Page 209 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
Constantine
Can you come up to the press box at intermission?
Me
Of course
The period ended, and I stood. So far, the Gears hadn’t scored on us.
“Getting some more beer?” Verity asked.
“I’ve been summoned to the press box. Get me one if you go down?” Making sure I had my phone and credentials, I left my backpack on my seat and headed over to the press box.
“Hey. You look comfortable,” Ty snorted, looking at my PJ pants and hoodie. While he wasn’t wearing a suit, he was dressed nicely, per the program rules.
“I came straight from practice. It ran long because firsties are asshats, so I didn’t have time to get cute,” I replied. Oh well.
Good thing Isa didn’t follow hockey, so she couldn’t call me a fashion disaster if I ended up online, from one of the fashion reporters that liked to show the player’s suits and the MASO’s purses. My hair sort of deserved it. At least I had a hat.
“My boyfriend stole both my PJ pants and my hoodie.” Ty rolled his eyes.
“I’m sure he looks amazing in them.” I grinned.
Ty frowned and looked at me. “Itishim, right? He always wanted those skates. That’s why he plays so familiar?”
“Yeah. It’s him.” I rubbed the scar on my forehead.
“Huh. It’s so weird.” His nose scrunched.
“I know. But I don’t care. I don’t want an explanation. I don’t want justice. I’ve moved on and I’m good,” I told him. If Austin was missing a few teeth or had a black eye after the game, I wouldn’t be sad.
The door opened and Constantine walked in with a bunch of people.
Ty started happy-dancing. “She’s here.”
I hung back a little as Constantine introduced Mia, Gio, Vail, Hazel, and Jules to everyone. Hazel and Jules were teachers.
“It’s an honor,” Ty said. “You’re Gwen’s favorite.” He pushed me forward.
“Hi, Mia, looking good out there.” I grinned. “You, too, Gio.”
“Buttons.” Mia gave me a big hug. “You’re sotallnow.”
Yep. I’d only been four-foot-nine when I was fifteen and the doctors didn’t think I’d be much over five feet. When I’d had the opportunity to usenormally illegal, unless you had a really good reason,growth hormones to make myself taller, to change my profile back when I was being hidden, I took the chance.
There was no way I’d make it in the PHL as a five-foot goalie. Now I was the same height as her.
“Long time, no see.” Gio hugged me so hard my feet lifted off the floor. He was almost as tall as Grif Graf.
“Maria Barilla is your aunt?” Ty gave me a look. “That answers so many questions.”
I laughed. People had thought that before. “I wish. When I was little, my grandparents lived next door to them. She’s the reason I’m a goalie and not a figure skater.” I looked over at my old skate coach. “Hi, Vail.”
“Hi, Buttons.” They gave me a side hug. “Next time you’re going to put up skating videos, please warn me,” he teased.
Right, the Russo pack hadn’t known this name, leading Mia to ask my family about me and message me on social media.
“Sorry.” I grinned back and went to greet the others, while people talked to Gio and Mia.
