The Mane Squeeze
Page 120
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Ulrich is hardly a kid. Actually, I think hes only three years younger than you.
And a little too damn pretty for her to trust her life with. Hes the best you can do?
Hes the best. So are you in or out?
She shrugged. In.
He grinned. Are you always this enthusiastic?
Pretty much. Like my daddy.
He was one of our best.
He still is.
Van Holtz nodded and said, Welcome to the Group, Dee-Ann.
Dee-Ann looked out the window to watch the city move by. She didnt know if it would be her home forever, but it would do for now.
Gwen grabbed her mothers purse and dug around until she found the aspirin. Roxy never needed headache medication for herself, but she usually kept a small bottle in her bag for Gwen.
She poured two in her hand, glanced at her mother, who was yoo-hooing over at Locks uncles, and went ahead and poured out another three.
Blayne placed a bottled water in front of her and climbed over the back of the booth to get into the seat.
Figured you could use this.
Thanks. Gwen downed the five pills in one swallow and chased them with the water. Between the singing and my mother
I know, I know. Stillbetter than the club.
Only because my mother yelled more while we were there.
Gwen closed her eyes and waited for the pills to take effect, but that was when she heard Blayne fidgeting.
What, Blayne?
What what?
Your leg is bouncing, so I know its something.
I dont know what you
Gwen put her hand on Blaynes knee, forcing her leg to stop bouncing up and down on the ball of her foot. It was a habit shed had for years.
Spit it out, Thorpe.
And she did, in one long sentence: Cherry wants you to stay on the team and she definitely wants you to stay with us through Nationals because well be going up against the Texas Long Fangs and I heard theyre really mean and I know you said you were only doing this for one bout, but you were so in it, and it was so you and you and me are the most rockin team ever andandand youre not saying anything.
I didnt think youd notice.
Come on, Gwenie!
You already know what Im going to say.
Blaynes face scrunched up as she squeaked out, Youll sayyes?
Gwen shrugged. Yeah, all right.
The squeak turned to a loud squeal and she hugged Gwen while the wolves and felines glared at Blayne and the dogs barked.
Putting her knees on thebooth seat, Blayne looked over at her teammates, now Gwens teammates.
Shes in!
The Babes clapped and cheered and Gwen couldnt help but smile until she saw her mother leering at her from the other end of the booth. At the moment, her mother sported a lovely black eye courtesy of Sharyn McNelly. It was a black eye that Roxy deserved, too, since shed snatched off McNellys wig in front of everybody outside the stadium.
Just wipe that look off your face, she told her mother. I still havent forgiven you.
Why cant you simply admit youre blessed to be the daughter of Roxy The Rocker ONeill?
When did this become about you?
How did this become about you? This is about me. Gwen pointed at her chest. Me, me, me. For onceme.
Selfish, her mother muttered, turning away from her to hit on Locks Uncle Hamish.
Gwens mouth dropped open that her mother
dared toss that word at her when Blayne elbowed her.
Still glaring, Gwen faced forward and blinked up at Lock. UhLock?
What did I miss? her bear asked. I heard applauding.
Gwens joined the Babes, Blayne cheered, hugging Gwen again.
Lock grinned. I had a feeling that was coming. You looked way too happy out there.
Yeah, but Lock
I know, I know. And believe me, I didnt mean
any of the stuff I said to you in the hallway. But based on your family dynamic, I knew coddling wouldnt work, so I gave you the proverbial kick in the pants you needed. Dont be mad at me.
Im not mad, its justlook at your hands.
Frowning, Lock looked down at his hands. Oh, gosh! He dropped the Shaw brothers, both lion males grunting when they hit the floor. I did it again.
Again? Blayne asked.
Remember? Bears beat up their prey, then drag them into the bushes to feed, Gwen explained.
Ohhh. Thats why Daddy always said never let them take you to a secondary location.
I think he was talking about serial killers, sweetie.
Ohit still sorta applies, though. Blayne jumped up and over the back of the booth. Im going to circulate. She kissed Gwen on the cheek. Youre totally, like, the best friend
ever, Blayne teased.
You say that now, but you wont when I kick your ass in training, heifer.
