Monster mash, p.63
Monster Mash, page 63
The kraken chuckled and leaned on the half wall separating us from the rink. “Well, just give me a shout if you change your mind. I’m here for the whole afternoon. Thanks again for inviting me, Tripp.”
“Thanks for coming, man. We need to get together more. I haven’t seen you in ages!” Tripp patted the Kraken on the back.
Vic shrugged. “You know how it is. When I’m not competing, I’m training, and if I’m not doing that, I’m usually promoting something or signing autographs. A celebrity’s work is never done.”
“Now that is something I can relate to,” Inzo said. “Speaking of that, I think I’ll go check on how tonight’s refreshments are coming.” The incubus wandered off.
“Don’t mind him.” Adam flashed us a bright smile. “He’ll enjoy himself tonight. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Whether he likes it or not,” I said, and clutched Tripp’s hand. “Come, darling. Help me pick out a pair of skates for the evening.”
Tripp squeezed my hand back gently. “Actually, I’ve already picked out the perfect skates for you.”
“Oh really? You’re just full of surprises tonight, aren’t you?”
Tripp led me to a small alcove with a bench. A huge white box with a shining black bow was waiting on the bench. Tripp picked it up with one of his proud smiles. “The internet said a clock was the more traditional gift, but… Well, we’re not exactly traditional. Plus, I thought you’d like these better.” He planted a kiss on my cheek before holding the box out to me. “Happy one-year anniversary, Nicola.”
I hummed and took the box, setting it aside before reaching beneath the bench to pull out my own gift. It was a black box, identical in size and shape to the one he’d handed me, though mine had a white bow.
“I have a feeling we might have been thinking on the same wavelength when we went shopping for anniversary presents, darling,” I said with a restrained smile.
“I hope so! I really wanted what I got for you, too.” He grinned and took the box from me, sitting on the bench next to me.
I pulled his gift into my lap. “We’ll open them together then. On three, two…One!”
I yanked on the neatly tied bow and pushed it aside, pulling off the lid. My eyes widened when I peered down into the box, warmth spreading through my chest. When I looked over at Tripp, he was grinning ear to ear. His face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. My chest swelled with pride as he lifted an exact copy of what he’d bought for me: a pair of white Unicorn brand adjustable glow in the dark light up roller skates.
“They’re perfect,” he beamed.
I winked and held up my much smaller pair. “I know.”
He elbowed me. “Hurry and get them on! I want to try them out!”
We kicked off our shoes and quickly pulled on the skates. As soon as mine were on, I tapped them against the floor and giggled as the wheels flashed bright neon colors. Tripp pulled me to my feet and pushed open the little wooden door that led out onto the roller rink, tugging me along with him.
A few of our friends were already out there. Ezra was skating in circles with his hands folded behind his back alongside his itherie friend, Doctor Federi. Matteo rolled out a few seconds after us and fell right into step behind them, surprisingly graceful for a huge minotaur. I waved to Greyson as he scooted along the edge of the rink, holding onto Gaston, Inzo’s werewolf friend, for dear life. Vic skated past them backward at breakneck speed. He grinned at us, waved a tentacle, and skated straight over to the human manning the DJ booth. They had a quick conversation before the DJ nodded and started flipping switches and pressing buttons.
The familiar shout of “Everybody dance now,” echoed people to the arena, and the lights went down for a brief second before colored spotlights appeared, dancing over the roller rink floor.
We started making circles, building up speed, and eventually caught up with Ezra, Matteo, and Doctor Federi. “You’re good at this!” I said, slowing next to Matteo.
The minotaur flashed me a wide grin. “Been taking lessons. Not near as good as Ezra is. He can dance in roller skates.”
“Really?” I leaned forward to catch a nod from Ezra.
He tipped his head back and laughed. “It’s not as hard as it sounds, really.”
I didn’t believe him for an instant. I had wings and I wasn’t sure I could dance in roller skates.
“Vic can dance, too,” Tripp offered. “He was on TV doing it once.”
