Beast Behaving Badly
Page 93
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Both sows jumped, eyeing her. Blayne motioned to the tea shop Marci had just exited. How about an all-natural honey bun. Yum. I love honey buns. Dont you?
I dont know, Blayne, Kerry-Ann confessed. I have been dieting lately.
Why bother? Marci sneered. Nothing will help to make that fat head of yours smaller.
All right then! Blayne put her arm around Marcis shoulders, going up on her toes to do so, and practically dragged her personal physician into the tea shop. Yum. Smell those honey buns. Are those fresh? she asked Lorna Harper.
Right out of the oven. And, Lorna said, smiling, sugar-free. Just for you.
Oh, my God, Blayne said sincerely. You guys are so sweet. She pointed at a table. You two sit down, and Ill help Lorna bring everything over.
Snarling at each other, the two sows headed over to the table, but Blayne caught Marcis arm. Be nice, she whispered.
But
I get tense when people get pissy. Unless you want me chasing my tail or hiding under that chair over there . . . be nice!
Marci agreed and walked away, and Blayne leaned over the counter as Lorna placed a tray filled with honey buns and decaffeinated teaagain, just for Blaynein front of her. Whats going on? Blayne whispered.
Knowing that Kerry-Ann, shes about to ask you for a favor. Kind of the same way they do it in The Godfather, I imagine.
Will it involve me killing anyone?
Doubtful. Lorna laughed. But it will probably involve that Bold Novikov. Lorna leaned in closer, Blayne following suit, and she whispered, Shes been bragging around town how she can get your Bold to play with the team against the Canadian bears. Just a friendly game, mind, but that boy never did anything to help anyone but himself.
Blayne wanted to argue with Lorna, but she couldnt. Although after spending a little time in Ursus County she understood why Bo was that way.
You do know, Blayne felt the need to explain, hes not my Bo?
Thats not what Marci Luntz told us earlier.
Small towns. Blayne loved visiting them, but she wasnt sure she could live in them full-time. Everyone was in everyone elses business. Something she would never do . . . unless her help was needed. Then, of course, shed get involved.
Picking up the tray, Blayne walked over to the table.
Now, dear Kerry-Ann began, but Blayne cut her off.
Ill help you on one condition.
The shrewd She-bear glanced over at Marci as if to say, Told ya so.
And what would that one condition be, dear?
You stop calling Bo Speck.
That didnt seem to be the response the sow had been expecting, immediately trying to defend herself and the entire town. Well, its just a nickname. We all have them and
He doesnt like it. And it seems kind of mean to me. I hate mean and I dont help mean people. Because mean people upset me. She placed the tray on the table. You wouldnt want me upset would you, Superintendent?
The sow slumped back in her chair. Youre a sobber, arent ya, Blayne Thorpe?
I prefer the term sensitive.
Took you long enough in the bathroom, Grigori complained as they walked into town. Youre like a woman.
According to my girlfriend, Blaynehis uncle growledIm supposed to let the conditioner sit for fifteen minutes.
Conditioner?
Yes. According to my girlfriend, Blayne
What are you? Twelve?
I need better conditioner than that combo stuff you use. I need all-natural with no silicones so that I can have a beautiful shiny mane.
You cannot be my brothers son. You cant be.
She also saysthis is my girlfriend Blayne againthat by putting in a little more effort on my hair, I wont have to worry about that receding hairline that youre currently dealing with.
Bo easily ducked the swipe of that big arm and grinned. Gettin a little slow in your dotage.
And youre becoming a smart ass.
They hit town, heading toward the police chief s office on Main Street. As they walked, the locals passed and each one greeted them with, Mornin Grigori . . . Bold.
After the fifth time, Bo stopped, his uncle turning to face him.
What?
Why are they all calling me Bold?
Thats your name, idiot. Or are you starting to forget after too many pucks to the head?
I dont forget anything, which is why I know something is up. No one in this town calls me Bold but you and Dr. Luntz.
Cant you try calling her Marci? She takes it so personally when you dont.
Bos eye twitched. When did you start caring about how Dr. Luntz takes anything?
Thats none of your goddamn business, boy.
