Page 109 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
I shook my head. “No. She’s incredible, though.”
“Huh. No doubt she’s remarkable. Still, love can be fast, Tenny. Sometimes you need to take risks,” she goaded. She was the risk taker, not me.
“I know. But Clark or I could be traded at any time. Gwen could end up anywhere next year,” I confessed. “Cooter says I’m overthinking.”
“You are. You’d be a dumbass not to go after them, simply because you’re afraid they’ll end up somewhere else. If you feel like they’re your pack, you need to act on it somehow, so you don’t lose them. Even if you’re not ready for everything. You’re an alpha. Your job is to support her, Tenny. Support her career, support her dreams, support her love. Keep lines of communication open and see whatshewants. It was pretty clear from onstage that she’s madly in love with both of you,” Zaya told me. “You three are adorable together.”
Your job is to support her.
Zaya was right. With everything in Gwen’s life, that was really the best thing I could do for her. Support her. Love her. Care for her. I watched as Clark took Gwen in his arms and they swayed to the music.
No, I didn’t want to lose them.
“Also, he’s not going anywhere. Even if he’s traded, he’s yours. If he was an omega, I’d tell you to lock it down quick.” She grinned.
I’d told her that in regard to Cash.
“What you have with them is so different from Morgan. It’s palpable. Do it. When Gwen comes to you, excited that she got signed to France or whatever, swing her around, tell her howproud of her you are, take her to dinner, then have a talk about what you three look like while she’s abroad. While things might be a little different, I’m pretty sure she’s not going to break it off,” Zaya told me. “Same thing if you or he gets traded. Sure, shit happens, and Morgan fucked you up. But this…”
She gestured to Clark and Gwen, who were now being silly, spinning each other around. “This is real, Tenny. You might have to go with the flow, but you’ve got this. You’ve found two sweet hockey players that are going to run you ragged, but are worth it.”
I laughed. “They’re very high energy.”
“Just love and support them, and they’ll do that for you in return. I’m so glad you moved to New York and found them.” She smirked and finished her beer.
“Well, you did tell me it was time for a change.” I didn’t think it would look like them. Yet here I was.
And happier for it.
Zaya grinned. “As your big sister, I’m always right.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Gwen
“Thanks for dinner and a movie.” I squeezed Clark’s hand as we left the fancy movie theatre. Not only did we get the good popcorn with chocolate candies, but we’d ordered wings, beer, and pizza, since this was the place that brought you dinner while you watched the movie.
The space adventure movie we’d watched had been good, too. Tenzin had a sponsor thing, and I didn’t have to work, so the two of us had gone out.
“Anytime. Do you need anything for when classes start? Backpack, books?” Clark draped an arm around me as we entered the outdoor plaza of the entertainment complex. The night air was warm but not awful and a lot of people were out tonight.
He was wearing jeans and a T-shirt. I had on my blue denim sundress.
“Tens is getting me a backpack. I could use some pens and stuff.” My eyes fell on the big bookstore across the plaza. “I have books for class. But Iamout of books to read.”
Verity would loan me all the smutty books I wanted. But I was in the mood for a good high fantasy with a million unpronounceable names. Or possibly an epic space story with explosions. Jonas had some, but he didn’t loan out his books. Everything I wanted from the library had long hold lists.
Clark’s hand went to his mouth in mock horror. “That won’t do. To the bookstore.”
Tugging on my hand, we ran across the plaza like a couple of goofballs. My hand was still in his as we burst inside. He dragged me over to the fancy stationery section, grabbing a basket.
“Get whatever you need for class first, then you can get some books.” He picked up a pen with a pompom on the end and booped my nose with it.
I laughed. “You’ll actually buy me books? How many books?”
I’d been joking. Still, even one book would be nice. After I got my scholarship distribution, I should go to my favorite used bookstore to recoup some of what Austin destroyed.
Clark considered this. “Seven.”
