Big Bad Beast
Page 25
Understand?
Well
Good! Now, hold on! Gripping the pre-packaged needle with surgical thread in one hand and Dees wounded arm in the other, Blayne cheerfully chirped, This is gonna hurt!
I know this was an exhibition game, Novikov told them while the team tried to shower, change, and get out for the evening. And I know that we won . . . but there are some things that you guys suck at. I have a list.
He pulled a list out of his hockey pants and Ric jumped in front of Lock before he could get his hands around Novikovs throat. Why dont we discuss this at the next team practice? Ric suggested to Novikov, barely able to hold the grizzly back.
Novikov held up his sheet of paper. But I have a list.
Lock snarled, trying to push Ric out of the way, but somehow Ric managed to hold him back. I know. But I think that list will be much more effective when were all rested and relaxed before a practice.
Novikov took a moment to think about it, and finally agreed. All right. But next practiceyoull all get to hear how you suck and how to fix that suckiness. Ric waited until Novikov walked off to the shower before he told his best friend, Let it go.
I should twist him into a pretzel.
Whats the point of that? Especially when theres a risk he might twist you back. Lets just take a shower and get out of here.
Grabbing his towel, Lock stormed into the shower, Ric about to follow. But he took a moment to unlock Novikovs locker, move his deodorant, hairbrush, and mouthwash around, and lock it all back up again.
He was heading to the shower when Blayne walked into the locker room.
Blayne! the entire team called out.
Hey, guys! She leaned in and whispered into Rics ear, Dee got hurt.
What?
Dont panic. Shell be fine. I think the bleedings stopped.
Wait . . . what?
Youre still panicking. Anyway, I can take her home, but then I realized that you should take her home. Or, if youre worried about how shell heal . . . take her to your home. Confused by all of this, Ric asked, I dont understand what youre
You. Take poor, wounded Dee home. She winked. Its all part of my Project: Wolf-Wolf
plan.
I thought you were coming up with a less appalling name. She shrugged. Nothing worked. So Project: Wolf-Wolf it is! Its cute! When he continued to scowl, Suck it up, Van Holtz, and take her home.
Shouldnt I take her to thehospital
So cute, she snapped, cutting him off. But sometimes so freakin dumb.
Yes, but if shes badly wounded
Ulrich. Did my Project: Code Name Bear-Cat not work for Lock and Gwenie? Blaynes ridiculous but fun-loving plan to get their two best friends together forever, although to anyone with eyes that pair had seemed destined to be togetherwith or without Blaynes help.
Yes, but
Then my Project: Wolf-Wolf will work for you. But you must listen to me and trust me implicitly.
I understand that, but
Just take her home already! Geez!
Okay, okay! He grabbed a towel, preparing to shower first. Ill be right out.
No problem. Shes hanging with the Babes. Blaynes derby team.
Now Ric did panic. What?
Shell be fine. They love the Dee-ster.
Good God, woman. You dont call her that, do you?
Well . . .
Deciding the shower would have to wait, Ric threw his clothes on.
What are you doing, baby? Blayne asked Novikov once hed returned from his shower.
Someone keeps moving the stuff in my locker around. Its driving me nuts! Blayne rolled her eyes and circled her forefinger around her temple while mouthing, Hes so crazy, at Ric.
Shrugging, Ric grabbed his bag, and rushed out of the locker room.
When Ric got down the hall, he found Dee-Ann surrounded by the derby girls of Blaynes team.
Like Blayne they were a loud, fun-loving, chatty bunch . . . and Dee looked seconds from killing them all.
Seeing the desperate rage in her eyes, Ric quickly walked over and caught her arm. Hello, gorgeous ladies.
Ulrich! they all cheered and a few hugged him.
Did we tell you how much we love the jackets? They all turned and showed off the light jackets hed purchased for them that not only had the team name, their derby name and number, but also the Van Holtz name as he was one of their biggest sponsors. What could he say? The sponsorship drove his father crazy, but there was nothing the older wolf could do about itnot legally anyway.
Im so glad you guys like them.
You two should come out with us! one of the girls begged. Well get coffee or something.
Wed love to, he began, but before he could finish, Dee dug particularly sharp claws into his hand, but we cant.
Oh. The entire team eyed them then, together. Ohhhhh.
