Page 182 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
“I… I like to read on my way to games. We can sit together.” He gestured to the empty seat next to him. “My hesitation was that Gwen packed me a lunch, and I didn’t want to share. Then I remembered she probably packed you one, too.”
“She did.” I told her she didn’t have to. Our team jet had food, but she’d wanted to. It was nice that she made him one, too. For some reason him not wanting to share something she made with me stung.
I’m sure he didn’t mean it that way.
Right?
“Oooh, what did you get? Verity made mefried chickenand chocolate cookies.” Dean grinned at us from the seat in front of us. He was sitting next to Jonas.
“Verity has a nutritionist-approved recipe for chocolate cookies?” I perked. “What kind of chocolate cookies? The kind Mercy and Gwen made at their sleepover? Those were good.” Part of pre-season had been meeting with the nutritionist, who’d stressed that eating right played a huge role in performance.
While I’d tried to take care with what I ate, during the off-season I’d gotten lax. Also, Gwen kept making queso dip in the slow-cooker to have as a late-night study snack.
“Those were good. No, she made the crackly kind that’s covered in powdered sugar. It’s her big sister’s recipe,” Dean laughed. “Yeah, this snack is about as nutritionist approvedas Gwen’s lasagna. That shit is tasty. I must have had three helpings on Saturday.”
Since Gwen had to make two, we’d gone shopping for the ingredients. She’d been excited to buy a special type of cheese. Also, she got ridiculously happy about olive oil.
Anything for that smile.
It seemed like I had to coax it out of her more lately.
She was taking Tenzin’s distance hard. She also was now going to therapy with someone who had experience with broken bonds, which might be contributing to her mood.
Tenzin being sweet with her at the pool party had helped. When he hadn’t come over to watch a movie with her, it made her sad again.
“It was very cheesy.” Tenzin nodded, stowing his bag. “I like the sauce.”
“Usually lasagna is cheesy.” Jonas laughed, and then gave the attendant his and Dean’s drink orders.
I ordered a lime soda and Tenzin got green tea.
“You don’t like cheese,” I breathed, getting it. Though I’d seen him try it at her urging.
“Not particularly. A little is fine. Gwen’s lasagna is eighty percent cheese.” He had a book to read again.
True. Especially when she didn’t put meat in it.
“More on national parks?” I eyed the book in his hand. “Like traveling?”
For a second, his look grew bashful. “Like all the murders and disappearances that happen. It’s fascinating.”
Gwen texted.
Gwen
Want to come to my pre-season game against UNYC? You don’t play that night.
I turned to Tenzin. “We should go to her game against UNYC. I feel bad that we can’t make her away game in Toronto.”
“I… I’ll see. Apologies, there’s so much for me to take care of before the season starts.” His look went wistful.
Dean turned around again. “Are you talking about the NYIT vs UNYC pre-season game? Given both Gwen and Ty are playing, it might be fun for a giant group of us to go. Oh, silly little tip. While you don’t have to pack Gwen a lunch for away games, I know she’d love a treat with a note on it snuck into her bag. Their meal service is usually a plastic bucket of prepackaged snacks.”
“That’s a great idea,” I replied and texted her.
Me
Yes!
