Page 204 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
“What? No.” His look grew horrified. “That’s not it at all. There’s a lot to put in order with the season starting. Partially why it’s taking so long is that I’ve been tracking down experts, sothat I could care for her properly. I want to be with both of you. She thinks that? No wonder she’s withdrawn so much. I figured it was the stress of class, work, and practice. Fuck.”
The look on his face tore at me. But hehadhurt her. She’d been near tears when he hadn’t shown up at family skate yesterday.
“Experts?” I frowned. All Gwen needed was love, cuddles, and understanding.
Okay, and tacos.
“Yes. There’s some big family things happening that I need to wrap my head around pretty quickly, which has taken priority. I’m so sorry you both feel this way. It was never my intention. She didn’t text me about her bad day, because she didn’t want to bother me?” He rubbed his forehead, scent anxious. “I… I didn’t go to family skate since I thought she had class, so I was meeting with my therapist.”
“Oh. Still, you need to talk to us and communicate. We thought it would be like it was before the wedding, and instead it’s been so much less. We miss you. Is it that hard to come over and watch a fucking movie?” I pushed, still feeling anger.
Not at him, more at Austin, but he was right there.
Tenzin flinched. “I didn’t realize that I wasn’t doing a good job of communicating. Because I made a point of talking to both of you.”
“You made her sad. Do you even still plan on going to the dinner with us? Gwen’s spent weeks getting her dress altered and finding shoes, and is all excited to go with us.” My arms crossed over my chest.
His look went bewildered. “Of course I am. I even got a new tux, since I can’t find mine.”
“Bucket, put some clothes on,” Coach shouted. “Lover’s spat can wait.”
“Sorry, Coach.” Tenzin turned back to me. “We’ll talk after the game. I never meant to hurt anyone.” He threw on his pads and jersey, and it looked like he took a moment to send a text.
Just because he never meant to hurt us didn’t negate the fact that hehad.I understood that family things may have derailed everything, but couldn’t he have talked to us?
Taking a deep breath, I touched the tiny Captain Everything plushie keychain I kept in my bag.
“Hey, pet Lucky, you’ll feel better.” Grif offered me a handful of air.
I pretended to pet the non-existent cat. “Thanks.”
Yeah, that didn’t help. But I wasn’t going to tell him that.
“It’s game time,” Coach yelled. “Let’s kick some Gear ass.”
Now that… that would help.
“Ladybug’s watching. Let’s show her we give a shit,” Nia added.
“Keep your head in the game,” Jonas told me as we left the locker room. “If that’s her ex, I’m sure he and his brothers are going to come for us. Work it out with Bucket later.”
“Thanks.” I nodded. Them come for us? No, I was going to come forthem.
“We’ll get them good and make Mariquita proud,” Carlos told me as he slung an arm around my shoulder.
“He’s 16?” Tenzin said as we entered the tunnel, that would take us to the arena.
I nodded. “She’s here, so feel free to harass Austin and show her you care.”
“Okay. I can’t believe he wore the skates. Ugh. I’m sure it was on purpose. I’ll slam him good for her. Maybe twice. Possibly break his nose.” Tenzin punched one gloved hand with another.
The venom in his voice made me smile. He did care about her.
That was a hockeyI Love Youif there ever was one.
I think I’d send her one, too.
Chapter Sixty-Five
