Joanie went in first, checking to see how Laura was. She opened the door wider and gestured Mike and Demon in. Laura was sitting up, watching TV. To Mike’s eye she looked frayed at the edges. Demon jumped up next to her on the bed and put his head in her lap. Laura stroked his head, putting aside the herb tea she had been sipping.
“She’s not lookin’ good, Mike,” Demon projected. “I don’t know much about human pregnancies, but I hope this rest helps her regain her strength. We’re going to need her if Denny’s plan works.”
“D says we need you to get well. How are you feeling?”
“Much better than this afternoon. I’m going to get a good night’s sleep. I think tomorrow I’ll be as good as new. Everyone has a bad day, peeps. This is mine.”
“I’m not a peep,” Mike stated.
Demon snorted. “I eat peeps.”
“Demon eats peeps, he says.”
“I don’t peep,” Joanie added, smiling at Demon’s response.
Laura laughed. “You guys are the best. I’ll be all right tomorrow. I heard you have a new nickname, D.”
“Don’t go there, Moby Preggo,” Demon warned, glancing up into Laura’s face.
“D says you don’t want to jog down that trail… Moby Preggo.”
That cracked up Laura even more. “Sorry, Farfel, I’m out of line. I have the new ‘Family Guy’. Want to watch it with me?”
Demon burrowed his head into Laura. “I’m so weak, ashamed, and a little drunk. I forgive you.”
Mike laughingly repeated Demon’s thoughts.
Laura patted his head. “Does that mean you’re my peep?”
“Don’t push it, Moby. Hey… Mikester, I need another beer.”
Mike repeated Demon’s thoughts. “Coming right up, Farfel.”
* * *
Mike looked around the huddle with a slow forming grin. He’d called a time out without Coach Larkin’s permission. His teammates knew it. They looked at him as if he were nuts. Glancing at Coach Larkin stomping on the sideline with his hands waving, his offensive cohorts were frozen in place, heads swiveling between Mike and their coach. The game was in the fourth quarter with Arroyo down twenty-one to twenty, with only a missed extra point the difference. Following Coach Larkin’s orders, Mike had been instrumental in the three touchdowns scored and the defensive effort on shutting off San Leandro’s passing attack. San Leandro had an all-state fullback running behind their huge offensive right side tackle that had scored all three of San Leandro’s touchdowns.
“We’re going to do things a little different this time. Bell, I want you to slant right to left through their secondary full speed. Don’t look back until you get to the end zone. The moment you cross the goal-line, go right, hugging the line. I’ll hit you with a pass somewhere in there. It’ll be up to you at that point.”
Bell pumped his fist. “Yes!”
“Nothing fancy for the rest of you,” Mike said. “Take somebody out and don’t hold. Sasquatch, you drop back with me after the first hit. We’re going to party until Bell gets all the way down there where we want him. I’ll take the heat for this, so don’t think about anything other than what I said. On two, break!”
Mike surveyed the situation, his eyes taking in the crowd, Coach Larkin now standing at the sideline with his fists clenched, and the opposing linebacker pointing at him as if he wanted a date. Dealing in life and death situations had lightened Mike’s heart concerning extracurricular situations. This didn’t qualify past interesting lighthearted entertainment. Tony (Sasquatch) Conterro glanced up at him with a grin. Mike nodded.
Luke snapped the ball on his second bark of hike, and Mike drifted back. He saw Tony fire forward and drop the guy opposing him before going into full guard form. Bell sped through the defensive line in a split second flash before heading all out for the goal-line’s left side. Mike noted the desperate measures his offensive line took, short of holding to keep out the defense. It was not enough to stop San Leandro’s right linebacker who had been a thorn in his side since the beginning of the game. Tony fired out on the defensive back blitzing from Mike’s left.
Mike tucked the ball, all the while tracking Bell’s journey to the goal-line. He feinted right, and then left, and then right again, all the while with his eyes following Bell’s streaking progress. When he moved left again, he saw his nemesis, San Leandro’s right linebacker breaking through to him. Mike crouched and fired directly into him, his momentum carrying Mike into a split second opening. He saw Bell cross the goal-line and head to the right. Mike threw the ball. Bell fumbled the initial contact with the ball before grasping it to him. Bell danced with the ball back and forth on the goal-line until the referees took it away from him.
