Page 5 of Pucking Tangled
FIVE
Mia
Her last lecture of the day ran over and judging by the cars in the driveway, she didn’t make it home before the guys like she planned. But she’d make up for it with a fully stocked pantry and homemade dinner tonight, before they had to leave for their first play-off away game stretch.
Who knew four grown men could go through so much food?
Before she could get out of the car, the side door flew open, and a shirtless Waylon stepped out with a bag of chips in his hand. She was beginning to wonder if he even owned a shirt.
“Casey, we’ve got company. I can’t be sure, but it looks like a Girl Scout!”
Mia slowly got out of her car, yanking her book bag over her shoulder. “Hey! Be a gentleman and help me with the groceries,” she said, popping the trunk.
Waylon grinned like a wolf. “Even worse. It’s our new roommate. ”
Casey shoved past him, nearly tripping down the steps. “Ignore him. He’s just mad that Coach told him he needed to work on his footwork today.”
Waylon leaned against the railing, chewing loudly. “Still faster than a certain forward.”
“Still allergic to shirts, too?” Mia volleyed back, defending her best friend.
Behind them, the door opened again. “What’s up, roomie? Welcome home.”
“Hey, O.” She smiled back at him.
“Did someone say my name?” Luca stepped out and immediately took the bags Mia had in her hands.
“No one called you, Luca,” Waylon chuckled.
“Dude, seriously. Put the damn chips down and help with the groceries,” Mia huffed, brushing past him.
“It’s so sexy when you’re annoyed with me.” Waylon finally got his ass in gear and helped with the rest of the groceries.
Mia soaked it all in while the guys worked together to put everything away with the proficiency of a well-oiled machine. She shouldn’t be the least bit surprised. Their dynamic on the ice was fire. Why wouldn’t it be off the ice as well?
“Oh. You can leave the chicken out. I’m going to use that for dinner.”
Luca handed her the package of chicken breasts. “You know you didn’t really have to buy groceries. Or cook dinner.”
“I know. But, we needed a few things and I’ve been dying to try this new recipe, so I figured why not?”
“Sooo, uhm. Listen. We were thinking. You’ve been here a few days now and after our, uhm, party…we should pr obably have some house rules,” Owen spoke up, slapping a pen and a sheet of paper on the counter.
Rule number one was already written out and underlined three times.
1. No hook-ups with roommates.
Waylon quickly picked up the pen and added:
Unless you ask nicely.
“Wait, but you and Casey…” Luca pointed a finger at the only couple in the house.
“Not a hook-up.” Casey replied.
Mia rolled her eyes and stole the pen from Waylon. “This includes flirting, shirtless flexing, and making it awkward in shared spaces.”
Waylon snorted.
“Okay, uhm…rule number 2,” Owen took the pen back.
2. Kitchen is a shared space. No arguments, no music wars, no naked cooking.
“Could you define naked?” Waylon asked.
“What’s rule number three?”
3. Bathroom use is timed. Shower limit: 15 minutes max.
“Luca, this is for you,” Casey said. “We can’t keep draining the hot water heater when there are other people here that need to shower.”
“Also, if someone’s crying in there, leave them alone unless you’re bringing snacks or whiskey,” Owen added.
Mia bit her cheek and tried not to laugh. “I’m guessing Waylon does a lot of crying in the bathroom?”
He scratched his nose with his middle finger, just for her.
4. If the door is closed, knock. If it’s locked, don’t ask.
“I’d like to add an addendum. No sneaking in my room to borrow chargers, sweatshirts, or because you need emotional intimacy.”
Two days with the boys and someone already stole one of her chargers. It was only a matter of time before Casey found her stash of sweatshirts she borrowed and “forgot” to give back.
“But what if I’m emotionally naked and need to borrow a hoodie?” Waylon asked.
“Or what if I’m looking for my sweatshirt?”
Hm. Maybe Casey already knew she was hoarding them. She couldn’t help it. They were the perfect fit and super comfortable. “If I borrowed it, it’s mine. If I want you to have it back, I’ll return it.” Mia smiled sweetly.
5. No fighting in the house unless it’s Mario Kart or NHL 2K.
“We’ve never fought in the house,” Luca spoke up.
“And we’re not going to start.”
“Is the front lawn off limits too, or do you prefer we duke it out in the backyard, Dad ?”
“We need a rule about calling me ‘Dad’.”
6. Laundry is not gendered. Everyone folds their own damn socks.
“And washes their own practice gear,” Mia scrunched up her nose and took the pen.
She was catching on fast. Something told her these house rules were long overdue, and had a lot less to do with her and more to do with five people sharing a space.
“Next.” She wrote:
7. Quiet hours for studying are sacred. Respect them or die.
“Add game days to that too, for good measure,” Luca chimed in.
8. Communal fridge = communal snacks. Just don’t eat Mia’s labeled ice cream.
Waylon snatched the pen from Mia’s hand and added, “Buy enough ice cream for everyone.”
He quickly scribbled rule number 9 .
9. Do not enter the detached garage, unless you’re invited.
“Give me that,” Owen yanked the pen back. “Last rule.”
10. This house runs on respect and dirty jokes. Break one rule and you break all.
“I’ll try not to,” Mia whispered.
“What happens if we break the rules?” Waylon asked.
“You don’t want to know.” Casey glared at him.
“If that’s the last rule, can I start dinner now? Maybe while someone washes their practice gear?” she asked, looking around at each guy. There were several piles in the laundry room, which smelled like the inside of a locker room at the moment.
“Yes, Mom. ” Waylon saluted her.
Ugh. She liked it better when they were having decent human conversations over coffee.
Maybe.