Page 45 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
Dimitri was a quiet one, who mostly hummed under his breath absently. Carlos and Nia kept up a steady stream of chatter, giving us all the gossip. Like how a forward named Anders was trying to get to the Motor City Gears through that multi-team trade Cooter was talking about. Or how the Knights had a new assistant general manager. They speculated on Bunty retiring. I also heard recounts of everyone’s vacations.
Gwen stayed quiet, other than to shrug and say she was teaching hockey camp most of the summer and hoped someone named Castle got moved up to the Knights from their farm team.
“Valya says she needs all of next weekend for shopping,” Dimitri told Gwen.
Gwen laughed. “Yeah, no. Your sister gets Saturday morning. I’m working Saturday and Sunday night at the rink, Sunday I’m playing tennis with Carlos in the morning and in the afternoon I teach goalie lessons.”
“I’m having a party next Saturday,” Dimitri replied. He turned to me. “You should come.”
“Thank you, but I have to go to Portland that weekend.” Pity. I’d rather spend time with Gwen.
“I can try to trade some shifts around, so I can give her all of Saturday and come to the party. That’s all I can do, other than if I cancel playing tennis.” Gwen grinned at Carlos.
“You work too much,” Dimitri replied, with the air of someone who’d never lived on instant noodles.
She did. Gwen wasn’t working late tonight, so we were going to try another country bar on the list. I’d noticed that she was getting touch starved. Taking her dancing was a way to touch her without it being weird.
Gwen scowled. “I have bills to pay, Belikov.”
“Why did you want to come to New York, Tens?” Carlos asked, changing the subject. “Or did you not have a choice?”
“I needed a change,” I said honestly.
“From Portland? I mean, I love New York, but it’s beautiful there.” Nia looked skeptical.
Ugh. It was only a matter of time before the gossip hit. “I broke up with my girlfriend. It was bad. I was ready to go anywhere. She hates New York, which is a plus.”
“Got it. Tens is a raccoon in a bucket.” Carlos looked at me and nodded.
Gwen flipped him off. “It wasonce.”
“I dub theebucket.” Carlos took a foam roller and waved it around like a sword.
Bucket?
We worked out a little longer, then Gwen got up to go to the bathroom. Dimitri looked at me and Carlos expectantly.
“How is she really?” Dimitri said gruffly.
Nia shook her head. “Poor Ladybug. She and Austin were together longer than I’ve been mated. Is that why she’s going shopping with your sister, Dimitri? Distraction?”
“Austin destroyed her things. She doesn’t like asking for help. Valya will make her get clothes. Because no one can say no to Valya.” Dimitri nodded.
“That’s an excellent plan,” I told them.
“What happened to her forehead? That scar,” Nia asked. She wasn’t an alpha, but I couldn’t remember what she was. Delta maybe? They had a lot of alpha characteristics.
“Austin. Asshole,” Dimitri grunted.
Her look turned fierce. “Did you beat the shit out of him?”
“He disappeared before we–or the police–could get to him.” Carlos scowled. “Don’t worry, if we ever find him again, we’ll take care of it.”
Good. I’d be happy to help.
Chapter Fourteen
Gwen
