Page 63

Gwen

“ A re you okay? Big test or something?” Tony asked as I clocked out this morning after completing my accounting work for the day.

Or something. But I wasn’t going to tell Tony. I hadn’t been planning on telling Clark what today was either.

Matty had told my siblings. That was part of the problem. He was supposed to be on my side.

“I have a headache. Though I have a test this afternoon.” Which I wasn’t worried about.

Concern flashed over his face. “Okay. Are you working too many hours?”

“No, it’s fine.” I was happy with the time I did here weekday mornings and the couple of shifts I picked up at the snack bar and skate counter.

Another text came through my phone as I was changing, so I could join in a Knights practice. Isa? Fuck. It was one thing for her to message me on social media, it was another thing to text me. On a number I didn’t give her.

“Are you shitting my dick?” I muttered as I rubbed my forehead. I was going to murder my brother.

There was also the fact that I hadn’t meant to fall down a certain path last night, but I’d been watching the Gears play the Boaters and…

My fingers itched to text Lenny and find out for sure.

I got on the ice. A few players gave me curious looks, since it was a team practice. Tomorrow was their home opener. Since JP had something this morning, it was me and Dean today.

“Ladybug, are you lost?” Mitchy joked. He was a cocky shit and knew a lot of the same people I did–like Windy and Austin.

“Suck my dick,” I snarled, not in the mood.

His eyebrows waggled. “Yeah?”

Clark skated over and growled at him, putting an arm around me. “Fuck off, Mitchy.”

He looked offended. “What does Clark have that I don’t?”

“I’m sure Carlos could help you with that,” Anders smirked.

If I wasn’t so pissed, I’d laugh.

“Don’t be a dick, Mitchface.” Castle turned to me. “Come on, Ladybug, show those assholes some girl power.”

While practice was a good place to work off my aggression, by the time I slunk into the small conference room with my coffee and second breakfast, my bad mood had returned. The Maimers were in pre-season and had decided to prank us by changing all the drinks in the drink machine to water, which hadn’t helped.

The notification I’d gotten while I’d been practicing had also contributed.

Me

How dare you give my information to the dads?

Matty

I only gave your info to Flavie, the kids, Isa, and Joe.

The dads know where you are; they were respecting your boundaries.

Me

Why are they disrespecting me now?

Today of all days, too! Matty had been pressuring me to have dinner with the dads, but we weren’t playing any west coast universities for a bit, and they didn’t have any desire to come out here.

Figured. I wasn’t worth the flight. Just like I wasn’t worth starting a war with the government for.

Wow, I was a bitter bitch today.

Matty

Sending you a birthday present is not disrespectful.

Gwen’s birthday was in February. But Gabriella? Her birthday might be today.

Me

It’s not my birthday.

If you want to be helpful, send me my painting.

For some reason, he wouldn’t send me my Dumas print. I didn’t understand why.

Much of my anger came from the fact that everyone couldn’t waltz back into my life like nothing happened. It was an insult.

I let Matty know that.

“Wow, good thing I’m not whoever you’re texting,” Dean said softly, coming in with two drinks and a bunch of stuff. “Here. I think you might need this today.”

He handed me one mug, which was herbal tea, along with a chocolate bar, a packet of pain relievers, and one of those little heat packs you put in your gloves while skiing.

It took me a moment. Dean looked at me expectantly.

“Thank you. Verity has you trained well.” Beta and alpha female menstrual cycles were pretty similar. I could totally see how someone might think I was in a bad mood because it was shark week.

“That and Grif has nine sisters. Stu said you’re all signed and good to go, congrats,” he added, taking a seat and sipping his matcha latte.

“Yep. Thanks to you. I don’t think I’d have landed an agent like him without your help.” I appreciated his assistance. Never did I think I’d get an agent like that.

Dean shook his head. “It was all you. I only reminded him that good things can come in small packages.”

“For that I’m grateful.” I opened the packet and took the pain reliever for my headache. I guessed the heat pack was for cramps. Good idea. I put that in my backpack for another day.

