Page 207 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
Mercy had taught me this Maimers routine and Tens was going to film it, so I could put it up with all the other dances. Well, he would if he ever found time for me. We’d already rescheduled twice.
Yeah, I knew hockey players had hectic schedules, but it felt personal.
The Maimers were good, but then they had anamazingskating coach. Also, their DJ wasthe best and had made another fire arrangement for them.
Everyone cheered as the Maimers finished their dance, and the announcer talked about their upcoming season. Nat the Knight came on and shot some shirts at the crowd to get them riled up.
“Oh good, you’re here.” Verity waved at me. “Rough practice?”
“Buggies until the firsties puked.” I made a face.
“Shit, I’m sorry.” AJ grimaced. He wore Grif Graf’s jersey. Verity wore a custom one with Grif, Dean, and Jonas’ numbers on it.
“Hey, Clark got in a shoving match with someone from the Gears during warmups. Jonas had to tear him away. Do you know what that’s about?” Verity asked, leaning over the back of her seat.
Taking my beer, I gulped half of it. “Number 16?”
“Yes,” AJ said.
I drained the rest of the beer. “That’s my ex. I have a feeling Clark is going to be spending some time in the sin bin tonight. I just hope he doesn’t get hurt.”
“Oh. I didn’t realize your ex got signed. Are you okay with being here? I’ll cover for you if you want to leave,” Verity told me.
Aww, how sweet.
Tonight I wasn’t feeling sweet though.
“I want to see him smashed against the boards,” I snarled as I got out a vitamin water.
The intros started. First came the Gears. I booed every single Deloitte. Seven of them if you counted the coaches.
I also remembered I had a goody bag, and I looked at all the cute stuff with Clark’s number on it.
“Verity, why did I get a party favor?” I held up the earrings with55on them. There was also a bracelet withEdwards 55and a little hockey stick.
“Clark had you added to the MASO group and paid your fee,” Verity replied. “We missed you at the welcome tea party. I tried to tell them you had class, but it’s what worked for most everyone.”
“Oh. Nice. Everything is super cute.” Immediately, I put the bracelet on and put the earrings in my ears.
“Yeah, though my earrings are really dangly with three numbers.” She laughed and showed me.
“Oh, is that why I’m in the group chat?” I hadn’t known that. I hoped the fee wasn’t expensive. It covered things like baby, wedding, and mating showers the MASOs threw, and gifts–like the bracelet Janessa got when Elias and Winston retired, with little charms on it, like their numbers and a hockey stick.
And goodie bags, apparently.
“Yes. You’ll get invited toallthe stuff now,” she added.
They did lots of fun things, like sip and paint nights, and going to the spa. The MASOs helped each other out–making meals when someone was sick, getting injured players to appointments, and babysitting for each other. Being with a hockey player could get hard. They also did things to help out the rookies and players that didn’t have significant others.
The Knights came onto the ice and had their intro, which was full of smoke, lasers, and Nat the Knight, pretending to ride a horse. I cheered hard for everyone as their names were called and they skated out, wishing I had more food–and beer. They announced the lineup and played the national anthem.
“We welcome retired New York Knights, Maria Barilla-Russo and Giovanni Russo to do tonight’s ceremonial puck drop,” the announcer said, as both teams lined up out of respect.
They said a few things about Mia and Gio and their accomplishments. I wanted to visit them before they returned to Italy, but things had been so busy.
The goalies from both teams came to the center. Usually they had a carpet for those dropping the puck to walk out on, but Maria and Gio skated, wearing their old jerseys. Shoving my now empty beer cups of food under my seat, I stood and cheered, grinning, as my phone started vibrating.
Ty
