Page 3 of Pucking Tangled
Mia rolled her eyes as Skeeter, Casey’s ninety-pound Bernese Mountain dog, came running and jumped on top of Casey.
“Uhmpf,” he grunted, “I wasn’t calling you.” Casey scratched the dog behind his ears, cooing, “You are such a good boy, though, aren’t you? You’re going to keep Auntie Mia company while Daddy’s gone, arentcha boy?”
Mia’s heart squeezed in her chest. Casey’s sweet voice whenever he talked to Skeeter that way had that effect on her.
“Unless you and Skeet want to go on a road trip with the team? I’m sure I can find some pet-friendly accommodations for you both,” Casey offered.
“I have too many assignments due over the next fewweeks. I am not traveling with the team.” Mia rolled her eyes. “Besides, I think Skeeter would rather stay home with Auntie Mia. Hockey is not his favorite sport, and you know it,” she teased.
Skeeter barked like he was agreeing with her.
“Traitor,” Casey scoffed.
Next to Casey, Mia was Skeeter’s second favorite person in the whole world, much to Owen’s disappointment. It was fitting, though, since it was Mia who brought Skeeter, who had no name at the time, to Casey’s house after finding him on the side of the road as a tiny little puppy.
Casey and Mia had searched for his owners, just in case the pup had run away, while her best friend had covered the hefty veterinarian bill to nurse the malnourished puppy back to health.
By the time they exhausted all options for finding the dog’s previous owners, Casey had already named him Skeeter because he’d looked more like a mosquito than a large breed dog when he first laid eyes on him. And, because Mia’s rental didn’t allow dogs, Casey had bought an oversized house with five bedrooms, five baths, and a huge fenced-in yard with a pool in the back in the middle of Lancaster County to house him.
It didn’t take long for his house to quickly become home to the other three guys on the team. They were like a band of brothers on and off the ice.
“You have everything you need here. It’s better than letting my entire fridge go bad during this away stretch,” Casey said, circling back to their original conversation. “So, I fully expect you to have all of your stuff moved in by the time we get back. I’ll even hire movers if you need them.”
“Casey, first of all, I know you ordered groceriesthe minute I asked if I could stay here tonight. More than half of the foods in your kitchen right now are things that you know happen to be my favorite. Things that you don’t even eat! Second, I don’t need movers. I can manage the few pieces of furniture and stuff that I have, I have on my own.”
He shifted and moved Skeeter off his lap. “It’s not a big deal.”
But to Mia, it was.
Casey was the only person besides her parents who cared. At least it felt that way.
“Well, whatever you say. I appreciate you offering me a place to stayandhelping me move. And for my favorite snacks.”
“Anytime, Mia.” He yawned and stretched.
The t-shirt he was wearing rose up, giving Mia a glimpse of his toned, tanned skin and the dark happy trail below his belly button.
She stifled a shiver. It sucked when your best friend was smoking hot—and so completely off-limits.
“I’m going to bed. We have to be to the arena early tomorrow for some press shit,” he said, pushing to his feet. “Want me to wake you before we leave?”
“Pass.” Mia shook her head.
“You’re not eating pizza with us?” Owen practically pouted when Casey leaned down to give him a kiss goodnight.
“No. Some of us are sticking to our meal plan today.”
“No wonder you’re ready for bed. You’re like an old man,” Mia teased.
Moving quickly, Casey grabbed her foot, tickling the bottom.
“Stop it,” she gasped between fits of laughter. “Knock it off.” She tried kicking him with her other foot, but it did nothing to deter him. “Casey McAllister Novak!”
Finally, he let her foot go and stepped back with a wide grin on his face. “Goodnight, Mia. Don’t let the rest of these assholes get on your nerves.”
“Too late,” she said, narrowing her gaze at Waylon, who seemed to annoy her just by existing.
When the pizza arrived a few minutes later, Luca held off Owen and Waylon while he stole a few slices for himself and Mia.
