Page 10

Gwen

“ T ens, this is incredible.” I watched the video he’d made, with clips of my games from this past season set to music, along with my stats. It was a work of art. Much nicer than anything Austin ever had.

“Thanks. I admit, I went through a few versions. Cooter liked this one best.” He gave me a shy smile.

I’d finished my shift at the rink and now we were at a fancy rooftop coffee place. All week we’d been building my socials. We’d also gone to a museum and seen a traveling exhibit featuring paintings by Dumas. My favorite wasn’t there, but it was still fun. We’d tried two different coffee places. Both had delicious muffins, but didn’t top the muffin flight at the Rose Room.

“We’ll pin it up at the top so it’s easy to find. I’ll make another of the season before, since you won that team a title as well. Few people can boast leading two teams to their respective division’s national championships,” he told me.

My cheeks warmed. “I’m just doing what I do.”

Since the other title was ‘just’ community college league, it was often dismissed.

There was a giant electronic billboard on the building facing us. Clark, holding a cologne bottle, filled the screen. I took out my phone and insta-chatted it to him.

“Did you know you have fan accounts?” Tenzin turned his laptop around.

“My host mom from junior hockey runs Ladybug Spotting .” I laughed. It was filled mostly with pictures of me in the stands at Knights games that she took off the television.

“There are others, too. Also, you made the sports news a few times during playoffs? Goalie-in-waiting?” He pulled up an article.

“For games, we sit in the stands and watch. If someone gets injured, we’ll go down to the equipment office, get partially dressed out, and wait, just in case. We only get half-dressed because we could end up going in for either team. A reporter found me hanging out, and we got to talking. She saw me again several times throughout the season. Then we had playoff-agedon.” I grimaced and took another sip of coffee.

While I’d been excited for the Knights to go all the way and win the finals, it had been a rough journey.

“There were so many injuries and illnesses that it made me wonder if we’d make it through the playoffs. During the playoffs, I ended up in the office, partially dressed out for every single game I was on duty for, though I never went in. She and some of the reporters had a little fun with it,” I told him. It was cute.

“Was that disappointing, never getting to play?” He took a sip of tea.

“Not really, since that meant my friends were hurt or sick. It would be amazing, though. Well, except for the finals. That would be nerve-wracking,” I admitted.

My phone buzzed.

JP

Are you coming to my wedding?

Me

I don’t know. I’d like to, but it’s in Canada.

I played it off like it was distance, not fear. Jean-Paul–one of the Knights’ goalies–and his fiancée Celine were from Quebec.

JP

We will protect you from whatever it is here that scares you. I need you for the goalie dance.

Me

Goalie dance?

I blinked. What in the what, what? However, I liked how he just rolled with my fear of Canada and didn’t make fun of me for it.

If only he could protect me from what scared me there.

JP

For Celine. We need an even number.

The idea of us doing a dance at the wedding for Celine made me grin.

JP

If it’s the cost, I’ll get your train ticket. Carlos or Clark might let you stay with them.

A train ticket would help. The wedding wasn’t until late August, so I had time to save up a little for food. If the guys actually got me some clothes, I might be able to get a dress that would work for the wedding.

JP

Come on. It’ll be fun.

Tenzin looked over at me. “Everything okay?”

“I’m being pressured to participate in an all-goalie dance at a wedding.” I laughed.

“That sounds amazing.” His eyes gleamed as he chuckled. “Are you going to do it?”

I considered this. It was Quebec, not Vancouver. Also, given my single status, me sharing a room with someone else wouldn’t be an issue.

“I think so. It’ll be hysterical, I’m sure.” I could only think of the bro-nanigans JP would concoct. He was offering the ticket, so it was okay to take it, right?

Me

A train ticket would help. Thank you. I’m in.

JP

Great. Let Celine know. Also, sorry about the breakup. As someone who wouldn’t have made it without a supportive partner, I’m sorry he was shitty and bailed before he could hold up his end.

He and Celine had met when they were at university. Also, JP knew about the breakup? Ugh, hockey players were such gossips.

Me

Thanks

I got into my email and found the wedding information and let Celine know I was going.

My phone lit up.

