Wolf with Benefits
Page 71
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Ricky Reed stepped forward and said, Toni, I brought you and your kin some help.
Toni looked over and her eyes widened at the sight of Bo Novikov. Then Kyle perked up and said, Mr. Novikov! Are you here to pose for me?
No! Novikov and Toni said simultaneously.
Toni focused on the large hybrid. What are you doing here?
Reeds idiot brother called me
I do have a name, hoss.
and said you needed help with schedules and organization.
But dont you have practice?
Malone canceled it for tonight, which meant my other option was another thrilling dinner with a bunch of never-shutting-up wild dogs.
They love you! Blayne said with a huge grin.
Novikov glanced at his fiance and back at Toni. See what I mean?
Hi, Toni! the wolfdog cheered.
Oh. Toni frowned. Hi, um . . .
The wolfdogs smile slowly faded. Blayne. Blayne Thorpe.
Uh-huh.
We just met this morning?
Uh-huh.
She tried again. Bos fiance?
Oh. Right. Bane.
Blayne.
Right. Toni turned back to Novikov. So youre here to help?
What makes you think you can help us? Troy asked, sounding particularly snobby. I mean youre just a sports guy, right? Youre like Oriana . . . only with skates.
Physique wise, though, Kyle pointed out, he is perfection. When everyone stared at him, Kyle added, Perfect for a sculptor like me.
Okay.
Novikov walked over and stood next to Toni so that he towered in front of the kids. He was like a giant wall.
What I am, small child I can easily crush with one hand, is the best hockey player in the States. Not one of the best. Im the best. And I ensure I stay the best with focus, determination, and a willingness to destroy anyone who tries to get my puck. What ensures that I stay on point with all that I have to do in a day is maintaining my schedule and organizing my life. Thats my fiance, Blayne. He pointed over at Blayne, but she was still staring at Toni. Shes all over the place. Schedules mean nothing to her. She writes lists but she doesnt follow them. Thats probably why shes a plumber.
Thats when he had Blaynes full attention. I like being a plumber.
But youre not the best plumber.
Im one of the best plumbers in the Manhattan area.
He looked back at Pauls children.One of the best, he repeated. See what I mean?
But you can help us, right? Kyle asked.
I will help you. Its the least I can do for your sister.
For Toni? Troy briefly studied his sister. What do you owe her?
Im the best in the States. And shes going to help me get to Russia to prove that Im the best in the world. He looked at Toni and, for the first time since walking into their home, the hybrid smiled. It didnt make him look any more approachable or nicer but it still helped . . . a little. Right, Toni?
Toni swallowed and, with a sigh, nodded her head. Yeah. Thats right.
Then you better get going.
Are you sure you want to do this? Toni asked. Theyre really horrible children.
Wheres the loyalty? Kyle demanded.
Theyre not horrible, Novikov corrected. Theyre just determined. I understand determined. I can handle determined. What I cant handle is telling me my wedding will start around three oclock.
Are you still bringing that up? Blayne snarled.
Yes!
Youll need a new dry-erase board, Toni pointed out.
I dont like dry-erase boards. He looked at the kids. Can anyone tell me why?
Kyle raised his hand and when Novikov pointed at him, he answered, Because they can be erased?
Exactly. Theres no permanence. But I saw an office supply store a few blocks away. Lets go get those giant Post-it notes that we can stick to the walls. Actually, lets get an array of sizes of Post-its. In different colors. And multicolor permanent markers. Permanent. Not erasable. That way we can color-code things permanently. I like color-coding. He pointed at the twins, Freddy, and Dennis. These very small ones will stay here. I wont be responsible for their safety. But Ill take these three with me. He pointed at Oriana, Kyle, and Troy. I can tell theyll be the most trouble during this process. Yet that didnt seem to bother him.
Can I come? Blayne asked.
No. Youll wander the aisles and want to buy things that arent needed for this process. But I will pick you up a couple of those giant Butterfingers that they sell at the cash register.
Blayne grinned. Okay!
You three, Novikov ordered. Lets go.
