Page 1 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
Chapter One
Gwen
“Gwen, we’re going to Marabou Mike’s later for wings and beers. Come with us?” Bonnie, my teammate and co-worker, pleaded as we cleaned up after our hockey campers had left the rink for the day.
“I’d love to, but I’m spending tonight with Austin.” Not that I had the money for extra things. Since classes ended for summer, I’d been all work, no play.
But, priorities, since my hobbies included eating regularly and doors that locked.
“Right, today’s the day,” she breathed, gathering her things. “I hope it goes well. See you tomorrow.”
Bonnie and I played hockey together at the New York Institute of Technology, so she understood the gravity of my boyfriend’s situation.
“See you tomorrow.” I grabbed my bag and stick, then entered the area of the main rink, went past the snack bar and skate rental desk, and through a door markedEmployees Only.Tony was in the back, sharpening skates.
“Tony, I’m done with camp. I’m going to get a quick workout in. Do you need any help?” One of the perks of working here was that Tony let me have ice time. Something especially helpful in summer, since I couldn’t afford fancy off-season training.
“Do you have a shift at Tito’s tonight?” The weathered older alpha had once been an Olympic speed skater and now managed the New York Ice Training Center.
“I took tonight off, but I can help you restock for a bit. I could use the hours.” Also the distraction. My phone had no missed calls or texts from my boyfriend.I’d been hoping for news, for his sake. I eyed the boxes of skates piled up near Tony. “Did they come?”
Tony’s eyebrows arched as his black coffee scent flared with annoyance. “They’re too big for you.”
“They’re for Austin. I’m so glad they came, because well, today’s the day. He might need cheering up if they don’t call.” While I direly needed new skates, so did he.
“I got you the wholesale price because I thought they were foryou,” he grumped.
“I’ll get new skates, eventually.” A reminder on my phone popped up that I had another tuition payment due.
Tony put down the pair he’d been sharpening. “You should have dumped him and taken the offer from PacTech.”
“Tony.” It was an old argument. I was happy here in New York with Austin. “I… I found a ring when I was putting his clothesaway. I think he’s going to propose once he gets signed.” I’d been expecting it for a while.
Austin was my world. We’d been together since high school. He was my best friend, my ride or die. We were going to make it in hockey together.
I waved and left for the small rink.
The training center was home to both the professional ice hockey team, the New York Knights, and the professional skate smash team, the Manhattan Maimers. The New York Knights had gone all the way and won the championship, making them the top team in the Professional Hockey League.
During the off-season, we reserved the smallest of our three rinks for players who stayed and any other pros who might be here. The small rink was my favorite. It smelled like the barn I grew up skating at.
Putting on my skates, I hoped they held out for a while longer. My goalie skates had fallen apart shortly after finals. My hockey skates would have to suffice for now. I was picky about my goalie skates and saving up for exactly what I wanted.
Sweat dripped down my face as I went through my usual on-ice workout. While I’d spent my day doing drills, workouts, and conditioning on and off the ice with my hockey campers, I liked to get in my own time.
As I worked, a giant guy came onto the ice. He was probably six-foot-eight. While nothugelike Grif Graf, one of the Knights’ wingers, he was taller, and still a largeand well-proportioned guy.
Huh. Hadn’t seen him around.
I braced for him to tell me to leave, but he didn’t. He simply moved to the other side of the rink and got to work. Better for me. I could only stay if they let me.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watched him critically. He was several years older than me and was good–and graceful for hissize. He took off his helmet for a moment, wiping off his face and taking a drink of water. The Asian guy wasnicelooking, with golden skin, dark hair, brown eyes, a strong jaw, and chiseled features.
He looked over at me, gave me a nod, and went back to work–as did I. The big guy still worked away as I finished. Leaving the ice, I showered and changed in the employee locker room, so I could help Tony restock.
My phone beeped as I worked.
Austin
