Page 203 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
“Does Gwen know you’re calling her your girlfriend?” Anders smacked me on the ass.
Nia laughed. “He signed her up for a MASO pass, so I hope so.”
“Gwen’s one of our EBUGs.” Constantine joined them. “Solid goalie who’s going places. I’m pretty sure she made the noodle necklace hanging from your picture at the training center.”
Vail chuckled, arm around Mia. “I love how you’ve become the patron saint of EBUGs. Do they sacrifice a lasagna like the ones in Boston? Oh, there are the ones who make boats of spaghetti, set them on fire, and float them down the river.”
“It involves homemade sauce and wine, I think?” I blinked. “Um, I don’t get to know goalie secrets.”
“It does,” Dean replied. “Sauce, wine, and noodle necklaces.”
“You’re Vail Russo, the skating coach,” Tenzin breathed, standing next to me.
“Yes.” Vail nodded.
Where did I know that name?
Tenzin turned to me. “Gwen’s figure skating coach. The one she trained with, so she could play hockey with his mates, the retired PHL players.”
I sucked in a breath. Oh! “The ones that lived next to her nonna.”
Oh shit. That was before she was Gwen. Did they even know her new name? She might not have had contact with them in years. That must have hurt so much.
“That makes so much sense, why she plays the way she does,” Dean breathed.
Maria put her hand to her heart. “I haven’t seen her in a while, but she holds a very special place in our family.”
Okay, they knew. Whew.
“I’m sure you know all the good stories.” I wanted to hear about tiny Gwen and all the animals she found. Did she bring them to the rink?
“You have no idea.” Maria laughed. “She’s why we have four cats and a turtle.”
“Double D, JP, you two will be doing the ceremonial puck drop, as will the Gears’ goalies.” Coach eyed JP. “If you’re well enough?”
JP nodded. “I’ll try.” He gave Maria a look. “Not contagious. Just tried some sushi I shouldn’t have.”
I checked my phone and took a swig of vitamin water. Gwen had texted that practice went long, and she was running late. Hopefully, she wouldn’t miss puck drop. She’d want to see this.
Dean had everyone kiss his stuffed rabbit. Grif had won it for him before a game back when they were in high school. It had become lucky. Everyone kissed the rabbit. Not just because he was the goalie, but because his superstition allowed for it to bewashed.
Unlike Pauley’s socks, which were only washed when we lost, to wash away the bad luck. Grif was getting people to pet Lucky.I didn’t really understand the whole imaginary cat thing, but it made people happy, so why not?
“When did Gwen find out who Austin was?” Tenzin growled, cornering me. His jersey was still off, so were his pads, and he wasn’t wearing any sort of undershirt.
“Yesterday.” I tightened my skates, trying not to look at all that bare Yeti chest on display, and his tattoos.How did they taste?
He frowned. “She didn’t tell me.”
“Why would she?” All my frustration exploded out of me. “She’s so afraid of bothering you, that she couldn’t bring herself to text you yesterday, when she was having a massively shitty day. You didn’t even come to family skate. I get it, you’re busy, but all she wanted was to hold your hand and skate around. Gwen was so sad that even the Maimers dressed in inflatable costumes didn’t cheer her up. She misses you. I miss you,” I yelled at him, well aware people were listening in as all my frustration poured out.
Tenzin recoiled like he’d been slapped. “I’ve been right here the whole time. I text you both every day. Yes, I haven’t been able to take her on dates, but things have been hectic. I’m right there across the hall.”
“Are you really that dense? You might as well be across the ocean for how emotionally unavailable you’ve been. We’re trying to be respectful of your need for space, but it’s hurting her.” Hurting us. Glaring, I checked the tape on my stick.
Hurt wafted off Tenzin. He still stood there half-naked. Unmoving.
“She thinks it’s her,” I hissed, voice low. “That given everything she shared with you, you’re taking so long because you’re deciding if you want to be with someone like her.”
