Page 16 of Red Light, Green Light
“Poor sportsmanship and player misconduct willnotbe tolerated. Now, get the fuck out of my Stable.”
With her mom also failing to qualify, the Beckett Legacy fell apart overnight. They quickly descended into obscurity where no one had heard from them since.
Not that I had much time to worry about her. I had flight paths to study, training to survive, new team dynamics to master, and Felicity and Merrilee to kiss breathless every single night.
“Ready for your first sleigh ride there, Bambi?” Felicity leaned around her open locker door next to me with an easy grin. Her suit was already zipped and ready to go. Instead of the dark evergreen that the rest of the Nine wore, hers was a candy-red one trimmed in gold. Her matching hair was tied up in a ponytail, and she looked absolutely radiant.
“Our little doe definitely looks ready to ridesomething,”Merry said from Felicity’s other side, tying her boots with a crooked smile.
Felicity rolled her eyes. “We’re flying around the entire world in a few hours. Maybe we should stay focused until we land?”
“Oh, I make no promises,” I said sweetly. “But I am super ready to be covering your six.”
Felicity raised an eyebrow. “Is that what you think you are doing?”
“I did score higher in adaptability, love.”
“You are getting it later for that, my little brat.”
I blew her a kiss. “Merry Christmas to me then.”
The three of us laughed.
A chime suddenly sounded overhead. The voice of the Head Elf rang out clearly throughout the Locker Room. “We are currently completing final preparations. Would all members of the Nine report to the Launch Deck?”
“Showtime, babes!” Merry declared with a shout.
We all put on our gloves, and the Locker Room rang out with a chorus of excited chatter and closing doors. I caught my reflection in one of the vanity mirrors as everyone filed out. My curls were pulled back into a ponytail with only my bangs and a few pieces to frame my face. My flight suit hugged my curves, making me look wonderfully snatched, and like I was born to wear the uniform. I truly looked like my dream had come true. I lookedright, not like I was dressed appropriately, but like I wasmeantto be here.
“As good as you look in that uniform, baby, I can’t wait to rip it off of you later,” Merry whispered in my ear.
I giggled. “You are so feral.”
“For my girls, I sure am.”
“You ready to show the world how incredible you are, little doe?” Felicity asked, taking my hand.
I smiled with nothing but pure joy in my heart. “I already did. But now, I’m ready to fly.”
We followed the rest of the girls out into the hallway, glowing with enchanted snowflakes drifting lazily in the air. I could already see the open sky at the end and feel the bite of the Arctic cold, but Felicity’s and Merrilee’s hands were warm even through their gloves as they held mine. Up ahead were my fellow team members of the Nine and the waiting sleigh.
Of all the accolades, of all the things I’d ever won, of all the titles I carried, nothing could beat being my Rudolph’s and Prancer’s girl.