Page 60 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
Bonnie and I helped the other counselors clear the ice of cones, nets, and other training gear.
“We’re meeting up tonight at Marabou Mike’s,come,” Bonnie said as we finished putting everything away.
“Possibly. I might bring tagalongs,” I replied. The guys would want dinner at some point. Marabou Mike’s was cheaper than Tito’s and had a better happy hour.
“Please, bring Little Brother Carlito.” Bonnie laughed. “I had no idea Carlos Rodriguez, the forward, played that character.”
“Most people don’t.” I grinned.
I went upstairs to the team area, excited to catch up with Clark. Maybe I’d ask him if I could keep some things at his place. I’d gotten another message from my coach at NYIT that my laptop and hockey things were in her office and I needed to get them.
Maybe I’d find the confidence to ask Clark if I could stay the rest of the summer. I mean, I could be house-sitting? That was a thing people did.
“Ladybug, hi.” Constantine, the assistant GM, came around the corner. “Just the person I wanted to see. Come.” He ushered me into the dining room, which was empty.
“Um, is everything okay?” My belly tightened. I hoped they weren’t getting rid of the EBUG program or decided I couldn’t stay for a third year.
“Thank you for finding my lizard. I didn’t secure the lid to his tank, and he escaped while I was off,” Constantine told me.
“Oh, Gary’s yours.” Relief sluiced over me. “Hopefully, I didn’t get you in trouble by turning him into the zoo. I couldn’t take care of him any longer.”
“I have a permit for him. His name’s Maddox, and you can visit him any time in my office. The reptile keeper spoke highly of you.” Constantine smiled.
Our new assistant GM had a permit for a rare poisonous pet? Amazing.
“Wait, you have a poisonous lizard namedMaddox?Like in Doom Squad?” They were the arch nemeses of the Defender League.
“Indeed. Listen, Gwen. You… you can’t sleep here. It’s not safe.” His voice got soft, his scent filling with concern. “I know you’re feeling very unsafe after your breakup. I’m so happy the Knights make you feel secure. But if legal found out you were living here…”
Fear shot through me. My knees trembled. “Please, don’t fire me.”
Caught. I thought my hiding place was good. While I couldn’t be fired for just any reason, this was possibly violating the honor code or something.
“What? No. Of course not. Devon will be back on Monday and I’m sure he can help you find a place with good security. Does one of your friends live in a secure building? I know you’re trying to not bring trouble to their doorstep, and a hotel probablydoesn’t have enough security to make you feel safe, but you can’t stay in the closet.”
His brow stayed furrowed with concern.
Yeah, I couldn’t afford any place Devon would find me, or a hotel. Did Constantine think I was an actual paid member of the team? It wouldn’t be the first time. Usually they thought I worked in social media or was Ice Crew. At least Constantine figured I was staying at the rink, because it was secure and not because I was broke.
“Ladybug, why are you staying in a closet?” Clark asked.
I turned around and saw his puzzled and concerned face. My eyes welled up with tears. “I can explain.”
“Oh, hi. We haven’t met yet. I’m Constantine, the new assistant GM,” Constantine greeted.
“Clark. Forward. Hey, it’s okay, Gweny. I’m here. We’ll get it all sorted, okay?” Clark wrapped an arm around me, enveloping me with his hay and sunshine scent.
“Can I speak with her?” Constantine asked.
Clark frowned. “Of course. I’ll be right outside.”
“Are you okay with him? I don’t know who might be friends with your ex or who you feel safe with other than the Yeti?” Constantine asked me, eyeing the now empty doorway.
“Clark’s safe. Thank you so much for checking.” That extra bit of concern warmed me.
“Don’t worry, you’re not in trouble. I want you to be safe. You just have to be safe somewhere else. If you need me to call hotels for you, let me know,” he told me.
“Thanks. I… I’ll talk to Clark first. I appreciate it.” It seemed like Constantine was sincere. Also, he had a point about legal. I hadn’t considered that. They were scary.
