Page 18 of Pucking Tangled
After the guys left, she really needed to take a nap before she dived back into studying.
She planned to sleep in but something woke her. A twinge of excitement for the guys as they headed out of town for Game 1 of the playoffs? Or maybe even a hint of sadness because she knew the house would feel different…empty…without them around for the next week?
“You okay over there?”
“Oh. Yeah. I’m good. I was just…”
“Thinking about how much you’d miss us?” Casey wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her forehead like he liked to.
As he did, Mia noticed the awkward look that passed between Casey and Owen, and Owen’s raised brow.
“What? Did I miss something?” she asked.
Owen smirked and shook his head. “It’s nothing.”
“Oooookay. Whatever you say.”
Owen gave her a quick hug goodbye. “Call us if you need anything at all while we’re gone.”
Mia took a deep breath and nodded.
“I don’t get a good luck hug?” Luca came jogging down the stairs with his bag slung over his shoulder.
Thank God for Luca and his calming presence whenever he walked into a room.
She shook her head and smiled. “Come here, you nerd.”
Luca grinned and gave her a hug. “I left a book on your bed for you. I hope you don’t mind. Your door was open. I thought you might enjoy it.” He winked.
“Thanks, Luca.”
Mia was convinced he was really the sweetest of the bunch.
She’d already made up her mind that during the off-season, she was going to work on bringing him out of his shell and get him to let people in.
But first, they had a Cup to win.
“Morning.” Waylon joined them, his backpack on his shoulders and a duffle bag in one hand. He stole Mia’s coffee cup with the other and took a long drink. “Ah. Perfect.” He handed it back to her.
“Ugh. Thanks, Waylon. I made that just for you.” She rolled her eyes.
“All set?” Owen asked. “Car service is waiting. We should get going so we don’t miss the bus.”
A chorus of ‘yes’ replied and the guys started out the front door.
Without thinking, Mia gently reached for Waylon’s forearm. “Good luck.”
He smiled back at her. “Thanks, we’ll need it.” He paused. “It’ll be quiet without us around.”
“It’ll be like a dream come true,” she teased. “No noise. No rules. No smelly boys.”
“You’ll miss us.”
“Maybe.”
Waylon adjusted the straps on his backpack and nodded. “Try not to burn the place down.”
“I was thinking of throwing a massive party instead.” She winked.
