Page 16 of Pucking Tangled

SIXTEEN

Mia

“I wanted to invite you to the game tonight.”

Could he hear her heart trying to beat out of her chest? Because she could hear it. Hell, she could feel it.

The last time she watched the Barn Raisers play in-person was after a charity gala that she attended with Casey. The pictures were all over social media and a few puck bunnies in the stands heckled her fiercely, saying she wasn’t pretty enough to be with someone as hot as Casey.

The team won, barely.

But Mia didn’t get to see the ending. She left before the second period even started because she couldn’t stand the attention or their mean words.

Casey noticed she left and Mia always felt partially responsible for the fact that the second half went to shit.

Even if she knew deep down that wasn’t on her.

Now Luca was asking her to sit in the stands during a playoff game. When there was so much more on the line, on and off the ice.

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” she croaked.

Luca’s face fell and she instantly regretted what she said.

“I get it. No worries.” He gave her a fake smile. “I shouldn’t have asked. It’s probably a bad idea anyway.”

Mia sighed. “Luca. I…”

“Hey, MiaMoo.” He put a hand on her shoulder. “It’s okay. Really. I need to get going, but I’ll see you when we get home tonight.”

And just like that, he started to walk away.

“Wait,” she called out.

Luca paused and turned around.

“It’s not because I don’t want to be there,” she whispered. “Last time I went to a game, it wasn’t a pleasant experience. When you asked, I freaked out. I’m sorry.”

“Mia, I never want you to do anything that you’re uncomfortable with. Do you hear me?”

She nodded.

His expression softened. “If you’re nervous about going to a game and you’d rather watch from home, then I understand. But, if you’re feeling brave and you’ve got a friend that you’d feel safe going with, then I’ll have two tickets waiting for you at the box office.”

She wanted to cry.

She wanted to jump into his arms and hug him tight.

At every turn, Luca went out of his way to make her feel seen. Heard. Protected. Over and over again.

And asked for nothing in return.

“You don’t have to give me an answer now. Think about it. If I don’t see you in the stands, I’ll come find you the minute I walk in the door and we can recap the entire thing together. Okay? ”

Lack of sleep and the overwhelming emotional rollercoaster happening had tears filling her eyes.

Damnit.

“None of that, MiaMoo.” Luca swiped away a stray tear.

She heard the other guys trotting down the stairs.

“Yo! Rookie! Time to roll,” Owen called out.

“Sounds like my ride’s leaving. I wish I could stay longer and we could talk this out.”

“It’s okay.” She wiped her eyes on her sleeve. “Go. Have an amazing game. And I’ll see you tonight. One way or the other.”

“Promise?”

Mia forced a smile. “I promise.”

“Atta girl.” Luca winked.

“Come on. I’ll walk you out and wish Case and Owen good luck too.”

Luca took her hand and walked to the foyer with her.

Three sets of eyes zeroed in on their joined hands before meeting their gazes. Waylon’s nostrils flared. Owen and Casey both fought back smirks. Mia quickly let go and tried to play it off.

“All right, boys. I already warned Luca—if you lose this one, I think Skeeter might put himself up for adoption.”

Skeeter ran down the stairs with a toy hockey puck in his mouth and dropped it at their feet. Woof!

Leave it to her four-legged buddy to break up the tension.

“So. Yeah. Good luck and all that,” Mia added.

Casey grinned and shook his head. “Thanks, Mia.”

They each gave her a quick hug, a habit that quickly seemed to be becoming a ritual all its own, and then they were out the door .

Leaving Mia alone with her thoughts.

She rested her hand on top of Skeeter’s head and sighed. “I don’t know how you’ve put up with them all this time.”

Woof!

“Come on. Auntie Mia needs a nap. Maybe then I can get my head on straight.”

Skeeter followed her back upstairs and hopped into bed next to her.

“You know, I could have used your company last night,” she said, rubbing his belly. “It’s a shame I can’t take you to the game with me. You’d keep me safe, wouldn’t you?”

Woof! Woof!

Mia giggled and closed her eyes.

Sleep finally pulled her under, but her dreams tangled into wicked fantasies—four hockey players, all vying to claim her, each one finding delicious ways to make her theirs.

When her eyes blinked open a few hours later, her heart was racing, her shorts were soaked, and she wasn’t sure if she was more embarrassed or disappointed that she was home alone.

“Ugh.”

She checked the time and sighed.

Game time was quickly approaching and she had a decision to make.

Forcing herself out of bed, she retrieved her phone from the nightstand and scrolled through her contact list, carefully analyzing each name and weighing both their love of hockey and the ability to be an ally if she needed one.

Brooke Sullivan.

Mia’s finger hovered over Casey’s cousin’s name. Tickets were waiting for her and she really wanted to go, twisted memories be damned .

She clicked on Brooke’s name and pulled up their message thread.

Mia: I know it’s last minute but are you free tonight?

Brooke: Depends. Is this related to playoff hockey? You got tickets? ::eyeballs emoji::

Mia: Two. Luca offered them up. I. do. not. want to go alone.

Brooke: Eeek! Yes! Count me in. Want me to pick you up?

Mia: Uhm…I’m kinda living somewhere new.

Shit. How long had it been since she last talked to Brooke? Too long.

She really needed to get her head out of the textbooks and chat with her friends once in a while.

Roommates excluded.

Brooke: LOL. Duh. You’re at Casey’s. I know.

Mia: Oh. Right. Yeah. I suppose he would have told you that. Huh?

Brooke: Yup. So is that a yes? I’ve got a preferred parking pass. Not afraid to use it.

Brooke was a freelance sports writer, social media content creator and had minor press credentials, which apparently included special parking.

Mia: That’s a yes.

Brooke: Perfect. I’ll pick you up at 4. That’ll give us plenty of time to grab dinner on the way. We can catch up. And still find our seats before the puck drops.

Mia: Thanks.

Brooke: And Mia? If any of the puck bunnies try to start shit? I won’t hesitate to dump a beer on their heads.

Mia: You’re my favorite Sullivan.

Brooke: I know. Don’t tell Casey. ::tongue sticking out emoji::

With a pep in her step. Mia headed for the bathroom to shower and start getting ready.

By the time she found her favorite Barn Raisers t-shirt and straightened her long blonde locks, it was almost time to go.

“All right, Skeeter. Potty time, then Auntie Mia is going out for a bit.”

She followed the dog downstairs and let him out into the backyard.

While she waited for him to do his business, Mia read over the house rules again.

It was time to add to the list.

Snagging a pen from the junk drawer, she pulled the paper from the fridge.

11) If you’re gonna fall for someone in this house, do it all the way.

Game on, boys.