Page 35 of Hold the Pickle
Luca returns with his water and a fresh margarita. “For you,” he says.
I’m about to protest when I realize I’ve finished the first one.
“Okay, thanks.” I tuck the new cup into the empty.
We watch the pool game. Maddie takes the first shot.
Camryn turns to Luca. “What about ‘The Interloper’? Makes you sound like you’re pushing your way into the big leagues.”
Luca nods. “Not bad.”
“What’s Hudson’s fighter name?” I ask.
“‘Reckless,’” Camryn says. “Although I think he started out as ‘The Contender.’”
“His sister was ‘The Hurricane’ before she retired,” Luca adds.
“You need to brainstorm synonyms,” I say. “Brutal. Fierce. Cut-throat. Ferocious.”
“Ferocious,” Luca says. “I like that.”
“Then add some alliteration,” I say.
“A litter of what?” Luca asks.
Max cuffs his shoulder. “I told you she was smart.”
“Alliteration,” I say again. “Where the first letter is the same. Like Ferocious Fighter. Or Ferocious Fiend.”
“Ferocious Fiend.” Luca nods. “I like it.”
“Keep thinking,” I say, not sure I want to be the one to name him in the ring, or the octagon, I guess. “Synonyms plus alliteration.”
Luca leans against the painted cinderblock wall, his mind clearly on the names.
Camryn leans in, “I think you’ve got him distracted.”
I shrug and take a sip of my margarita, only to be greeted with air. I finished the second one, too. When did that happen?
Luca hears the sound. “I’ll get you another one.”
“Oh! I’m not sure I should.”
“I’ll get it just in case.” He takes off.
Camryn winks at me. “He’s interested.”
“I’m not sure he’s my type.”
“You’re free to meet Hex if you want to,” Camryn says, gesturing to the far corner where the other fighter watches Maddie sink the last ball to finish the game.
“No way,” Max says. “Hex will try to nail her in the back alley. He’s not going anywhere near my baby cousin.”
I punch Max’s beefy arm. “I’m not a baby! And maybe I want him to nail me in the back alley!”
“Was I summoned?” Hex lumbers toward us with a smooth, powerful step that looks like it might shake the earth. He’s easily the widest of the fighter men, even though I think Max might have an inch of height on him. Even so, I barely reach his chin.
“No,” Max says.