JP came in and fist-bumped me. “Heard you did great today. Here.”

He handed me a package of chocolate buttons. My heart exploded. Celine must be in town for a few days, since her airline had these in their kids treat packs.

“Thank you.” I ripped the package open and dumped a bunch in my mouth. Sure, I was still working through the box from Kaiko, but more were always welcome.

Coach Kirov and Coach Dodd came in, Arden and Ty following. The coaches played a few clips, and we went over some things from when the Knights played the Aces in pre-season. Then we moved on to clips of the Gears, so the goalies would know what to expect. Ty watched with rapt attention–as he should since he was on EBUG duty.

“Watch number 16; he plays dirty,” Coach Kirov told us. “He’s new.”

“Their entire line plays dirty,” JP replied. Nepo baby Deloitte was number sixteen, joining his brothers 17 and 18.

Ty frowned. “Where do we know him from? It bugs me so bad.” He gave me a pleading look. “Gwen, ideas?”

I froze as Coach played another clip. My focus wasn’t on the play. It was on number 16’s feet. More specifically, the maroon skates with gray stitching–which he hadn’t been wearing in anything I’d seen so far.

Anger boiled inside me as I texted Lenny and Matty. Fuck that fucking knotwaffle with a pineapple.

Me

I want to know who Austin is. Today.

Lenny

Already know. I’ll send it over.

Matty

What do you want us to do about him?

I knew what I’d like them to do. Even if it was wrong to want it.

“Gwen, care to share what’s so important you’re texting instead of watching?” Coach Kirov snapped.

“Nothing. Sorry, Coach.” My hand shook. Lenny knew who he was? He’d probably done it back in August, and held onto it until I was ready, because that’s how he was.

In all honesty, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a lot that Lenny and Matty were doing for me that I didn’t even know about.

Me

Nothing. I just need to know, so I can get over his sorry ass.

I was over his sorry ass. Now I was angry. Livid if my suspicions were correct.

Yeah, it was a good thing I wasn’t on duty tomorrow. If I actually took the ice and got in the net, I’d whack him in the kneecaps with my stick and get suspended.

Coach Kirov strode over and snatched my phone from me. “You can have this back after practice. I’m disappointed in you.”

Ugh. Could today get any worse?

“Coach, is Gwen here?” Silas stood there, holding a giant bouquet and two boxes. The beta was one of the equipment managers. He was in his forties and the one that worked the most with us EBUGs.

How dare they send gifts to my work?

“I didn’t know it was your birthday. Happy Birthday.” Silas put the flowers and boxes in front of me. One box was from a high-end boutique, the other from a fancy bakery.

“Who’s Sof?” JP snatched the card from the flowers.

“Isn’t your birthday in February?” Dean asked.

Tears brimmed in my eyes as the fragrance of omega lilies and roses filled the room. These weren’t my favorite flowers. They were my mom’s.

“How dare they?” I blinked back tears, not wanting to cry in front of the team.

I wanted to pick up the bakery box and chuck it across the room. That would be wasting food though and I couldn’t bring myself to do that.

Instead, I stared at the stupid flowers, wishing they’d incinerate.

“Can we eat these?” Ty asked, taking the card off the bakery box. “Who’s Joe?”

“My brother. Sof is my sister. They think it’s my birthday. It’s not.” I gulped down the tears, trying to grow a pair.

I opened the giant box from the Fairytale Bakery, which held fruit tarts with sugar crowns, beautifully decorated brownies, and my favorite–tiny cream puffs shaped like swans. At least Joe sent me something I liked.

Ty took a brownie. “My mom stomps on my boundaries, too. Sucks ass. But we can’t let good food go to waste.”

“True. I… I’m going to put these outside.” The smell of the flowers made my stomach churn. It was too much like her funeral.

I put them on the table outside the conference room and took a deep breath, trying to get it together.

When I returned, Coach Kirov reached for a pastry. “I’m sorry you’re having a shitty day, Ladybug. We need to get back to work. Thank you for sharing your treats.”

