Page 162 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
I downed a sports drink and gobbled a sandwich, then put another sandwich, drink, and some chips in my bag for later.
“Gwen, Ty, can I talk to you two?” Coach Kirov called from the doorway.
“Sure.” I came out into the hallway, trying not to be nervous, Ty following me.
Coach gave us each a pretty envelope. Like the kind Celine had given me to invite me to her and JP’s wedding, complete with a wax seal with the Knights logo on it.
“Here you go. Do either of you have Marcos’ address? I wanted to send him one, too,” Coach Kirov told us.
I opened up insta-chat. Marcos and I weren’t super close, but we’d been EBUGs together for two years and followed each other on social media. “I don’t, but I can get it. He’s already in Argentina with his new team.”
“Please.” She nodded.
Ty examined it, but didn’t break the seal. “What is this for? The gala isn’t until February.”
“We won the championship, which means we’re having a championship cup dinner for last year's players and staff,” she told us. “You three were there for us–especially with that whole double EBUG debacle in the finals. Gwen, you partially dressed out so many times. Not to mention ditching class to go to fucking Portland with us. Coach Dodd and I are proud of you. You, too, Ty.”
Aww, they were?
Someone had decided that for the finals,twoEBUGs needed to be provided for each game. It had beeninsane,even with the regular collegiate hockey season over. Like when the Sasquatches noped out of providing a second and made itourresponsibility to bring one to Portland.
“Wow, we get to go, that is amazing,” I breathed. Okay, I’d already agreed to be Clark’s date, but the fact that I got my own meant everything.
Maybe I could bring Tenzin as my guest. That would be fun. He looked good in a suit and was a great dancer.
“Let us know if you can come,” she told us, then left.
I sent Marcos an insta-chat. Too bad he probably wouldn’t be able to get back for it.
Ty had opened the envelope. “Damien is going to shit himself. It’s at the Harcourt. I’m going to see if he can snatch us tuxes from the costume room, because I only have suits.”
“Harcourt? Fancy.” I whistled.
Too bad I wasn’t going home anytime soon. My mom had so many dresses for things like this. Sure, I was six inches taller, but there might be something that would work, given she liked really high heels. But my blue dress from JP’s wedding would be fine. We returned to the dining room.
“Anyone want to grab a beer at Tito’s? Double D’s paying.” Nia laughed.
“I’ve got to go to work,” I replied, wishing I could go with them, as I put the invitation in my bag. Sure, I wasn’t overworking myself, but I still was doing shifts at the rink.
“Windy said they fired you from Tito's.” Ty frowned.
“I have other jobs, Ty. Bills don’t pay themselves. Don’t believe everything Windy tells you.” Both Ty and Windy had allowances from their parents and lived in the dorms, and went home for summers where they did fancy summer training. They never hadto sell their things to pay bills. Ty, being a graphic arts major, did some work for Carlos’ brother-in-law’s print shop. But that was beer money.
“Windy. Like hoodlum, Windy?” Jonas gave me a look.
“Yep. Anyhow, this has been fun. See you later.” I grabbed my stuff and headed down the hall. I was working at the skate counter for warehouse skate tonight.
“Ladybug, wait up,” Constantine called. “You look good out there. All that work this summer paid off.”
“Thanks.” I hadn’t seen him or been by to feed Maddox all week. “Did you enjoy our orientation?”
“I did. Thanks for inviting me. Keep up the good work,” he added. “You’re still okay with a safe place to stay?”
“Yeah. I’m good. Thanks.” It was nice that he checked in.
He nodded. “Good to hear. Um, you admire Maria Barilla, right? Someone told me that it was evident in your playing.”
“I do.”