And for the first time Paul could think of, his three middle children got to their feet and followed after someone without question. It boggled his mind.
Toni looked over and her eyes widened at the sight of Bo Novikov. Then Kyle perked up and said, Mr. Novikov! Are you here to pose for me?
No! Novikov and Toni said simultaneously.
Toni focused on the large hybrid. What are you doing here?
Reeds idiot brother called me
I do have a name, hoss.
and said you needed help with schedules and organization.
But dont you have practice?
Malone canceled it for tonight, which meant my other option was another thrilling dinner with a bunch of never-shutting-up wild dogs.
They love you! Blayne said with a huge grin.
Novikov glanced at his fiance and back at Toni. See what I mean?
Hi, Toni! the wolfdog cheered.
Oh. Toni frowned. Hi, um . . .
The wolfdogs smile slowly faded. Blayne. Blayne Thorpe.
Uh-huh.
We just met this morning?
Uh-huh.
She tried again. Bos fiance?
Oh. Right. Bane.
Blayne.
Right. Toni turned back to Novikov. So youre here to help?
What makes you think you can help us? Troy asked, sounding particularly snobby. I mean youre just a sports guy, right? Youre like Oriana . . . only with skates.
Physique wise, though, Kyle pointed out, he is perfection. When everyone stared at him, Kyle added, Perfect for a sculptor like me.
Okay.
Novikov walked over and stood next to Toni so that he towered in front of the kids. He was like a giant wall.
What I am, small child I can easily crush with one hand, is the best hockey player in the States. Not one of the best. Im the best. And I ensure I stay the best with focus, determination, and a willingness to destroy anyone who tries to get my puck. What ensures that I stay on point with all that I have to do in a day is maintaining my schedule and organizing my life. Thats my fiance, Blayne. He pointed over at Blayne, but she was still staring at Toni. Shes all over the place. Schedules mean nothing to her. She writes lists but she doesnt follow them. Thats probably why shes a plumber.
Thats when he had Blaynes full attention. I like being a plumber.
But youre not the best plumber.
Im one of the best plumbers in the Manhattan area.
He looked back at Pauls children.One of the best, he repeated. See what I mean?
But you can help us, right? Kyle asked.
I will help you. Its the least I can do for your sister.
For Toni? Troy briefly studied his sister. What do you owe her?
Im the best in the States. And shes going to help me get to Russia to prove that Im the best in the world. He looked at Toni and, for the first time since walking into their home, the hybrid smiled. It didnt make him look any more approachable or nicer but it still helped . . . a little. Right, Toni?
Toni swallowed and, with a sigh, nodded her head. Yeah. Thats right.
Then you better get going.
Are you sure you want to do this? Toni asked. Theyre really horrible children.
Wheres the loyalty? Kyle demanded.
Theyre not horrible, Novikov corrected. Theyre just determined. I understand determined. I can handle determined. What I cant handle is telling me my wedding will start around three oclock.
Are you still bringing that up? Blayne snarled.
Yes!
Youll need a new dry-erase board, Toni pointed out.
I dont like dry-erase boards. He looked at the kids. Can anyone tell me why?
Kyle raised his hand and when Novikov pointed at him, he answered, Because they can be erased?
Exactly. Theres no permanence. But I saw an office supply store a few blocks away. Lets go get those giant Post-it notes that we can stick to the walls. Actually, lets get an array of sizes of Post-its. In different colors. And multicolor permanent markers. Permanent. Not erasable. That way we can color-code things permanently. I like color-coding. He pointed at the twins, Freddy, and Dennis. These very small ones will stay here. I wont be responsible for their safety. But Ill take these three with me. He pointed at Oriana, Kyle, and Troy. I can tell theyll be the most trouble during this process. Yet that didnt seem to bother him.
Can I come? Blayne asked.
No. Youll wander the aisles and want to buy things that arent needed for this process. But I will pick you up a couple of those giant Butterfingers that they sell at the cash register.
Blayne grinned. Okay!
You three, Novikov ordered. Lets go.
And for the first time Paul could think of, his three middle children got to their feet and followed after someone without question. It boggled his mind.