“Sorry. I don’t mean to be unprofessional.” My head ducked, and I bit my lower lip to keep it from quivering. Shit. Shit. Shit.

Dean pushed the box toward me. I took a swan and bit the head off.

We went back to the films, analyzing the forwards of the Gears and going over strategy. My fingers itched for my phone so I could read Lenny’s email. By the time we were done, we’d demolished most of the box. I took brownies for Clark and Tens.

“Can I take Jonas a tart? They’re his favorite,” Dean asked.

“Take them all,” I told everyone.

“If you’re not going to, can I open it?” Arden picked up the brown and gold box from Faun off the floor. “I’m so curious.”

“Isn’t that where they sell the purses that cost as much as cars?” Ty asked.

“Yes.” JP nodded sagely. It was one of Celine’s favorite purse brands.

Dean shrugged. “I like their wallets.”

“So does my dad,” Arden replied. “The card say “ For Buttons. Please stop being a fashion disaster. Love Isa. ” She shot me a sympathetic look as she undid the ribbons. “I have a sibling like that.”

I still had no idea what Isa meant. Because even to class, I was mostly wearing all the cute stuff Valya got me.

“Shit.” Arden took the small, dark purple bag out of the tissue paper. “If you don’t want it, you can sell this easy peasy. Haven’t seen one like this.”

“Why do I need a fancy purse?” I eyed the leather purse. It was pretty, but…

JP grinned. “You need a fancy purse to keep up with the MASOs.”

I took the tissue paper pillow out of the box and threw it at him. Most of the MASOs carried really expensive bags.

“Oh. It’s a mini Gwen. ” Arden handed me the booklet. “That must be why she chose it.”

Dean laughed. “It’s a bucket bag. They make a Gwen purse that’s a bucket bag.”

“It is funny.” I picked up the purse and admired it. The detailing was exquisite, down to the gold hardware and the drawstring. It wasn’t a large bag, but looked like it could hold a good amount.

The others left and Coach Kirov handed me back my phone. “Gwen, keep your head in the game.”

“Sorry, Coach.” My head bowed. “I didn’t know they were sending things. I didn’t know they even knew where I worked.”

“You were distracted before the treats came. When you’re here, all that matters is the game. Not the fight you had with someone, or the test you bombed, or everything you need to do. Everything gets left at the door,” she told me.

I knew this and gulped as I gathered my things. “Yes, Coach.”

Coach Dodd was outside, admiring the flowers. “We can find a place to keep them until you can take them home. You’ve got class soon, right?”

“They were my mom’s favorite,” I said softly. “I… I can’t stand the smell. It’s too much. Sof was trying to be nice, but I…” Staring at them made me want to cry. “Would your mate like them?”

“She’d love them. Are you sure?” he asked. His omega had beat the same cancer my mom had, and we talked about it sometimes. I’d met her, and she was really sweet.

“Please. I want them to make someone happy.” Things in hand, I headed off to find Clark. I walked through the door of the large workout room.

Clark put down his weights and came over to me. Tenzin didn’t seem to be there. Pity.

“What’s wrong?” Clark wrapped his arms around me.

“My sister thinks I’m a fashion disaster and sent me a purse. My dads and siblings have no boundaries.” I buried my head in his chest, trying to hold the box and him.

We went outside the weight room and for a moment I just let him hold me.

“You heard from your dads?” Clark said.

“Worse, they sent me presents. Three of my siblings sent presents here . They think they can buy my love back,” I sobbed. “Where have they been for six years? Where were they when I didn’t have enough food? Where were they when I was living in a closet? Not that I want their money, but where were they?”

Where were they when I was being chased by a spoiled alpha?

I looked up at him through tear-stained eyes. “The shitty thing is two of those three presents were thoughtful. I didn’t ask them to–and it’s not my birthday.”

Clark frowned. “Your birthday’s in February.”

I gulped. “Gwen Di Rossi’s birthday is in February.”

