a A, and all the other letters. CHASE! CHASE! CHASE!
ReplyDeletenow for those of you wondering why football for Chase, the story opens at a Pop Warner football game. Not in a stadium, but a grass field at the high school. Small towns had to make due, you know. I sat through more grade and high school games than i can to count either freezing or sweltering in the heat to support one son and three grandsons. and no, i never got down there and lead any cheers. Now I type while hubby watches on TV. Give me a C.
Oliver smiles and pops a fry in Lorion's open mouth as she cheers
ReplyDeleteSmiles to Paula
ReplyDeleteMary gives Larion a big "C", whose gonna give her the next letter!!
ReplyDeleteah, Mary, the idea came from---ah, well, the small town and youth football came from experience. Sydney started with my wondering how frustrating it must be for those with OCD. Chase, well heck, can't have a romance without a hot guy. All those things kind of perk around upstairs until the story came out.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a huge football fan but; try to keep up with 2 favorite teams. WI Badgers and Green Bay Packers. Look at all those butt fatening goodie you have! LOL. Going to have to add your book to my reading. It sures sounds good. The excerpt made me want to read the rest to see what the ending is.
ReplyDeleteSue B
katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com
No matter where it came from, this is one great story!
ReplyDeleteNow ladies, let's do a cheer together! That's what we're here for, to cheer Larion? Okay, let's practice. Anyone know how to do cheer? Larion you are the squad leader, help us do this right, quick before Sharon splits her shorts!
Here's what i know about football. Big huge pointed egg shaped ball, gets kicked, thrown and caught, running into each other, yelling and jumping into piles. The Pile idea sounds interesting, but...
ReplyDeleteHey, look at that guy on the field, he's STREAKIMG!!!!!!WOW!
Okay, I am a die-hard Boise State Bronco Fan! We never miss a game -albeit on the TV most times. Don't follow the major teams, just our own Broncos and Kellen Moore! Up for Heisman(sp) Trophy this year!
ReplyDeleteMary, just run out on the field and pile on - no one will notice! And then you can mark it off your bucket list - LOL.
The one you are referring to on my bucket list included several hot players who gently tackle me and carry me off the field. I get to pick one!
ReplyDeleteLarion, you can have one too!!!
You too my fellow roasters. Party!!!
While you still can!
Hi Larion. I love the cheerleading idea. You wouldn't see me near a cheerleading outfit when I was in school, but my character, Carolyn, wants to be one and she kind of got me into the whole YAY Team!!! Love your hot guy and can't wait to see the steam between him and the girl!
ReplyDeleteAre there any Big Macs left? I've gotta run, but hey I'll grab a few french fries too. I can't resist them when they're piping hot. How do you keep them so hot Oliver? Wait maybe that's not a question you want to answer.:)
Good luck with the book, Larion, it looks great! Love the title!!! Who wouldn't want to chase Chase??
okay, everyone line up. no, you can't take your big mac with you. You need your mouth empty. We are, We are---um, I know, we are, we are, READERS!
ReplyDeleteHi Lionmother, thanks for stopping by, have some more hot fries!
ReplyDeleteLarion you're right!
Give me an R - give me an E - give me an A...
Sue I nearly missed yours. love your kitty, and lionmother, than you so much for stopping by. have to admit as far as watching a game, football is far from my favorite past time. I can never tell exactly what the h is going on. I only know where the ball is as long as it takes to make the snap or throw it in the air. when the kids played, i could only keep track of them by the number on their shirts and if it was raining, one looked just like the other.
ReplyDeleteoh, hey, the sun's coming out. maybe no snow today after all. I can put my earmuffs away. Someone find that poor girl some shoes that fit. her foot matches her toenails now.
ReplyDeletehow come baseball games don't have cheerleaders?
ReplyDeletegood question Larion! Who knows, it must be a guy thing?
ReplyDeleteGimmie a "D" READ>Say it again, READ!
Go girls go, to the locker room so we can watch!!! Anybody with me???
right behind you, Mary. oh, oh, oh, be still my heart!
ReplyDeleteMary leads the girls who plan to sneak into the locker room. Don't worry ladies if the guards give us grief, I have my taser!!
ReplyDeleteJust be careful what--aghhhhh. dang, girl, be careful with that thing. Hywela, you okay?
ReplyDeleteSorry Lyn, did I get you by accident? I'll put it away, but if we need it...
