Tuesday Tales - Box

It`s time for Tuesday Tales.

Today we have a snippet from the third Harrisburg Railers MM hockey romance book, Deep Edge, that I’m coauthoring with Rj Scott. In this excerpt, Trent is having some troubles trying to come to grips with this wild new passionate thing growing between himself and Deiter.

Our word prompt today is “Box”.

This story may have gay erotic scenes, strong social issues addressed and mature language. If those things offend now is the time to move onto another Tuesday Tales blog. Thanks for stopping by!

“He sent me a text that said, ‘It’s done’. Just that. Just those two words. What the flying fuck does that mean? Is he in rehab? In the hospital? Hockey players,” I huffed and gave the ceiling of my rink a sour look as I kept talking. “So, I called Adler Lockhart who tells me that he’s having surgery. Which is good, he needs to attend to his knee, but what about the pain afterward? He looked sober when he was here yesterday but…well, yeah, but. And now I’m even more lost and confused because every damn fiber of my being is screaming at me to go to Harrisburg and see him, you know?”

The Tennant Rowe bobblehead Layton and the Railers had presented me with bobbled its head in reply. Wonderful. So helpful. I should shove it back into its box.

“Do you think I should?” I lifted the tiny resin figure from my lap and shook it. It just bobbled as any good bobblehead should. I sighed and set it down on the cold, plastic seat beside me, right next to the check I’d also gotten from the Harrisburg Railers in attendance. The players who’d come to this debacle of a training session/reality show had handed me a personal check for ten thousand dollars for the rink, the real Tennant Rowe trying to put the check into my palm just two hours ago, before they’d left to return to their lives for the rest of the summer.

“What you’re doing here is important,” he’d said as I tried to gracefully not take their money.

“Showing a bunch of orangutans how to shave a few milliseconds off their time?”

The group gathered around me had chuckled.

“No, what you’re doing with the kids. Giving them a haven, a place to train without being judged or hated on. That’s the important thing.” He pressed the check into my chest. And held it there, right over my fluttering heart. How had I gotten so attached to this pod of apes so quickly? They’d certainly showed me that not all hockey players were lumbering cretins bent on humiliating the little figure skater with the perfectly applied eyeliner and gloss. Imagine that. Giving people a chance and not judging on past experiences. What a novel concept.

“And turning us all onto Pilipino food,” Arvy chimed in.

“Good Pilipino food,” Stan enthused. Another round of laughter.

      “I’ll be happy to take this for the children. Thank you.” I hugged Tennant and Jared then went down the line, giving each of them a hug and a soft kiss on the lips. Not a sexual kiss just a friendly one. The sexual kisses were reserved for the Railer that wasn’t here.

Copyright 2017 ©by V.L. Locey & Rj Scott

*~*~*

Click on the link below to return to the Tuesday Tales main blog for more great reads from the Tuesday Tales authors.

Tuesday Tales

Tuesday Tales - Silver

Welcome back for more Tuesday Tales!

Today we have a snippet from the third Harrisburg Railers MM hockey romance book, Deep Edge, that I’m coauthoring with Rj Scott. In this excerpt, Trent is about to step in front of the cameras for another segment in his reality TV show.

Our word prompt today is “Silver”.

This story may have gay erotic scenes, strong social issues addressed and mature language. If those things offend now is the time to move onto another Tuesday Tales blog. Thanks for stopping by!

How wonderful it would be to have someone to scold about silly little social gaffes. I slipped back into that tiny office, closed the door, and spent the next forty minutes watching Deiter on ice. By the time the children were ready for me I was a hot mess but I put on my makeup and my performing smile and I sashayed out onto the ice like the fucking star I was. My skaters – the kids ranging in ages from six to sixteen – all applauded and gathered around me.

“Look at you all,” I gushed, hugging as many as I could. Some, like Scotty the ten-year-old transgender boy, were exceptionally special to me, but I adored them all. “Are you going to give the TV show cameras your best today?” I asked, moving through the adoring fans to get a last-minute costume and make-up check. They all shouted yes. They made me so proud.

