Page 227 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
“I’m fine.” I found that quiet place behind a ficus tree, where if you stood just right, the cameras didn’t see you–so you couldn’t get in trouble, as long as you kept it short and weren’t missed.
I called Matty, and it immediately switched to a video call. With a sigh, I fished earbuds out of my pocket. I’d already videochatted with half my university team. And talked to my host mom, who couldn’t stop squealing.
“Buttons.” Matty beamed at me on the screen. “I’m so fucking proud.”
“You are?” My eyes narrowed at the bookcases behind him. “You’re at the dads?”
“Yes, I was here when you texted. We watched you together and now they want to buy the Belugas.” He grinned.
My hand went to my face. “Please don’t.”
“But that would be fun. You played in a game!” Babo’s weathered face appeared on screen and my heart sank. Not because I didn’t want to talk to him, but due to how much he’d aged in three years.
“I did. Um, next time you come see me play, please ask me if I want to go to dinner. Coach might not let me, but I won’t be mad.” Now I felt awful, because they’d come to see me play and hadn’t approached me, in an attempt to honor my wishes for space.
He beamed; blue eyes sparkling. “I’d love that. Looks like you’re not near us until after the new year. You wore our present in the game. I’m so glad you liked it.”
“I love everything. Thank you.” I couldn’t help but smile at his excitement.
The phone got passed around as my other dads talked to me about the game and I couldn’t help but fill with delight. I’d been waiting for them to get excited about hockey with me foryears.
But all of them seemed so old. Especially when Popi mentioned if I got good grades, he’d consider getting me a malamute puppy. Which was what I’d wanted when I was a teenager.
Papa took the phone. “Buttons. You lookedgreatout there.”
“Thanks. I… I’m happy in New York. I’m finishing up at NYIT. Doing an internship. Hoping to get signed when I graduate.” I always wanted his approval most of all.
“I’m proud of you for getting into such a good university, and for doing so well on your own.” He looked the least old of everyone, even though they were all pretty similar in age. But I could see it in his hazel eyes, hear it in his voice.
He was proud of me? I’d take it.
His look grew sad. “I didn’t know you still wore pink for your mom when you played.”
Oh. They’d heard that.
“It’s been a while. I grew out of my pink stuff. Thank you for the new gear, I appreciate it. But my birthday is in February.” There. A boundary.
I waited for him to smash it.
“Okay.”
Okay? No, amused,is that so?
“I know you keep a disciplined schedule, which I appreciate, but youareinvited to any and all holidays. Even if you can only stay a day. Mateo will help you with transportation if you need it,” Papa added.
No please. No pleading. But he was head alpha and a powerful man, who ran a big transportation company. This was as close as it got–because it wasn’t an edict. However, an offer to get my ass to Vancouver was thoughtful.
“Thank you. I’ll check. With hockey we don’t get much time off, even during winter break, since we still have games.” I wanted to sayyes.Who knew how many holidays they had left?
But my family was like a riptide. One misstep and I’d be pulled under. I had to be cautious.
“Good.” He nodded. “The purple hair is nice.”
Matty took the phone from him and slipped into the other room.
“That was uncalled for.” I pouted, feeling so many things after a dad ambush.
“I needed you to see them. Please consider visiting.”
