I was quiet for a moment, considering all the pros and cons of moving from my beautiful high-rise apartment in a perfect city neighborhood to a suburban house in New Jersey. The cons were many and plentiful. But one pro—Eli Tucker—outweighed them all. Before I could give voice to that thought, he spoke again.
“I don’t just want to live with you casually, though, Zelda.” His mouth found the sensitive spot on my neck and nipped it lightly. “I want to marry you. I want to make us official. Seeing Quinn and Leo tonight . . . it made me realize that I don’t want to waste another second of our lives with what-ifs and what-could-have-beens. I want to spend the rest of our lives together. And I want the rest of our lives to start now.”
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. “Are you proposing to me, Eli Tucker?”
“I am.” His voice wobbled just a little. “I guess the not being able to go down on one knee makes it tough to figure out. But yes. Zelda, will you marry me?”
All around us, music swelled and conversation buzzed, but I was aware that what was happening in this moment between Eli and me was pivotal. This was a turning point in our lives. How I responded would determine our future.
I ran the tip of my tongue over my lips. “Eli, I love you. I’ve never loved anyone the way I do you. I can’t imagine being with any other man. Before I answer, there’s something I need to tell you . . .”
* * *
What does Zelda have to share?
What secrets are these two hiding?
Find out in
Next Man Up
(Zelda and Tuck’s story)
The next book in the Making the Score series
Available everywhere
* * *
And . . .
Don’t miss Quinn, Nate and Leo’s story
The Keeping Score Trilogy
False Start
Three & Out
The Comeback Route
* * *
If you enjoyed Tate and Gia’s story,
please consider leaving a review at the vendor site
where you purchased the book and/or on social media.
Each one is appreciated more than you know!
* * *
Bookbub
Goodreads
Acknowledgments
When I finished writing The Comeback Route, I knew a few things. One, there would be at least three more books in this world. Two, one of those books would be Tate and Gia’s story. Three, Gia’s history with Matt Lampert was deeper and darker than either Quinn or Leo realized (which was why we didn’t get more than glimpses in the first three books). Still, I didn’t know details. Those began to filter out to me over the year between that release and the time I seriously launched into the writing of Down By Contact.
There are a few things that are important to touch on here. This is fiction, and I had no intention of portraying Gia and Matt’s experiences as typical or normative or as a PSA for mental health issues or for sexual assault recovery. Gia’s history is important to the story as it informs her relationship with Tate and her recovery after Matt’s suicide. It is not meant to be more than that.
An early reader was jarred by Zelda’s revelation to Gia about Matt—and I was, too. I debated a long time about whether or not that should have been omitted. However, the value of the assault in reminding Gia of Matt’s true nature and what that event will precipitate in Zelda and Tuck’s upcoming book convinced me to leave it in. The fact that Zelda doesn’t expand on what happened here or that she wondered at the time if Gia would even believe her will be further explored in Next Man Up.
I don’t usually like to write angsty books. I didn’t realize how much depth of emotion this one would involve until I was into it. I told one friend that Gia just bled all over the place, and that was true. However, the saving grace was that if Gia’s brokenness was even deeper than I’d expected, Tate was even more wonderful and amazing than I’d known. I think he may be my new favorite leading man. I don’t think I’m alone.
This is my first new book after a short hiatus. I was blessed to have the ability and the reader support to take a few months to breathe this year, which allowed me time to spend with my family. I’m very grateful for everyone who cheered me on!
First and huge, tremendous loving thanks go to my special beta team for this book: Carla Edmonson, Kara Schilling, Dawn Line and Christy Durbin. You all made this book better than it might have been. Hugs and hearts and a big glass of wine for y’all.
Thank you to Meg Murrey for creating the super-hot cover (whew, Tate!) and to Stacey Blake of Champagne Book Designs for designing the interior. Tate and Gia thank you, too!
Appreciation to my amazing Temptresses and to my supportive friends, who kept me sane during this very difficult year. You know who you are and how I adore you.
Thank you to every reader who emailed, tweeted, posted or private messaged about how much you love this world. I’m immensely grateful.
So much of this book was inspired by music. Please DO check out the play list and considering listening to the songs . . . it will give you more insight into the characters.
On that note, another big thank-you is owed to Blue October and Justin Furstenfeld, as their song Not Broken Anymore shaped Tate and Gia’s story. I am always moved by their music.
Be sure to read Zelda and Tuck’s story, Next Man Up. While their book is slightly less tearing, it’s just as deep and rich a tale of love conquering all.
