By the time Saturday came along she was feeling really down in the dumps. Her legs hurt from all the walking she was doing on her job search, which was becoming an epic failure. Everywhere she went they either had an excuse, weren't hiring, or just sneered at her. It didn't help that some of the managers were past classmates. She was feeling very defeated. Manny tried to cheer her up. She realized all the muscle flexing was his way of getting a laugh out of her. She was pretty sure it was his way of showing off his muscle mass as well. Hell, if she had a body like that she'd probably do the same.
The Casketball game was coming up. She was actually looking forward to it; at least it was something to distract her from her measly wallet and the fly's that flew from it whenever it opened. She wore her worn out sneakers, jeans with little designs from the western store Manny got, and for the heck of it she wore one of the cutesy western shirts he got. Manny had somewhat good taste when it came to clothes. Plus it wouldn't hurt her any, if they got ripped. She giggled to herself, thinking of the western wear getting torn up, while she was once again making breakfast. At least she waited until eight this time. She seemed to have a nightly ritual with Manny. Her nightmare woke her early, he came in (Usually in his boxers with fists raised), and then her day started. She figured Manny would be sleeping in, since he could for once. He looked really tired the day before. She was sure the three o-clock wake ups were getting to him.
"Why are you always up so damn early?" Manny groaned walking into the kitchen and plopping down in a chair. Ruby jumped and turned. He was shirtless, wearing only a pair of shorts. Her eyes widened behind her sunglasses as she took in his perfectly formed muscles. His blue eyes turned from the window to look at her, probably wondering why she hadn't answered. A laugh came from him as he sat back, his arms going behind his head, giving her a full luscious view of his upper torso.
"I rendered you speechless, didn't I?" he said, giving her that annoying smirk. Oh yeah, he knew he looked good. She snapped her jaw back up into place and turned back to the pancake, which was now a little darker than she would have liked.
"No! I was just wondering if you needed me to do some laundry. Since apparently you can't find a shirt," she replied, putting a plate of pancakes in front of him. He chuckled grabbing her arm before she could pull away. He tugged and she fell right into his lap.
"Well, if that's going to be part of the agreement, why not?" he replied, tickling her side. She grabbed his nose ring and tugged.
"Ow, hey!" Manny complained as he let go of her and she pulled herself from his lap.
"Manny, no touching! I told you I'm not ready for any kind of intimate relationship!" She said glaring at him.
He smirked, "There is nothing intimate about getting tickled."
"To hell there isn't! Not to mention, you are barely dressed!" Ruby replied crossing her arms, "Manny, I need to stand on my own two feet before I can get involved with anyone."
"Ruby, you know I'm just messing with you," he said, a mischievous sparkle in his blue eyes and his lips turned up into a devilish grin. His blue eyes stayed on her as he dug into the pancakes. Ruby shook her head. Manny was quickly finished with his pancakes and he nodded to her.
"Okay, you gonna go change? We should get going," He started washing the dishes. Ruby was busy staring at the half naked hunk cleaning. He turned to look at her, as he noticed her staring again he smirked.
"Take a picture, it'll last longer," Manny said, giving her a wakeup call, "Did you hear what I said, Gorgon?"
She shook her head back to reality, same old Manny. She really hadn't paid attention, but if he knew that she would be hearing about it all day.
"No, I don't speak cow, Minotaur!" Ruby replied with a smirk. Manny snorted and flung soapy water at her. Ruby jumped back and laughed.
"I found my old jersey from high school, you can wear that since I'm too big with all this sexy muscle to fit into it," he winked at her and pointed to the Jersey he had left on the couch. There was a bag next to it with shorts her size and new tennis shoes.
"I took the liberty of getting some new shoes for you, since your old ones stink, like your Casketball skills. I figure you might be a little better if you could actually run without tripping on pieces of your shoe. I don't want to lose, if you end up on my team. But if you get the other team, you can wear those holey things," Manny suggested. Ruby's jaw clenched as he mentioned her shoes stinking like her casket ball skills. She grabbed the bags, and jersey.
"Minotaur, I'm going to wipe the court with you!" She stormed out to change her clothes and heard Manny snicker in the kitchen.
Later that day…
Ruby showed up at the park that was packed with their old high school friends. Shocked faces looked her way. She supposed it might look like her and Manny were dating, with her wearing his old jersey that was too big on her. Manny had been talking shit all morning to her, about how she better be on his team if she wants to win. Clawd and his pack of brothers were all in jersey's and shorts as well. She glanced over and saw Deuce talking to Cleo by the table where everyone was putting their sides. Manny took the bowl of Monsteroni Salad and she followed him to the table. She could feel so many eyes on her and rubbed her hands on her sides nervously. Manny held the bowl with one hand and grabbed her hand with his big warm one. It was comforting and helped relax her a little. She was sure he probably felt her shaking. Maybe she wasn't ready for this…
Frankie was the first to run up.
