Friday, February 8, 2013

Blog Tour: Running on Empty by L.B. Simmons

Three Chicks had the pleasure of sitting down with Blake and Alex for an interview and some fishing.

"I never knew fishing could be so relaxing, don't you agree Jennifer and Kristie?" Kristie wrinkles her nose and says "Yes, it is but I don't like having to put the worm on the hook, gross." Jennifer laughs, "It's not that bad!" Alex and Blake are laughing too. Lisa looks over at the happy couple and says, "Thanks for taking us fishing on your lake and for taking the time to do this interview with us," Jennifer and Kristie nod in agreement. "This place is beautiful, I can see why you would come here," Jennifer says, looking around at the serene surrounding. "Alex, Blake, thank you so much for the fishing invitation and for doing this interview with us. We have to admit, we have never conducted an interview on a fishing boat before," Lisa says while casting out her line. "You ready to get started," Kristie asks while keeping the hooked worm away from her..

Three Chicks:  Alex, did you ever wonder what Blake was up to all those years he was gone? After all, he was your best friend.
 

Alex:  There were always fleeting thoughts.  I have a lot of memories with Blake here. We grew up together.  But, I was in love with Derek at the time, so that’s all there was…just memories.  Regarding Blake and myself, I thought we passed that point in our friendship where there was anything salvageable or even worth saving.  So my thoughts never really stemmed to more than a memory  (laughing).  But, I was obviously and thankfully mistaken about that.  And I thank God every day that I was.
 

Three Chicks:  Blake, tell us about the years after you left, why Colorado?
 

Blake:  Well, Rebecca started the University of Colorado right after she graduated.  So, when I graduated two years after her, I decided to go there as well.  I knew the campus, had friends there that I made during my visits, and honestly, I just needed to get far away at the time.   I graduated with my Construction Engineering degree and started my own business.  I just wanted to keep busy.  To keep my mind off certain people (He looks at Alex and laughs).  And I did keep busy, but Alex doesn’t like to talk about that.  (Alex: BLAKE!  Alex smacks him on the arm) See?  I can’t talk about that. 
 

Three Chicks:  Blake, any serious relationships?
 

Blake:  (Rubbing his arm) Um, no.  Next question?
 

Three Chicks:  Blake, did you ever want to return to Texas after Alex's husband died?
 

Blake:  I did. It was something I fought almost every day.  It was almost like I had two personalities, ya know?  One of them was pissed as hell and the other one still loved Alex very much.  It was a constant battle between the two.  Some days I would swear I was gonna give her up, then the next day I would wake up and want nothing more than to see her beautiful face.  The defining moment was when Harlow called.  It was then that I knew my issues with Alex were going to have to be squashed, because she needed my help.  And she didn’t make it easy.  But nothing with her ever is (Alex rolls her eyes.  Alex: I like how he acts all big and bad when there’s an interviewer present..  Trust me…he’s NOT like this at home, I assure you).
 

Three Chicks:  Blake, why didn't you go to Derek's funeral? You were all friends, right?
 

Blake:  (Lets out long sigh) That’s actually one decision I will always regret.  I found out from my parents.  They called me the day after it happened and asked me when I was coming for the funeral.  I made up some bullshit excuse.  I just couldn’t handle it.  The anger I had for Alex, the love I had for Alex…neither of them had a place at his funeral.  So, out of respect for him, I decided to not go  (Alex reaches over and places her hand inside his).
 

Three Chicks:  Alex, the day you ran out of gas, the day Blake came back into your life, pardon my French but why were you such a bitch to him? He was only trying to help. Would you have treated a complete stranger that way?
 

Alex:  No, I wouldn’t have. I’m not usually an ugly person to people.  I think I was just completely overwhelmed.  The morning did not start off well, to say the least.  Then seeing Blake walking up, well, I guess I was just embarrassed…and pissed…if that makes any sense, which it probably doesn’t.  And when he laughed at me…well, it pissed me off even more.  That’s pretty much how our relationship works.  It’s been that way since we were kids.  In that moment, I reverted to being a twelve year old arguing with my best friend as though we had never spent a day apart.
 

Three Chicks:  Alex, the night at the bar, when you went off on Blake, why did you think he was there to rescue you? I mean if he really wanted to don't you think he would have shown up 3 years ago right after Derek passed away? Don't you think you were a bit full of yourself in assuming he was there to see you?
 

Alex:  Of course I do.  I’m not proud of the way I acted. In fact, I was a narcissistic asshole to be exact.  But, truth be told…when I saw him, I think I wanted him to save me.  I wanted to be rescued.  I wanted to stop being strong all the time.  But, I know now that I just wasn’t ready to admit it…to myself, to him, or to anyone else.  And I’m pretty sure I wasn’t thinking clearly enough at that time in my life to really ask myself why now and not three years ago regarding when Blake showed up again in my life.  I just knew that the sight of him made me want things I didn’t think I could ever have.  So, I reacted poorly to those initial feelings.  But, eventually, I realized I was only hurting myself and my girls by constantly trying to protect all of us from being hurt again.
 