Mike hustled down to the goal-line with his jubilant teammates, gripping Tony’s arm. “Beautiful blocking, Tony. Let’s go down here and get two points, just in case the rest of my plans go south. Nothing fancy. Blow through that guy over you and I’ll be right behind.”
“You got it, Mike!”
Mike embraced the very happy Bell. “You are the man! We’re going to hurry this and get two with me running behind Sasquatch. Let’s huddle up.”
After explaining what he had in mind, Mike put his hand out in the middle where all the rest of the players joined him. “Let’s hit something! On one, break!”
San Leandro’s defense hustled to get set on the line, seeing Arroyo would not be kicking the ball for an extra point. Mike got a ready sign from the official and immediately barked out, “hike!”
Tony bulldozed through the man over him with Mike blasting through at a slant right behind him. San Leandro never touched him. The referee raised his arms indicating a successful two point conversion. Following a brief celebration, the offense ran off the field to make way for the kickoff team. Mike sped toward the sideline. Coach Larkin was waiting for him.
Mike gestured a wave off with his hand. “Don’t Coach. I know I broke the rules, but I didn’t have time to explain what I wanted to do. I saw that their safety and D-back crossed each other up a few times on a slant pass pattern. I knew Bell could beat them if we blocked long enough for him to get down field.”
Larkin smiled, smacking Mike’s shoulder pad. “Nothing heals like success, kid. Nice work. Got anything else?”
“I know what we have to do in order to prevent another score by them. Let me substitute for your middle linebacker, just as I have been doing before on passing downs for the rest of this quarter. Trust me to call the defense out there for this series.”
Larkin stared at him for a long moment while the kickoff team was getting ready. While he was hesitating Mike grabbed one of the sophomores blacklisted onto the kickoff team. “You’re the one who plays second from the right on kicks, right?”
The teen looked up into Mike’s grim face fearfully. “Uh… yeah, Mike. What’s up?”
“Can I take your place just for this kickoff?”
“Sure. I got pan-caked all four times we’ve kicked off. I play second over on the right line. Get ‘em, Mike!”
Mike clapped his teammate’s shoulder. “That’s my plan. They’ve ran a spear at you for the entire night. I’m going to bust up their spear. Thanks.”
Larkin, listening to the conversation, glanced at the progress on the field. “Go on, Mike. I’ll back your play. If not for you, we wouldn’t have had a prayer.”
“Thanks for trusting me on this, Coach.” Mike ran full speed onto the field in order to make it into position.
The Arroyo kicker kicked the ball to the five yard line of San Leandro, where they immediately formed into a moving spear along the sideline as they had done on every kickoff. The strategy had worked, enabling them to make at least the forty yard line after each kickoff. The special teams weakness kept Coach Larkin pacing the sideline in dread. Mike raced at a slant toward their forming spear. He led with a forearm blow at full speed that sent the opposing player backwards into his teammates, effectively destroying the spear. Arroyo’s kickoff tea
m swarmed in to stop San Leandro’s ball carrier on the ten yard line with only three minutes left in the game.
Arriving into the defensive huddle Mike grinned at his cohorts. “We know their big guy will be running behind that Godzilla guard of theirs. I’m taking Godzilla out. The rest of you swarm their main man.”
Barking ‘oh hell yeah’, Arroyo’s defense fanned out into position. As Mike predicted it was a handoff to San Leandro’s all state fullback. Mike blasted in on the huge guard leading the play, his snapping forearm blow exploding into the guard’s shoulder, sending him to the ground. His defensive teammates overwhelmed the fullback three yards behind the line of scrimmage.
San Leandro called time out. Mike headed into the defensive huddle, slapping hands with his teammates. “Okay… now this is fun. They’ve got less than two minutes. Any guesses as to what they do now?”
Ken Hughes, Arroyo’s left defensive end raised his arm comically. “Why… I think they’re going to pass, Mike.”
“That is absolutely correct,” Mike replied. “I’m going to take out that guard again whether he likes it or not. I want our defensive backs and safety to go right through the hole I make with an all out, no holds barred blitz. If their quarterback gets a pass off, I’ll be in trouble, so let’s all make sure that doesn’t happen. Well, boys, here they come. Let’s go get some.”
