Spas and Pizza and Guns, Oh, my! (Gardens to Guns #2) (Academy fanfic)

Part 7

            “What kind of challenge, Big Bird?” Silas’s eyes got huge and he was shaking from trying not to laugh. Big Bird? he mouthed. I shrugged.

            “Big Buck Hunter.”

            “What’s Big Buck Hunter?” I was a little surprised that I hadn’t played that game yet.

            “It’s just a little shooting game. Well?”

            “You said challenge. Are we betting?” Just as I said that, Nathan and North walked up.
            “Peanut, what are you betting on?”

            “Raven just challenged me to a game.”

            North looked at Raven. “Which game, Baby?” he asked, not looking at me.

           “Big Buck Hunter.”

           “Really, Asshole? Do you think that’s fair?” Nathan asked.

           “Of course it’s fair. They’re not real guns. And she could always say no,” he said pointedly.

           Mr. Blackbourne broke into the conversation. “Mr. Ravenstahl, you obviously don’t know Miss Sorenson very well. She rarely backs down from a challenge. So, are you betting?”

           Raven looked confused. “Sure. What’s the bet, Little Bird?”

           I thought about it for a moment. “If you win, I make your team dinner. If I win… hmm… I’m not sure.”

          “Miss Sorenson, if I may, I have a perfect prize if you win.”

          “What?” Owen had me curious.

          The corner of his mouth raised just a hair. “I think I shall explain it to both of you when you are victorious.” Raven and I looked at each other and nodded. “Very well. To make this fair, you will each have one round on the machine to practice since neither of you have shot those weapons before. Is that acceptable?” We both nodded. “Mr. Ravenstahl, if you would like to go ahead…” he gestured towards the machine.

          “Oh, no. Ladies first. I insist.” He smirked.

           I shrugged my shoulders and walked over to the machine. All nine of my guys followed me in stunned silence. I stopped in front of the machine, noticing the huge viewing screen above it.

           Victor looked at Owen. "What was that all about? You practically goaded Raven into taking the bet."

           “Mr. Morgan, I’m not sure what you mean. Mr. Ravenstahl is obviously upsetting Miss Sorenson for some reason, and I simply thought that this would be a good way for her to get out her frustrations without taking drastic measures.And I have every confidence in her abilities.”
           Wait? What? “Drastic measures?”

           “Aggele Mou, I think he means before you actually do what North has been daydreaming about doing to him all day.”
            I nodded. “Oh. That. So… anyone want to tell me how to play this game?”
            A new voice joined the conversation. “Hey, Sang. Need any help?” Corey asked, walking up behind us.

            I raised my eyebrow at him. I was about to ask why he’d help me when Luke chimed in. “Yes, Corey. Yes, she does. Between you and Silas, this might just work.”

           “Um…” How would Corey’s help change things? I looked at Luke.

           “Sweetie, video games… well, anything computer… are his thing. You’re in good hands.”

            I looked over to where Raven was chatting with Axel and Kevin. “Let’s do this.”

            Corey quickly ran down the rules of the game and did his best to explain it all. Silas then went over the details of the rifle and gave me tips on how to spot the targets and general strategy for the game. Finally, he put a token in the machine and said, “Just aim and fire.”

            Just aim and fire. Should be easy, right? I finished my round, feeling unsure about my chances. We gave Raven some room for his practice round, and I went to get a drink of water. Walking back, I just had to ask.

            “Honey, why did you ask Raven if he thought it was fair to challenge me to this game?”

            He looked at the other guys, practically begging them to answer for him. “Uh… no reason, Peanut. You’ll do fine.”

            “Honey…”

            “You don’t need to worry about it. You’ll do fine.”

            “On the contrary, Mr. Griffin,” Mr. Blackbourne walked up behind me and placed a hand on my shoulder. “She should know what she just got herself into.”

            “Got herself into? You brokered the whole thing!”

           “Like I said, I have faith in her. Nonetheless, she’s about to play the game. Care to enlighten her?”

           Nathan sighed. “Peanut… Raven is the weapons instructor for the Academy.”

           The string of curses that went through my head would have made Meanie blush.