Three Chicks:  Alex, we know how much you loved and still love Derek, but when did you realize that you also loved and still love Blake?
 

Alex:  (Laughing) I think I knew it the minute he took my hand into his after the unfortunate door incident.  He took my hand so gently, that right then…that moment, he captured my heart.  Because I knew what a wonderful and kind man was standing right there in front of me.  A gentle soul.    But, I also knew that our relationship had been damaged.  At that point, I was happy to settle for friendship with him, I was expecting nothing more.  I just wanted to have this wonderful man in my life.  Never in a million years would I have thought there would be the possibility of anything more.  And seeing that I still had issues to work out, our friendship provided the foundation for the possibility of more, later down the road. I also think we both had to let go of our past, to move forward with the future.  
 

Three ChicksAlex, you once told your best friend Harlow, "You'll never have your happy ending unless you're brave enough to open the book and start your story." WHY did it take YOU so long to take your own advice?
 

Alex:  (Laughing) How many times do we spout off advice, wonderful advice for those we love; yet, we don’t follow it ourselves?  It’s much easier to say things than actually do them.  Case in point…my advice to Harlow.  It was easy to tell her that she deserved the best, because I want nothing less for her. And I guess I knew what she was doing from my own fears.  I’m evidently a wonderful advice giver, just not an advice follower.  I kinda have to figure out things for myself…unfortunately this is a trait I seemed to have passed on to all three of my children.  (Blake:  Yes, I can vouch for this).
 

Three Chicks:  This question is for the both of you.  The day you went to the park after breakfast, the butterfly incident, it was apparent that you both thought it was strange- your thoughts?
 

Alex:  I thought it was strange at first, yes.  But I knew in my heart that Derek was trying to tell me something. That man was so stubborn, I’m sure he worked out a way to be able to tell me I was screwing up my life.  Not out of anger, but for me, and our children.  Because that’s the type of man he was, and still is. 
 

Blake:  (Reaching over to hold Alex’s hand)  I thought it was weird.  But, I have always believed in signs.  I thought something might be going on, but I knew for sure when I saw the charm.  I knew it was for her.  And something told me it was important that I get it.  So, I did.  And we all know how that ended.  (Alex:  Seriously?  Blake, cut it out!)
 

Three Chicks:  Alex, what are your future plans, anything big you would like to tell us about?
 

Alex:  (Rubbing tummy) Maybe, we’re not ready to say just yet.  But, there may be something VERY big on the horizon.  
 

Three Chicks:  Alex, so how are things going with Harlow and Trace?
 

Alex:  They’re really good actually. I’m so happy for them. I know that Trace has some family issues he’s working out right now; unfortunately I have to hear every single detail from Harlow. But I think there’s definitely a wedding in the future for those two.  And I would like to go in the record as saying…I KNEW IT!

 Lightning Round:
 

Three Chicks:  Alex, Heels or Flats? 

Alex:  Heels, no contest!
 

Three Chicks:  Blake,  Boxers or Briefs? 

Blake:  Briefs, they keep my boys up (Alex elbows him in the side).
 

Three Chicks:  Alex, favorite 80's flick? 

Alex:  Some Kind of Wonderful! Again…no contest!
 

Three Chicks:  Blake, Motorcycle or Truck? 

Blake:  Bike…definitely.
 

Three Chicks:  Alex, Bikini or Thong? 

Alex:  Thong, I loathe panty lines…no one wants to see what they don’t have to.
 

Three Chicks:  Blake, Stay in or Go out? 

Blake:  Stay in.  We have a very entertaining household.
 

Three Chicks:  Alex, Favorite Food? 

Alex:  BACON!
 

Three Chicks:  Blake, Favorite Song? 

Blake:  Simple Kind of Man, Lynyrd Skynyrd
 

Three Chicks:  Blake and Alex, Chocolate or Vanilla? 

Alex:  Vanilla  

Blake: Chocolate
 

Three Chicks:  Blake, what is the one word you would use to describe Alex? 

Blake:  Stubborn
 

Three Chicks:  Alex, same question for you. 

Alex:  I was going say to compassionate; now I’m just gonna say dumb. 


"We had so much fun today, thank you," Lisa says while we get off the boat. "I can't believe I caught my first fish, that was kinda awesome," Jennifer says excitedly.  "Well, I caught my first shoe!" Kristie says and everyone laughs. "Again, thank you so much for hanging out with the Three Chicks. We wish you both the best and hope to talk to you again in the future," Lisa says taking one last look around. We all say our goodbyes and get into our vehicles and head home.

 

Summary:

I had the perfect life.

Beautiful and loving husband.Three gorgeous little girls.
Successful career.

The only thing missing was the white picket fence. I really wanted that fence.

Three years ago, I lost that life. I lost my husband. And I lost myself. But, eventually, I found my way through the darkness. I’ve made peace with my new life. I have my girls, and that’s all that matters. They are my world. I have no illusions of ever falling in love again or getting whisked away on a white horse.

But then he came back into my life. On a freakin’ motorcycle.

There’s no way I’ll let him turn my life completely upside down. Absolutely no way.

The question is…

How long can I keep pretending that I’m happy with my life being right-side up
? 



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