Head down, Blayne walked away but Gwen yelled after her, None of that sloppy skating when we go to Nationals!
And a little too damn pretty for her to trust her life with. Hes the best you can do?
Hes the best. So are you in or out?
She shrugged. In.
He grinned. Are you always this enthusiastic?
Pretty much. Like my daddy.
He was one of our best.
He still is.
Van Holtz nodded and said, Welcome to the Group, Dee-Ann.
Dee-Ann looked out the window to watch the city move by. She didnt know if it would be her home forever, but it would do for now.
Gwen grabbed her mothers purse and dug around until she found the aspirin. Roxy never needed headache medication for herself, but she usually kept a small bottle in her bag for Gwen.
She poured two in her hand, glanced at her mother, who was yoo-hooing over at Locks uncles, and went ahead and poured out another three.
Blayne placed a bottled water in front of her and climbed over the back of the booth to get into the seat.
Figured you could use this.
Thanks. Gwen downed the five pills in one swallow and chased them with the water. Between the singing and my mother
I know, I know. Stillbetter than the club.
Only because my mother yelled more while we were there.
Gwen closed her eyes and waited for the pills to take effect, but that was when she heard Blayne fidgeting.
What, Blayne?
What what?
Your leg is bouncing, so I know its something.
I dont know what you
Gwen put her hand on Blaynes knee, forcing her leg to stop bouncing up and down on the ball of her foot. It was a habit shed had for years.
Spit it out, Thorpe.
And she did, in one long sentence: Cherry wants you to stay on the team and she definitely wants you to stay with us through Nationals because well be going up against the Texas Long Fangs and I heard theyre really mean and I know you said you were only doing this for one bout, but you were so in it, and it was so you and you and me are the most rockin team ever andandand youre not saying anything.
I didnt think youd notice.
Come on, Gwenie!
You already know what Im going to say.
Blaynes face scrunched up as she squeaked out, Youll sayyes?
Gwen shrugged. Yeah, all right.
The squeak turned to a loud squeal and she hugged Gwen while the wolves and felines glared at Blayne and the dogs barked.
Putting her knees on thebooth seat, Blayne looked over at her teammates, now Gwens teammates.
Shes in!
The Babes clapped and cheered and Gwen couldnt help but smile until she saw her mother leering at her from the other end of the booth. At the moment, her mother sported a lovely black eye courtesy of Sharyn McNelly. It was a black eye that Roxy deserved, too, since shed snatched off McNellys wig in front of everybody outside the stadium.
Just wipe that look off your face, she told her mother. I still havent forgiven you.
Why cant you simply admit youre blessed to be the daughter of Roxy The Rocker ONeill?
When did this become about you?
How did this become about you? This is about me. Gwen pointed at her chest. Me, me, me. For onceme.
Selfish, her mother muttered, turning away from her to hit on Locks Uncle Hamish.
Gwens mouth dropped open that her mother
dared toss that word at her when Blayne elbowed her.
Still glaring, Gwen faced forward and blinked up at Lock. UhLock?
What did I miss? her bear asked. I heard applauding.
Gwens joined the Babes, Blayne cheered, hugging Gwen again.
Lock grinned. I had a feeling that was coming. You looked way too happy out there.
Yeah, but Lock
I know, I know. And believe me, I didnt mean
any of the stuff I said to you in the hallway. But based on your family dynamic, I knew coddling wouldnt work, so I gave you the proverbial kick in the pants you needed. Dont be mad at me.
Im not mad, its justlook at your hands.
Frowning, Lock looked down at his hands. Oh, gosh! He dropped the Shaw brothers, both lion males grunting when they hit the floor. I did it again.
Again? Blayne asked.
Remember? Bears beat up their prey, then drag them into the bushes to feed, Gwen explained.
Ohhh. Thats why Daddy always said never let them take you to a secondary location.
I think he was talking about serial killers, sweetie.
Ohit still sorta applies, though. Blayne jumped up and over the back of the booth. Im going to circulate. She kissed Gwen on the cheek. Youre totally, like, the best friend
ever, Blayne teased.
You say that now, but you wont when I kick your ass in training, heifer.
Head down, Blayne walked away but Gwen yelled after her, None of that sloppy skating when we go to Nationals!
