Page 5 of Pay the Piper

“If she was ten times scarier. And she’s Misha’s boss….”

“And I get that—”

“And she’s my sister.” This seems to be news to Coach, who scratches at his walrus-like mustache and heaves a sigh. “So we’re really trying not to get on her bad side.”

A cheer echoes from the locker room, followed by chants of, “Sunshine! Sunshine! Sunshine!” making Coach wince at whatever hijinks Thatcher’s getting into. “Alright, but you have to learn to skate before we can even think about getting you near my drills again. You almost caused a three man pile-up out there because you were in the fucking way. You’ll get hurt, or someone else who I actually need to play hockey this year will, and I can’t have that.”

Teddy and I share a loaded look. It’s really not ideal for me to be away from Thatcher…

“You can come to practice and ogle Prescott all you want. But you aren’t getting back on my ice until you can at least fucking skate!”

With that, Coach is off to try to halt whatever frivolity is taking place in the locker room, and Teddy’s left to guide me to the edge of the ice. We sit heavily on the bench for a moment before he breaks the silence.

“We’ll find someone to teach you. I should’ve known that just throwing you in wasn’t the way to go, and—”

“You mean you won’t teach me? After all the trouble I went to so that you wouldn’t shoot yourself in the foot with a gun?”

Teddy laughs, but doesn’t budge. “I do owe you my life, and probably many others, for ensuring that gun safety is always on my mind. But it’s already a fuck ton of time away from Ellie just with practice. Plus, I’ll be honest with you, man. I don’t know how to teach anyone how to skate.”

My puzzled expression is enough for him to continue.

“I know you’re probably thinking that I learned at one point too, and I guess technically I did. But I don’t remember it at all. I can’t think of a time when lacing up and speeding down the ice didn’t feel as natural to me, if not moreso, than walking or running. So I’m just really not the best guy for the job. Someone who can explain the physics and mechanics of skating will be a lot better for you.”

I can’t really argue with that, and I grunt my agreement then stand to head for the lockers. Teddy’s hand on my forearm stops me, so I plop roughly back down onto the bench. Clearly, something else is on his mind.

“It’s been…quiet around here. I know that’s a relative term in this business, and I’m saying it like I didn’t have to eradicate a cell of wannabe cartel members yesterday, which I did. But after all the shit that went down earlier this year, and then the operation in Russia, I’m just uneasy with the lack of feeling of impending doom, I guess.”

He’s got a point. He hasn’t even been Pakhan for a year, and along with coming to Russia to help with our mission, he’s dealt with plenty of shit here. Mainly the de la Rosa family coming for Ellie’s family in a huge way and all the fallout thereafter. I think being forced into that situation accelerated his Bratva education by at least a few years. He had to grow up fast, and how he handled the situation guaranteed the Santori family’s loyalty.

“Well, you had a rocky start,” I concede. “It probably helps that you and the Santoris have such a united front these days, and that the de la Rosas have gone into hiding. Thunder Bay hasn’t had stability like this in a long time. I’d say to keep your eyes peeled, but don’t let the worry get to you too much. Whatever happens, we’ll all deal with it when it comes.”

Teddy releases a long breath, then nods resolutely. “You’re right. Thanks, man. How’re you holding up down here without Mila? There’s no way it’s not weird. You guys have been attached at the hip for almost longer than I’ve been alive…ow!”

“Don’t disrespect your elders,” I chuckle as he dramatically rubs his right temple that I just flicked as hard as I could. Leaning back, I think about how to answer his question. I’m not even sure how I feel, let alone how to put it into words. “It’s weird as fuck. We worked so hard to get out of Russia, then worked here to prepare for her eventual takeover. Then you shot that to shit—”

“I didn’t mean to—”

“And we went and worked our asses off in New York. Now, Mila’s working again in Russia and I’m here, doing something that doesn’t feel a whole lot like work. Even if it’s of the utmost importance to Mila, being Thatcher’s keeper is quite the change of pace from what I’m used to. I’ve never had this much downtime in my life.”

“Is that why you’re pirating overseas versions of reality TV shows now? Ellie said you guys are gonna start watching the Indian version of Keeping Up wi—”

“I’m just not sure what Mila expects me to do,” I sigh, ignoring Teddy’s laughter.

“That’s a lie! You just don’t want to admit it to yourself. She wants you to find a girl. I found a girl. Mila found Thatcher.”

As if summoned, the man himself reappears from the locker room, looking as if he’s feeling refreshed. He has gold patches underneath each eye, a smoothie in hand, and looks suspiciously…hairless?

“Anybody want to touch a freshly waxed chest? Once you start, you’ll never go back. Before, when I dripped queso into my chest hair, it was a nightmare to get out. Now, Mila can just lick it right off and—”

“I think we’re good.”

“No thanks, Thatch.”

“Whatever. You guys are missing out. Especially with how hairy both of you are. You might want to ask the ladies what they prefer next time.”

Teddy scoffs at this, standing and pinching Thatcher’s hairless nipple on his way to the locker room. “Ellie likes to lay in my chest hair, thank you very much. She’d cry if I shaved it.”

“What about you, Misha?”