Thank you all for making my job my joy.
Down By Contact Play List
Goodbye to You Michelle Branch
Missing You All Time Low
Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough Patti Smyth
Hear Come Those Tears Again Jackson Browne
The Reason Hoobastank
Unlove You Jennifer Nettles
Head Over Feet Alanis Morissette
Breathe Again Sara Bareilles
Pieces Rob Thomas
Use Me The Goo Goo Dolls
Hearts Don’t Break Around Here Ed Sheeran
Gravity Sara Bareilles
Fear Blue October
Fix You Coldplay
Not Broken Anymore Blue October
Notes
Chapter 5
1 Leo, Quinn and Nate’s story is told in the Keeping Score Trilogy. Don’t miss it. The Keeping Score Trilogy
False Start
Three & Out
The Comeback Route
Chapter 16
1 But you can read all about this epic saga in Next Man Up!!
About the Author
Tawdra Kandle writes romance, in just about all its forms. She loves unlikely pairings, strong women, sexy guys, hot love scenes and just enough conflict to make it interesting. Her books include new adult and adult contemporary romance; under the pen name Tamara Kendall, she writes paranormal romance, and under the pen name Tessa Kent, she writes erotic romance. Tawdra lives in central Florida with her husband, two sweet pups and too many cats. Assorted grown children and a perfect granddaughter live nearby. And yeah, she rocks purple hair.
Subscribe to Tawdra’s newsletter to keep up with all of her releases and sales!
Photo by Heather Batchelder.
Also By Tawdra Kandle
For more information on Tawdra’s books and buy links to all vendors, please visit Tawdra’s website at tawdrakandle.com.
* * *
Diagnosis: Love Medical Romances
Pretend You’re Mine
Informed Consent
Internal Fixation
Intensive Care
Under The Mistletoe
Noah’s story is coming . . . in April, 2021.
But you can preorder it now!
Intentional Grounding
Ineligible Receiver
Illegal Touching
The Anti-Cinderella Chronicles
The Anti-Cinderella
The Anti-Cinderella Takes London
The Anti-Cinderella Conquers the World
Fifty Frogs
Hot Off The Press
The Cuffing Season
A Dozen Dreams (Coming Soon!)
Sort of Sleeping Beauty (Coming Soon!)
Slightly Snow White (Coming Soon!)
Love in a Small Town
Love Me Home (A LIAST Prequel)
The Last One
The First One
The Only One
The Perfect One
The Always One
The Hard One
My One and Always
The Forever One
The Love Song One
The Meant To Be One
Love in a Small Town Volume I
Love in a Small Town Volume II
Crystal Cove Romances
The Posse
The Plan
The Path
Underneath My Christmas Tree
The Problem
The Keeping Score Trilogy
Young (A Keeping Score Prequel)
False Start
Three & Out
The Comeback Route
The Keeping Score Box Set
Making the Score Series
Down By Contact
Next Man Up
Game of Inches
The Career Soldier Series
Maximum Force
Temporary Duty
Hitting the Silk
Zone of Action
Damage Assessment
Scheme of Maneuver
Evergreen
Army Blue
The Career Soldier Collection
The Mustang (West Point Tour of Duty)
The Rotorhead (West Point Tour of Duty)
The Shavetail (West Point Tour of Duty)
The Perfect Dish Romances: Exclusively on KU!
Best Served Cold
Just Desserts
I Choose You
Just Roll With It
* * *
Books Written As Tessa Kent
Good Vibrations
More Than Words
Baby, I’m Yours
Save It For Me
Small Town Swingers
Welcome to Paradise
Night Moves
The Heat Is On
Fading Into You
Third Date Rule Romances
Crush
Crave
Crescendo
Tease
Tempt
Take
Tiny Bit Taboo
The Conference Taboo
The Ex In-Law Taboo
The Business Trip Taboo
The Client Taboo
* * *
Books Written as Tamara Kendall
The King Quartet (Young Adult)
Fearless
Breathless
Restless
Endless
The King Series Box Set
Serendipity
Undeniable
Stardust on the Sea
Unquenchable
The Shadow Bells
Moonlight on the Meadow
The Fox’s Wager
Recipe for Death
Death Fricassee
Unforgettable
Death A La Mode
Death Over Easy
The Recipe for Death Box Set
Age Of Aquarius
The Save Tomorrow Collection
Down By Contact: A Making the Score Football Romance Page 29