ReplyDeleteSo now that we are just outside the door to the locker room, who is going in first? Oh, muscles!!!!!
here we go. oph! splat! Get off my head. what a mess, the whole squad rushing through the door, knocking those in front down. Listen to them laugh. what a way to impress a football team.
ReplyDeleteWaves at lionmother and wags a finger at Mary. We had a talk about that deadly weapon. Remember the three you're OUT policy...
ReplyDeleteTurns and casts a brilliant smile at Sue.
What three you're out. It was a mistake, I tripped over Larion!
ReplyDeleteAm I being punished again. I did lead the pack to the locker room. But Larion opened the door and that caused the riot. Not me... :(
Mary - I know my feet have turned purple with cold but you needn't have warmed them up with your tazer!
ReplyDeleteAny of you hunky lads got a pair of small socks I could borrow?
Oliver, who are you smiling at? Sue? Too much root beer today my good man?
ReplyDeleteMary stashes her Taser in a very safe place. I'm always in trouble. It follows me, do you think I have multiple personalities or am I just touched. Mary eyes the massive muscles she sees as she scans the room. Holy Moley! Larion I can't believe you did that!!!
Talk about CHASE!
It was an accident, I didn't even know it happened! Mary takes off her white socks and attempts to put them onto Lyn's feet. Well they cover the toes anyways.
ReplyDeleteHey, my stun gun is off. I didn't shock you! It had to be static electricity. Or was it Larion!!! She has one and is trying to blame me!!!
That's the ticket!!!
OK! Someone else has a tazer, who could it be???
ReplyDeleteWell really. in the first place, I don't have any weapons. i was too busy looking to use one anyway. and i didn't open the door. someone's hand came around me and pushed. geez. wouldn't you think they'd have a better sense of humor? I mean pushing us out like that. did anyone get a keep sake to take with them?
ReplyDeleteI remembered a cheer. everyone ready. EVERYONE FOR CHASE, STAND UP AND HOLLER!
ReplyDeleteChase, Chase, Chase. Yah!
wanna excerpt?
I was just going to ask for one! Let's try to get in by a different entrance. I'll stand in front to protect you Larion. They were so mean, all we wanted was to say hello!
ReplyDeleteI'm game. this time everyone get you cell phones out for pictures! And no shoving from behind.
ReplyDeleteMary - I'll have to add that one to my bucket list too! Hey, if Mary stands on my shoulders, then Lyn, then Sharon, then Larion - we might get one of you high enough to peek in the locker room window - WAHOOOOO!
ReplyDeletewhile we find another entrance, here's a bit of the first chapter of Chase to tease you.
ReplyDeleteStanding by the fence ten feet from the end of the grandstand, Chase leaned his forearms on the top rail, his guard up for any sign of recognition from the parents filling the bleachers. He shouldn’t be there. He knew what could—and most probably would—happen if the wrong person spotted him. Even at a game away from the Gibson home field he tempted fate. Sliding his gaze toward the grandstand, he tensed at an unusual color of hair, dark with the red of fire glinting in the sun. Eleven years later, he still recognized that hair and face. The muscles in his jaw flexed, and the grip of his hand tightened over the other as she made her way up the center steps, not glancing in his direction. He should leave; get out of there while he could still walk on his own two feet. Hoping, since she paid him no notice, he had more time, his attention went back to the pint-sized turf warriors preparing for battle. Identifying one ten-year-old boy wasn’t easy with their faces lost in shoulder pads and helmets.
Some of the uniforms had names on the back. None he could see or make out was the one he wanted, and he let himself get careless trying too hard to see one face that in some way might resemble his own. He didn’t see her come down the stands by the outside rail until she stepped down off the last bench. Hoping she’d walk by, he tensed again. She swung the straps of an oversized tote bag over her shoulder and, no more than two feet away from him, leaned her arms against the fence rail, mocking his position he was sure.
Without turning his head and barely moving his lips, he told her, “I’m not here to cause any trouble.”
Still mocking, or at least mimicking him, she answered the same way. “If I thought you were, I’d have called the sheriff.” With barely a breath between the last word and the next, she told him, “He’s number ten.”
Chase’s eyes immediately sought out and pinned number ten. “Thank you,” he murmured and watched the boy she’d singled out, his son, a child he’d never seen before.
Until six weeks ago he hadn’t even been positive there was a child. He hadn’t known if there was, if it was a boy or a girl. Tiffany had sworn to him she was on the pill as fervently as she had sworn she was pregnant when he tried to break up with her the last time.