"Ruby! Manny! It's so good to see you again, Ruby? How are you?" Frankie asked, her bolts making a buzzing sound in her excitement.
"I'm doing fine," Ruby said giving her a smile. She noticed Frankie was wearing her old fearleading uniform.
"You look great, Frankie, what's been going on with you?" Ruby asked. Frankie beamed at the compliment.
"I've finally let Jackson take me out. We've been together since! My parents were experimenting and burned the house down. It was an electrical malfunction. They didn't trust just anyone to build a new one, so Manny is doing it. He's been doing such a great job! But it's taking forever," Frankie replied. Ruby should have known she'd hear a whole story.
"It's not my fault the deliveries are late," Manny muttered, "I need to find some new suppliers."
Ruby smiled, "Oh, I saw it. It looks like the house is going to be huge!"
Frankie smiled and clapped, "Yes, it's going to be voltageous! You know, Ruby. You look well. I mean, so much better since High School."
"Thanks," Ruby replied, giving her a smile.
"That's cause she's not doing drugs anymore," Manny replied setting the bowl down on the table, "She was pretty wasted back then."
"Manny! That's not nice to say!" Frankie scolded him, crossing her arms.
He shrugged, "Well it's true. She looks a hell of a lot better now."
Ruby smiled, his complements were always double edged swords, but she'd take what she could get. Manny gave her a wink and pulled her over to the court where everyone was gathering. Ruby gave Frankie a quick wave as she was pulled along. Deuce stood with Clawd on the court. Once again they were going to be the Captains. Everyone else lined up. Ruby knew before looking that Deuce was watching her. She could feel his eyes on her, and tried not to look that way. The pull was too great, she turned, her sunglasses meeting his and he smirked. He hadn't changed much. His looks were still chiseled and he could totally pull off telling people he was a model. She could feel her heartbeat quicken.
They tossed a coin to see who would pick first. Clawd won and picked Romulus saying the were-wolves had to stick together. He looked at Deuce.
"Well, us Gorgons have to stick together. I got Red," Deuce said, pointing to Ruby. She could hear a gasp and felt her eyes widen. Cleo gave her a glare that should send her to her grave. With a quick, comforting glance at Manny she walked over to Deuce who held up a fist. She didn't leave him hanging, it would be rude and at least he was nice enough to not pick her last.
"Welcome back, Ruby," Deuce said, turning back to the team picks. Ruby pulled her hair up into a pony tail and watched as Clawd picked his brothers and Deuce picked everyone else. Manny stood between Ruby and Deuce when Deuce picked him. Ruby felt herself relax as Manny grabbed her hand. What was it about him that made her feel comfortable? Maybe living with him and getting to know him better helped. But there was definitely something different about Manny. She looked up at him and noticed him looking at her. He gave her a smile and a hand squeeze. She smiled and squeezed back. She had to show him Deuce didn't affect her like he used too.
She was surprised though when Deuce had her as a starter. She hadn't played in years and felt herself getting nervous. It felt like everyone was watching her. Like they were all wondering when she was going to fall back on her old ways. Deuce seemed like he was trying to give her a chance to show them that she could do it. Maybe he felt guilty for what happened.
"Don't screw this up, gorgon. We need to beat those wolves," Manny growled in her ear as he moved past her to get in position. She laughed as she moved to follow him.
"Ruby," Deuce called her and motioned for her to stand by him. She was glad people couldn't see her eyes. They would know she was shocked. Taking a deep breath she rolled her shoulders as she walked over to him.
"Hey, you good to play?" Deuce asked looking at her. She nodded her head.
"Cool, you gotta show us you're A-game. You show them that Gorgon's bounce back! Give them some of that fire I know you have in you," Deuce said, patting her shoulder. She smiled, realizing he was giving her a pep talk. When she looked towards Manny she could see his eyes narrowed at Deuce. She heard him snort and then look back at the ball. As the game started everyone began to move. Ruby squatted low and as Clawd approached with the ball, she quickly stole it from him, passing it to Manny. Manny moved past Romulus and threw the ball into the basket with a swish. She cheered for Manny as he high fived a few team mates. He walked over to Ruby and gave her a hug.
"Bet you're glad I got you those shoes now, huh?" he asked giving her a wink. Ruby laughed and playfully punched him in the arm.
In the end they lost by three points. What can you say? It was close to a full moon so the wolves were excellent. Of course that put Manny in a bad mood. He always hated losing, but everyone else was just happy to get together and hang out. Ruby's muscles were screaming at her, but it felt good to use them again. She found herself more relaxed and smiling.