Ladybug has been added to Goalie Dance Chat.

JP

Ladybug’s in

Dean

YAY!

Me

I let Celine know.

JP

Très bon. I’ll send videos.

Me

Merci

I was better at Italian than French, though my extensive privately tutored education had included it when I was young.

Goalie dance? That would be worth the trip.

I realized I was leaning against Tenzin and I sat up. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to use you as a backrest.”

“It’s fine.” His voice was soft. “I don’t mind. Also, you were with an alpha for so long, from such a young age. Your body is probably missing the contact.”

Oh. I didn’t even think of that. That could be why I missed snuggles and hugs.

Tenzin and I worked a little longer. He yawned.

“Sorry, I think I’m going to go to bed. Would you like me to order you a car? It’s late,” he offered.

“I’m fine. Thank you so much for all your help. It looks great.” I set off for the subway and returned to the rink, hitting a late-night cafe on the way back that discounted their grab-and-go stuff drastically after a certain time.

One of the security guards saw me in the halls. “Working late?”

“Forgot something.” I slipped upstairs, knowing how to avoid the cameras at night.

I showered and changed, then went into my closet. Putting on my headphones and queuing Mercy’s sad girl playlist, I scrolled through social media, as I ate my chicken wrap.

Clark had game night with his family. Dimitri’s vacation looked incredible. My teammates and classmates were mostly working or with family, but still having a good time.

And I was sleeping in a closet.

I tried to sleep. My little bed wasn’t very comfortable. Also, I didn’t feel that safe, even though I knew I was. This was a locked floor, used only by the Maimers and Knights. No one was up here this time of night.

Taking out my phone, I started to text Clark, like I had a million times, and ask if I could crash at his place while he was out of town. There was no way I could afford to be his roommate, but maybe he’d let me couch surf for free for a couple of weeks?

Like every other time, I didn’t. Instead, I texted him inane things like always.

Me

Tried more muffins at the rooftop bar. Tens is making me highlight videos.

Clark

It’s nice that you have Tens to hang out with. Where’d you meet him again?

Me

He’s defense.

I wasn’t sure if I could start telling my friends who he was. After all, there’d been no announcement for a reason.

Clark

Got it. Also, a film major? Send them to me?

Me

Yep. Sent

I added the link.

Clark

Can’t wait to watch. Today I fixed two tractors. One of my moms made an apple pie.

Pie. My mouth watered.

Me

Are you going to JP’s wedding? I’m being forced to do a goalie dance.

Okay, I was excited about the goalie dance.

Clark

I am. Do you want me to ask Dimitri if there’s room for you? He got a villa or something, we’re sharing.

Again, did I take the offer? But I couldn’t go without a place to stay.

Me

If there’s room for me, I’d like that, thanks. But I don’t think I can afford wherever they’re staying.

I hadn’t really paid attention to where it was.

Clark

It's fine. Are you doing okay? I’m here if you need me.

I hesitated. Was this where I asked him about his guest room? No. I think he was talking about emotional needs.

Me

Thanks for checking in. I’m doing okay.

I listened to my favorite accounting podcast. Still, I couldn’t sleep. So I snuck down to the main floor and got my stuff out of my locker, then went to the small rink.

Which I’d been doing a lot this week.

Back to basics. I ran through everything that my nonna’s neighbors had taught me, trying to harness the sauce . You were good once.

And I’d be good again.

Make them look. Make them regret.

Oh, I would. Because I was going to thrive. Soar.

When I finished, I was tired, but not sleepy. A song I liked came on over the sad girl playlist.

Taking off my pads, I skated, letting the music wash over me. It had been a while since I’d done this. The moves came back easily. It wasn’t like I never figure skated after I stopped competing.

I just did everything in hockey skates.

At some point, I picked up my stick, making it part of my routine. It was a bit of silliness I’d done with my host sister back in junior hockey. Her drill team performed on the ice with pom-poms, flags, and hockey sticks before hockey games and during intermission. She now skated with a traveling show.

I skated to song after song, letting go of everything–my sadness, my stress. Everything floated away until there was nothing but me, the ice, and the music.

Finally, I was home.