Tala glanced between the two, then nodded, lifting her hand and dropping it quickly.\u00a0 \u201cLay on!\u201d<\/p>\n
J.T. came on hard and high, almost too quickly for Thom to properly react.\u00a0 He ducked to the side, J.T.\u2019s kendo stick missing him by bare inches.\u00a0 He continued the motion, sidestepping quickly before pivoting on his left foot and leading with the tip of his kendo stick.<\/p>\n
The leather-wrapped tip of the practice weapon caught in the fabric of J.T.\u2019s parka across his spine but didn\u2019t score a true touch.\u00a0 J.T. darted forward and spun toward Thom, grinning.<\/p>\n
\u201cVery nice,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Thom\u2019s grin matched his.\u00a0 \u201cBut not quite good enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot quite,\u201d J.T. agreed, the tip of his kendo stick weaving an intricate pattern.\u00a0 \u201cBut almost.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRemember, Jay, my sister might kill you if you leave too many marks on him,\u201d Matt called from the sidelines.<\/p>\n
J.T. laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll just have to make sure I don\u2019t leave that many marks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Somehow, I don\u2019t think that means he\u2019s not going to hit me.<\/i>\u00a0 Thom shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll have to actually score a hit to leave a mark, Jay.\u201d<\/p>\n
The medic smiled a dark, wicked smile, then struck like a cobra on the defensive.\u00a0 Pain bloomed in Thom\u2019s knee and he danced backward, swearing.<\/p>\n
\u201cFuck me sideways, Jay,\u201d Thom said, hopping on one foot in the snow.\u00a0 \u201cWhat did Matt just tell you about leaving marks?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou asked for it.\u00a0 I\u2019ve got witnesses,\u201d his friend said.\u00a0 \u201cYou okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI will be in a second.\u201d\u00a0 Thom scooped up a handful of snow in one gloved hand and pressed it against his knee, hoping to suck out the sting that was rising.\u00a0 \u201cThat was a good hit.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cProbably harder than I intended,\u201d J.T. said.\u00a0 \u201cCome see me later if it starts swelling.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll send Marin for revenge if this goes badly.\u201d\u00a0 Thom held the snow against his knee for a moment longer, then let the soggy mess drop to the ground next to his boot.\u00a0 He worked his knee for a moment, then exhaled, nodding to Tala.\u00a0 \u201cAll right.\u00a0 We can resume.\u201d<\/p>\n
She nodded back.\u00a0 \u201cRight.\u00a0 One nil in favor of Jay.\u00a0 Lay on.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Tala glanced between the two, then nodded, lifting her hand and dropping it quickly.\u00a0 \u201cLay on!\u201d J.T. came on hard and high, almost too quickly for Thom to properly react.\u00a0 He ducked to the side, J.T.\u2019s kendo stick missing him … Continue reading