Well
Good! Now, hold on! Gripping the pre-packaged needle with surgical thread in one hand and Dees wounded arm in the other, Blayne cheerfully chirped, This is gonna hurt!
I know this was an exhibition game, Novikov told them while the team tried to shower, change, and get out for the evening. And I know that we won . . . but there are some things that you guys suck at. I have a list.
He pulled a list out of his hockey pants and Ric jumped in front of Lock before he could get his hands around Novikovs throat. Why dont we discuss this at the next team practice? Ric suggested to Novikov, barely able to hold the grizzly back.
Novikov held up his sheet of paper. But I have a list.
Lock snarled, trying to push Ric out of the way, but somehow Ric managed to hold him back. I know. But I think that list will be much more effective when were all rested and relaxed before a practice.
Novikov took a moment to think about it, and finally agreed. All right. But next practiceyoull all get to hear how you suck and how to fix that suckiness. Ric waited until Novikov walked off to the shower before he told his best friend, Let it go.
I should twist him into a pretzel.
Whats the point of that? Especially when theres a risk he might twist you back. Lets just take a shower and get out of here.
Grabbing his towel, Lock stormed into the shower, Ric about to follow. But he took a moment to unlock Novikovs locker, move his deodorant, hairbrush, and mouthwash around, and lock it all back up again.
He was heading to the shower when Blayne walked into the locker room.
Blayne! the entire team called out.
Hey, guys! She leaned in and whispered into Rics ear, Dee got hurt.
What?
Dont panic. Shell be fine. I think the bleedings stopped.
Wait . . . what?
Youre still panicking. Anyway, I can take her home, but then I realized that you should take her home. Or, if youre worried about how shell heal . . . take her to your home. Confused by all of this, Ric asked, I dont understand what youre
You. Take poor, wounded Dee home. She winked. Its all part of my Project: Wolf-Wolf
plan.
I thought you were coming up with a less appalling name. She shrugged. Nothing worked. So Project: Wolf-Wolf it is! Its cute! When he continued to scowl, Suck it up, Van Holtz, and take her home.
Shouldnt I take her to thehospital
So cute, she snapped, cutting him off. But sometimes so freakin dumb.
Yes, but if shes badly wounded
Ulrich. Did my Project: Code Name Bear-Cat not work for Lock and Gwenie? Blaynes ridiculous but fun-loving plan to get their two best friends together forever, although to anyone with eyes that pair had seemed destined to be togetherwith or without Blaynes help.
Yes, but
Then my Project: Wolf-Wolf will work for you. But you must listen to me and trust me implicitly.
I understand that, but
Just take her home already! Geez!
Okay, okay! He grabbed a towel, preparing to shower first. Ill be right out.
No problem. Shes hanging with the Babes. Blaynes derby team.
Now Ric did panic. What?
Shell be fine. They love the Dee-ster.
Good God, woman. You dont call her that, do you?
Well . . .
Deciding the shower would have to wait, Ric threw his clothes on.
What are you doing, baby? Blayne asked Novikov once hed returned from his shower.
Someone keeps moving the stuff in my locker around. Its driving me nuts! Blayne rolled her eyes and circled her forefinger around her temple while mouthing, Hes so crazy, at Ric.
Shrugging, Ric grabbed his bag, and rushed out of the locker room.
When Ric got down the hall, he found Dee-Ann surrounded by the derby girls of Blaynes team.
Like Blayne they were a loud, fun-loving, chatty bunch . . . and Dee looked seconds from killing them all.
Seeing the desperate rage in her eyes, Ric quickly walked over and caught her arm. Hello, gorgeous ladies.
Ulrich! they all cheered and a few hugged him.
Did we tell you how much we love the jackets? They all turned and showed off the light jackets hed purchased for them that not only had the team name, their derby name and number, but also the Van Holtz name as he was one of their biggest sponsors. What could he say? The sponsorship drove his father crazy, but there was nothing the older wolf could do about itnot legally anyway.
Im so glad you guys like them.
You two should come out with us! one of the girls begged. Well get coffee or something.
Wed love to, he began, but before he could finish, Dee dug particularly sharp claws into his hand, but we cant.
Oh. The entire team eyed them then, together. Ohhhhh.
