Mumble From Happy Feet Novels & Stories

THE GRIND {Playlist Suggestion: "Work Song" by Hozier / "Gasoline" by Halsey} ~CHELSEA POV~ My feet were bleeding. Okay, maybe not actually bleeding, but it definitely felt like my toes had been put through a meat grinder. I had been in these stupid, mandatory black heels for eight hours straight, walking the concrete floors of The Mirage, dodging grabby hands, checking empty glasses, and fake-smiling until the muscles in my face twitched.

My father, Hector, and Benjamin had shared the transaction slips of the money they'd transferred to Jennifer's account. I curled my lip mockingly while looking at the birds that flew past my window. It turned out everyone remembered Jennifer's birthday despite forgetting mine. My father, Frank Monroe, shared his transaction slip. He also wrote, "Happy birthday to my darling Jennifer!" Hector wrote, "I hope you'll always be happy, Jennifer!" Benjamin wrote, "No matter what happens in the future, Jennifer Robinson is the only woman I'll ever love."

MOMENTS BEFORE THE ROAR OF THE THUNDER… The gods must have heard Jane’s cry for mercy that day, for right before Logan could pop the button of her jacket, his very own phone began to ring to what else? Bobby McFerrin's ‘Don’t worry, be Happy’ tune of course.

I got to my feet first which seemed to startle him. " Eager I see. I must warn you, I'm quite a nimble foot. Try to keep up.” He took my hands in his and we made our way over. Exhilaration? Lots of it. Zayne had been lying about being a nimble foot and had all the grace and nimbleness of a sack of rocks. I wasn't much better anyway and we spent the entire time laughing at how ridiculous we looked flailing arms and stomping feet off beat. Finally the band, possibly tired of watching us try and fail to match an upbeat tune, switched to something much slower.

Gunnar teased with a smirk as he took his phone out and tapped the screen a couple of times. I arched my eyebrows, unsure what was going on, as a song I was unfamiliar with started to play over the speakers. It was sensual with a good rhythm, but I didn’t initially recognize it. However, as it continued to play and I watched my two mountain men move with the beat, Gunnar moved more fluidly and confidently, I realized what it was. It was Careful by Lucky Daye from one of the Magic Mike Movies.

I turned back to look at them again and again as I walked away. For a brief moment, it felt as if I could see the Wendy of my past life standing among the crowd, waving at me. Her lips moved, as though she were saying something. "This time, make sure you find true happiness!" I nodded silently to myself. I knew I would.

A sharp ringing filled my ears. Blood was still seeping from my ankle, and between the pain and humiliation, I felt completely numb. "That's not what happened… You seriously don't believe me?" Her tone was icy as she let out a sarcastic laugh. "With the way you've always stirred up trouble, why should I? "This time it's just a slap. I can't promise what I'll do next time." The threat hung heavy in her voice. I slowly got to my feet, my head bowed. "Well, I really appreciate your mercy."

"They said I could join." "Surely you can, come on. Let's go," I said, raising my voice so the others who were busy chatting with each other could hear me. Jamal continued with the fart noises, but somehow it came out different each time he did it. Gemma tried to imitate him, ignoring me. "Jamie stop making that--- oooh what was that sound?" "I farted for real!" Jamal announced, bursting into a fit of laughter and collapsing on the sofa. "What the hell, that's my beloved pillow! Get up, get up, get up!" I shrieked as Jamal deliberately smashed his butt further on the cushion. I stomped to him and pulled his t-shirt roughly. "Ew, stop."

Chuckles broke out around the room, but I wasn’t done. "Maybe two giant minions! Ooh, clown shoes with little bells. And when you’re hosting some super-serious Alpha meeting, I’ll moonwalk past the door in some red Mickey Mouse pajama pants and some bright unicorn rainbow-shi.tting t-shirt on.Singing Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way..." Lucas laughed out loud. The others joined in. Ayden stared at me in disbelief, probably wondering if I was actually serious. "And then, when someone steps out to say, 'Do you mind?' I’ll go—" I switched to a squeaky voice, "Oh, sorry! Super-hearing? Never heard of it!"

Not finding anything to say, he offered the box of shoes. “Another present?” Mabel raised her brows in question, Devlin only nodded. She set the box on the bed bending slightly and then straightened when she saw the Hot Chick Louboutin heels. “My goodness Varrick, I feel like I will be a walking treasure tonight.This outfit and everything, “ she gestured over her body encompassing her ears and feet “ cost a fortune. I feel like I am in a pageant again parading in front of judges because that is what I feel right now.”