Page 169 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
I let myself into the small workout room, which was empty and quiet. This was theno alphasworkout room–and mostly for Dean’s comfort. No de-scenter or cleaner in the world could make the big workout room smell like anything but sweaty alpha.
Putting on some music, I got to work, setting an alarm, so I knew when to go down to the ice. While it was fun working out with people, sometimes it was nice to have quiet. I sort of missed those late-night solo workouts on the ice, back when I was staying in the closet.
I didn’t miss the closet.
“Oh, it’s just you. Hey, Ladybug.” One of the trainers stood in the doorway, peeking to see who was inside.
“Yep, it’s me. Not a rookie being hazed.” I was almost done and down to my stretches. Currently, I was on the mats, legs in the splits, chest to the floor. Sometimes alpha rookies were told this was the rookie workout room as a joke.
I popped up and grabbed my phone, then opened the app Coach Hirata had me tracking my cardio, strength training, and conditioning on. “Can you sign off for me?”
“Sure.” He took my phone and signed off.
Coach Hirata didn’t care who signed. Various Maimers had done so for me many times, as had Dean, Carlos, and Dimitri.
“Thanks.” I took my phone back, finished, then checked my email and texts.
Tenzin had sent me a picture of him and Cooter at Cooter’s ranch. He came back tomorrow. I sent him a picture of me sitting on a stability ball. Clark texted that he was meeting with the conditioning coach.
The apartment building had messaged that I’d gotten a package from Matty. Nice. That must be my hockey cards. Mercy also wanted to know if I wanted to come over tonight. Hmm. Clark had a sponsor thing, and Mercy and I hadn’t hung out in a while.
Another notification made me pause.
And… oh? So soon? I did a little happy wiggle, still sitting on the ball. I hadn’t expected my scholarship disbursement to hit my bank account today. It was way more than I thought it was going to be, too.
Amazing. The first thing I wanted to do was buy a meal or coffee for the meal walls at the places that still did it. Just like when I got a big tip.
The alarm on my phone went off. First, time to help out with the rookies.
“A pastrami sandwich with fries and extra pickles and a cookie, to go please,” I told Zia, as I ordered at the Italian deli. I hadn’t been here in a while. “Oh, I’d like a meatball sandwich with extra cheese, fries, and a cookie too. I… I can pay. I got my scholarship money today,” I told her as she rang me up.
Earlier today I’d gone to some of the places where I used their meal boards and bought things for it to pay forward the kindness people had shown me. It felt good to do that.
Since the deli simply fed me for free, I wanted to buy things.
She looked me over. “Good for you. You sure? Who’s that for?”
“I am. School year’s going well. It’s for, well, I guess he’s my boyfriend and don’t worry, he’s much better than the last one.” I eyed the total, which was only for Clark’s meal. But I paid. They didn’t have a tip jar, or I’d stuff it.
“Good. He should be good to you. If not, let me know. Study hard,” she told me as she handed me my food, but not before she tucked extra cookies in there.
Order in hand, I took the subway back to the apartment. I got my package at the desk, then went upstairs, hoping Clark hadn’t left yet for the sponsor thing with the hair gel people.
“Hey, Gweny.” Clark wore a navy suit, with a light-blue shirt, and a striped blue tie, feet bare. His hair was neat and slicked back.
“Hi, Clark, I got you a meatball sandwich. I know you have a thing tonight, but I can put it in the fridge.” I put the food and package on the counter, and my backpack and duffle on the bench, then kicked off my shoes.
Clark swooped in and kissed me on the cheek. He found it and took a huge bite. Bliss coated his face. “So good. Where’s it from?”
“A deli not that far from the zoo. I got my disbursement today.” I’d scarfed my fries and the cookies down on the subway, even though they’d fed us after practice. “If there’s any bills you need me to pay, let me know.”
Clark grinned, sauce on his face. “That’s how I felt after I got my first PHL paycheck. I think we’re good. You probably have things to buy before the fancy dinner, like getting your dressaltered or new eyeshadow. Though Snowball says she deserves a treat.”
Snowball was on the counter, trying to eat Clark’s fries.
“Do you need a widdle treat?” I picked her up and gave her a kiss.
She yowled as if to say,yes please,then jumped down to sniff my shoes.
