Page 27 of Misbehaving With Minotaurs
I glance skyward as I consider that. After a moment, I look down. “What do you usually do when you want a vacation?”
She grumbles, “I don’t take vacations. I’ve never left her.”
My mouth drops open. “Never?”
“Never.” She looks up. “I’m not opposed to it; I’ve just…well, I think I’ve been hiding out here. This is where I took my first mate and where he tried to rip everything I loved from me. I’m tied to Ever in a way I could never be to another haven. So, I haven’t left.” She looks off into the difference. “For better or worse.”
I’m not sure how much to reveal here, but I work at Hearth Headquarters. News of the warlock Wesley’s attack on Ever and eventual death reached us there.
“I’m sorry he did that to you,” I offer quietly.
Catherine squeezes my forearm a little tighter. “Me too, Nor. But we don’t have to talk about that just now.”
I check to make sure there aren’t any cars coming before I guide her across. When we stop in front of the diner, I smile down at her. “I won’t pry about Wesley, although I’ve seen thenews, of course. But if you ever want to talk about him or what happened, I’m here, alright?”
She smiles, but it seems forced. “I know, Manorin. Thank you.”
She doesn’t want to discuss him right now; that much is clear. And it’s probably for the best because, if I learn more about the male who hurt her, I’ll want to dig him up just to murder him.
I pinch her side playfully. “So, we going to Pine Gulch this weekend then?”
Her smile grows broader. “I bet I could ask the Hector girls to watch over Annabelle for me. I’ll comm them after breakfast to check.”
Good, I think to myself, because there is a single bed situation in our future, and I’m gonna put her in the middle of it while I give her everything she needs.
“Walk me through this again,” Arkan says, staring at the stack of papers we’ve been looking at for the last half hour.
“You’re looking at a substantial budget for pulling in talent.” It’s not the best news for me to give him, but I don’t know what he expects going from a volunteer part-time team to a team of pros.
Arkan frowns. Next to me, Catherine’s quiet, smiling up at a big pegasus waiter as he clip-clops past us.
The Keeper slumps down into his curved centaur bench, crossing his arms as he jerks his head toward the stack. “Obviously I knew this was going to be a need, but I didn’t realize just how much of a budget jump it would be.”
Catherine clears her throat. “Keeper, if we’re going to go in on skyball, we absolutely must go all in. Big budget, flashy newplayers. We should probably consider rebranding the Misfits a little. Abemet did the logo way back in the day. If we can attract even one or two skyball games here per season, we’ll more than make up for that cost over a few years.”
Arkan nods. “Okay, here’s the thing I don’t want to say, but I feel I have to say because I aim to be transparent.” He looks at me. “You’ve sensed this, but I’m the primary driving force behind this change, and obviously Catherine’s on board, but the rest of the haven leadership needs more convincing. Any additional budget would need their approval.”
Catherine reaches across the table and pats the stack of papers. “That’s where I come in. We need a grassroots initiative to get the excitement up about skyball. I think we should plan an exhibition game, get the Evertons excited about it. The playoffs game was a huge hit last year…we can bring that excitement back!” She glances at me. “I wouldn’t plan to broadcast this outside of Ever but we can really do it up with painted signs and glamouring or decorating downtown. It’ll be fun.”
Surprise courses through me as I look at her. “First I’m hearing ofthis, Cath.”
She looks between Arkan and me. “It came to me overnight, but isn’t it the best idea?” Clasping her hands together, she rushes on, “We can get specialty shirts made and have folks get together to paint signs, decorate Main Street. Really do it up and make it a big deal for town. That should get even our grouchiest of leaders on board, if the whole town is excited.”
Arkan wears a pleased, if amused, expression. “I love it. Let’s do it. Assuming…” He looks over at me, a dark brow curving wickedly upward. “You’re into this, right?”
I laugh as I look between them. “Oh yeah,” I stare right into Catherine’s gray eyes, “I’m into this.”
Her scent explodes, although I don’t know if anyone but me can tell. A muscle under her eyelid twitches. I suspect she’s holding back from snarking something sassy at me. Instead, shetosses her long hair over one shoulder and looks at Arkan. “Manorin would have the entirety of my support in accomplishing this, of course.”
Arkan snorts out a laugh. “Shit, Catherine, I don’t think there’s a single thing youcouldn'tdo if you set your mind to it.” His smile partially falls. “You really think you can get the others on board with an exhibition game? I think they’re tired of hearing from me.”
She sits back against the turquoise, red, and white bench seat and glances up at me with a big smile. “Leave it to me, boys.”
I cross my arms, matching Arkan’s stance. “Well, there you have it, kid.” I grin at the young, ambitious Keeper. “There would be the matter of my compensation, too, and I don’t come cheap. We can talk numbers, but as you might imagine, you’re gonna have to pay me a shitload to come here and take this on.”
Arkan’s characteristic smile falls a bit, but he nods. “Of course. How would you feel about us announcing the exhibition game at a town hall meeting tonight? I’m calling one later to discuss expanding downtown’s footprint. I think it’d be good timing even if we don’t have all the details hashed out.”
“Yeah,” I say as I consider if there’s any reason not to. I can’t find one, and it’ll be nice to get the whole town in on skyball. “Let’s do it.”
