Page 173 of The Locker Room

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costume miniskirt and tube top, under a giant, knee-length parka, and

looked at the two curious dogs with big, heavily made-up brown eyes.

Penny looked at her in her jeans and sweatshirt, and her un-

powdered nose wrinkled. “Um, Xander? Something you haven"t told us

about?”

Xander shrugged. “Mandy, this is Penny. She"s Chris"s sister, and

she lives here. Penny, this is Mandy. I just knocked her douchebag ex-

boyfriend unconscious with my crutch. She"s also,” he said, looking at

the two dogs who were sitting now, tongues lolling, looking at this new

playtoy with great anticipation, “afraid of dogs.”

“Oh,” Penny said carefully. “Where were you thinking she"d

sleep?”

Xander shrugged. “One of the big guest bedrooms in the other

wing. But I was hoping you"d have some sweats or something she could

borrow. We"ve got a bunch of franchise stuff, but it"s all in Chris"s size.”

“That"s no worries,” Mandy chattered, and Xander grimaced up at

her. She was really scared, and he really had no clues as to what to do to

with her. “I don" mind no supersize clothes, right?” Mandy had pretty,

Latina features, with high cheekbones and a delicate nose and chin. It

was obvious that the stress of the night was bringing out her accent, and

Xander sighed.

“Max! Merk! C"mere, guys. Up to the room, "kay?” Both dogs

looked at him reluctantly, but Xander reached into the box of treats that

they kept ready on the counter and they perked up right quick. Xander

heaved himself forward and started taking the stairs one at a time, with

The Locker Room 149

the dogs in tow, and behind him he heard Penny talking Mandy down

from the counter.

The dogs had a big floppy pillow in Xander and Chris"s room as

well, and Xander threw the treats on the bed and watched as they made

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