Page 43 of Pucking Tangled
FORTY-TWO
Mia
A touch of excitement and relief buzzed in the air as they piled out of Luca’s SUV.
Mia looked down at the ground and rubbed the toe of her shoe against the concrete. “I…uh…I’ve got another class this afternoon.”
They all froze.
Mia pointed at them, dragging her finger from Luca, to Waylon, and then Chase and Owen. “Don’t you look at me like that. I have responsibilities.”
“We’ll come with you,” Luca said, moving toward her, but stopping a few feet away.
Mia put her hands on her hips. “Now you four listen. I know the last 48 hours have been crazy. And you’ve all shown up for me.
But, right now, I need to go back to campus.
On my own. The last thing I need is four angry grizzly bears following me around.
And before you all start, this isn’t me pulling away or being stubborn.
It’s me being me. Aching for a little normalcy.
It’s one class. I’ll be back home before you even notice I’m gone. ”
Owen stepped forward and tipped her chin up. “Oh, we’ll notice. The minute you pull out of the driveway,” he winked and gave her a kiss. “But we understand.”
“Speak for yourself.” Waylon playfully shoved Owen out of the way. “He’s right about noticing the minute you leave. But I damn sure don’t understand why we can’t go with you.”
Mia wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a kiss. “How’s a girl supposed to focus on lectures if all I’m thinking about are the guys I want to fuck sitting behind me?”
Waylon quickly scooped her up and threw her over his shoulder. “Yeah that’s it, you’re staying right here.”
She let out a laugh and smacked Waylon’s ass. “Put me down, Caveman.”
“Aww, come on, Way. Let her go,” Casey chuckled.
He set her back on her feet and growled. “You’ll call if you need us?”
“Of course,” she smiled back at him.
“You’ve got this, MiaMoo.” Luca moved to stand by her side, linking their pinkies together. “We love you.”
Mia found herself getting choked up at the profound amount of love and support she had surrounding her. “I love you all, too.”
The whispers started as soon as she stepped foot on campus.
Girls stared. The guys chuckled and pointed. Someone loudly called her a puck bunny, while someone else shouted that she was a puck slut.
Mia ignored them and kept walking toward the Dean’s Office. Not because their taunts and insults didn’t sting. No, their words and judgement still hurt, but she was tougher than they were. Because she knew their truth.
When she stepped inside the Administration building, the Dean’s secretary, Barb, greeted her like they were expecting her.
Good.
“Hi Barb. Is Dean Holcomb in?”
“She is.” Barb picked up the phone and buzzed her office. “Yes, it’s Mia Abbott. Of course.”
She sat the phone down and nodded to Mia. “You can go in.”
“Mia,” Dean Holcomb said in welcome from behind a reddish-brown cherry wood that looked like it was hand crafted. “Please, have a seat.” She gestured toward the oversized leather chair across from her. “I’m really glad you came in.”
Mia sat, taking in the woman sitting across from her and trying to interpret the amused expression on her face. “I figured I should speak with you before anyone else tries to tell a version of the story that isn’t true.”
“That’s wise.” The Dean smiled. “But for what it’s worth, I saw your statement, Mia. I think it spoke volumes compared to the gossip.”
“Really?” Mia’s eyes widened.
“Restraint shows strength. Especially when chaos is loud.”
“I don’t want to be a distraction, or draw bad press to the university. We were content keeping our relationship private, but someone else had other ideas. ”
“You’re not a distraction. The university has weathered way worse.” She paused, picking up a pen and tapping it on her desk. “You’re a student with a life. With choices about how you live that life. If you’re worried about the noise—don’t be.”
“I wasn’t sure how the university would feel about the situation, especially with the alleged source saying that the university didn’t condone or approve.”
“Those sources don’t reflect anyone here. Mia, your academics are solid. All of the recommendations from your professors are glowing, and I’ve already received a call from the Barn Raisers’ PR director regarding your internship.”
Mia blew out a breath and laughed nervously. “They didn’t waste any time, did they?”
