Page 93 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
“They’d make a great sponsor. I hope they sign you. I like the blue hydrogels,” I replied. Which were little squeezy packets of electrolyte gels and one of the company’s many sports hydration products.
“Hopefully tonight’s event will go okay.” Clark nodded. “I’m helping my family upgrade their business and paying for my siblings’ educations. Another sponsor would be helpful.”
Tenzin nodded. “Your family fixes farm machinery?”
“Yep. We have the family tractor repair business, and a small engine repair shop that is mostly the domain of my teen sisters with a little oversight from one of my grandfathers.” His eyes lit up. “One of my sisters holds the state title in chainsaw carving.”
“Sounds fun,” Tenzin replied. “I attended high school in Nashville. It was a shock to move there from the Himalayas. But I loved it. One of my favorite things was going to fairs, where chainsaw carving isn’t uncommon.”
“You grew up in the Himalayas? I didn’t know that.” Clark blinked.
I liked seeing them get along.
“That’s why they call me the Yeti,” Tenzin explained. “Most of my parents were scientists, working at a research station there. They met at university. Though one of my moms was a mountain guide.”
“I saw that ad from the Yeti Soap Co. The one with you in the shower.” I waggled my eyebrows.
Tenzin laughed. “I didn’t know that was out.”
“Oooh, I like their shower gel. Some of my parents met at the university. Ma was studying social work. My dads were all studying business and engineering,” Clark replied. “Ma dropped out when one of my grandmas died. Grandma was an omega and everything went into a tailspin. My dads helped Ma out, and, well, never left the farm. Everyone finished their education eventually. They found Mom at a mixer at the Omega Center.”
Packs could go to shit when their omegas died. I’d seen firsthand what my mom’s death did to my dads. In some ways, it was better that my nonna and her pack died all together.
“What about you? I know your dads are assholes, but the few times you’ve mentioned your mom, you seem like you really loved her,” Tenzin asked me.
I sighed as I led them toward the tiger enclosure. “Yeah, I miss her so much. She attended Posey, an omega school here in New York, and was in the choir. She met one of my dads at a reception after one of her concerts. He chased her around the world, running into heron accident. Babo’s a hopeless romantic.” I rolled my eyes.
“He introduced her to his pack, and eventually, she graduated and moved to live with them, mated them, and had the eight of us. They loved her a lot and I’ll admit some of their assholery is directly connected to losing her. I just don’t like it focused on me, even if I’m the baby of the family.”
“That makes sense.” Tenzin squeezed my hand.
“Where did you live when you weren’t with your nonna upstate?” Clark asked.
“Vancouver. That’s why I’d never play for the Belugas and also, why I’m afraid of Canada. I know Quebec is on the other side ofthe country, but what if I run into someone I know and they tell the dads they saw me?” Fear shot through me.
Clark put an arm around me, snuggling me to him. “I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
“You’re an adult, you have nothing to fear from them,” Tenzin assured.
I took a deep breath, enjoying the safety of his embrace. “I’ll keep telling myself that.”
“Um, are you doing the calendar again for Bare Armor?” Clark didn’t meet Tenzin’s eyes, as we leaned against the outer rail of the tiger enclosure.
“I am. Will I see you there this week?” Tenzin replied. “It should be fun.”
“Maybe you’ll be roommates.” I grinned. “And there will only be one bed.”
Clark laughed. “Sorry, but Gwen thinks we should hook up.”
Tenzin got that deer-in-the-headlights look. “I… I’m not ready for any of that.”
“Sorry. Keep it in your head, Gweny.” Clark bumped my hip with his. “You can tell me when we’re alone,” he whispered.
I couldn’t help but giggle and I took both their hands. “Now let’s go see Marty. Maybe today we can take him for a walk.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Clark
