Page 221 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
Clark stood next to me, eyes on her. “She’s the most beautiful girl in the world.”
She was.
Tonight, I needed to let her know that.
Chapter Sixty-Eight
Gwen
We did it! We’d won the home opener against the Gears. The arena erupted with cheers as my teammates tapped my mask with their helmets, chests bumped me, and they hugged me and swung me around.
We’d gotten a shutout. I’d kept Austin from scoring. Also, I’d gottensixteentacos. That was a whole lot of stopped pucks for one period. They’d been vicious, coming at me with an intense ferocity I’d never experienced before.
I looked over at the Gears. They were hugging Ty and slapping him on the shoulder. Good. He’d played a great game and theyshouldbe nice to him.
Though I hoped their coach ripped them a new one in the locker room for not getting a single goal.
No goals for assholes.I’m sure they were havingallthe regret right now.
Yeah, that game would be thriving, right?
I went over to Castle, since this was her first official game with the Knights.
“We did it,” she squealed. “You did amazing out there.”
“You’re not so bad yourself.” It would only be a matter of time before she became an integral part of the team. She hustled even more than I did.
“Since we havetwoEBUGs making their debut, we get a double stuffie smash. Don’t forget to stay for the shutout shootout,” the announcer said.
Excitement zinged through me. I got to do the stuffie smashanda shutout shootout? That really was better than a blowjob from a dinosaur.
“Will our EBUGs please come to the center for the ceremonial stuffie smash? Congrats on a great game and welcome to the PHL family,” the announcer said. “We can’t wait to see you again.”
After an EBUG played, they got to hit stuffies at the fans.
I came to the center as did Ty. “Ty, that was a great game.”
“Thanks, you were fucking insane,” he said. “Shutout. Fucking shit.”
Analise came over to us, carefully walking on the ice, camera operator in tow. She must have pulled some strings to be able to do that. I’d been fully prepared for her to be in the tunnel or locker room waiting for us.
“Here I am with our favorite Knights Goalies-in-Waiting who finally got to live out their hockey dreams and play in a history-making double-EBUG match that ended in a shutout. How do you feel?” Analise held out the microphone.
“I’m still amazed I got to play in a game,” Ty told her. “It was incredible to be out there and the Gears were great.”
I’m sure Austin had taken his gaiter off in the locker room and I was so curious about how that convo went. But I wasn’t about to ask.
“I’m glad Dean and JP are going to be okay,” I told her. “After all those games of almost getting to play, having the chance to get on the ice with the Knights wasamazing.”
“A shutout, Ladybug. Good for you. First EBUG shutout for the Knights since Maria Barilla herself. Who’s here,” Analise told me.
“I’m proud to be part of the Knights legacy of goalie and EBUG excellence.” I hoped she and Gio were proud of me–and I wished that Nonna and Mom were here. I sniffed a little.
Analise looked at the camera. “There you have it. Our Goalies-in-Waiting are waiting no more, as Knights EBUGs, Tyler Yamato and Gwen ‘Ladybug’ Di Rossi, played in this historic game.”
The camera went down.
“We’re going to get some shots of the smash and the shootout. Great job, you two. Gwen, I hope some of the teams watching you take note. Also, the pink looksfantasticon camera.” She waved, and they went over toward the plushies.
