Page 11 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
“I kneed Austin in the balls,” I admitted. He’d deserved it.
“That-a-girl.” Clark grinned, revealing dimples.
He sat down on the foot of the bed, his brows knitting together as worry filled his scent, which was reminiscent of hay on a hot summer's day.
“Tell me what happened? All I know is you texted me that you two broke up and when I found you, you werebleeding.” Clark’s brow furrowed, and his scent soured.
I took a bite of the breakfast sandwich, letting the tastes and textures explode over my tongue.So good.
As I ate, I told them what had happened. Normally I wouldn’t get this personal with them, but I was still struggling to process everything. Not to mention questioning myself. Was this my fault? Could I have done something different, better?
How could I have trusted Austin for so many years?
“I did the right thing, didn’t I?” I scrunched up the wrapper, wishing it was Austin’s face.
Clark’s arm wrapped around me, Carlos by my side. Dimitri looked like he wanted to punch someone.
“Yes. He doesn’t get to hurt you. You were right to leave him. He turned out to be a fucking asshole,” Clark assured.
“Real alphas don’t hurt people. None of this is your fault,” Dimitri added.
“It was shitty of him to take advantage of you and to lie to you,” Carlos told me.
“I understand his lies and I understand wanting to make it on your own. But I can’t wrap my head around how quickly it escalated.” I sniffed. It was too much. Though their words made me feel better.None of this is your fault.
“Where are you going to stay for now? I have a spare room if you need it. I’m going to be gone most of the off-season, anyway. Because I have to go back and forth for stuff, I kept my place,” Clark offered.
“Thanks. I think I’ll stay at Tony’s for a few days, then check with my teammates, see who might need a summer roommate.”Like I could afford rent wherever Clark lived. It was kind of him to offer though. “Will you come with me to get my stuff?”
“Of course. That’s why I brought them.” Clark grinned. “I can’t promise I won’t punch him.”
“I’ve been wanting to take a swing at him since he got mad at you at the holiday party for giving Clark a present,” Carlos replied, punching one hand with the other.
“You heard that?” I winced. It wasn’t like I’d gotten Clark some extravagant or inappropriate gift. I’d drawn Clark’s name in the teamholidaygift exchange.
“I heard him at Dimitri’s party accusing you of flirting with Dimitri. Last time I checked,thanks for inviting us, is your sister here?isn’t flirting,” Clark told me.
My belly twisted. “The stress of the last year made him a little insecure. He’s usually not like that.”
Carlos gave me a look like he didn’t believe me. He’d known me the longest, and by extension, Austin, since I’d bring him to things.
“When he snapped at you at Mercy’s birthday party for not spending enough time with him, he was stressed about finals even though graduation had already happened?” Dimitri’s eyebrows rose.
My head bowed as self-loathing consumed me. “How did I miss all this?”
Clark tipped up my chin, his touch gentle. “Don’t beat yourself up. It’ll be okay.”
I hoped so. Right now, I felt like someone had ripped my heart out of my chest.
“This is where you live?” Dimitri’s voice went rumbly as we approached my building.
It was still early. I might even make it to work on time. Tony had told me to take the day off, and he’d let the camp know.
But if I didn’t work, I didn’t get paid.
“We can’t all live in adorable townhouses,” I shrugged. His place wascute,mostly decorated by his sister. She was nice and attended one of the omega academies here in the city. Sometimes we got together for pedicures.
“It’s kinda far from your campus.” Carlos frowned.
