Page 114 of Brace and Chase

“You really suffer, huh?” He smirks and crosses his arms. “Anyway, he told us your wrist is better?”

“Yeah, I barely feel anything, really.”

“That’s good. Now get off your ass and get ready. Teamdinner.” That’s all the explanation he offers, then he’s walking back out. “You too, Santa.”

There’s no room for argument since he’s gone as fast as he came.

“Team dinner, then,” I say and swing my legs off the side of the bed. Nik’s grumbling, so I pat his arm and kiss him quickly. “It’ll be fine,” I murmur, then I pretend I don’t hear his complaining grumbles and change into respectable, outside clothes.

The team dinnerstarts out smooth enough. I get to meet Timmy Daniels, then he and Benny start telling tales about their time in the hockey boarding school they went to.

We laugh and shake our heads at how much dumb shit they got away with, and then I learn of yet another Pirates tradition that wasn’t upheld for me.

“Time for nicknames,” Mater shouts over the noise of all the conversations going around the room.

An “ooohh” goes around the table, and I look around without a clue of what’s going on.

“Timmy, do you like your nickname?” Jules asks, acting all serious, though I’m pretty sure his nicknameisTimmy.

“Meh, it could be better,” he answers back.

“All right then, who can do better?”

A bunch of ridiculous ones are called out right after. Burton for Tim Burton, Fairly Odd for Timmy Turner inThe Fairly OddParents, Burch for Timmy Burch in South Park, and on and on it goes.

“Brick,” Nik’s voice sounds louder than all the others, and they all quiet down and think about his suggestion. It’s a bit comical how they all turn to look at Timmy as one.

He is a big dude, I’d say almost as tall as Nik, and he’s pretty buff too. I suppose he looks like a Brick kind of dude if you don’t look at his face.

It’s boyish now, but I guess he could grow into his nickname if he breaks his nose a couple of times.

His hair is also a dark copper that’s close enough to clay, so maybe...

“I like it,” Bear declares. Agreements sound all around the table, and then again they all turn to Timmy.

“It’s badass,” he says, eyes alight with excitement. I’d be too if I’d just been named Brick. My nickname is lame, it’s why I’m more than fine with being called Charlie and with Nik growling at anyone who calls me Sweetheart—no, I haven’t missed that.

“We need to do Heart’s too,” he says right then, and I start shaking my head and don’t stop. He feels bad that I didn’t have this tradition. I get it but...

“Sweetheart,” Jules says teasingly. “Do you like your nickname?”

Before I can even answer, Mater pipes up.

“I mean, heisa sweetheart. He has to be to put up with Santa’s bullshit.” Nikolay growls playfully at Mater, though he doesn’t protest.Interesting.

“I’d really rather you just call me Charlie,” I say, almost pleading with them.

“That’s boring,” Eagle cries from across the table, laughter in his eyes.

“It is boring,” Nik muses and starts rubbing his chin like a B-grade movie villain.

“Okay, his opinion gets overruled, then. Give us your best, boys,” Jules says.

I have to cover my face in embarrassment at their suggestions.

“Snoopy for Charlie Brown,” Eagle gets right into it.

“Chaplin,” Milkman shouts.

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