When San Leandro’s offense lined up, Mike immediately began dancing up to the line and back, timing the shot he would give his target guard, setting up on the line. From his peripheral vision, Mike could tell the guard was checking him out, but Mike kept his eyes straight ahead on the quarterback. The snap of the ball came with Mike timing the quarterback’s cadence perfectly. He slammed into the guard at full acceleration as the guard’s hand in his three point stance had barely left the ground. The guard went down as if struck with a baseball bat. Arroyo’s safety and defensive backs poured through the hole left with complete abandon, overrunning the San Leandro quarterback in the end zone for a safety.
With the crowd of ecstatic students, parents, and friends cheering in the stands, Mike took a knee each play after San Leandro’s punter had to kick the ball to them following the safety. Time ran out and Arroyo celebrated the victory with Mike taking good natured taunts from his teammates about playing out the season.
“I gotta work, guys,” Mike kept repeating. “I’m hoping this is the end of our feud though. After tonight, no more problems between the Rawlins’ family and the Arroyo football squad, right?”
“Oh hell no, Mike,” Tony said, putting his arm around Mike’s shoulders as the team headed for the locker room. “We’re thinkin’ of fraggin’ Sanderson so that Principal Franz forces you to take over at quarterback.”
“Brad’s going to be good from now on. His Dad’s a stand up guy. Besides, Brad has the new Bell catching passes for him now.”
“You got that right,” Bell agreed. “You comin’ to watch the games from now on, Mike? We have a chance at the state title. We’d walk away with it if you quarterbacked for us instead of wrenchin’ and chasin’ ghosts.”
Bell’s statement drew loud laughter as Mike shrugged. “I’ll be there.”
“I heard you have to fight an MMA match tomorrow night,” Luke said. “Man, that’s rough.”
Mike sighed. “Yeah, but then I have Sunday all to myself and no more football practices.”
“Get him!” Bell ordered, leading to a laughing Mike being swarmed.
* * *
By prearrangement, Mike met everyone in the parking lot. Everyone was there except for Denny, Joanie, and Laura. “Is Mad Doctor Denny working in his lab?”
“He thinks he has a breakthrough and won’t let up,” Gail replied. “My Dad’s helping him over at Demon Inc while editing the vids from the Ansel house. Joanie’s with them. That was some game.”
“Stan and I are jealous. We’ve never had the chance to run the team. How the hell did you pull that off? We saw Larkin on the sideline when you called your own timeout. He looked ready to explode.”
“He told me success cures all, Jer. It was a great experience. For one thing we won. The best part is the feud is over with the football team. I’m glad Denny’s not letting up. If anybody can find out a way to locate a new Haunt outbreak it’s him. We need that a hell of a lot more than my quarterbacking gig for a night.”
“You should have heard your Mom up in the stands,” Connie remarked. “We thought they were going to throw us out.”
“Connie!” Jenny began to protest, but when she noticed Dan giving her an amused look, she shrugged. “Okay, I may have gotten a little carried away. I think I better stay away from the MMA match. I need a couple days to drain out some adrenaline.”
“Great game, Mike, what say we call it a night? I think we all need a good night’s sleep. I know I do.”
“Sounds good to me, Dad. I’ll take Gail over to Demon Inc and pick up Denny and Joanie. Thanks for coming… all of you. I know what a goofy stunt this was and that I was blessed it didn’t end in a humiliating disaster. I will be at the game tomorrow as promised for a while.”
Everyone said their goodbyes, but Janis called out to him as they split off. “Hey, Dempsey, don’t forget to fill us in on what new ploy Farfel comes up with to get sauced tonight.”
Mike shook his head, turning to face the now giggling Janis. “I won’t pretend to know how he does it, but Farfel predicted you’d have something witty to say. I’m supposed to tell you he saved the latest Plus Size Women’s Clothes Catalogue for you from Lane Bryant.”
“He did what… don’t you walk away from me, Mike Rawlins,” Janis shouted as Jerry hung on to her while fighting off the laughing fit which had already encompassed Stan and Connie. “He’s dog meat… hear me… I’m comin’ for him!”
