Sunday Snippet: Drowning Pull

May is flying by at a rapid pace. This week has been intense with burning the candle at both ends for me. This is a good day to take some downtime, which I'm trying to do today.

Work exploded this week with multiple projects dropping into my inbox. I have four nonfiction manuscripts and three fiction manuscripts in various stages of editing. I don't normally have seven different projects going at the same time but, so far, I'm managing them. It'll make for a nice June once they're all turned in.

Had an amazing week of viewing. I got a full round of shows in and caught a couple of extras. Also started a new show that might be sporadically viewed until it's available for streaming.

I started a rewatch of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries this week. I'm waiting a some new episodes of a few other shows to drop and this is such a comfort series for me.

Caught another episode of Brokenwood Mysteries and thoroughly enjoyed it. Very twisty and turny, which is always fun.

Enjoyed another episode of Death in Paradise. I'm happy to have some Naomi backstory. I'd love to see a bit more of that for the characters.

Started a from the beginning run of Poirot. I've seen quite a few episodes of this show but haven't watched any of them in order. This is another filler series until new episodes start dropping of my current shows.

Watched another episode of Elementary and quite enjoyed it. I'm always interested when weird cases pop up and the cryogenics angle ended up being interesting.

Caught an episode of Batman Beyond and have some vague memories of the first time I watched it. I'm wondering if the Ts are in any way a throwback to Mr. Terrific. I might have to dive down that rabbit hole at some point.

Enjoyed another episode of Classic Rugrats. I don't remember either of these vignettes and I liked both.

I finished up an episode of Peak Practice and might start another one this week. This is one of my back burner shows and I'm happy I got to finish watching.

Started a new-to-me series and watched Reacher. Gotta say I loved the first episode. I did a bit of dive into write-ups of future seasons, and I think I'll stick with this one.

Also got a minimarathon of Return to Paradise in over the weekend. I'm looking forward to streaming this one when it's available in the US. Really enjoyed the first three episodes and I'm excited to see the rest.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Drowning Pull, a novella that plays on the right guy, wrong time trope.

Here's the miniblurb:

Lane Addison drowns his grief over losing his brother in alcohol, until a blonde distraction sits down beside him. Injured and off the circuit, Quesleigh decides to have a pity party for one until she sees someone deeper in the well than she is. A hot hookup later, Lane thinks he's found the perfect woman in Quesleigh, until she mentions her fiancé.

And a snippety peek…

Quesleigh struggled through a workout.

Her knee came close to being back in shape, but she needed to get ready for competition. "If I can compete." She pushed harder to up her reps.

She and Brad had some issues to iron out. He'd been combative and aggressive the past week, and she'd come close to telling him to fuck off into the sun more than once. Based on Josh's recommendations, she had a schedule and stuck to it.

The jingle of keys in the lock upstairs had her pausing her set of leg exercises. Grabbing a towel, she wiped her face and stood up just as Brad trotted down the steps. His damp hair suggested he'd showered after practice before heading home.

He started pushing before he even greeted her. "Almost ready to jump back onto the circuit?" His gaze raked over her from head to toe.

She shrugged. "Don't feel ready yet." Dropping the towel on the bench, she did some stretches. "I have to face the reality I might not get back to a competitive level." She'd give competing her best shot but wouldn't risk long-term damage.

Brad rolled his eyes. "You're such a baby, crying over a bum knee. Wah, wah." He left the room with a rude snort and went to dump his gear into the washing machine.

She tried not to engage. Brad had a game, and he did poorly if he got stressed out. He'd have to leave for the airport early in the wee hours of the morning.

Brad reentered and pushed harder. "What's Joshy-boy say? Or is he so far up your ass, he'll tell you what you want to hear? Which is to stay off the slopes." A ring of jealousy laced his words.

She didn't like the snide tone. One, because Josh had a boyfriend and two, because his skill as a therapist got her to her current status.

She tilted her head and turned the tables on Brad. "Where have you been spending the nights on the road, Brad?" He hadn't been with the team, according to his usual roommate.

Brad didn't deny or confirm her accusation. Instead, he stormed back up the stairs, calling over his shoulder. "Think whatever you want, Ques. I'm staying at the rink tonight."

She didn't have to think anything. And he wouldn't be staying at the rink. Her gut said he'd been stringing other women along—like Barbie—and he'd crash with one of them.

She had another reality to face. Her days as his significant other might be numbered. Brad would want someone else with clout ready to pose for the camera.

Grabbing some ice, she propped her leg up. "Do I care?" She could deal with Brad's flirty bait-and-switch attempts.

She hadn't been all that approachable lately. More like distracted and pondering a future doing something other than snowboarding. She'd like to believe Brad would support a career change, but doubt settled heavily in her stomach and mixed with the fear of the unknown.

Geez, she needed to stop dwelling on what could happen and focus on right now. She'd know more after her doctor's appointment in a few days. A little keyed up, she decided to go out and have fun over the weekend after she iced down her knee.

I think I found my groove with this story. Quesleigh is a fun character to write and she doesn't like to stay down or have fear so this scene came together better than I'd hoped.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin