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 etings beco 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 linen 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 ti.
At that ti, the other teammates all complained, not because they were envious of the offensive line getting gifts, but because, "Even the gifts have sothing to do with training. This is definitely a conspiracy of a training maniac."
Everyone looked at the offensive linen with sympathy. During that ti, everyone would tease the offensive linen every day, "Did you train today?" "Did Bambi work you guys to the bone again?"
Other quarterbacks would give their offensive linen 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 linen gathered together to attend the little guy's baptism. This was a private gathering, and Iupati only invited the offensive linen and didn't invite any other teammates.
Today, all the offensive linen 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 tis 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 ga, the offensive line was the unsung hero.
So, Lu Ke showed a big smile and said aningfully, "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 . To achieve the effect, you even ruined my important date tonight? Huh?"
The offensive linen were nodding proudly, showing off their great achievents. 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 na 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 beca awkward and embarrassed. Their eyes started to flicker. The excitent and complacency they had felt before didn't have a chance to reach its peak before it fell into a gloomy silence.
Date?
Iupati seed to have caught the aning behind that word. He imdiately lowered his head, afraid that his eyes would et 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 sward toward Lu Ke.
The offensive linen were a bunch of big, muscular n. 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 aweso we are!"
During their regular practice, this group of offensive linen 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 adjustnts, they finally found so 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 soone sared 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 soone 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 ss 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 ca 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 imdiately beca worthy of their na.
"Do you know this hairstyle cost 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. "Co 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 cara and record this precious mont.
Lu Ke looked at the golden-wrapped baseball bat with a speechless smile. "Are you guys serious? A Pinata? Isn't that a ga 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 ti."
Staley also ca over with a big smile. "What's more, this is a Super Bowl trophy. Are you sure you don't want to bring so 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 ga. Lu Ke knew so 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 tis.
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 mont, 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 . 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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