It had been decided that I’d do one of my short programs from Sochi and then work with the kids, bringing in the Railers to show how harmonious we all were and how inclusive ice sports now were. Which was a huge pile of steaming shit. I remembered all too well the scathing remarks made about me by TV announcers - who were retired figure skaters - during my silver medal performance. I’d been called many terrible things since I first came out at a tender age but what those announcers had said about me being too feminine and too odd to be associating with young boys still turned my stomach. It made me cry back then and it would today given my state of mind if I’d only let it. But I refused to give shitful people like that the pleasure of seeing my tears. Besides, my skaters needed Trent to be Trent. And so, for them, I was always brave in public and shed the tears in private.

“We need to get this jacket up just a bit more,” I told Gayle. She began pinning the hem of the white short jacket. “If it’s too low it hides the curvature of my ass.”

“Hold still before I jab you.” She worked quickly. I smiled at the children and then found the hockey players lined up on the other side of the boards. I could feel Deiter before I could see him. I knew his eyes were on my ass, which is why I had to make sure that it was viewable. “Are you feeling better?”

“Yes.” I lied. “Thank you for coming over and talking to me this morning. You’re an angelic agent,” I whispered as some tall man with a bun and garlic breath touched up my eye liner and gloss. As if it needed touching up. I knew how to apply, thank you.

“Remember that when the producers of the show ask you to allow them to go on a date with you.” She smiled at me then gave the sparkly white jacket a firm tug. “There. All pinned and high enough to show off that pert ass. Now go show the people at home why you won that silver medal.”

We bussed cheeks and then I skated out to center ice, inhaled, artfully raised my arms over my head, dug my toe pick into the ice and then waited for the music. It was one of my favorite routines, performed to ‘Carmen’ and showcased my flair and strengths. As soon as the music began my mind went to the routine, the jumps, the sass that signaled that Trent Hanson was performing this skate. Through the salchows and lutzs, the toe loops and axels I felt hot steady eyes on me. Knowing Deiter was right there engrossed by my ability and my body, feeling his hungry eyes on me as I worked my magic, made me feel lightheaded and giddy. Combined with the sheer joy of ice and music, when I ended with an impromptu Johnny Weir slide the darkness of the morning had lifted.

Copyright 2017 ©by V.L. Locey

*~*~*

Click on the link below to return to the Tuesday Tales main blog for more great reads from the Tuesday Tales authors.

Tuesday Tales

Tuesday Tales - Picture Prompt

Welcome back!

This week is our picture prompt week and all posts must be 300 words or under and reflect the chosen image. Today we have a snippet from Deep Edge, Harrisburg Railers #3, which I’m coauthoring with Rj Scott. In this excerpt, Trent gets his first peek at the Railers, who he’ll be filming a reality show with.

Thanks so much for dropping by!

We could hear them talking. I peeked around the corner and saw them all gathered in a corridor. Eleven or twelve of them. Thirteen if you counted a leaner man with dark hair who didn’t look like be belonged among the troop. A baker’s dozen of them waiting for me to arrive so the torment could begin. Why had the week gone so quickly? I’d been trying to drag it out but it marched on without a care for Trent. Time was a puffy-faced sow. I should have ignored that stupid alarm clock and hidden in my bed all day.

I pulled back from the corner and looked right at my agent. Her nose was pink from the cold in the ice rink. I loved her little puffy teal jacket and made a mental note to ask later about where she’d gotten it.

“Are we sure we don’t want Jane Goodall in the leading role of this show?”

Gayle gave me a withering look. She was quickly perfecting that expression. It would serve her well. Damn. I should have worn one of my tiaras just to twist some nipples. Not that what I had pulled on wouldn’t get things rolling as soon as the simians laid eyes on me. Had Trent dressed to stir things up? Oh yes, Trent had.

I’d gone with the anime look for the day. Colored and teased hair, lined eyes which don’t count because I line my eyes daily, skin tight blue leggings under a short, flouncy kilt of green, blue, all topped with a tight blue and white sweater. Oh, and bright blue hiking boots and a few dozen bangles on each wrist.

“They look like very nice young men,” Gayle sagely replied.

Copyright 2017 ©by V.L. Locey & Rj Scott

*~*~*

Click on the link below to return to the Tuesday Tales main blog for more great reads from the Tuesday Tales authors.

