Page 181 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
“I heard she’s living with you?” Atty smirked.
“She couldn’t get housing and I had an extra room. Are you ordering things? I think she wants some cute jewelry.” I thought back to what she’d said earlier.
“There will be some in the goodie bags for opening night. Now, did you just want family room access for her, or did you want her to be part of the actual MASO group? For example, AJ has familyroom access, but isn't part of the MASO group. But Verity and I have both.”
“They made me meals last year.” And gave me the slow-cooker. Gwen had made some delicious queso dip in it the other day.
“Yes. We do things for the team and have some social activities, also a group chat. Did you want her to be part of that? It’s fine if you don’t. Everyone in the MASO group contributes at the beginning of the year and it covers some of the things we order and do,” he offered.
“Yeah, she’d like that. Send me a request and I’ll pay it. Thanks for including her, that’s so sweet,” I told him.
“Great, we adore her. I’ll put her down. Thanks.” He waved and got in the car with Nia.
I went to Tito’s and joined Carlos, Anders, Dimitri, and Mitchy at a table. Next to us was a table of Bantams and free agents.
“Who do you think is staying?” Mitchy asked, eyeing them.
“Castle,” I said with a nod.
Mitchy had also been working his ass off. At some point, Sarah would come back from maternity leave. So someone would get traded or moved down to the Bantams, since she’d get her spot back.
Maybe it would be Mitchy, maybe someone else. But it wouldn’t be until much later in the season, or even next–she hadn’t even had the baby yet.
Anders looked around. “Where’s Bucket?”
“He had things to do,” I replied with a shrug.
“What’s more important than the team? He’s the new guy. Bucket should be here getting to know everyone like Vickers.” Mitchy nodded toward the table where Vickers, our other new defender, had a french fry basket on his head as he talked to Pauley and Nakey.
My phone buzzed with the payment request for Gwen to join the MASO group. I paid it immediately. It would be fun for her. She was already friends with a bunch of them.
“Bucket’s been weird since he got back from fishing. Did he and Cooter have a fight?” Carlos teased as he took a drink of beer.
“He’s busy. Moving across the country and changing teams is no joke.” I wasn’t sure. After all, Vickers had done the same.
“I get that. I just sort of miss him,” Carlos said as he texted someone.
Maybe Tens and I could talk about him making more time for Gwen. She was having nightmares nearly every night, and while I loved snuggling her, I think she needed him.
Well, that and I missed him, too.
Chapter Sixty
Clark
We boarded the team jet to Boston, in our suits for our first pre-season game. Nia was captaining this group. Jonas had the other, which had played the Royals yesterday at home. Nerves were high, given all the things these games determined. It wasn’t just who stayed and who went, but who made up the lines.
I liked my line from last year and sort of hoped they kept mine the same. I could see them putting Grif with Nia and Pauley, though. Carlos and Grif were magic together.
“Do you want to sit together?” I asked Tenzin as he took a window seat.
He gave me a startled look, and my heart sank. We hadn’t even driven together. I’d asked about it and been brushed off, becausehe had something going on. He’d been at the barbeque and pool party. We hadn’t talked privately, but he’d hung out with us and spent a little time with Gwen.
Still…
I shook my head. “It’s okay. I don’t want to disturb your routine.”
A lot of players had very specific routines, like Grif Graf, who had to sat in the third row, left side. Or Carlos who always wore those little pink under eye mask things my sisters liked.
