“I only got into House of Hades because of you.”
The anger was gone. I wanted to let him know he’d helped me, in a convoluted way.
He dropped his head and opened his eyes. “What?”
I nodded. “If things had been different, I’d have gone into that audition as me, treating it as a joke.
#wipsnips

My breath was heaving when I finally got the stupid mattress down the stairs. I shoved it out the door, and collapsed on the front step.
Fighting with the mattress had distracted me for a while, but now I had to deal with what had happened.
#wipsnips

Closest I had.

"He's not gonna get that." The shot immediately went wide. It was near the end of the third period, and the score was tied.
JP took another sip of his bourbon. "You're psychic now?"
"He's been trying that move for three years. It'll never work, but he keeps doing it." #wipsnips

Davie couldn't have been more thrilled. His eyes grew round, and he slid over with alacrity. JP sat beside him, and Talia was forced to slide over to make room for Royd.
"Did you enjoy the game?" he asked Talia while Davie dug up a sharpie to get signatures on his jersey.
#wipsnips

Just then there was a knock on the door. Royd looked at JP, who merely shrugged. Any outsider would have had to be buzzed up from downstairs, so a process of elimination meant Troy or Michelle from across the hall. Talia had returned Royd’s key, so that fantasy wasn’t even a starter. #wipsnips

“There’s a lot to work out, but I know I can’t leave.”
“Because of the show?” Gemma hazarded.
Harper nodded.
“Are you sure?”
Harper snorted. “I’m sure. I don’t want to leave you in the lurch, but I have to stay in Darling for the duration. Just tell me how I can help you while I’m here.” #wipsnips

That's what those are. Good to know.

But they do make for interesting stories

Must be a fairly universal thing. Or great minds thinking alike.

I made it around the corner before I pulled the car over and dropped my head on the steering wheel. My hands were shaking and I had to fight down the urge to cry. Seeing Justin brought back feelings I thought I’d worked. Anger. Pain. Regret. #wipsnips

Grey background, with shaded lettering, yellow on left to mauve on right, Paperback giveaway. Two book cover, one blue background, hockey player in bright colors Nash by Victoria Denault, the other black and grey with hockey arena background, hockey gloves on ice in foreground, Playoff by Kim Findlay Yellow box with Giveaway Rules - comment on Kim's post for one chance to win, comment on Victoria's post for 1 chance to win, Comment on FB or Threads (or IG) for additional entries, open internationally

@victoriadenault.bsky.social and I are publishing hockey romances this week, so we're doing a signed paperback giveaway to celebrate! Comment to enter.
#romancelandia #hockeyromance #giveaway

Book cover, all black/blue/grey/white tones. Back ground is a hockey arena, blurred. On ice in foreground is a hockey helmet and a pair of gloves. Title, OUT OF PLAY in white on top, grossed hockey sticks and puck with the name Toronto Blaze at the side, across the bottom, Toronto Blaze Series Book Five Kim Findlay

So, I have a book out today. Hockey romance, hockey player and single mom, family issues, a Ponzi scheme, and a fun six year old. #romancelandia #hockeyromance
books2read.com/u/4Ewlyo

She paused, and I swore she was going to ask if I’d get another contract for next year, and I really didn’t want to talk any more about how pathetic I was doing compared to her. Instead, I gestured for the bill and we argued over who was paying. No more serious topics after that. #wipsnips

Her smile was polite. “I’ll check.”
“Or he might have said Mackenzie. Kenzie is a nickname, but no one calls me Mackenzie. Except, like, on official documents.” I closed my mouth before I spilled out any more idiocy.
“Have a seat.”
I did. My cheeks were heated as I pulled out my phone.
#wipsnips

I managed to hang up before I rambled past the beep that ended the voice message. I slumped back in my chair, both relieved and disappointed. I couldn’t expect her to understand I’d had a big revelation about our childhood since, you know, we didn’t talk.
#wipsnips

Teenagers. ;)

I opened the fridge, finding the milk almost gone, an empty pitcher of lemonade put back, and a package of cheese drying out where someone had ripped into it, taken what they wanted, and put it back without wrapping it.
#wipsnips

I did a lot of research. Happy if it makes sense.

I kept busy between playing and taking care of the equipment, but we had a Sparx machine and it made the process twice as fast. Right now, fast wasn’t the priority. It was important that I get this right: ESS – even, sharp and smooth. I wanted to get the radius of hollow perfect, for her. #wipsnips

There were a lot of things you could pick up online, and some of the videos were really good. But you had to check them out. See if whoever posted them actually knew their stuff. There was a lot of shit advice online.
#wipsnips

A guy, six feet or so, stood behind me, smiling. Brown hair with a few blond streaks, brown eyes, chin covered in stubble. Wide shoulders, biceps stretching out the short shirt sleeves, and a trim waist. I brought my eyes back up to his face. No need to ogle the helpful English speaker. #wipsnips

"My next marriage is going to last. I've agonized over our breakup, and this issue was all on me. I was going to bring a child into a situation when we'd agreed not to do so. I wasn't mature enough to recognize a problem and discuss it, so I tried a shortcut. That was on me.”
#wipsnips

I pulled out some rocky road ice cream and dug out cutlery and a mug as well as sugar while the coffee brewed. Coffee and ice cream for breakfast. Not on any diet I’d come across, but that was okay. Food you ate after a breakup didn’t count, right? #wipsnips

I came back out a few minutes later. Jimmy was still asleep, now wrapped around my pillow. I felt the smile on my face. Uncontrollable cuddling. I was a convert, at least with Jimmy.
#wipsnips

She'd just enjoyed an amazing meal. She was sitting in an open air restaurant, close enough to hear the steady thrum of the waves hitting the beach. Sun had set, so she couldn't see the water, but there was no doubt it was there.
#wipsnips

The last thing I needed was rumors of my drug addiction becoming part of Ron’s documentary. “No. I mean, I tried some weed in college, but—”
Stella poked me. “Seriously, Jimmy? How often?”
I sighed. I’d never have a chance to fool Stella. “Twice, okay? I didn’t like it.”
#wipsnips

“Can I ask you a question? Something serious?”
I nodded.
“You said when you worked with equipment, you didn’t hear Dad’s voice in your head. When do you hear him?”
I snorted. “Anytime I step on the ice.”
“And it’s criticism?”
“When did you last hear Dad praising someone?”
#wipsnips

“They had to change the documentary. I won’t be in it now.”
His brow creased. “That’s too bad. I was looking forward to seeing you on film.”
I glanced over my shoulder. The young woman clutched a package of oil-based lube and studied the bondage gear. Nobody was predictable in a sex shop.
#wipsnips

When I explained we’d be at an arena, he vibrated with excitement. “Really?”
“Justin’s team want to see him on the ice. We’ll wait till they’re done, and Justin will ask them if we can skate.”
His eyes were blazing and his smile almost split his face. “Maybe someone will play hockey?”
#wipsnips

Cloudy sky, person on stage, people with signs and flags.

Not a huge number, but we had people for No Kings at the Bastille in Paris.