Sunday Snippet: Game of One

First week of August down and in the books. Next weekend we move my daughter to her dorm and pray for the best. They're doing a shortened semester, very similar to what a college quarter used to be. She'll be moving back right before Thanksgiving and won't return to campus until January.

Busy week with projects and random things that needed attention. I did get more of my desk cleared off for the big overhaul organization.

Limited viewing time this week but I got a few things watched. I did start Gabriel's Inferno part two and have about half of it finished. I actually decided to dedicate actual time to watching and not do anything else while it's playing. Hence the reason I'm only halfway through.

I watched another episode of Danger Man and also started a new episode of Blue Heelers. Like I said, busy week where I couldn’t spend the time I wanted to catching up on television.

I did have Ovation's morning mysteries on as background noise during the day. Murdoch Mysteries, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, and Midsomer Murders for the win. I also caught a block of Numb3rs on Friday.

That's pretty much it for this week. Tonight's post is from Game of One, a sexy short that got a start as a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Lacie Brooks' annual Valentine's Day tradition of getting laid and letting off steam is cut short when she shoots her mouth off to the wrong superior officer. Stuck on base, she finds a way to pass her restricted time with Ren Blankenship by playing a Game of One. Too bad for Lacie, Ren decides to turn the tables on her and win for a change.

And a sneaky peek…

"Blankenship, why is it every year you're working when you should be out giving some hot woman a taste of your swizzle stick on Valentine's Day?"

Ren glanced up from the mass of papers he'd spread out over several tables. The unit CO, a grizzled, old-school colonel, propped his shoulder on the open hatch. His bushy eyebrows arched over his pale blue gaze.

Ren shrugged. "You know the drill, colonel. Someone has to stay behind and keep an eye on the ship." The less "Iron Gut" Grassi knew about Ren the better.

The colonel chatted up Ren's old man a little too often for Ren's comfort.

Grassi grunted and shoved away from the hatch. "True enough." He started to walk away. "At least you'll have a friend onboard."

Ren tilted his head to one side. "Who's staying behind?" A small contingent always remained aboard the ship, but no one Ren considered a close pal.

The colonel didn't stop. "You'll find out soon enough, Blankenship. Don't worry."

Ren snorted. Grassi must be yanking Ren's chain. The guy gave Ren a hard time about the lack of carousing he did. Holiday or not, Ren liked his private life to be, well, private.

And he always volunteered for duty on Valentine's weekend. Why not give the members of his unit a chance to spend some quality time with their spouses, significant others, and partners? He didn't have a current long-term relationship at the moment.

"Don't want one, either. Especially with a civilian."

He'd spent his childhood watching the ups and downs of his parents' marriage. They followed a routine, always the same. Two or three days of behaving like newlyweds then knockdown, drag out fights for the rest of his father's leave.

Ren escaped to his best friend's house. Chuck Ashford had the life Ren wanted. Steady and grounded, Chuck's parents always welcomed Ren and gave him a small taste of normal. Even now, he stayed in touch with them more frequently than with his own parents, who'd finally gotten divorced when Ren finished school.

He'd never be a substitute for the Ashfords's son, but the contact helped ease the loss for Monica and Doug. Monica kept a room ready for Ren's infrequent visits and he liked knowing he had a place to call home when he needed one. His mother traveled from place to place, letting her wanderlust dictate the destinations. Oren Senior had command of an outpost and rarely left duty long enough to engage in conversation.

Suited Ren fine. He'd never been close with his father, couldn't quite measure up to the man's expectations.

"If an almost spotless record and making rank at regular intervals doesn't hold water with my dad … why bother?"

Ren set his own goals and worked toward them. Celebrated his achievements on his own.

Not a perfect deal, but it worked.

And his mom? Miranda Cooper Blankenship-Conrad-Hooper-whatever the hell the new husband's name ended up being would probably never admit it, but she hadn't wanted children. The woman didn't possess a maternal bone. It bothered Ren until he realized she'd done what she could. He wouldn't fault her for not being what others considered a normal mom. It also helped put the shouting matches between his parents into perspective.

"And showed me what I don't want in a relationship."

His last one ended when his girlfriend, a civilian accountant, pulled a tactic from his mom's playbook. Celia did the I-miss-you mind-blowing sex followed by forty-eight hours of nitpicky bullshit fights. Nothing he said, did, or suggested made her happy. The whole weekend sealed it for Ren. Before he left for base, he cut ties, and made a clean break. He wouldn't, and couldn't, change his career plans and he had another dozen years before he'd consider mustering out.

Nope. No more civilian girlfriends.

Ren gathered up the duty reports from their slot on the watch desk. He might as well slog through at least some of them now.

He got settled and flipped through the day's fitreps. About halfway through a name jumped out. Lacie Brooks.

Ren chuckled. "So that's who the colonel meant." What had she done this time?

She'd either been busted for instigating one of her legendary stunts or tagged for insubordination. Lacie's notorious luck at the card table had her raking in cash or concocting crazy ass scenarios to put people in. He'd been a victim on more than one occasion and she usually came up with the most embarrassing things for him to do.

He folded back the rest of the file to read her sheet. He snorted. Lacie popped off at a superior officer again.

"Will the woman never learn to think about the consequences before she opens her mouth?"

A little longer preview this time. I'm hoping to finish this up and get it published in the near future, possibly early 2021.

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye

Sunday Snippet: Game of One

Some nice weather, not too hot or cold. No snow, which is always a bonus. Fingers crossed it stays mild. Of course, everyone knows not to hold their breath. It's still March.

Didn't pay much attention to The Walking Dead, but did catch The Talking Dead. Definitely going to have to check out Hardwick's The Talking because it should be loads of fun.

How much longer is the hiatus for Gotham? I'm missing the dark, crazy ride.

The Flash had another crossover with Supergirl and, I have to admit, the mash-up ended up being fun and worth the watch.

Arrow… wow. I guess I'm going to assume Oliver's last buried deep secret is finally out there for, well, the viewers at least. Kudos to that walk down memory lane. That said, I've got a crap-ton of questions and need to watch again with zero, I mean absolutely no interruptions or distractions. I do have a hope some of the bad guys are now going to ripple out from Oliver's past transgressions, especially Talia. I would love to see an Oliver / Nyssa / Talia meet up. That would be worth an entire episode, right?

Looking forward to a new episode of Riverdale. I've missed seeing my new favorite group of actors.

Finally finished Luke Cage and thoroughly enjoyed the first season. I'll admit I'm not thrilled with how it ended but I'm assuming all will be addressed soon. Continued the City Homicide rewatch and have most of season two out of the way.

Still need to catch up on a few other shows and might get to those this week.

That's it for television. Tonight's post is from Game of One, a sexy short that started with the idea of a couple bonding over a game of darts. Sexy fun ensues.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Lacie Brooks' annual Valentine's Day tradition of getting laid and letting off steam is cut short when she shoots her mouth off to the wrong superior officer. Stuck on base, she finds a way to pass her restricted time with Ren Blankenship by playing a Game of One. Too bad for Lacie, Ren decides to turn the tables on her and win for a change.

And a sneaky peek…

"I'm such a stupid moron." Lacie Brooks kicked off her boots and rolled up into her rack.

She should be out with everyone else for the Valentine's Day weekend, but nope. A nasty penchant for shooting her mouth off earned a three day restriction to base.

Note to self… Don't spout off on Thursday and lose weekend privileges.

Not that she had concrete plans like most of her unit. But getting laid had been at the top of her list. Valentine's Day… celebration for lovers. Flowers, drinks and dinner didn't exactly make her hot and bothered. No, for her, the couple's holiday meant finding a hot guy and having great sex—as long the process involved walking away the next day.

Lacie didn't want more. She'd had a great guy and lost him. Chuck Ashford died because of a stupid mistake, but he went down while seeing action. He wouldn't have wanted to go any other way.

They'd only seriously been discussing a lifetime together a couple of months before Chuck deployed. He'd known, on that last video call, something didn't feel right. Lacie foolishly promised him if something happened, she'd get back out, find someone else, and not be alone.

She couldn't do it. Why put herself out there again? She never lacked for willing partners if she had an itched that needed scratching and she always made her expectations clear. It saved a hell of a lot of heartache and drama.

So why didn't she hate missing her annual tradition more? A five-year streak of booty-calls. Shouldn't she be really pissed it would go unmarked this year? Apart from the yawning seventy-two hour stretch of nothing to do, she found she didn't care.

Maybe the whole deal had gotten a little old. The celebration for lovers marked an anniversary of sorts. Six months after Chuck died she'd found a guy on Valentine's Day, had crazy-mad sex, and decided it did the trick. But lately, she'd been feeling out of sorts, like she needed something more than a one-night stand or an occasional wild weekend.

She snorted. "Nah. Who am I kidding?" The whole off balance thing didn't mean she wanted a steady lover.

She could do without clingy, controlling, and constant contact. I never meet anyone I want to spend that much time with. Except Ren Blankenship… Chuck's best friend. Hers now.

A tuneless whistle greeted her ears and she scrambled off her bunk to spy none other than Ren, strolling toward the rec room, carrying two big file boxes. Probably looking for a spot to spread out all over the place. His desk rarely held the workload he took on.

She tilted her head to the side, admiring the way his fatigues clung to his ass. Maybe Ren would at least help break up the boredom this weekend. She could pull him away from his all work and no play, responsible to a fault existence.

A smile quirked. "He'd take pity on me and be the nice guy he is."

Only Ren would volunteer for duty the entire weekend devoted to lovers. Weird, because the guy wouldn't have trouble finding a willing woman. He had rank, chiseled good looks, a smokin' hot body.

But Ren steered clear. Not that Lacie blamed him this year. His last relationship tanked because Ren wouldn't play head games and his girlfriend could've gone pro on that front. Lacie heaved a sigh of relief when he'd escaped the potential nightmare. He deserved someone that would shoot straight and respect his great qualities.

In her book, being a kick ass friend topped the list, followed by loyalty and a sense of honor and duty. Also, in her case, putting up with a lot of bullshit and knowing when to call her on it or clean up the mess. Of course, Lacie had heard so much about Ren from Chuck, she'd been almost hard-wired to like the guy. Chuck and Ren grew up together, but Lacie didn't meet Ren until Chuck's funeral.

She turned and headed back toward her rack. "The guy walked into my life that day and never left." And she thanked the universe for him.

He didn't put qualifiers on their friendship and Lacie seriously appreciated the fact Ren never told her how to honor Chuck's memory—even if Ren didn't always agree with how she coped with her loss.

Grinning, Lacie no longer minded being stuck on base. She detoured to her locker and dragged some casual clothes out—a pair of soft workout pants, a fitted tank, and a zip-up sweatshirt. No need to stay in uniform—her restriction didn't include extra duty. For once.

Once dressed, she tidied up and bounced out of quarters to grab something to eat. "Ren, you're going to have some fun this weekend whether you want to or not."

Here's hoping Ren decides to play along. Well… of course he will. He's always down for having a good time with Lacie.

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye

Sunday Snippets: Game of One

Hello!

I've got yet another television show I’m obsessed with: Orphan Black. Seriously, it's one of the best written shows out there right now. The thing I love best? They NEVER do exactly what I think they will. I LOVE THAT!! I think they'll fall into the old trap of taking the obvious choice and BAM! They go completely off the rails with something totally unexpected. Sarah and Paul have a very twisted attraction that just works…even when it shouldn't. LOL

Anyway, tonight's post is from Game of One, a short novella featuring one of my favorite things: Friends who become lovers. J

Here's the tagline:

Lacie Brooks' annual Valentine's Day tradition of getting laid and letting off steam is cut short when she shoots her mouth off to the wrong superior officer. Stuck on base, she finds a way to pass her restricted time with Ren Blankenship by playing a Game of One. Too bad for Lacie, Ren decides to turn the tables on her and win for a change.

And the sneaky peek…

Halfway through the paperwork, it occurred to Ren that Lacie would miss her annual tradition of picking up a one night bootie call wouldn't happen this year. Might not be a bad thing. She'd had five years to let go of Chuck. Then again, so had he.

And yet Ren wouldn't act on the sexual attraction hovering just under the surface with Lacie. Part of that had to do with how they'd met. And some of it had to do with enjoying the back and forth with her. They discussed hooking up on a regular basis, but always in a teasing manner. Neither had been willing to take a step to no return. Lacie wanted a friend she could count on and Ren filled the bill.

Ren held back because Lacie needed balance. Someone who'd have her back as often as they got in her face when she needed it. He'd been in on as many pranks she pulled as he'd been on the receiving end. They made a wicked good team. But he'd also go toe to toe with her when she crossed boundaries she shouldn't. She'd do the same for him…if he ever stepped over the line, which he didn't.

The tendency to be exasperating and frustrating, all part of Lacie's appeal. He might be a glutton for that kind of punishment, but rarely did he ever suffer boredom when she happened to be around. From the day he met her, she'd knocked him off balance and showed him new ways to look at things.