“Oh, her birthday is today. And your family decided this would be a good day to contact you after six years? That’s a lot. What do you need?” Clark rubbed my back.

“This. That’s what happens when I let them in an inch.” I sniffed. “I’m afraid of what the dads sent to the apartment. Oh, and fuck. ”

I’d forgotten about the email.

“Um, I asked Lenny to find Austin. I have suspicions.” I opened my email on my phone.

Clark sucked in a breath. “You’re ready for that? That’s a big step and I’m proud of you. I’m right here.”

There it was. Fuck.

Soundlessly, I handed the phone to Clark.

“That asshole. Go work for his family? They own a fucking hockey team, not a bean farm.” Clark gave me back my phone. “Are you okay?”

“Not really. But I needed to know before the game, so I can face it better.” Anger bubbled up inside me.

Clark wiped the tears off my face. “I’ll throw him into the boards for you.”

“You will?” That made the violent, petty part of me very happy.

“So hard. Maybe more than once.” He grinned, looking bloodthirsty.

Nia came out of the weight room and picked up the box, which had fallen during our hug fest. “Please tell me you didn't take Atty’s message about appropriate attire for the game too seriously? That wasn’t for you.”

For some reason, I’d been added to the MASO chat–and muted it. While they were a friendly bunch, I didn’t have time for that.

“Faun makes a bucket bag called the Gwen. My sister thinks she’s hilarious.” I rolled my eyes. I took it out of the box to show her. It was very cute though, and she’d remembered that I like purple now, not pink.

It also made me a little sad–I missed Tenzin so much.

“That is funny. Also cute.” Nia left, and I sent Isa a picture of me, the purse and Clark.

Me

I’m not a fashion disaster.

I was wearing designer leggings with my puck off crop-top.

Isa

You are and I love you.

Your boy is cute.

“Isa thinks you’re cute,” I told him, giving him a brownie. “It wasn’t my idea to change my birthday.”

Clark rubbed my shoulders. “It makes sense to do that. If you need to ditch class or practice for your mental health, do it.”

“I’ll be okay. I’m just not sure if I’m being a whiny ungrateful bitch or not.” My eyes closed as Clark got the back of my neck.

My head still hurt.

“You’re not,” he assured.

“Is Tens around still? I got a brownie for him, too.” I’d like to see him, too.

“I don’t know. Do you want to text him?” Clark asked me.

I shook my head. “It’s fine. He’s so busy, and I don’t want to bother him with my silly problems.”

“Your problems aren’t silly. But yeah, he’s so busy and preoccupied. He’s been sort of sad. Maybe he misses his old team? Or he’s having complicated feelings about playing for the team he lost to?” His brow furrowed.

“Maybe?” The alarm on my phone rang. “Ugh, I have to go. I have a test.”

Clark leaned in and gave me a kiss. “See you later? You don’t have to come if you don’t want to.”

“I’ll pop in for family skate, though I don’t have much time between class and practice.” Since tomorrow was the home opener, the Knights had a family skate today. I loved family skate, because it was a chance to see the players’ and coaches’ families.

Would Tens be there? It was optional. Should I text him about that?

No. I didn’t want to come across as too clingy. He clearly still needed space, and it was only right to give it to him.

Hopefully, he’d come.

“Good luck on your test–do you need me to take you?” he offered.

“It’s fine. Tonight we’ll open my dad’s presents together?” I was a little worried.

He hugged me tight. “Of course.”

“Thanks.”

I would deal with it all later, because it was time to take a test.

“Anyone home?” I called when I walked into the apartment. I wasn’t sure if Clark was back yet. Something smelled good though .

Snowball gazed at me from her cat tree, but didn’t move.

“What. The. Fuck.” I put my stuff down and stared at the giant box on the coffee table.

“I got your packages from the desk.” Clark stood in the kitchen, stirring something.

“Are you making dinner?” My heart burst with happiness. It made up for Tenzin not showing up at family skate. I should have asked him if he was coming before getting my hopes up.

Clark beamed at me from the kitchen. “I am. You got a delivery on the counter. It’s been hard not to open it.”

