Page 10 of Pucking Tangled
TEN
Mia
Casey: So, you liked that dive behind the net, did ya?
Mia: Whatever you have to tell yourself to sleep tonight.
Casey: It’s okay to admit it was iconic.
Mia: I think you mean moronic.
Casey: Nah. I had it right the first time. I bet I’ll look sexy in all those highlight reels they’ll be playing tonight.
Mia: You’re really full of yourself tonight, Mr. Novak.
Casey: Oo. I gotta go. Owen just got out of the shower and dropped his towel on the floor.
Mia: TMI, Case. T. M. I.
Mia: I almost forgot I fed your sourdough starter, just like you asked. Also found a really good recipe for discard chocolate chip cookies. Burnt the first dozen while watching the game. The second dozen? ::chef’s kiss:: But man, this sourdough thing is hard work!
Mia: Hm. You must be back at the hotel reading On Thin Ice. Noticed Rebecca’s new release when I downloaded the entire Rugby series.
Mia: Sleep well, Luca. Looking forward to book club when you get back.
Waylon: Do you watch every game?
Mia: Duh. I’ve been watching Casey play hockey since the beginning.
Waylon: So you saw my moves tonight.
Mia: I saw that stick check in the second. Subtle.
Waylon: What can I say? I defend my family.
Mia: Is that what you call that? It looked like you were threatening to joust the poor guy.
Waylon: ::shrugs:: He got too close to Luca. It’s reflex.
Mia: Soooo. I should be concerned about getting too close to Luca?
Waylon: Are you planning to?
Mia: Is that not allowed? Didn’t see that on the list of rules.
Waylon: It is now. Penalty is enduring my stare from across the kitchen.
Mia: Two words, Waylon. Ball. Gag.
Waylon: You might want to alert the media. They’re going to want footage of me winning this little game, Mia.
Mia: You haven’t won anything, Waylon.
Waylon: Gotta go, Blondie. Me and your boy, Luca, are heading out on the town to do a little celebrating ::winky face emoji:: ::devil emoji::
Owen: Checking in. Got your text. Your bestie may just be insane. Didn’t burn the house down yet, did you?
Mia: No fires. Tried to warn you about Case. You’re the one who went all cray-cray and fell in love with him. I think Skeeter misses your bedtime stories. He looks for you every night before he follows me to bed, defeated that he’s stuck with the woman of the house.
Owen: I’ll record one for him later. Maybe that’ll help you both get through the week.
Mia: You’re such a dad sometimes.
Owen: I *am* the team dad.
Mia: You clearly take that role seriously. Good game tonight, Dad.
Owen: Thanks. Still got three more to win.
Mia: Good luck.
Luca: About the book. I was going to text you last night, but then Waylon dragged me out with him for a while and I didn’t want to risk waking you.
I’m sure you already figured it out, but there’s a whole series.
I probably should have started you off with book 1.
If you want to read it from the beginning, they’re on my bookshelf. You’re welcome to them.
Mia: Oh wow. And here I felt special because you loaned me one book. You must really like me if you’re letting me borrow the whole series.
Luca: I do like you. I like having you around.
It’s nice to have someone else in the house that enjoys a good book.
Could you imagine Waylon picking up a book ::laughing face emoji:: I’m just kidding.
But, seriously. No one else in the house appreciates a well-written romance novel or any of the classics.
Mia: Did you have fun with Waylon last night? Here I thought you were tucked in bed reading.
Luca: Didn’t want him to see me texting you either. You know how he can be.
Mia: Yeah. I know. Doesn’t answer my question.
Luca: Nothing’s changed. Still not into the party or bar scene. He enjoyed himself though.
Mia: Hopefully neither of you got into too much trouble.
Luca: Something you feel like you need to ask me, Mia?
She paused before responding with a simple, ‘Nope.’
Luca: I’m an open book, if you change your mind.
Mia: Gotta run. Class starts in ten. Have fun at practice today. Tell the guys I said, ‘Hi.’
Waylon: Thanks a lot, Blondie.
Mia: You’re welcome?
Waylon: Couldn’t sleep last night. Kept thinking about you and a ball gag. My damn hand is practically raw. Don’t know how I’m going to be able to play like this.
Mia: Wow. You really enjoy breaking the rules, don’t you?
Waylon: You have no idea.