Page 27 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
Fatigue pressed on me, but it was well after midnight. I helped Desiree take all the rental skates back, then clean and sanitize them.
“You looked good out there, doing the dance inhockeyskates.” Desiree frowned, like it shouldn’t be possible.
I shrugged. “I like to mess around on the ice sometimes.”
Okay, I’d done some competitive figure skating back in the day. While I liked it, I liked hockey more.
The DJ played a few songs she knew we liked for us to clean up by. The ice resurfacer was going and my other co-workers gathered trash and urged people to return their skates and leave.
“Are you datingalready? He’s on your team?” Desiree looked over at Tenzin.
“It wouldn’t be any of your business if I was. But no, he’s my friend. Youcanbe friends with alphas.” I rolled my eyes as I put aside a pair of skates that needed sharpening.
We finished that task and I inventoried the glow sticks.
Tenzin had his skates over his shoulder. “This was fun. Thanks for inviting me. Are you here for much longer? I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted.”
“I’m almost done. Might get in some practice if I’m up for it. Want to stay? Or… we could get that coffee?” I offered, inwardly wincing at how needy I sounded. Sure, I was tired, but I suddenly didn’t want to be alone.
Conflict flickered across his face. “I’d love to, but I’m so tired I might fall asleep on the subway and miss my stop.”
Real. I’d done that before.
“Oh. Another time then.” I tried to hide my disappointment.
“I promise to find the best muffins in the city for you. Maybe after you get off of camp on Monday?” he offered.
“I’m working here Monday night, but I definitely can fit in coffee after camp.” I’d need the caffeine.
“You work a lot here. I understand needing to work through university. I did. But is that even legal?” He frowned.
I nodded. “Camp isn’t run by the rink. Also, I need all the hours I can get given I was fired from my job at Tito’s. It’s a bar the Knights like.”
“Um, did your ex destroy your goalie skates or do you not like them?” he asked. “I’ve only ever seen you in hockey skates.”
“I wear hockey skates a lot at the rink and when teaching kids who might not have them. My ex destroyed my backup goalie skates and my good gear. My good goalie skates were toast after winning the division championship for my university. I was saving for a new pair, because I’m picky, but I spent that money on a pair of skates for Austin.” I rubbed the cut on my forehead again.
“Which do you like? Curious if it’s the brand Cooter likes.”
I got out my phone and pulled up the website for Thunderbolt. “These are what I usually get. I’ve worn them for years. I sort of want that new model. There’s also this one from Bowerman that I’d love to try. At the same time, I’m not sure I want to spend that sort of money and risk not liking them.”
They were a more upscale company than the hockey brands I preferred. But not as expensive as what I’d gotten Austin.
“I’m hoping to save up before the season starts, but I might just have to use perfectly good free skates that my team will provide me with, even if they’re not what I prefer. Listen to me, I sound so spoiled.” I laughed.
He grinned. “You’re allowed to be particular about your gear. Yes, you like the same brand Cooter does, just a different model.”
“I have tiny narrow feet. Cooter probably doesn’t,” I replied.
“They’re boats,” he laughed. “Anyhow, thank you so much for the invitation. See you Monday morning.”
My heart twinged a little as he left. I finished up, helping in other areas, since I needed the hours and had nowhere else to be.
Afterwards, I got my stuff and went to the small rink to run drills. The rink was quiet, just some pair skaters practicing in the main rink. Lights shined up in the executive offices on the third floor. Someone was working late.
The lights were off by the time I’d finished, so I headed upstairs, and got in a land workout, then lifted some weights inthe small weight room. I hit the showers in the small upstairs staff locker room, then found the never-used storage closet I’d picked out as a sleeping spot.
There were a bunch of old cardboard cutouts of the team in there, which blocked off part of the closet, making a nice hidey-hole.
