Page 35 of Misbehaving With Minotaurs (Haven Ever After #8)
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CATHERINE
T he next week passes in a blur with the Annabelle full to the brim with travelers coming to town for the coach-off. Apparently, Gil took it upon himself to take out ads in several haven newspapers to let monsters know to come to Ever for the game.
It’s not ideal because we didn’t prepare for a sudden influx of hundreds of monsters, and nothing’s ready. We even had a scheduled meeting to vote on the new Ever team name and scrapped it because dealing with Gil is taking all of Arkan’s free time…and then some.
The only silver lining is that it’s highlighted just how important growing Ever’s infrastructure is.
Jezbelah, the manager of the wraith motel, has comm’d me several times about taking his overflow guests, but I have no room at all.
I’ve heard a few monsters mention opening their homes to family and friends from other havens simply because there’s nowhere else for them to stay.
This morning, I saw a group of minotaur in the Community Garden in an efficient tent camp.
“Gil Stoneswallow is the worst idea I’ve ever had,” Arkan grumbles as he helps me carry trays of breakfast quiche into the buffet in the dining room. We have to move half-finished exhibition game flyers to make room for the food. He doesn’t even look to see if anyone’s around to overhear the gripe.
“Lesson learned,” I offer quietly as a shorthorn minotaur walks past the arched entryway and waves at me, headed for the front door. Looking back up at Arkan, I smile. “Let’s get through this coach-off, and then we can reconvene about who we’re offering the job to.”
Arkan frowns. “Gods, is there even any doubt it’s Manorin at this point? Although,” he gives me an assessing look, “I’m not a hundred percent sure he’ll take it. Are you?”
I shake my head. “I think he will. But we have to make our offer very attractive.”
Arkan’s typical smile finally returns. “Can I physically dangle you in front of him with a stack of cash and maybe a cute little home on the outskirts of town?”
Around us, Annabelle groans, the pipes shrieking at Arkan’s suggestion. A terrible, tinny cat meow echoes from the kitchen.
Arkan’s dark brows curl up. “Point taken, Annabelle. I rescind my comment.”
I bark out a laugh as I set the quiche down on the buffet with a pair of serving forks.
“Speak of the devil.” Arkan looks over my shoulder and breaks into a huge smile.
Manorin comes up behind me and bends low, pressing a half kiss to my shoulder. I risk a look up at Arkan, who’s smiling down at us, black lips curling up at the corners.
Manorin slides a hand over my belly and curls his fingers around one of my soft rolls. “I managed to get a couple guys from the academy team back home to come join my side for the coach-off tomorrow, but it’s gonna be a shit show with the rest of what I’m working with.”
Arkan’s smile turns wry. “Well, if it’s any consolation, Ohken already told Gil to fuck off and refuses to play under his command. You can probably steal him, and he might demolish Gil for you on principle alone.”
Laughing again, I shake my head. “That young troll has a lot to learn about leadership.”
Manorin grumbles at my back, “Gil Stoneswallow wouldn’t know leadership if it bit him in the ass. But he’s got Alkazar, and that kid alone is deadly enough. Plus, he’s trying to get recruited, so he’ll give it his all.”
“Well, Hana’s gonna kick ass for you,” Arkan says. “She’s really damn good, as you know.”
“I need a whole team of Hanas,” Manorin says, sighing. He rubs my stomach softly, going quiet as he snuffles against the back of my head.
I sink against him and rub the arm around my belly as he lets out another beleaguered sigh.
“I’ve got to head to the stadium for practice. Depending on how that goes, I might be back late.” He spins me in his arms. “Late dinner at Herschel’s? I’ll make us a reservation.”
I rub his big chest, loving how solid he is beneath my hands. “Sounds great, but I’ll call Herschel. You just focus on kicking Gil’s ass, alright?”
He grins at me, dark brows arching high. I call my power, swirling gold into my irises to tease him, despite Arkan at my back. Manorin’s lips twitch, nostrils flaring.
“Okay then, I’m gonna get out of your horns,” Arkan says as he clip-clops toward the front door.
When I turn to say goodbye, he winks at me. “Don’t forget to dangle , Cath.”
Laughter erupts from me as Manorin looks between us.
“Dangle what ?”
“Me,” I manage with a laugh. “He wants me to dangle in front of you to convince you to stay here.”
Manorin’s smile goes more thoughtful. “I’ve gotta be offered the job, first, and I’d never want to assume it’s a given. ”
I pop onto my tiptoes and grip him by the nose ring, ensuring he has to look at me.
“The triplets and I are going around with Betmal, Ama, Iggy and the hellhound pups later today to pass out the rest of the signs. I didn’t make any for Gil’s team, so hear me on this, Coach: I am one hundred percent in your corner, okay? ”
And I always will be.