Page 119 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
“No. This will be fun.” Dimitri joined us, his onesie resembling a tuxedo.
We got in the golf cart and Dimitri drove us to the lodge. Gwen was quiet, still drinking her beer. Valya was going to the family bonfire.
I put my arm around Gwen. “I’ll protect you.”
“What’s wrong?” Dimitri demanded as he drove the golf cart.
Gwen sighed. “Being back in Canada is a lot. I didn’t realize we were going to a place I’ve been to before. I’ll be fine.”
I gave her a little squeeze. I’d take care of her.
We parked and went into the lobby of the lodge, which wasfullof people in onesies. JP was dressed like a shark, and Celine was a hot pink unicorn pegasus, and they got our attention.
“Look for the bus that matches your wristband,” JP said in English. “If you’re not wearing a onesie, you won’t be allowed on the bus. Feel free to watch a movie under the stars and have a bonfire with the families.” He translated it into French.
We got onto a bus with a disco ball and a full bar in it. It wasn’t only Knights, but Jean-Paul’s hockey friends from other teams, brothers, friends from childhood and university, and his pregnant sister, who was dressed like a kangaroo, complete with a stuffed kangaroo in the pocket.
“I like Lucky’s costume,” Carlos told Grif. “The sparkles bring out his eyes.”
We pulled up to a building that saidIce Kart.We filed inside, Gwen staying close to me, looking around warily, like her dads could appear around the corner at any time.
“There are prizes for the winners,” JP’s sister told us. “This was the place where JP and Celine came on one of their early dates.”
Ice go-karts? Yes, please. I sent Tenzin a picture of me. Oh, how I missed him.
“I’m going to win. Lucky rides with me,” Carlos said, pretending to snatch Lucky from Grif and taking off.
“You, win?” I grinned as I chased after him. “Not if I do.”
Yeah, this was going to be fun.
“Should someone cut Ladybug off?” JP looked concerned as Gwen danced with Celine and a bunch of her friends, while holding a drink thatglowed.
Gwen was a silly drunk. While she’d done nothing but laugh and twirl, it was better to stop her before she tripped over something and got hurt.
After the ice carts, where Carlos and I hadn’t won any prizes, we’d gone to the pizza arcade where JP and Celine had met. I’d won enough tickets to get Gwen a blinking necklace, which she now wore.
Both groups had come together at a dance club they liked, where they’d reserved the entire VIP area. Plenty of people were watching, since we were all still wearing our onesies.
“She’s staying with us, so I’ll take care of her,” I assured.
“Gwen’s not okay?” Jean-Paul looked worried.
“She’s been through a lot, but it’ll be fine.” I didn’t want to say anything that might be a secret.
He nodded. “Ah, yes, she thought Austin was going to propose. I remember her telling Celine. I forgot. If we find him, he’ll pay for breaking her heart.”
Oh yeah, he would.
I came over to Gwen as she spun around, giggling.
“Dance with me,” she laughed, nearly spilling her drink.
“Sure. Let’s put this down.” I put her drink aside, took both her hands, and danced around with her, keeping it silly. I wasn’t sure if she’d want the entire team to see her sexy dance with me.
We danced for a while, then I dragged her to a couch and got her to sit down and drink some water. She leaned her head on my shoulder and I stroked her hair. Carlos and Dimitri danced with a couple of flight attendants dressed like fairytale creatures.
I got a bunch of water in her, and we danced some more. By the time JP got us all back on the bus, she was only a bit tipsy.
