Page 74 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
Dean blew his whistle again. “Foul on team hoodlum.”
“Back off, Windy, you don’t touch the fucking goalie. I should beat your ass for that.” Jonas smacked him upside the head, while Dimitri helped me up.
“Windy, bench. That was uncalled for,” Coach Atkins yelled, coming onto the ice. “Jonas is right, thatwillstart a brawl. I see you do shit like that again and you’ll be doing sprints until you puke.” He looked at me. “Are you okay, Ladybug?”
“I’m good, Coach.” I nodded, and I patted the goalpost.Good post.
Coach looked at Jonas. “Play another round? I want to give a few others a chance.”
“Sure, we were going to play two periods anyway.” Jonas nodded.
“We’ll do three. Make whatever line changes you need.” Coach switched around some players.
“AJ, want to play?” Jonas called. AJ sat in the bleachers with Verity and Mercy. There were a lot of people watching.
“I need a stick,” AJ called.
“Take mine.” Clark skated over, giving AJ his.
While AJ had to retire from the Biscayne Bay Hurricanes because of a knee injury, he was still areallygood player. He sometimes filled in on one of the all-finance bro recreational league teams that practiced here. Myra, their goalie, was insane on the ice.
“Anders, can you take left wing?” Jonas asked. He looked at Dimitri, “Good?”
“Good.” Dimitri nodded.
Jonas looked at me. “Is Bucket here?”
“Portland. And I’m good.” I grinned. “I have five tacos.”
Dean blew the whistle, and we started again. By the time the third period finished, I was drenched in sweat and had fourteen tacos. I’d let in one more puck. We won seven to two.
Coach looked at me. “Good job, Ladybug. Someone’s been working hard this summer.”
“Thanks.” Wow, he noticed? That made me happy, because I’d been working my tits off. I gave the goalpost another pat for being such a good post.
“Everyone on the ice for drills, let’s go. Knights, you can stay, too, if you want,” Coach yelled.
“I’m staying.” Mercy was on the ice in a red crop-top, red knee-socks, and white cargo shorts.
“Mercy, you don’t even play hockey.” Coach gave her a puzzled look.
“I don’t play professional hockey. I know how to play.” Her eyes rolled. “Also, we’re doingdrills.”
“Who’s that hot brunette? Those legs. I think I’ve seen her somewhere. Dimitri’s parties?” Castle said softly to me.
“Mercy Thorne. Crusher for the Maimers. Her sister’s mated to Jonas, Dean, and Grif,” I whispered back. “She’s single. However, she only just turned eighteen, and also lives with her sister and said hockey players. So far not allowed at Dimitri’s parties.”
“Mmmm. Sounds fun.” Castle nodded. “You were good out there.”
Coach blew his whistle. “Less talking.”
Castle waved and skated off.
“Come on, let’s go do goalie shit.” Dean grabbed my arm and dragged me off the ice.
I waved to Clark, who’d joined the rest of our friends with Coach and the summer crew.
We found ourselves back on the small rink. I drained my water bottle. “I’d hopedgoalie shitmeant making ice cream sundaes in the kitchen.”
