No one likes going for a rebound (unless they're playing basketball). It's that uncertain, awkward stage between heartbreak and desperate loneliness that leads to some pretty bad decisions, the kind that fuel the opening scenes of PRINCE OF FOOLS. He's lost the woman he loves to his brother, she's there to pick up the pieces, telling herself that she's okay with being second string, second choice. Riiiiiight. Like that's going to end well. While I'm finishing my first read through and moving on to that second pass to revise, here's a glimpse of my characters stumbling through the motions . . . starting with that morning-after moment of regret.
A picture on an unfamiliar nightstand, the girl he recognized, but not the room, not the bed where covers tangled about his naked form.
Oh, holy hell, he’d gotten drunk and pity-f-ed by Amber James!
Covering his face with his hands, he repressed a groan of horror then peeked between his fingers, spotting his clothes on the foot of the bed, cleaned and neatly folded, and hoped maybe he was wrong, that she’d simply let him crash and sleep off his misery . . . until he inhaled. No mistaking the rich aroma of well-enjoyed sex lingering on every inch of him.
What had he done? He screwed someone’s mom!
Amber . . . she’d hate him, or worse, expect something from him that he couldn’t give. Hurting her was the last thing he wanted, the last thing she deserved after all she’d done for him and his family.
What the hell was wrong with him that he had to go out of his way to so effortlessly mess everything up?
The Prince of Fools.
While I'm visiting your sites (I apologize for not showing up last Sunday - houseful of company followed by busy first full week back at work, but THANK YOU for your awesome comments!), enjoy another, less painful take on dealing with heartache. Rico and Amber should have taken this advice as their friendship tumbles toward relationship.
Happy Writing, All!!
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He feels like he's badly f**ked up (excusez mon français, but that's the most appropriate word in this context), but it may yet work out.
ReplyDeleteIndeed he has and is! And I'm pretty sure it may.
DeleteThis snippet is so well written in every way. Her Mother! That's awful but interesting.
ReplyDeleteFor a reckless single guy . . . a nightmare!
DeleteOh my...quite the situation but I really loved the way you have him thinking. I can't wait to read more - excellent excerpt.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jean!
DeleteConsequences are coming, I expect. Great tease.
ReplyDeleteCount on it!
DeleteDamn, that was unexpected. I hope things aren't as bad as he thinks they'll be.
ReplyDeleteProbably worse . . . in a good way, eventually.
DeleteOops! The morning after the night before. I wonder how this will end up.
ReplyDeleteClumsily, I'm sure!
DeleteGreat show of his emotions! So well portrayed! He doesn't want to hurt her, so he shouldn't. ;)
ReplyDeleteNot intentionally . . .
DeleteI know this is an emotional snippet and it definitely offers that in spades... but the "He screwed someone’s mom!" line made me giggle. But just a tiny bit! ;)
ReplyDeleteI believe this is my favourite snippet this week. So much regret packed in these short ten lines
ReplyDeleteWhy do I get the feeling that by not wanting to hurt her, he's going to hurt her worse than ever? Great insight into his conflicted emotions.
ReplyDeleteOoh he's so full of guilt, poor guy, doesn't he know it takes two to tango! Great excerpt and he comes across as caring and thoughtful, or he wouldn't be blaming himself so much!
ReplyDeleteWell this certainly has a powerful lot of conflict! A testament of what drinking will do to you. I feel for him, but really for her. Can't wait for her take on the night past. Great snippet!
ReplyDeleteLots of emotion in this scene. He really has regrets.
ReplyDeleteThe morning after... You cleverly betrayed his mixed emotions here. I'm curious to know how 'someone's mom' feels about it. Great scene.
ReplyDelete"He screwed someone's mom." That's always gonna cause a stir in my opinion.#wewriwa
ReplyDeleteAwesome job of showing his pain and conflict and personal disgust.
ReplyDeleteTweeted.
He's panicking, but maybe it's not as bad as he thinks. Moms need love, too.
ReplyDelete