Page 165 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
Bronson put it on, posing with his grandpappy and dad. I still couldn’t see his face.
“Thank you so much for this opportunity. I can’t wait to join my brothers and cousins on the ice and uphold the long upstanding tradition of Deloitte excellence in hockey. I’m looking forward to being coached by my dear old dad.” Bronson grinned at his dad, who gave him a light cuff on the arm, also smiling.
Something about this whole press-conference seemed forced.
“Why didn’t we know about Bronson? Were you hiding him away?” one reporter asked.
Coach Deloitte shrugged. “Not everyone enjoys growing up in the spotlight. He’s here now, where he belongs and ready to help lead our team to a championship. New York Knights, we’re coming for you.”
“The fuck they are,” Carlos muttered, using his garlic bread to mop up the sauce on his plate.
“Mr. Deloitte, in signing your grandson, you’ve also shut down the multi-team trade. A lot of teams were counting on key players to fill their roster. Aren’t you worried about the havoc it could wreck on the league this late in the off-season?” another asked.
Grandpappy Deloitte looked completely baffled. “Why would I be? I shouldn’t have to take a trade I don’t need. Training camp hasn’t happened yet, and free agents can be signed until the end of the year. The teams have plenty of time to figure things out. Besides, it’s good to shake things up.”
“Shake things up my ass.” Carlos sighed.
Dimitri was on his phone, consoling Anders. The group chat was still popping off, including memes and clips from the press conference.
It ended, and they focused on a shot of Bronson going over to a tiny, pretty woman, picking her up and spinning her around like she was the love of his life.
We cleaned up and did the dishes, and I got my skates, helmet, and keys. We were going to blackout skate tonight. “I’m sure the team will be fine. Let’s go bother Gwen at work.”
“Hey, Tony.” I waved to the rink manager and Gwen’s boss as we arrived. Blackout skate was going hard, as music thumped and people skated around with their glow necklaces.
“Hey, you missed all the excitement.” Gwen’s brow creased as she sold glow necklaces and handed out skates. She wore the light-up necklace I’d gotten her at the wedding. “Mr. Longfellow had a heart attack. The ambulances came and took him away.”
“Oh no, I hope he’s okay.” I frowned. The Knights’ general manager was really old and worked too hard.
Shit, was it the news of the trade tanking maybe?
“Me, too,” she told me.
We kept Gwen company while she rented skates, then went on the ice for a while. Gwen eventually got to join us, which was always a good time.
She cleaned up and took my arm, her backpack, and a small bag over her shoulder. “Let’s go. My hockey stuff can stay here. We have more EBUG camp tomorrow.”
I handed her the purple helmet Tenzin had gotten her. “Care for a ride?”
“Always.” She did a giddy dance as she put it on.
I loved that little dance. She looked so cute. We rode back to our place.
“Hey, I got my own invitation to the cup dinner.” She pulled out a black envelope from her backpack when we were back inside our place.
“Wow, I’m so glad you got one.” It made sense, considering everyone got to come from the trainers and equipment managers, to the front and back office staff. Technically, the EBUGs were staff. Unpaid staff, but staff.
She bit her lower lip. “Maybe Tenzin will be my date? Or do you want to ask him?”
“Go for it.” I sighed. I missed him.
She removed the invitation from the envelope and took a picture.
“Are you going to wear the dress you wore to the gala last season? You looked like Aquatica.” It was blue and fluffy with sparkles. She’d even dyed her hair to match.
She giggled. “I borrowed that dress. Maybe I’ll wear the blue dress I wore to the wedding. I could dye my hair blue again.”
“You lookednicein that dress.” I nodded, remembering how it made her look like an old-fashioned movie-star. “Do you want me to make some popcorn? My mom sent me some today.”