Tuesday Tales

Changing Lines Release Day!

It's been a wonderful experience working with Rj Scott. I've learned so much from her and have found a true friend and Wonder Twin soul sister. I hope you can feel the love we have this genre, the sport of hockey, and our characters as you read each of the Railers books.

Tennant and Jared will always hold a special place in my heart as their story - and the battles they face to be honest about their love - have shaped the series into one of passion, hope, and acceptance in my eyes. Thank you for all your support, as always. It is because of you that this old chicken-herder can live out a dream.

Skate hard and love deeply,

V.L.

Changing Lines (Harrisburg Railers #1)

Blurb:

Can Tennant show Jared that age is just a number, and that love is all that matters?

The Rowe Brothers are famous hockey hotshots, but as the youngest of the trio, Tennant has always had to play against his brothers’ reputations. To get out of their shadows, and against their advice, he accepts a trade to the Harrisburg Railers, where he runs into Jared Madsen. Mads is an old family friend and his brother’s one-time teammate. Mads is Tennant’s new coach. And Mads is the sexiest thing he’s ever laid eyes on.

Jared Madsen’s hockey career was cut short by a fault in his heart, but coaching keeps him close to the game. When Ten is traded to the team, his carefully organized world is thrown into chaos. Nine years younger and his best friend’s brother, he knows Ten is strictly off-limits, but as soon as he sees Ten’s moves, on and off the ice, he knows his heart could get him into trouble again.

eBook

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Tuesday Tales - Earth

It`s time for Tuesday Tales.

Today we have a snippet from the third Harrisburg Railers MM hockey romance book, Deep Edge, that I’m coauthoring with Rj Scott. In this excerpt, we get to meet one of the two leading men, Trent Hanson, a famous figure skater who has fallen on hard times.

Our word prompt today is “Earth”.

This story may have gay erotic scenes, strong social issues addressed and mature language. If those things offend now is the time to move onto another Tuesday Tales blog. Thanks for stopping by!

Gayle sat down behind her desk, smiled at me yet again, and folded her hands in front of her. I raised a freshly plucked eyebrow. She was still trying to get a handle on me. Tobey & Troy was the largest athletic representation firm in Philly. They handled most of the Eagles, Sixers, and Flyers as well as several tennis players. And now they had me. Trent Lawrence Hanson. Famed gay figure skater and next in line to be a Dickens character in real life. Please, Sir, can I have more? Ugh. As if I’d eat gruel. What if I had too? What on earth would I do? The thought was too much to bear.

“I think that now that the legal issues with your father—”

“Stepfather,” I quickly reminded her.

“Yes, sorry, stepfather. Well, now that he’s been convicted and is serving his time I think it’s time we start working on marketing you in a positive light.” She smiled again, nervously, and leveled light blue eyes at me. “Where are you in terms of returning to competitive skating?”

I glanced out the windows at Ben Franklin standing atop City Hall. I began running my hands over the flaps of thin cotton lying over my thighs.

“I have no money, my professional reputation is shot, and my rink and my mother’s house are both two months away from foreclosure. Do you honestly think that I could find the mental clarity and focus to skate again?” As soon as I heard how bitchy I sounded I placed a hand over my mouth. “I’m so sorry,” I mumbled into my fingers.

“It’s quite understandable,” she replied. She was far too nice to be saddled with a miserable cow bag like me. I wanted to cry but didn’t. I’d do that later when I visited Mom and Lola. “Would you like something to drink?”

“Water would be lovely,” I coughed into my fingers. She rang her receptionist. “I’m better now. See.” I lowered my hand and smiled brilliantly at her.

Gayle nodded but melancholy lingered in her gaze. A tiny blonde hurried in with a bottle of water and handed it to me. I was about to ask if she could possibly find a cold one but I bit my tongue. Bitchy Trent had already escaped once today.

“Thank you.” She nodded and scurried out, closing the door behind her slim backside. Her shoes were terrible. Who wears black flats with a peach dress in late June? Honestly women, learn how to dress. I took tiny sips of the tepid water. Gayle waited. I capped the bottle and balanced it in my left hand so my coat didn’t get watermarked. I was a beggar now. I had to keep my wardrobe in good shape. Tears threatened again. Gayle broke into the building weep fest.

