Page 5 of Pucking Tangled
Across the ice, Owen and Casey locked eyes, giving each other a knowing look as players skated around, hugging each other and cheering. When they finally reached each other, Owen fought back the urge to knock Casey’s helmet off and kiss the hell out of him. Their PR team and upper management would have a field day if they did.
It was no secret within the organization that they were together, but they'd been warned to keep their relationship off the ice and out of the public eye.
Instead, Owen gave his boyfriend a platonic hug and a devious smile. He couldn’t wait to get home toreallycelebrate.
Privately.
Luca and Waylon fist-bumped and then Waylon dove onto the ice and pretended to make snow angels, much to the crowd’s amusement. Owen skated over to Luca and hip-checked him. “Nice goal, Rook. You had me worried after the scuffle with Martin. Gotta work on staying focused on the ice. Don’t let assholes like him throw you off.”
Luca nodded. “Thanks, Cap. Yeah. He got under my skin for a bit there. I’ll work on it, for sure.”
“Good. We’ve got three days to get play-off ready. Keep your head in the game.”
“One hundred percent.” Luca gave him a fist bump.
The team began clearing the ice and heading for the locker room, where everyone was still buzzing.
“Waylon! Amazing fucking power play, bro!” Mateo Henry, another veteran on the team, hit Waylon with a towel.
Owen smiled at the guys who were like family to him while he quickly stripped out of his gear and headed for the showers.
Coach Theo Michaels walked in right about the timethat Owen was making his way back to his locker to finish drying off and get dressed in his suit.
“Great game today. Even against a team as rough and dirty as the Renegades,you all played your heart out and kept it as clean as possible. You handled yourselves like a championship team. I want you all to go home and enjoy the next two days off. Rest. Soak in the moment and we’ll meet back here on Saturday for a morning skate and to review some film.”
Owen gathered his things and slung his gym bag over his shoulder.
“Hey, O. Can I catch a ride back to the house?” Casey asked casually, like they hadn’t been carpooling since they moved in together.
“As long as you’re ready in five,” Owen teased.
“You two meeting us at Rumspringa?” Waylon dared to ask as he slung his duffle bag over his shoulder. Rumspringa was a local bar that a lot of the guys hung out at after games because it was so close to the arena. One that he knew Owen avoided like the plague.
“I’ve got a better idea.” Casey stood up on the wooden bench in the middle of the locker room. “Party at our place tonight. Most of you know the address. If not, text Owen. BYOB. Make plans for a designated driver or you’re staying at our place. No drinking and driving.”
Owen winced. “This is a terrible idea, Case.”
A house full of rowdy and hyped-up hockey players? Fuck.
So much for that private celebration with Casey that he was looking forward to.
Not to mention the impression their house party would make on Mia. That was probably the last thing she’d want to deal with.
“Relax,Dad.Let’s live a little.” Waylon smacked him on the back. “You heard the man! Party at our place!”
THREE
Mia
The front dooropened and closed. Then opened and closed another five or six times before a bunch of loud and unfamiliar voices echoed through the house.
Skeeter took off from Mia’s room to greet their guests while she got up to shut her door as the music started.
“I guess the boys are having a party.” Mia sighed and tossed the contract she was studying onto the desk she’d been sitting at for the last two hours.
Not that they didn’t deserve to celebrate.
She watched the whole thing on TV, putting her studying on pause to watch the Barn Raisers win their last regular-season game.