“Professional organizations don’t make offers lightly,” Dean Holcomb said. “And when they do? We support our students who earn them.”
The tension in Mia’s chest unraveled just a little.
“Now,” she continued, her eyes turning sharper now. “This field is demanding. If you accept, you’ll be under constant scrutiny. There will be questions you aren’t ready to answer. Are you prepared for that?”
Mia met her gaze. “I’m not sure anyone’s ever ready . But I want to try.”
A small smile tugged at the Dean’s lips. “Then we’ll support you however we can.”
They stood and as Mia turned to go, Dean Holcomb added, “You didn’t make it this far because of who you’re dating, Mia. You’re here because you belong. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.”
She nodded, throat thick with emotion. “Thank you.”
Later that night, Mia sat on the sofa staring at the email from the Barn Raisers on her phone.
From: Vanessa Reilly, Head of Public Relations
Subject: Internship Offer – Fall Term
It wasn’t a dream.
This was real.
Everything from the header to the attached PDF file with her name on it — Mia Abbott — and the title: Internship Program Descriptions and Options.
It was paid. Structured. A legitimate opportunity to get her foot in the door when until now she’d been struggling to be accepted to any other internship program because of the competitive nature.
They weren’t only tolerating her existence in their players’ lives. They wanted to bring her in.
She still felt shaky.
Not in a bad way. Not exactly.
Just…overwhelmed.
Everything about the last few days—the passion, the intimacy, the public backlash, the rush of love she’d never expected—was still catching up to her.
And now there was this.
It wasn’t a sports agent gig, but any of the options they laid out for her left the opportunity for a possible future with her name on the door. A seat at the table.
She had dared to love them out loud…and now all eyes were on them. The world was asking her what she’d do next.
“I’m going own it,” she whispered to herself.
“What was that, MiaMoo?” Luca asked, sneaking up behind where she sat on the couch .
“I was just thinking that the whole world is watching us now. Wondering what I’ll do next. What we’ll do next. I’m going to own it.” She tilted her head back so she could look up at him.
“Damn right you will.” He leaned down and kissed her.
Her phone buzzed again. She glanced at the screen and saw an incoming message from Brooke.
Brooke: Heads up. The press reached out to Aunt Hannah and Uncle Mac. They declined to comment, but I wouldn’t be surprised they’re not on the way to visit y’all in person.
Another buzz.
A group message with Casey’s Mom, Hannah, and Casey: You two finally got together, huh? And with a few extras I wasn’t expecting.
Mia froze.
Casey’s name popped up with little dots like he was typing. They disappeared and popped up again until finally:
Casey: Surprise? ::laughing emoji:: We would have told you in person. Press beat us to it.
Momma Hannah: Laney and I are thrilled. I think your dad is trying to figure out the math.
Mia groaned.
“What’s up?” Luca asked, this time climbing over the back of the couch to sit beside her.
She held up her phone. “It’s Casey’s mom.”
Buzz.
Mommy: Well. It only took you two how many years? Are you happy honey?
“Annnd, my mom.”
“Oh,” he chuckled nervously.
Mommy: Your father wants to see you, and your men, in person.
“Yeah. My dad wants to visit.”
Luca shrugged, far too relaxed given his usual apprehension over a lot of different things. “Would that be such a bad thing?”
Mia pinched the bridge of her nose. “I really don’t know.”
“Well, we’re about to find out.” Casey walked in and flopped down next to Luca. “Mom and Dad are on their way from Baltimore. And they’re bringing your parents with them.”
“ Shit,” Mia grumbled. “They couldn’t wait until tomorrow?”
“Apparently not,” Casey laughed.
Mia stood and adjusted the messy bun on top of her head. “I guess I better go warn Waylon.”
“I already told Owen. He’s going to run to the store and grab some things to make everyone a late dinner.”
“Good call.” Luca nodded. “Should I pretend I’m not here?” he teased.
“Nice try, you’re facing the firing squad with us,” Mia told him before she headed outside to find Waylon.