“I understand that you’re not mentally ready to return to figure skating. To that end, we need to find you something to do that will bring in good money so you can get your assets back in sound fiscal shape.”

“You mean pull my rink and my mother’s house out of the snapping jaws of foreclosure?”

“Well, I’d not have been quite that dramatic…”

“Few are,” I sighed as I returned to working out the crinkles in my duster.

“Right, well, I’ve been approached by GLBTQtv about a reality show with you as the star.”

My mouth dropped to my chest. “Get. Out.”

Copyright 2017 ©by V.L. Locey

*~*~*

Click on the link below to return to the Tuesday Tales main blog for more great reads from the Tuesday Tales authors.

Tuesday Tales

Tuesday Tales - Stone

It`s time for Tuesday Tales.

 Welcome back! “Stone” is our word this week. Today I’m sharing a snippet from First Season, the second Harrisburg Railers book. I’m coauthoring this M/M hockey romance series with Rj Scott and am thrilled to be able to share excerpts with the Tuesday Tales readers!

In today’s post, Adler is in a bit of a dark place.

This story may have gay erotic scenes, strong social issues addressed and mature language. If those things offend now is the time to move onto another Tuesday Tales blog. Thanks for stopping by!

He thought I’d left. I guess I had in a way. I was no longer in his space or face but I was in the hall, staring at the door to his place, willing it to open and to see Layton calling me back in. Maybe he had changed his mind and wanted me around again. After thirty minutes, and no open door, I had to accept that he wasn’t ready for me now…or ever. I’d not been good enough again.

And that fear and anger and helplessness and regret and pain all started to coalesce in my breast. I wanted to do something for him but there was nothing I could do. I wanted to go back in time and find the motherfuckers who had hurt my man and beat them into paste. I wanted to punch holes in the walls of this nice corridor but couldn’t. So, I left his building and I drove around Harrisburg until I ran out of gas. Then I walked. Somehow, I ended up by the capitol building. It wasn’t open yet. I sat down on the west side on the grand stairs leading up the impressive white building. The ice on the steps made my ass cold. I got up after a bit, hands in my pockets, and continued walking.

I ended up by the banks of the Susquehanna River. There were big chunks of ice along the banks. The stones lining the shore were slick with ice as well. My breath fogged in front of me. I felt hollow inside. Hollow and angry. Angry at me, that stupid, hateful, homophobic fan for refusing to let his son have a puck from a queer player, the press, my parents, and myself. Somehow my love hadn’t been enough for Layton. I’d not been a good enough boyfriend. Probably because I was hiding the fact that I was his boyfriend. I was never good enough…

And so, the rage and self-disgust fed off the confusion and fear and it quadrupled. It was so large come evening that it was all there was of Adler Lockhart. I was a skating ball of chaos who was on the edge. All it would take would be a comment or a nudge. I got both ten minutes into the game with Philadelphia. The nudge was from Gabriel Marsan, a defenseman from Philly known for being one of those players who likes to push. He rarely made the mistake of being way over the line, but if he could instigate and pull a penalty then he would. He was good at both, pulling penalties and poking a humming hornets’ nest with his stick.

Copyright 2017 ©by V.L. Locey & Rj Scott

*~*~*

Click on the link below to return to the Tuesday Tales main blog for more great reads from the Tuesday Tales authors.

Tuesday Tales

Tuesday Tales - Purple

It`s time for Tuesday Tales.

 Welcome back! “Purple” is our word this week. Today I’m sharing a snippet from First Season, the second Harrisburg Railers book. I’m coauthoring this M/M hockey romance series with Rj Scott and am thrilled to be able to share excerpts with the Tuesday Tales readers!

In today’s post, we get to see some interaction between the two leading men, Adler Lockhart, a Railers player, and Layton Foxx, a social media expert working with the Railers. We also get some interplay with Adler and his best friend/PA Apollo.

This story may have gay erotic scenes, strong social issues addressed and mature language. If those things offend now is the time to move onto another Tuesday Tales blog. Thanks for stopping by!

