Page 78 of Shark 2

“That was one time and they were killing sharks for no reason,” I countered.

“I didn’t say they didn’t deserve it,” she said and laughed.

The door to the bar opened. My mouth parted in excitement, thinking it was Tonka with our tacos, but instead, Cap’n Two-Teeth and his Chums entered, all with their top halfs shifted into their shark forms, but their bottom halfs with human legs.

“Cap’n!” I yelled, even more excited than I had been about the tacos.

“Kass!” he and his crew yelled.

I rushed forward to hug the pirate shark shifters.

Cap’n Two-Teeth, his upper half was that of a great white shark with a hook in his dorsal fin that was no longer rusted, which made me happy.

“Your hook’s not rusted anymore. Does that mean you’re not sick now?” I asked, though, I hadn’t asked when it was rusted if it had been because he was sick, since I hadn’t wanted to pry.

“Turns out I had a curse on me, but I got it lifted,” he said with a shrug. “Well, that one lifted.” He smiled, showing his two teeth in his gums.

“It’s good to see you,” I said. “I’m sorry I haven’t been down to visit.”

He scoffed. “You’re mated now and working. We understand.” At my wide eyes he said, “We ask about you and keep tabs to make sure you’re doing alright.”

I hugged him again. “Thanks.”

“Congratulations on being mated, by the way. We were all getting worried about you, but it makes this old heart happy to know you’ve got mates.” He scowled as he looked at said mates, who were walking out of the pool room and towards us. “Though, I wish they were aquatic.”

If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have made it this far in life. Turning, I said, “Silver, a round for the Cap’n and his crew on me, please.”

The chums all cheered and headed to the bar to get their drinks.

“You doing alright? No more crazy battles?” Cap’n asked as we joined the crew at the bar.

I laughed. “Hopefully not, but I’m always on alert, just in case. Never know how many enemies are still lurking out there.”

“Well, if you ever need anything, you just call on us,” Cap’n said.

“I appreciate that. And that offer goes for you as well. If you and your crew ever need anything, you let me know. We sharks need to stick together,” I said.

“How about an arm-wrestling match?” Shamus challenged with a wide smile. The older great white was always challenging me to matches of some sort. He was the first mate and enjoyed displays of strength.

“Oh, you’re on, old man!” I replied and moved to a nearby high table, setting my elbow on top of it, and wiggled my fingers.

Shamus chugged his beer, walked over, and we clasped hands, elbows on the table. “You ready to lose, tiger?”

“In your dreams, basic white.” I smiled, showing my teeth as I used the insult. He was a great white shark, but I liked to call him basic because it irked him.

“I’ve got twenty on Kass,” Grant said as he joined us and slapped a bill on the bar top.

“I’ll take that bet!” Trent, a hammerhead shark, said and slapped his bill on top of Grant’s.

All of the Chums started placing bets and it wasn’t long before the rest of my friends joined in as well.

“Ready?” I asked Shamus.

“I’m not getting any younger,” he teased.

Reed set his hand atop our joined ones and said, “Ready? Go!” As soon as he released our hands, Shamus and I clenched, trying to push the other down.

“You’ve gotten weaker, tiger,” Shamus grunted.

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