His lips quirked. Anyone who'd seen them the day of Chuck's funeral wouldn't have believed they'd end up as great friends. Monica and Doug held a gathering after his burial at Chuck's favorite tavern. Lacie sat at the bar downing shots, one by one, until she practically weaved back and forth on the barstool. At least a dozen glasses lined the wood top in front of her.

Ren didn't realize her connection to Chuck. He'd been stationed off planet when Chuck bought it in a skirmish he shouldn't have been involved in. Chuck told Ren he'd found someone, the someone, and couldn't wait to introduce his best friend to the woman who made life awesome.

Resembling a lush more than an incredible specimen of womanhood, the lady at the bar offended Ren's sense of decorum.

"You should leave. You don't belong here."

She swung her head around and tilted it sideways, tried to focus on his voice. "And why not?" Her words slurred together slightly, but she licked her lips and blew out a breath. "Why shouldn't I belong?" She blinked and seemed surprised she sounded almost normal.

Ren frowned. "Because this gathering is to honor a great man. You're being disrespectful to his memory."

She sniffed. "A great man." Her head bobbed up and down. "Yes. A very great man." Her hand reached for the next shot and she flung it down her throat.

Ren lowered his voice. "Look. I don't know who you—"

Her hand shot out and grabbed his arm in a surprisingly strong grip. "Everything hurts. I hurt." She dropped the shot glass on the bar. "And I can't make it go away." Her gaze met his and the pain in it knocked him back. "I…he…we…" Her eyes slid closed. "I don't know how to make it stop." Her slim fingers rubbed back and forth along her forehead, trying to soothe an ache that couldn't be eased.

It hit Ren. Her identity. "Lacie?"

She lifted her head, eyes watery and bleak. "What? Oh, right. I shouldn't be here." She wobbled on the stool and eyed the last shot on the bar.

A shudder went through her and she tried to slide off her perch. Ren hooked an arm around her and swung the other under her legs before she hit the floor. Lifting her easily, he headed for the exit.

"Hey. Put me down. Who are you?" She squirmed and tried to wriggle out of his arms. "Put. Me. Down." She bucked and struggled against his hold. "Where are you taking—" She tensed. "Oh…God…I'm gonna heave."

Ren made it out the door just in time. Lacie turned her head and puked the alcohol all over the parking lot. He carried her several feet away and crouched down, settling her on a bench outside the bar.

He handed her a handkerchief. "Feel better?"

She wiped her mouth and shook her head. "Not really. No." Her gaze met his. "You're Ren, aren't you?" Her lips quivered. "Please tell me you're Ren."

He nodded. Didn't trust himself to say anything. He felt like an ass for berating her.

She tried to keep it together, but her face contorted and a sob escaped. Ren moved up to sit beside her, wrapping an arm around her shaking shoulders. He let her cry it out. Figured she'd been holding it in and needed the cathartic treatment.

In a moment of shared grief, a friendship developed. He took Lacie home and got her settled in bed. He stuck around, crashed out on her couch. She got up the next morning and apologized for almost throwing up on him. Ren grinned over the memory. Not exactly the way he envisioned meeting the woman who completed his best friend's life. After she swallowed about four painkillers, Lacie insisted he stay and let her cook breakfast for him. He agreed if she'd allow him to assist.

They put together a huge mean. Lacie informed him Chuck taught her everything she knew and Ren shared the funniest stories of Monica teaching 'her boys' the finer skills in the kitchen. She didn't want either one to burden some poor woman with a need to feed them. Lacie shared lots of great memories and over omelets, bacon, homemade cinnamon rolls and fresh squeezed juice, they got to know each other.

Ren left that afternoon with a promise to keep in touch and made an effort to call and drop in when he had time. Lacie transferred to his base a year or so later and they had an easy camaraderie together. She made a damn good lead pilot and helped pull more inexperienced pilots up through the program.

If only she'd tone down the crazy antics. And the smart mouth. Her natural ability kept her in the good graces of the brass on base, but every once in a while she stepped over the line. If he didn't happen to be there to smooth ruffled feathers, she ended up spending time in the brig or had her passes revoked.

He should probably check in with her, let her know he'd be around. Nah, he'd hit the rec room. Sooner or later she'd make her way there. Gathering up the daily report, he filed it and grabbed his fitreps. Might as well work ahead while he waited.

Ren does indeed find Lacie in the rec room and a lovely Game of One ensues. I'll say Lacie is completely caught off guard and leave it at that. LOL

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flip.

ML Skye