He rolled his eyes. “Far too much information. But, I did pack about twenty clean handkerchiefs for your trip.” He closed the case, latched it, and turned to look at me. “Ad, do me a favor, okay? Try to keep a rein on yourself.”

“I know, you already told me not to buy anyone any more presents.” I shuffled the shrimp from one hand to the other.

“Yeah, there’s that, but I see how much you love this man.”

“I never said that. Never. Not once. Did I?” I didn’t recall saying the L word in any way that linked with Layton.

“You didn’t have to. It’s written all over your face. Mr. Foxx is nice and very good-looking but deeply troubled. Don’t let your desire to be loved override what he can give you, okay?”

“Yeah, sure, okay. I’ll go slow. I promise.”

“You don’t mean a word of that, I know.” He sighed, padded over to me, and gave me a chaste kiss on the lips. I wiggled the prawn platter out of the way. “I’m leaving now. I want to get home, sleep, and be able to do Christmas eve mass with my parents.”

“Cool. Tell them I wish them the best holiday ever. Seems funny not to be going with you this year.”

“It’s nice that you have someone else in your life now. Just don’t suffocate the man, okay?” He patted my cheek, snuck a shrimp from under the plastic wrap, and walked off making yummy sounds. I heard the doorbell ring. My body reacted instantly knowing it was Layton. I jogged to the door. It had been days since I’d last seen him. He looked so good. Relaxed, calm, smiling, casually dressed in a loose purple sweater and jeans.

“Missed you,” I said as his gaze moved over me then settled on the shrimp platter. “Treats for later. Come in. Can I kiss you?”

“Sure,” he said as he slipped in around me. I leaned in, stole a tiny smooch, and then jumped back out of the way when Apollo came charging at us with travel bags bouncing off his back.

“Hello, Mr. Foxx,” he smiled at Layton then wagged a finger at me as he hurried past. “You, remember what I said. Have fun. Merry Christmas, Ad, Mr. Foxx.”

“Same to you,” Layton said before I closed on the door on my best friend. “He doesn’t like me.”

“He does, he’s just worried about me falling for you too quickly. He seems to think I can’t control myself for some reason.”

“Your lack of a filter might have something to do with how he thinks,” Layton said then lifted the shrimp platter from my hand. “Why don’t we put these in the fridge. Warm seafood makes me nervous.”

Copyright 2017 ©by V.L. Locey & Rj Scott

*~*~*

Click on the link below to return to the Tuesday Tales main blog for more great reads from the Tuesday Tales authors.

Tuesday Tales

Exciting News for M/M Hockey Fans

Cover Reveal Coming In June

I know it will come as no surprise to anyone that I adore hockey. I also have an incredible love for M/M stories, and especially those set in a hockey rink.

I have two new M/M hockey series starting this year (Cayuga Cougars & Brighton Wood Blades) and have an M/F series (The Venom) running. Being part of the wonderful world of hockey romance I’ve been blessed to meet lots of wonderful authors. Some I’m now lucky enough to call friend. Such is the case with Rj Scott even if she is a Pens fan. *winks* You can check out her blog and her books here--Rj Scott Blog

We started chatting online about hockey and discovered that not only do we have a great mutual respect of each other as well as a similar sense of humor, we also thought that co-authoring an M/M hockey series would be the kitten’s whiskers!

Amid much talking, laughing, and plotting we’ve come up with a brand-new team for a brand-new series! Changing Lines, book #1 in our Harrisburg Railers series will release on July 12^th and we have a cover reveal set for early June. I cannot wait to show you the cover! Oh, my gods, it is amazing. Meredith Russell did an incredible job. The leading men are just the swooniest. Is that a word? Probably not but who cares! Take a peek at this awesome logo for the new team—

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The Harrisburg Railers - What's in a name?

Wiki... "During part of the 19th century, the building of the Pennsylvania Canal and later the Pennsylvania Railroad allowed Harrisburg to become one of the most industrialized cities in the Northeastern United States.  ...  With Harrisburg poised for growth in steel production, the Borough of Steelton became the ideal location for this type of industry. Steelton was a company town, opened in 1866 by the Pennsylvania Steel Company. Highly innovative in its steel making process, it became the first mill in the United States to make steel railroad rails by contract. ..."