“Did D really tell you that, Mike?” Gail asked
Mike nodded. “Yeah he did. I think him and Janis are joined somewhere in the Cosmos, locked together in some kind of sarcastic mind meld.”
Gail laughed and inadvertently touched Mike’s wrist. He yanked away, but it was too late. Even in the darkened parking lot Mike saw the effect wash over Gail’s features. Her mouth parted in a wanton gasp of attraction. Her eyes glazed over slightly as she moved up against him.
Mike struggled with her, keeping Gail at arm’s length. His own attraction for Gail could overwhelm his good sense in a heartbeat and he knew it. “We have to stop at my house. We’ll need D to lift the effect. C’mon Gail… you know what’s happening. Can’t you fight it a little?”
By then Gail took in air through short gasps, her hands trying to break free of Mike’s grasp. “I… I know why, but damn it, Mike, why are we fighting this. I’ve wanted you ever since we met up at Lake Del Valle. Quit pretending you don’t want me!”
Perception wavered, and good sense fled in a raging torrent. Mike released Gail. In seconds they were molded together in an embrace rocketing toward a very public sexual encounter. Desire flooded through him, wiping away any semblance of restraint. He lifted Gail off the parking lot in a violent shift, with Gail crying out and locking her ankles behind him. Jerry’s Toyota screeched to a halt next to them, with all four of their friends spilling out of the car in a frantic rush. Stan and Jerry grabbed hold of Mike while Janis and Connie unwound the struggling Gail, careful not to come into contact with Mike.
“Mikey! It’s us. C’mon buddy!” Stan shouted in Mike’s face with him and Jerry using all their strength to hold on.
Mike relaxed in their grasp, holding his hands up in placating fashion. “Sorry… sorry… Gail touched me by accident. Shit!”
Mike walked away, while Stan and Jerry rushed over to help Janis and Connie restrain Gail. The further Mike moved from the scene, the more pliable Gail became. Janis yanked her hair.
“Damn it, girl, what the hell did you walk on Superman’s cape for? You’re lucky we had to drive out of the lot this way or we’d be bailing you two out of jail.” Janis gripped Gail’s chin, shaking it. �
�You with me?”
Connie gripped her hand. “Hey! Come back to us from Mike land. Hello!”
Gail sobbed, her hands coming up to cover her face, as both Stan and Jerry backed away. “You don’t understand. It’s… it’s incredible.”
Gail wrenched out of Janis and Connie’s grasp, wiping away the tears streaming down her cheeks from the dredges of longing still coursing through her. “I didn’t do it on purpose! He made a joke about Demon. I laughed and touched his wrist… I… oh hell, just drop me off at the Rawlins’ house. D can exorcise my demon while Mike picks up Denny and Joanie from Demon Inc. Please tell him not to say anything to my Dad.”
“I doubt you have to worry about that,” Stan said. “Jerry and I will get Mikey headed in the right direction. You girls have a seat in the Toyota. Don’t get all hyper about this Gail. It was a simple mistake. We’ll work through this like everything else. I’m getting Denny to put Mikey into a full body sleeve. That boy is dangerous. We’ll be right back.”
Mike was sitting under a tree near the parking lot when Stan and Jerry jogged up next to him. He looked up at them wearily. “I know… I know. Take her to my house and have D bail me out again. This is not like when a stranger falls victim. I care for Gail, and it’s brutal to resist.”
“We know that Mike,” Stan replied. “You’re okay then to go get Joanie and Denny while we take Gail to your house for a D dispensation, right?”
“I’m good.” Mike stood up, glancing in the direction of his torrid encounter with Gail.
Jerry chuckled. “You do know what Farfel’s going to do to you over this.”
Mike covered his face with his hands, nodding at the same time. “Tell Farfel if he plays this card on me he better be ready to never see a beer and shot again.”
Both Stan and Jerry laughed. “Take the order back now, Mikey. Farfel will eat you up like a hot turkey sandwich,” Jerry advised.
Without uncovering his face, Mike nodded. “Forget I mentioned anything to do with Farfel.”
Jerry clapped Mike on the back. “Done. You go get Denny and your sister. We’ll deliver Gail to your house for the Mikey cure. Gail said please don’t tell her Dad.”
Demon Inc (The Mike Rawlins Series Book 2) Page 23