“Really?” Ezra stood up straighter, glancing in the kraken’s direction.
“Yep,” Tripp said. “Me and him were in a commercial for Energizer once and both had to learn it.”
I frowned and spun around to skate backward so I could face Tripp. “You never told me that.”
“That I was in an Energizer commercial?” Tripp said, cocking his head to one side.
“That you could dance, you silly human.”
“Only in skates,” he said with a laugh. “I’m two left feet without wheels.”
“I feel a dance off coming.” Matteo elbowed Ezra.
I snorted and turned back around. “Now that I would pay to see.”
“I’m game if you are,” Ezra said, skating forward.
Tripp looked at me, his eyebrows raised in question.
I laughed and gave him a playful shove. “Go. Have fun. I’ll be here cheering you on.”
Ezra planted a kiss on Matteo’s shoulder before the two of them skated off to go collect Vic.
I sighed, watching them go. The last year had been one of the happiest of my life. It was hard to imagine a time when I didn’t have Tripp at my side, or waiting at home for me. How had I ever made it through a day without an emoji-laden text from him, or the special messages he left on my paper coffee cups every morning? Even on the days where we were too busy to spend much time together, he was there, just a phone call or text away.
“It’s good, isn’t it?” Matteo said, leaning down. When I looked up at him, he clarified, “Married life.”
“It’s like getting to have fun with your best friend every single day,” I said with a sigh. “Tripp’s great.”
Matteo nodded. “I’m glad you two stuck it out, though I’ll be honest. I was a little surprised to hear it. It’s not every day that two people get drunkenly married in Vegas and stay that way.”
“Best stupid decision I ever made.” We both laughed.
A few moments later, we slowed nearly to a stop as we came upon Adam, who was trying to coax Inzo out onto the ice. Inzo gripped the wall, scowling at it, his tail waving in the air like an angry cat.
“I just don’t understand why humans felt the need to put wheels on shoes,” Inzo griped. “And then some fool thought it would be a good idea to slide around on a slippery floor in them? Are you all mad? Someone’s going to break their neck out here.”
“Just five minutes, Inzo,” Adam pleaded. “If you don’t like it, we can go back and sit down, but I want to try. Please? For me?”
I stopped next to Adam and folded my hands behind my back. “The great Inzo Amoretti defeated by some wood and wheels? Perish the thought.”
“What? Never!” Inzo growled and snapped to attention, but his anger was short-lived because his feet started rolling away without him. His eyes went wide and his tail lashed out, wrapping around Adam’s leg.
Adam laughed and put an arm around Inzo’s waist, pulling him in tight with a big smile. “I’ve got you.”
Inzo’s red face flushed purple across his cheeks like he was about to explode. He glared at me. “What are you gawking at? That’s right. Skate away before I turn your liver into a pate!”
I chuckled and we left them behind to move at their own pace. “I’m going to do a few laps,” I said, and waved to Matteo, pushing off.
There was nothing quite like skating in circles to music, and it was especially fun to see the way my wheels lit up the floor, casting rainbows of color everywhere. Each time I put a foot down, they lit up, flashing bright neon colors all around me. I started to speed up, challenging myself to keep the lights flashing. Before I knew it, a half hour had passed. I only looked up and slid to a stop because the music cut out.
“Monsters, men, and esteemed guests of all ages and origins,” the DJ’s voice boomed over the speakers. “Please clear the rink and turn your attention to the center where a dance off challenge has been made. Put your paws, claws, and hands together for our three contestants and may the best dancer win!”
We all clapped and cheered as Tripp, Vic, and Ezra went to the center, waving happily at us. The spotlights followed them. I laughed when “The Macarena” started up. At least they were starting easy. They started off together, perfectly in time, but I held my breath as they came to the first jump in the dance.
“Yes!” I pumped a fist when Tripp nailed it. The others did too, of course, but I wasn’t there to cheer for them.