His thank you to Sydney was for more than telling him which boy was his. Sydney Gibson hadn’t called the sheriff to have him beaten and/or thrown in jail. That didn’t mean she wouldn’t. At least he was able to see the child he’d sired, though he couldn’t see much for the protective gear swallowing him.
Forget it girls, whilst I was MIA I was taking some million dollar photos. Now that's Oliver's doing another BIG MAC run, follow me right this way.
ReplyDeleteoh, oh, more food. Hey, I got an idea. how about sweat suit time? no more worries about cold feet or busting seams. maybe later we can have a fire and roast marshmallows.
ReplyDeleteA fire and marshmallows sounds great right now! Brilliant excerpt, Larion, what a great teaser!
ReplyDeleteBreak out the pictures!!! Share now Sharon and I can get down off poor Patsy's shoulders. Lyn too, Larion is about to fall off. I'll take the chicken sandwich, my figure ya know and only one french fry(at a time) Don't get down till we see the pictures it was too hard to get up here.
ReplyDeleteby the way, LOVE the excerpt!
ah the pecs and buns, whoa, wait, noooooo, splat. thanks alot girls. the second time today i've been flat on my face on the floor. just going to have to console myself with Oliver feeding me onion rings. snicker.
ReplyDeleteOO do let's gather round a bonfire with pics girls. Larion, great teaser
ReplyDeleteLet me help you up those locker room floors can be very slippery. I suggest we go and relax and have a chocolate shake. Chocolate always makes you feel better. We can look at the pictures Sharon snuck out! Or if your game I'll go back in with you!! Abs, pecs, ahhhhh!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new book, Larion! I love the cheerleading outfits even though I must say they do seem a bit snug! I'm still waiting for you all to do a pyramid and I'm wondering who's going to be on the top. I think I'll head over for another burger and some more fries and, again, Congratulations on your book!
ReplyDeleteWell, Sandra, I know who will be on the bottom of the pyramid! YAY, toasting marshmallows! I love toasted marshmallows! And a sweatsuit would be lovely. These little outfits don't keep a person too warm when it's chilly outside!
ReplyDeleteGreat exerpt Larion!
ReplyDeleteI meant excerpt!
ReplyDeletethank you Sandra, and PL is Oliver slipping you something a little extra in you coke? ummmm?
ReplyDeleteokay now that we're all snuggling down, another excerpt.
ReplyDeleteDiscovering he definitely did have a son and actually seeing him up close gave Chase a whole different feeling. He wanted to talk to him, even if it was only to say hello. Maybe it showed on his face, or maybe Sydney had an agenda of her own. She picked up their tray when their food was ready and walked straight to Chase’s table.
“Mind if we join you?”
For a man who survived on his reflexes and quick thinking, Chase couldn’t respond with more than a stunned stare. Sydney didn’t wait for an answer. She plopped down, signaling the boy to do so as well, and began separating the food off the tray.
“He wanted to meet you,” she said of the boy perched on the edge of his chair. “Fact of the matter is he’s incredibly snoopy.”
“Got to check you out,” the boy said around a mouthful of French fries.
“Don’t talk with your mouth full.”
With a dramatic roll of his eyes that tugged at Chase with familiarity, number ten popped another handful of fries into his mouth to chew while he unwrapped his hamburger. He swallowed hugely, showing he did listen to her, and with a grin asked, “Did you see the touchdown I made?”
His grin was infectious. Chase couldn’t help smiling back. “Fantastic. The way you dodged that tackle was great.”
“Chase,” Sydney informed the child, “was the best running back Gibson High ever had.”
“Yeah?” the boy questioned with a giggle, looking like a gremlin. “But was he any good?” He giggled again when Sydney kicked him playfully under the table. “Me and Mom are moving before I start high school so I’ll have some real competition.”
“To where?” Chase asked with a side-glance at Sydney, wondering how she would take the boy moving as close as she obviously was to him.
“We haven’t decided where, just somewhere away from here.” He slurped down a quick sip on his straw. “Mom says there’s too many hypocrites and busybodies here, that they won’t let good people do things on merit, only money and social position.”
“Sounds like she’s gained some wisdom,” he murmured, surprised anything that profound came from Tiffany.
“She says—”
“Enough—eat,” Sydney told him.
