Page 129 of Pucking Tangled
Luca held out his free hand for her dad to shake. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Abbott.”
Her dad shook Luca’s hand and gave him a good once over. “You’re the rookie who doesn’t do complicated. Right?”
Luca swallowed hard. “Yes. Yes, sir.”
“And you think that loving my daughter is simple?”
“I do, Sir. Loving her isn’t the complicated part, not by a long shot.”
“No, I imagine it’s trying to figure out…” Casey’s mom started, until Mia’s mom, Laney, covered Hannah’s mouth.
“That’s enough of that,” Laney laughed.
“You sound like a smart kid, Luca,” her dad replied. “Do me a favor though. Quit calling me Sir.”
Mia felt Luca relax and he smiled. “I can do that.”
“Now, you.” Ed turned his attention to Waylon, grabbing him by the back of the neck. “I think we need to have a little chat about this bad influence thing.”
“Daddy!” Mia gasped.
“It’s all good, Mia. He’s just looking out for his little girl,” Waylon said with a brave face.
This could end badly ifherbadass wasn’t careful.
“When’s the last time you cut offsomeone’s wifi, son?” her father asked, referencing the guys’ public statements for the second time.
Sounded like her parents had already caught up on some things.
Waylon tossed his head back and laughed. “Mr. Abbott, why don’t I grab you a beer and I can tell you all about it.”
“Make it three. I’ll have a beer myself,” Casey’s dad said, trailing right behind them.
Everyone made their way past the living room and into the kitchen.
Casey’s mom looked around, taking it all in. “Well, this place is a lot cleaner than I expected.”
“Gee, thanks, Mom. We know how to clean,” Casey scoffed.
Hannah patted his cheek. “I know you do, sweetie. I’m real proud of you.”
Mia’s mom had already made herself comfortable at the kitchen island and was peppering Luca and Waylon with questions like: How tall are you? Luca, you’re the one who bakes sourdough? Are you all this handsome or is it a team requirement?
Mia wrapped her arms around her mom’s shoulders. “You have to forgive her. Theonlything she knows about hockey is that Owen and Casey play,” she teased, before going to grab a bottle of wine from the wine fridge in the pantry.
“That isnottrue. I know Luca and Waylon play hockey, too!” her mom shouted back, playfully.
Waylon slipped behind Mia and whispered near her ear, “I kind of love your mom already. Your dad ain’t too bad either.”
She smiled, her chest tight with relief and something warm she hadn’t dared hope for—acceptance.
FORTY-FIVE
Casey
The smellof burgers and roasted corn filled the backyard.
Casey stood back, nursing his beer and taking it all in.
