Sunday Snippet: Breaking Ice

The weather in Ohio is truly crazy. We had flooding from rain yesterday and snow today.

Television this week ended up being pretty terrific. The Flash pulled in a bunch of Harrys to help save the day. Legends of Tomorrow had a fun episode with old Hollywood.

Riverdale had an interesting episode with some changing dynamics. I'm still on the fence with Hiram and whether or not I like him. I'm coming down on the not liking side but he gets some interesting snark lines so that pitches him into the fun column.

Arrow remains probably my favorite show. If the team can't be together, I like having two storylines that run along a similar theme. Also very glad John's secret is out in the open. Having Curtis work on a solution is excellent.

Catching up on Gotham today. I'll be glad to see the last of Professor Pyg. It's good to see Bruce again, too. There's never enough Alfred on the screen. LOL

I'm behind on Murdoch Mysteries. Having issues with my laptop and I usually watch via the website on that device. Here's hoping I get it fixed this week.

That's it for television. Tonight's post is from Breaking Ice, a sexy short about a couple who gets a second chance to get things right.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Bailee and Oakes have a long history of breaking each other's heart and leaving a long trail of personal drama everywhere they go. But they finally have a shot at being on the same page after going one on one in a charity sparring match, if they can trust themselves to get it right this time.

And a snippety peek…

Oakes stopped outside his new digs, an apartment provided by the small regional start-up that just launched a new brand of athletic supplements. He grabbed his phone and thumbed through the contacts. Had Bailee's name brought up and almost hit send before he remembered they weren't checking in with each other anymore.

He tossed the phone back to the passenger seat. "Dammit. I gotta stop doing that." He'd lost count of the times he'd almost called her.

Old habits die hard.

How could she be an old habit? Maybe because they'd been doing the relationship dance for the better part of five years. On fire for each other for eight or nine months, in splitsville for six, then back to smokin' hot burn the sheets before plunging once again into cold, lonely nights. On and off. On-off. On. Off.

At one point, they might have had a future. He'd made the climb to the pro circuit, landed some endorsements and sponsors. Started talking with some of the companies about sales work. He had the background and experience. Could've  helped Bailee with her business and her journey to a pro spot.

Except she didn't want his assistance. Fine. He could cheer her on from the sidelines.

Her crazy schedule with too many irons in the fire often got in the way of her chances for victory. "Not to mention making it damned difficult to spend time together." He could live with being low man on the totem pole—he understood her need to prioritize her responsibilities.

What he couldn't do, at least not anymore? Act as her personal punching bag when she lost important bouts. Not when he offered to help. Tried to give her a hand up. Wanted to shoulder some of her burden. Bailee Young wanted no part of riding on Oakes's coattails.

He snorted. "And I can respect that. I truly can."

She wanted to walk her path all alone and he finally got it. Moving several states away should give her all the space she'd ever need. And give him a fresh start in a different area. He welcomed the challenge of a new job. Maybe he'd even throw his hat into the arena here, too.

Focusing on work and attaining a new title would fill the void left by Bailee.

Right?

He exited his vehicle. "Guess I'll find out, won't I?" Reaching in, he picked up his phone and messenger bag.

Breakups suck and sometimes distance is the only thing to give perspective. Bailee and Oakes definitely need some distance.

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin