Page 20 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
Every morning, I met with Gwen. We’d shoot some pucks, run a few drills, and do a little footwork. After she left to tend to her baby goalies, I finished on the ice, then went upstairs to do land drills, work out, maybe have some lunch and use their yoga studio. I hadn’t run into any other Knights yet, but I’d met a couple of rowdy skate smashers who made cardio a little more amusing.
Gwen said little when we practiced, but what she didn’t say spoke volumes. Rink gossip filled in the rest. Gwen Di Rossi was a university student who recently broke up with her long-time boyfriend who she’d put through university. She’d been foundpassed outon the ice, bleeding.
Gwen had ledtwodifferent hockey teams to their respective collegiate national championships–and was talented enough to be part of the Knights’ goalie development program. Which, according to Cooter, was a big deal. The Sasquatches didn’t have that program.
Some of the upstairs rooms looked out onto the ice, and I’d seen her teaching young goalies land drills, coaching them on the ice, and being silly with them. She seemed like she could use a friend.
Or I could be projecting.
In the afternoons, I worked toward making my apartment a home and moving over from the hotel. Slowly changing out the furniture. Buying what I needed–like an extra-long alpha-sized bed. I explored grocery stores and outdoor markets, as well as made lists of the places I’d like to visit.
Yesterday, I’d spent the afternoon at an art museum, taking my time to savor the paintings. I’d enjoyed exploring the different exhibits without having to worry about anyone being bored. Then I’d gone to a night market and perused the stalls. It had been wonderful.
Until I’d gone home to an empty apartment that lacked all the charm and comfort I was used to. Imissedmy place. Seeing animals on my lawn. Having hiking trails in my backyard.
Perhaps I needed the bustle of the city to shake things up.
“Tomorrow’s Saturday. Do you have any plans? Maybe since you don’t have camp, we could get coffee or breakfast after our workout?” I asked as Gwen and I finished up what was quickly becoming our morning routine.
“Um, I just broke up with my boyfriend. I’m not ready,” she blurted, her minty scent going salty.
Embarrassment coated me. Of course she’d think that.
“Oh, me too. I don’t even have the nerve to tell her I moved. It’s just…” My brows furrowed as I searched for the right words. “I moved here without knowing many people. While I enjoy doing things on my own, I didn't think it would be this lonely.”
Her look softened. “I… I can see that.”
“This is my awkward attempt at making friends. Usually I get adopted by extroverts.” I laughed. That’s how I’d ended up withCooter as a friend. My heart twisted. It was also how I’d become friends with the Lewises–the throuple currently forming a pack with my pregnant ex.
She snorted. “Friends are good. I suck at it, too. But I’m trying. Yesterday I went to happy hour with my co-workers instead of working out.”
“You work out after running drills with children all day?” My eyebrows rose. They worked those kids hard–and we put in a good morning workout.
“This is my last year on a university team. I have to bring it if I want a chance at going pro after graduation.” She sighed.
“So, breakfast? Coffee? My treat?” I offered. “We don’t have to work out first. Rest is good. Or we could go to a museum? The park? You’ve lived here for a few years, you probably know all sorts of places.”
Gwen’s head ducked, her minty scent flaring with anxiety. “I… I know who you are. The last thing I want is for you to think I’m using you.”
“Maybe I’m usingyou? After all, you must know a bunch of the Knights,” I countered, disliking her anxiousness.
“I don’t know very many well, but I can introduce you to a few. Carlos is the only one in town right now. He’s a winger. Dimitri will be back in a week or two. He plays defense like you.” Her smile grew shy. “Clark’s a center, but he returned home for the summer.”
“I’d love to meet your friends.” I smiled.
“I’d love to get coffee. I don’t remember when I’ve last just sat in a cafe like I have no cares, while sipping a latte and eating an overpriced muffin. But this is a busy weekend. After work I have to go to campus and handle stuff. Then I’m closing the snack bar at the rink. Tomorrow I have more stuff to take care of.”
She made a face. “I’m working at the rink snack bar again in the afternoon, then I’m at the rental counter for blackout skate.Sunday morning I’m playing tennis. I’m also teaching a couple of private goalie lessons. Oh, and Carlos is making me go to his mom’s for dinner.”
“What is blackout skate?” I blinked.
“Public skate, but in the dark with blackout lights, glow sticks, and warehouse music.” She laughed. “It’s fun. You should come. Do you play tennis?”
I shook my head. “Never tried it. Do you play golf or like art museums?”
“My ex played golf, but I never learned.” Her head tilted in thought. “I like history and science museums. But I don’t know much about art. I do like Dumas, mostly his ice skater and dancer paintings.”
“The romantic era of tea-time Britain did have some lovely work,” I told her. They were sweet paintings.
