Page 224 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
“They’d both be so proud of you.” Mia’s eyes were teary. She was such good friends with Nonna. “Iam proud of you.”
I hugged her tightly. “I needed to hear that.”
Reporters were taking pictures.
Mia let go of me and hugged Ty to her. “I’m so proud of you, too. It’s not easy going in there mid-game.”
“Thanks.” Ty’s eyes grew a little misty.
“Come to Tito’s, Mia?” I wanted to talk a little.
“I’ll see if anyone’s up for it. We miss you.” Mia gave me another hug and Kylee led us back toward the locker rooms.
“She brought you to hockey games?” Ty gave me a look.
“I spent a lot of time at my nonna’s as a kid.”
“Oh.” His look grew pensive. “Wheredidthe pink gear come from? It looks brand new.”
“Birthday present from my dads.” I sighed.
He blinked. “I knew your family were assholes, but it takes a special kind of shitty to get birthdays wrong. At least it’s from Viper.”
“They’re all waiting for you two in the family room,” Kylee told us.
“Great.” Ty went off, but she held me back.
“Gwen, I want to circle back to the Bronson thing. Maybe tomorrow?” Her voice was soft. “The players were, um, talkative, during intermissions, and I have concerns. I made them shut up before Analise came in. Still, send me everything you might have, like police reports? Copy your agent.” She winced. “The Deloittes can get nasty with their exes. I want to be prepared.”
“Sure. I’ll do that and stop by tomorrow morning after work.” It made sense that she’d want to be ready if anything hit the press. Of course they were chatty; hockey players were fucking gossips.
I walked into the family room, and many of the players and some MASOs and family members were there. They all cheered for us.
“Gwenifer, you look amazing. I knew it would fit you. That sister who doesn’t like your outfits can suck it. We should send her a picture,” Mercy told me.
“We should.” I got my phone from Clark, which had a million messages. I took a picture of her, me, and Verity, and captioned itI’m not a fashion disasterand sent it to Isa.
Nia made a speech and gave us our jerseys back, now signed. Ty having a Gears’ jersey signed by the Knights was hysterical. Then again, the Gears had signed his Knights’ mask.
One of Atty’s twins was asleep, but I was hug-attacked by Jackson, the other twin, and Coach K’s kids. Their excitement in seeing me play waseverything.
“Let’s go to Tito’s. Goalies who get shutouts drink for free, and since Doc says I can’t drink tonight, Gwen getsallthe beer,” Dean laughed.
I’d take all the free beer. Tony would understand if I was a little hungover tomorrow. Whoops, I hadn’t let him know I was playing. I’d text him the picture Verity took of me in my gear later.
Clark handed me my motorcycle helmet. His glasses were back on, and they went well with that striped suit. “Ready to ride?”
“What do I do with my stuff?” I blinked. Perhaps I could ask Silas to put my gear with the team’s to be taken back to the training center and pick it up from here?
“You can put it in my truck. It’s not like I live far.” Tenzin gave me a fond look that reminded me of better times.
“Thank you. I’d like that.” I walked with the two of them down to the parking garage and put my stuff in Tenzin’s truck.
Tenzin gave me an enormous hug, and I relished in it. I’d missed his hugs.
“I’m proud of you, Firecracker. I’ll see you both at Tito’s. Drive safe,” he told us, smoothing my face with his hand.
“I will.” Clark squeezed me to him. “After all, I have someone important on board.”