Since when?
Why are we arguing about this? Grigori bellowed.
I dont know! Bo bellowed back.
I dont know, Blayne, Kerry-Ann confessed. I have been dieting lately.
Why bother? Marci sneered. Nothing will help to make that fat head of yours smaller.
All right then! Blayne put her arm around Marcis shoulders, going up on her toes to do so, and practically dragged her personal physician into the tea shop. Yum. Smell those honey buns. Are those fresh? she asked Lorna Harper.
Right out of the oven. And, Lorna said, smiling, sugar-free. Just for you.
Oh, my God, Blayne said sincerely. You guys are so sweet. She pointed at a table. You two sit down, and Ill help Lorna bring everything over.
Snarling at each other, the two sows headed over to the table, but Blayne caught Marcis arm. Be nice, she whispered.
But
I get tense when people get pissy. Unless you want me chasing my tail or hiding under that chair over there . . . be nice!
Marci agreed and walked away, and Blayne leaned over the counter as Lorna placed a tray filled with honey buns and decaffeinated teaagain, just for Blaynein front of her. Whats going on? Blayne whispered.
Knowing that Kerry-Ann, shes about to ask you for a favor. Kind of the same way they do it in The Godfather, I imagine.
Will it involve me killing anyone?
Doubtful. Lorna laughed. But it will probably involve that Bold Novikov. Lorna leaned in closer, Blayne following suit, and she whispered, Shes been bragging around town how she can get your Bold to play with the team against the Canadian bears. Just a friendly game, mind, but that boy never did anything to help anyone but himself.
Blayne wanted to argue with Lorna, but she couldnt. Although after spending a little time in Ursus County she understood why Bo was that way.
You do know, Blayne felt the need to explain, hes not my Bo?
Thats not what Marci Luntz told us earlier.
Small towns. Blayne loved visiting them, but she wasnt sure she could live in them full-time. Everyone was in everyone elses business. Something she would never do . . . unless her help was needed. Then, of course, shed get involved.
Picking up the tray, Blayne walked over to the table.
Now, dear Kerry-Ann began, but Blayne cut her off.
Ill help you on one condition.
The shrewd She-bear glanced over at Marci as if to say, Told ya so.
And what would that one condition be, dear?
You stop calling Bo Speck.
That didnt seem to be the response the sow had been expecting, immediately trying to defend herself and the entire town. Well, its just a nickname. We all have them and
He doesnt like it. And it seems kind of mean to me. I hate mean and I dont help mean people. Because mean people upset me. She placed the tray on the table. You wouldnt want me upset would you, Superintendent?
The sow slumped back in her chair. Youre a sobber, arent ya, Blayne Thorpe?
I prefer the term sensitive.
Took you long enough in the bathroom, Grigori complained as they walked into town. Youre like a woman.
According to my girlfriend, Blaynehis uncle growledIm supposed to let the conditioner sit for fifteen minutes.
Conditioner?
Yes. According to my girlfriend, Blayne
What are you? Twelve?
I need better conditioner than that combo stuff you use. I need all-natural with no silicones so that I can have a beautiful shiny mane.
You cannot be my brothers son. You cant be.
She also saysthis is my girlfriend Blayne againthat by putting in a little more effort on my hair, I wont have to worry about that receding hairline that youre currently dealing with.
Bo easily ducked the swipe of that big arm and grinned. Gettin a little slow in your dotage.
And youre becoming a smart ass.
They hit town, heading toward the police chief s office on Main Street. As they walked, the locals passed and each one greeted them with, Mornin Grigori . . . Bold.
After the fifth time, Bo stopped, his uncle turning to face him.
What?
Why are they all calling me Bold?
Thats your name, idiot. Or are you starting to forget after too many pucks to the head?
I dont forget anything, which is why I know something is up. No one in this town calls me Bold but you and Dr. Luntz.
Cant you try calling her Marci? She takes it so personally when you dont.
Bos eye twitched. When did you start caring about how Dr. Luntz takes anything?
Thats none of your goddamn business, boy.
Since when?
Why are we arguing about this? Grigori bellowed.
I dont know! Bo bellowed back.
