Chapter 881: A Bond of Life and Death
Before joining the team, Lu Ke's best friends were Logan Newman and Marcus Lynch. After joining the team, the UCLA "iron triangle" was still his best companions. Their youthful friendship was different, but beyond that, Lu Ke's solid bond with Goodwin, Iupati, and the others was irreplaceable, especially on the field.
Not only had the offensive line's internal tactical meetings become a weekly routine, but their private gatherings outside of the field were also quite frequent.
During the offseason, Lu Ke went to Shanghai for an event and brought back gifts for every offensive lineman. Before the preseason started, Lu Ke invited the offensive linemen to Palm Springs for a hot spring vacation, which also served as their own mini training camp. Before the new season started, Lu Ke even bought a projector and a tablet for every offensive lineman.
For Lu Ke, who was still on his second-year rookie contract, this was a significant expense, and he hadn't yet signed with Rolex at the time.
At that time, the other teammates all complained, not because they were envious of the offensive line getting gifts, but because, "Even the gifts have something to do with training. This is definitely a conspiracy of a training maniac."
Everyone looked at the offensive linemen with sympathy. During that time, everyone would tease the offensive linemen every day, "Did you train today?" "Did Bambi work you guys to the bone again?"
Other quarterbacks would give their offensive linemen gifts like designer bags or watches, but Lu Ke chose a projector and a tablet, which was definitely a unique style. So, when Goodwin was talking just now, everyone joined in the fun and openly complained.
Also, in August, during the preseason, Iupati's first son was born, and all the offensive linemen gathered together to attend the little guy's baptism. This was a private gathering, and Iupati only invited the offensive linemen and didn't invite any other teammates.
Today, all the offensive linemen gathered again, just for Lu Ke's birthday.
It was a unique, irreplaceable, and special party. A secret party for the quarterback and the offensive line.
The words of thanks kept swirling around in Lu Ke's mouth, but he knew that words were too pale and were not enough to express his true feelings or the bond between them.
This season, Lu Ke had a clean and crisp pocket. He had not been sacked ten times yet, and all the credit belonged to the guys in front of him. After a season and a half of working together, they finally found their own rhythm. Behind Lu Ke's excellent performance in every game, the offensive line was the unsung hero.
So, Lu Ke showed a big smile and said meaningfully, "So, you guys are sure that this is an offensive line party? To create a surprise, you used honest Mike and hot-tempered Michael. To create suspense, you made up a lie to deceive me. To achieve the effect, you even ruined my important date tonight? Huh?"
The offensive linemen were nodding proudly, showing off their great achievements. Being able to successfully deceive Lu Ke was a rare feat, and this "prank" was enough for them to gloat about for a while on the team.
But gradually, as Lu Ke's words sank in, everyone's faces started to darken and stiffen. How could they have forgotten? On the team, Lu Ke was a "man of steel" who had been through countless pranks. The name of "Bloody Bambi" was known to everyone. Now that they had offended Bambi, what would happen in the future?
Thinking of this, they looked at each other, and one by one, they became awkward and embarrassed. Their eyes started to flicker. The excitement and complacency they had felt before didn't have a chance to reach its peak before it fell into a gloomy silence.
Date?
Iupati seemed to have caught the meaning behind that word. He immediately lowered his head, afraid that his eyes would meet Lu Ke's and reveal his surprise and shock.
The bar suddenly fell into silence.
Under Lu Ke's gaze, everyone shifted their eyes, like rebellious students being lectured in the principal's office. Even though their heads were down, they were still quietly exchanging glances. Staley was the first to shout, "Charge!"
Then, everyone swarmed toward Lu Ke.
The offensive linemen were a bunch of big, muscular men. Compared to them, Lu Ke was just a little lamb with no ability to resist. What's more, it was one against nine. Lu Ke, who was at an absolute disadvantage, was smart enough to know when to give up. He just stood there and let them pile on him.
"You're actually trying to reason with us?"
"We threw a party for you, and you're still being picky?"
"Let's teach you a lesson!"
"What did you just say? Huh? We didn't hear you clearly. Say it again."
"Brothers, together!"
"Let Bambi know how awesome we are!"