On the counter was a box from a very fancy local cupcake bakery. I opened the card. Happy Birthday, Zia G, love Giulia, Davey, the twins, and Baby G.

Awww. Matty said he gave the kids my address.

I opened the box. Inside were a dozen beautiful hockey-themed cupcakes. They had little sticks, pucks, and helmets on them. One of which had a little sign that said happy birthday. Picking it up, I sent Giulia a selfie of me and the cupcake along with my thanks.

“Those are so cute. They’ll make a great dessert. Well, if I can have one.” Clark came up beside me and kissed my neck. He wore a hockey-themed apron. Adorable.

“Eat as many as you want.” I leaned over and kissed him. “Do I have time to open them now? Do I even want to?”

“We can open them now. One’s from Matty.” He covered the pots and turned down the heat.

Grabbing some scissors, I went over to the table and grabbed the small box that said it was from Matty. Inside, packed in a bunch of paper shreds, was a delicate necklace. This was Mom’s, the note said.

It was a cornicello, a horn meant to ward off evil. I’d gotten one once. I didn’t know Mom had one, and it was much daintier than I ever saw her wear. It also looked old. There was also a gift card to the bookstore. Nice.

I texted him thanks as Snowball chased the paper shreds around. Taking a picture, I sent that, too.

Sighing, I stared at the box from my dads and opened it. Happy Birthday, Buttons. Here’s to another winning season, the card said . All four of them had signed it.

What? Tossing out some paper, which Snowball attacked, I pulled out a box.

Inside was a sparkly goalie mask done in all different shades of pink. Little hot pink ladybugs with rhinestone ladybug trails decorated it.

“Wow,” I breathed. “They’ve never gotten me hockey gear before. It was Mom or Nonna or someone. Pink isn’t my color anymore, but it’s pretty.” I used to wear pink all the time, not only since it once had been my favorite, but for my mom.

“They know we call you Ladybug, ” he said as he traced the ladybugs with his finger.

I found the next box, which was from a very fancy ice skate brand that only did custom skates. Inside were hot pink, quilted goalie skates, complete with fur trim and rhinestones.

“Fourteen-year-old me is squealing. I didn’t know Cordelle made goalie skates. Sometimes I’d get their figure skates to match my different competition outfits.” I held them up.

“They’re adorable,” Clark agreed as he inspected them. “And very well made.”

“What else is inside?” I pulled out another box. “Viper?” They were one of Bowman's boutique brands and a lot of their work was custom. I withdrew the hot pink, sparkly goalie catching glove and blocker that matched the skates and mask perfectly.

My eyes teared. Why couldn’t they have done shit like this when I was a teenager?

Clark wrapped me in a hug. “Clearly, they’re trying. Even if they don’t know your favorite color is purple. It’ll look striking on the ice.”

“I’d be a big sparkly target for the other team,” I laughed. I wasn’t sure if and when I’d wear all this. I wore my team colors for NYIT games.

“There is more.” Clark tossed another piece of packing paper out.

Snowball crouched as if hunting, peering at the paper. She pounced, attacking it, and batting it around.

I took a video. “You’re such a good hunter, Snowball. You get that paper.”

“Gweny. Look.” Clark pulled out something large and hot pink, wrapped in plastic. They were sparkly and had the Viper logo, which was a snake wrapped around a hockey stick, on it.

“Matching goalie pads?” Tears streamed my eyes as I opened the plastic. “From Viper? Shit.”

Wow. Goalie pads on top of all this? They looked like they’d fit me, too. I’d make my own alterations. Oh, they had rhinestones on them, too.

My chest shook, and I sobbed. Color aside, this was an expensive, thoughtful, useful gift. I tried everything on.

“You look cute. You should wear this,” Clark told me.

Maybe I would. Or at least parts of it? It would be nice to have quality backups. Obviously, if they ever watched me play, I’d wear it. I wasn’t sure how good the goalie skates were.

I took a picture of the gear and texted Matty.