They made it through “The Macarena” with all three of them sweating, but clearly having fun, by the end of it. The rest of us were on the sidelines, clapping along as the songs started transitioning more rapidly. They worked their way through “Single Ladies”, which Ezra pulled off flawlessly, though that wasn’t very technical in the skates department. Ezra seemed completely lost when the chorus for “Party Rock Anthem” came on. He waved Tripp and Vic off with a smile and skated over to the side to accept a bottle of water from Matte.
“Good job, Sugar,” Matteo said, and plated a kiss on Ezra’s cheek.
“Ah, those two just have too much energy for me,” Ezra said, flashing him a smile. “I’m too old-fashioned for all that racket.”
Meanwhile, Tripp had nailed both “Soulja Boy” and “Gangnam Style”. I thought he might be in trouble when they went back to the 90s with some “Ice Ice Baby” because Vic was killing it, but Tripp kept up, despite being drenched in sweat.
“Jesus, where’s he get all that energy?” Ezra muttered.
I smiled, clapping along with the beat. “Coffee, dear. Lots and lots of coffee.”
When MC Hammer came on, I knew we were about to have a winner. It was one thing to do the Hammer dance in regular shoes, but in skates? If either of them pulled it off, I’d be impressed as hell.
I clenched my fingers into fists. Come on, Tripp. You can do it.
As the moment of truth came, everyone in the crowd tensed. No one was more surprised than me when Vic slid out of the spotlight to let Tripp take it away, and he nailed it!
I jumped up and down, cheering and holding onto Adam, who was next to me. “That’s my man!” I shouted.
The music ended with the DJ announcing Tripp as the winner, but I was already back on the floor, skating toward him. I crashed into him and he picked me up, hoisting me onto a sweaty shoulder. “You were amazing, darling! Wonderful!”
“Truly talented,” Vic agreed.
“Thanks,” Tripp said, panting, but I could really use some water and a minute to catch my breath.
He put me down and we skated hand in hand out of the rink. I handed him a bottle of water, which he chugged quickly before plopping down with a grin.
“So?” Tripp asked.
I sat beside him. “So.”
“A year, huh? Wanna go for two?” He nudged me with an elbow.
I chuckled and rested my head against his arm. “I was thinking twenty, give or take a few decades, depending on how long it takes for you to get tired of me.”
Tripp tipped my face up and our lips met. “I’ll never get tired of you, Nicola. I love you. You get me like nobody else does. That’s why we’re perfect for each other.”
“Look!” shouted Inzo, pulling our attention away from each other briefly. “Look, I’m doing it!”
I looked out at the roller rink and smiled. Sure enough, Inzo was rolling along on his own, his arms and tail sticking straight out while he awkwardly fought to keep himself upright.
“Good job, Inzo!” Tripp shouted, cupping a hand to his mouth. “You’re doing great!”
I smiled and leaned my head against Tripp’s huge, muscular shoulder. Finally, everything was right in the world. Well, except for maybe one thing. I looked up at him. “You know what I could go for right now?”
“A coffee?” he said hopefully.
“Do you think it’s too late in the day for coffee?”
Tripp laughed and kissed the top of my head. “It’s never too late for coffee,” he said, and pulled me to my feet. “Think we can sneak out the back while everyone else is still having fun?”
“Darling, if we hurry, we might even be able to get a quickie in before they notice we’re gone.” I winked at him.
“Last one there bottoms,” Tripp said with a wink and darted out of the little table we were sitting at.
I smirked and counted to five, giving him a head start. Sometimes, it was better to come second.
Thank you for reading the Culinary Creatures series!
This series is very dear to me. When I'm super stressed or depressed, my go-to feel-good TV show is Hell's Kitchen. There's something about Gordon Ramsay's particular brand of tough love that makes me feel better. That show and Masterchef are a large part of why I got into cooking.
I've always wanted to mix my two favorite hobbies: cooking and writing and Culinary Creatures was my first attempt at doing that. I learned a lot while writing this series, and these fluffy stories got me through one of the roughest years of my life. I'm honored to be able to share them with you.
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Thank you again for reading. See you in the next book!
L Eveland, Monster Mash