During their regular practice, this group of offensive linemen was severely pressured by Lu Ke. They had to study the playbook over and over again. Every detail of every tactical combination, like blocking, running, confronting, and moving, was strictly controlled. After a season and an offseason of adjustments, they finally found some ways to do things.
The role of the offensive line coach is irreplaceable, but in addition to the coach, the communication between the quarterback and the offensive line is reflected here.
Now, they had finally found an opportunity to retaliate. How could they let it go?
No one knew who started it, but the result was that someone smeared cake frosting on Lu Ke's face. Then, things started to get out of control. The neck and cheeks were minor issues, and even the underwear was not serious. What was truly brutal was that someone started washing Lu Ke's hair with frosting.
"You guys are dead!" Lu Ke gritted his teeth, found a gap, and escaped from the crowd. Then he grabbed the cake and started fighting back. The entire bar turned into a chaotic battle. No one was spared. The mess was unimaginable. It had just started but had already turned into a battlefield.
After all the cake was thrown, everyone looked at each other in a sorry state. Their noses, mouths, and ears were filled with cake and frosting. They looked like children who had not yet grown up. They turned to look at each other and laughed together.
"Fernando! Hey, Fernando!" Goodwin came to the bar and kept knocking on the counter, calling out repeatedly.
Fernando Gonzalez, the owner of "Lima's Alley," had already hidden under the bar before the fight started. He looked up at the flying projectiles. When he heard the call, he quietly poked his head out. Then, Goodwin didn't hesitate and threw a piece of cake at him. Splish! Fernando's dreadlocks immediately became worthy of their name.
"Do you know this hairstyle cost me eighty bucks, eighty! And I sat there for five hours! God! You're crazy! How am I supposed to wash my hair now?" Fernando yelled through gritted teeth.
Goodwin didn't care at all. He said with a grin, "Baseball bat, hurry up, baseball bat!"
Fernando complained, but he still handed over the baseball bat next to him. Goodwin took it. "Are you sure you don't want to join in? This is a very, very rare opportunity. I don't think Bambi will ever agree to a party like this again."
Saying that, Goodwin raised the baseball bat. "Come on, our birthday boy is going to hit the Pinata now!"
Instantly, everyone started cheering, "Bambi! Bambi! Bambi!"
Fernando also stood up, eager to take out his camera and record this precious moment.
Lu Ke looked at the golden-wrapped baseball bat with a speechless smile. "Are you guys serious? A Pinata? Isn't that a game for eight-year-olds?"
"Honestly, have you ever played it?" Goodwin's rhetorical question stumped Lu Ke. Clearly, he hadn't. "That's right. You didn't have the chance or the custom before. Now, you finally have the chance to try it out. Think of it as the first and last time."
Staley also came over with a big smile. "What's more, this is a Super Bowl trophy. Are you sure you don't want to bring some luck to our team?"
Lu Ke chuckled. He took the baseball bat from Goodwin and shouted loudly, "Be careful, be careful, a weapon is on the scene." He even waved it twice, and the threat was very clear. Instantly, everyone moved far away. The look of fear on their faces made Lu Ke laugh happily.
He held the baseball bat with both hands, just like a real professional baseball player. He hadn't played baseball, but he had at least watched a game. Lu Ke knew some basic things. After getting into position, he put all the power from his arms into the bat, swinging it out with force. With a slight flick of his wrist, the whipping power exploded to its maximum, and he hit it hard.
Once, twice, three times.
In just three hits, the entire Pinata was shattered, and the "candy" inside all fell out. Amidst the cheers of "Bambi is mighty," Lu Ke finally saw the true identity of the "candy." It was a whole bunch of Durex condoms!
Lu Ke was stunned for a moment, and then he laughed again. "Perfect. I've used up my supply from last year. Now I have to restock, so I don't have to make a special trip. But you guys didn't prepare enough. This is only a week's supply for me. You guys are too stingy. Didn't you just say you were getting a raise?"
Looking at Lu Ke's bragging, boos filled the air. Everyone started complaining, but before they could get too far, they all shut up because... Lu Ke was swinging the baseball bat in his hand.
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