Page 78 of House of Pain
“Now, get your asses onto that field and crush them the only way you know how,” Blaze continued. “Andafterwe claim the win, we’re meeting at the Sparkling Hoof. All drinks are on the Leveau tab tonight.”
More cheers, and the team rushed through the doors, onto the field where the crowd was already waiting for them on bleachers.
Blaze waited until the last player left and then went after them. When the crisp air of the night hit his face, he inhaled deeply, walking over to the bench where the coach stood over the lined boards.
“Leveau, I wanna see you win tonight,” the coach said, his facial expression hard as he glared down at him.
“Will do, Coach.”
Coach gave a harsh pat on his shoulder as he passed.
Before walking over to his board at the end of the line, Blaze stopped in front of Francesca from the House of Goats. She immediately straightened her back, securing her helmet under her chin.
“You’re new this year,” Blaze said, eyeing her. She gave him a sharp nod. “Grimswater is an all-boys school, and they don’t have girls on their team.”
“I know that, Captain,” Francesca answered.
Blaze had to bite down a smile at how seriously she was taking him.
“They’ll likely go for the girls first because of that. They’ll try taking out the weakest links, and in their tiny minds, it’s the women.”
Francesca blinked, her jaw tight.
“Now, that puts you and the rest of the witches on the team at an advantage. Let them think that you’re an easy target, and they’ll lose their sharpness, arrogance taking over. That’s going to be the moment you strike. Got that?”
Blaze offered her a half smile, and Francesca returned it, nodding once more.
Finally, Blaze took his place at Andro’s side, lowering his board to the grass.
The field was empty, illuminated by the six large glowing orbs stationed around the perimeter. And there, on the opposite side, stood eight large figures from Grimswater.
It didn’t take long for Blaze to identify Dominic amongst the guys, standing proud and tall at the very front, his hands clasped as he glared at Blaze.
Once their eyes locked, Dominic’s lips curled into a wicked smirk, and he nodded.
It was a promise.
A promise that tonight was not going to be easy for Blaze because Dominic was on a mission to destroy him.
Roll of the shoulders, crack of the neck, and Blaze’s feet were on the board, secured, and he was flying to the field to meet his opponent.
“Hello there,Blazy-boy,” Dominic called as they met in the middle, waiting for the referee to give the sign for the game to start.
“Dominic.” Blaze willed his tone to stay neutral.
“Ah, growing so fast, baby boy,” said Raven, wiggling his long fingers. “Look at you, almost as tall and big as your daddy.”
Blaze clenched his jaw so hard he thought his teeth were going to crack.
“And look at you, Raven, still locked up away,” Andro teased back, smirking. “Just likeyourdaddy.”
Raven’s eyes narrowed.
“Say that again, pretty boy.” A guy on Dominic’s left glided closer, floating eye to eye with Andro. Blaze was pretty sure it was Valentine, the nicest of the fucking bunch, which really didn’t say much.
“Nah, V, don’t bother,” Raven shot back with a cocky grin. “Actions speak louder than words after all. Am I right, boys?”
“Fuck yeah,” Dominic agreed. “Let’s see if these pussies can play as well as they talk.”
