Blame It on the Dog by Amy Frazier

Author:Amy Frazier
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2007-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

“SHE’S NOT COMING.” Jack stood at the entrance to Ferry Plaza and scanned the crowd.

“Oh, ye of little faith,” Ted replied as he skated in circles to the disco beat that blared from a portable sound system. Traditionally, the Midnight Rollers boogied as they assembled until their founder and master of ceremonies gave the signal at the dot of nine to begin the city roll.

Jack wasn’t up for the fun and games. Not without Selena and Drew. His skates and helmet remained on a bench.

“Does she have a friend or relative with green hair?”

Jack’s head jerked in the direction Ted pointed to see Selena approaching with Drew and Maxine. If a crowd and a bodyguard was what it took to get Selena to meet up with him, the more the merrier.

“Maxine,” Ted said after the introductions. Jack had warned him not to rush at Selena should she come. So his brother made himself busy applying reflective tape from a roll he carried to everyone’s helmets, skates and jackets. “Have you ever skated before?”

“Young man, don’t patronize me. I’ve been on wheels since my skates were heavy metal side-by-sides and I had to strap them on my shoes.” Right now Maxine was putting on state-of-the-art in-lines and a helmet that looked as if it came out of a scifi adventure. “It’s Selena who’s never tried it.”

Jack stared at Selena in surprise.

“How hard can it be?” she said with a shrug. “I borrowed skates and a helmet from one of my neighbors who’s a self-professed klutz.”

“If it’s your first time out,” he replied, “you might wish we’d brought the dogs. To tow you back from Fisherman’s Wharf.”

“Drew said the same thing on the way over. Have you two never heard of cabs?”

“Speaking of cabs,” Ted interjected, “I hope you’re thinking of hitching a ride inside one. There’s a hard and fast rule about obeying all traffic rules, lights and signs and not hanging on the outside of vehicles. Some people thought that was the easy way to make the hills, but the Midnight Rollers reached a truce with the city by showing we’re law abiding citizens. Although we’re almost an institution now—a tourist attraction, in fact—and city drivers and the police know to look out for us, be careful out there.”

Jack was glad to see his brother performing the role of skate ambassador rather than the matchmaker he’d too often acted in the past.

“Don’t worry.” Selena patted a fanny pack. “I brought money. For food, drink and emergency phone calls.”

“In that case, let me make a suggestion,” Ted added. “It’s not a rule, but it’s wise to buddy up. Catch up with the rest of the group at agreed upon stops along the way. So, Drew, can you skate as well as Maxine?”

“You bet. She’s the one who taught me.”

“Then you two are a natural buddy team.” His brother sounded so innocent. So suspiciously innocent. “That leaves Selena with Jack, and, if this is Selena’s first time on skates, the two of you should maybe stick to sidewalks wherever possible.

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