After Lives Valhalla 2 by Chuck Pilgrim

Author:Chuck Pilgrim [Pilgrim, Chuck]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-08-28T00:00:00+00:00

28

The evening before the game, the team had gathered in the living room. Steve led the meeting, which had become a matter of reviewing and refining strategies. Everyone on the team knew the most likely strategy of every other team.

Molly got close enough to Soren’s group to glean a few insights. Based on Harold and Ila’s analysis, they concluded that they would likely rely on brute force. The presence of Ludvig on Soren’s team reinforced this idea.

Ila, as usual, did not betray any obvious expressions when Ludvig was mentioned, but Steve could see her shoulders tense, her eyes narrow slightly, and her mouth press into a line.

Miles had been a ball of energy. He poured over books, experimented, and blew up his room twice.

Finally, late into the evening, Steve began to repeat himself, and his team would reply, “I know,” and “we know,” more and more.

“I think we should all try to get some rest,” Harold suggested.

“I don’t know if I can,” Steve replied.

“Honestly, me either,” Molly agreed. “We could always use Recover in the morning,” Harold said.

“What do you suggest we do instead?” Ila asked.

“I have an idea,” Harold said as he entered the kitchen. When he returned, he carried a pack of beers Twyla had bottled for them a while ago.

“Harold!” Molly exclaimed, scandalized. “Are you suggesting we spend the entire night drinking? Before a game!?”

“Yup,” he replied as he set down the case.

“That is a ridiculous idea. Pass me one,” Molly reached out.

“I think I might just review some stuff, maybe go for a run,” Steve stood but was stopped by a hand holding his.

“Please stay,” Ila looked up at him.

He looked around at the team, each with wide, hopeful eyes, particularly Molly. Harold tossed him a bottle.

Steve caught it and looked at the label. It was an illustration of Twyla smiling out at him. He hadn’t seen her in what felt like forever.

He took a swig to the sound of cheering from his team and the beer tasted like hope.

◆◆◆

When they didn’t answer the door the following day, Loki entered the house. The smell that greeted her told her everything she needed to know.

She found her team passed out on the couches, Miles in Harold’s arms, Molly and Ila in Steve’s.

She shook Steve’s shoulder.

“Wake up, Mr. Smooth,” she whispered.

Steve’s eyes fluttered open and squinted at Loki. He tried to raise his head and immediately regretted it.

“Urrrgh, Recover,” he mumbled.

Loki smiled at him as life returned to his eyes.

“I’ve seen a lot of teams do a lot of things the night before a game,” Loki whispered. “But none of them got wasted.”

Steve smiled at the memories made the night before. “It was necessary for team cohesion.”

He shrugged, jostling Ila and Molly, who both moaned in complaint. He stroked Ila’s arm, rousing her slightly, and kissed her. Her lips tasted of beer and chicken wings.

Ila opened her eyes and then immediately shut them.

A moment later, she opened them again. This time, she was all there.

A snore drew Steve’s attention to his other side.

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