The eyes so similar to his own rolled again, and Chase placed the gesture. Sydney used to do that when she was exasperated, usually at Tiffany. The last time he’d seen Sydney, she’d only been five years older than her nephew was now. He wondered what she’d been doing with herself the last eleven years as he picked up the cup of coffee and choked at the imp’s next words.
“So, are you my dad?”
WOW! that was one amazing excerpt. Your last line punched me in the gut!
ReplyDeleteNow Patsy, move over, I'm on the bottom, with Lyn and Sharon. This is the last time I am gonna do this. AAAHHHHH! Mary screams as a large cheerleader steps on her head trying to get up higher. Whose Idea was this!!! Larion makes it to the top once again yells out Gimmie a C and the whole pyramid hits the dust. Oliver waits to take any one to the hospital who might need it. Quick get the schnapps!!! Or something!
Yes, these excerpts are amazing Lorion.
ReplyDeleteGosh is it me, Mary and Sharon, or is this pyramid getting heavier.
Oooh, who's shaking - is it an earthquake, or just cold shivers?
H-e-e-e-e-e-e-lp!
the straw that broke the camel's back. okay, girls, time to retreat. Who gets to light the bonfire.
ReplyDeletewell girls, i've been roasted until i feel all toasty, warm instead and full not only from the great junk food feast but with friendship. thank you all for a great time. For late comers and those that don't remember, leave a comment to be entered for a chance to win a pdf copy of Chase. Again, thank you all and goodnight.
ReplyDeleteAnd a good nite to you. Don't forget to say goodbye to your commenters tomorrow. One last hurrah!
ReplyDeleteNow that we've left McDonald's I can't help but think about the cholesterol! LOL!
Nite to all. And my girls I will see you in the morning. Yawn! My eyes are tired from the pictures!
Football, cheerleaders, and a feat at MacDonalds. What a great day!
ReplyDeleteGoodnight Larion, and thank you for being such a wonderful guest. I'm going to curl up here by the fire and say 'goodnight' too. It's even later where I am in the UK, even though of course I'm with you all in virtual reality.
Goodnight all, if there are any late comers, as Larion says, just leave a message - and Oliver is sure to have breakfast prepared for us tomorrow.
Good Night Larion - wonderfully fun day - and good night to you my fellow hostesses. I'm off to get the sticky marshmallows out of my hair. One last cheer! To the left to the right, now the middle and fight fight fight!
ReplyDeleteMmm I think I have just enough fire left for some roasted marshmellows. Darn I was missing all the fun again. Those excerpts are awesome. See you all in the morning.
ReplyDeleteSue B
katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com
Oh darn! I haven't been on the loops all day, I didn't know there was a roast and toast going on! Hey y'all, sorry I missed all the fun.
ReplyDeleteWaving to Gail and anyone I missed, smile. Thank you for being a fun and delightful guest, Larion. Best of luck with CHASE. RA RA Now let's go get our Egg McMuffin.
ReplyDeleteBEEP BEEP All aboard Larion and guests. The party train to MacDonald's is now loading! All aboard!
ReplyDeleteDid someone say McDonalds?? Lets see I will have hash browns, sausage egg McMuffin, and some coffee please. Good morning everyone. It is 36 outside at my house.
ReplyDeleteSue B
katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com
Good morning Larion, Good morning hostess sisters, Hello Sue and Gail *wves*
ReplyDeleteOooh I slept well, didn't realise it was that time! Wait for me ladies, Oliver - I'm up for breakfast at MacDonalds! Don't leave me behind!
Sausage biscuit, please! It's 28 degrees in Macon, GA this morning so got you beat on the 39 Sue. Now, guess what? 'Sposed to be the 70's again by Sunday! (Not in the morning of course)
ReplyDeleteSausage biscuit, please! It's 28 degrees in Macon, GA this morning so got you beat on the 39 Sue. Now, guess what? 'Sposed to be the 70's again by Sunday! (Not in the morning of course)
ReplyDeletehot chocolate for me, please, and one of those breakfast burritos. sigh. it's in the forties here. didn't even put on a jacket to take the dogs out for there first relieve trip this morning. I had such a good time yesterday and want to thank the gang again for hosting me. Oh, and Sue is the winner of Chase. I'll be emailing her next. scoot on over girls and let me in. I'm going to relax, have a nice breakfast with the gang and then get back to editing.
ReplyDeleteWohoo! Thank you so much! I look forward to reading your book. Hot chocolate with some whipped cream. Yummy.
ReplyDeleteSue B