Me

Please tell them thank you for me.

They should be thanked, but texting them meant they might text me back. I wasn’t ready for that.

Matty

Happy you like it. Everything fits?

Me

Yes. Everything is cute. Very pink, but cute.

A timer buzzed.

“Dinner’s ready.” Clark picked up the paper and put it in the box.

I finished cleaning up as he took something out of the oven, with the hockey potholders that had been with the slow-cooker.

Snowball climbed into the box. I sent the videos and pictures to Matty.

Me

Snowball likes the paper and boxes.

“I’ll set the table.” I placed our dishes and silverware on the table as Clark finished getting everything ready.

Clark brought over a steaming hot meatloaf. A fucking meatloaf. My mouth watered. I don’t think I’d had meatloaf since high school.

He added a bowl of mashed potatoes, some gravy, and green beans.

Yeah, I was keeping him.

“Sorry, I forgot to buy rolls,” he said as we sat down and we served ourselves.

“More room for cupcakes.” I took a bite, savoring the savory, meaty goodness. “Amazing. Ma’s recipe?”

“Yes. I figured after having an emotional day, with your family stomping all over your boundaries, you’d like some comfort food.” He took a bite of mashed potatoes and gravy.

That man.

“Thank you.” Oooh, did the green beans have bacon in them?

We finished our dinner, and since he cooked, I did the dishes.

“You can have a cupcake. I’ll have one in a moment,” I told him as I loaded the dishwasher.

Clark hopped up on the counter next to the box. He got one and took a bite.

His eyes closed and the look on his face made me want to do something to cause him that much bliss.

Throwing a detergent pod in, I started the dishwasher.

“Are they that good?” I teased as I stood in front of him as he sat on the counter.

A bit of white frosting was on his lip. Leaning in, I licked it off. It was good frosting, not too sweet.

“Mmmm, more, please.” Clark pulled me to him. He kissed me long and deep. Then he took another bite, getting frosting all over his face.

“So messy.” I kissed the frosting off his face. Grabbing one, I took a bite. Oh, these were good. I looked at him in time to see that look on his face again.

Hmmm.

I unzipped his pants.

“Sweetness, what are you doing?” Clark gave me a smoldering look as his scent grew sweet with arousal.

“I want you to look at me the way you look at the cupcake.” I took his cock out and felt it harden in my hand. Taking my cupcake, I smeared some of the frosting on his dick. “Whoops. I’m going to have to clean that up.”

Getting down on my knees on the kitchen tile, I swirled my tongue around the frosting on his cock.

“Gwen.” He sucked in a breath and made a cute face.

Not the face I wanted. Why I was jealous of a cupcake, I didn’t know. But it had been one hell of a day.

I traced the tip and shaft with my tongue, trying to get all the frosting. Every once in a while, I glanced up at him.

Nope. Not quite.

“That feels so good, Gweny,” he sighed, tangling one hand in my hair. Not in a controlling way, more as if grounding him.

The tip of my tongue teased his piercing, taunting the little balls and my hand reached up for some larger ones, caressing their undersides softly. Before my eyes, I watched his knot inflate.

“What a good alpha you are for me,” I murmured, running a finger over his knot.

“I’ll always be good,” Clark gasped as I took him into my mouth. “Fuuuck.”

Oh, there was that look. Satisfied I could please him as much as a cupcake, I bobbed up and down his hard length, sucking and teasing it.

“I’m going to come. There’s a towel on the counter if you don’t want to swallow,” he gasped.

No. I planned on sucking all his cum down. Maybe he’d even call me a good girl. Why did I like it so much when he said that?

The salty cum, which tasted a little of his hay and sunshine, shot down into my throat and I swallowed, his hand entangling in mine. For a moment I laid my head on his thigh.

“Wow, you sucked down my cum so well, like the good girl you are,” he murmured as he stroked my hair.

Getting up off the floor, I leaned into his arms.

“Here, you didn’t finish your cupcake.” Clark held me to him and fed me bites of it.

That made it a lot better.