Page 117 of Pucking Tangled
It was a tight squeeze, four giant hockey players in a bathtub with Mia was surely a sight to be seen.
But they made the most of it.
Soft touches.
Whispered confessions.
Tender caresses.
They relaxed in the quiet until the water cooled and Mia’s stomach grumbled.
For the first time since the story had broken.Since the world had turned ugly over what they shared, Owen believed they were going to be okay.
Waylon climbed out of the tub first, drying off before pulling his clothes back on and heading downstairs.
When they joined him, he’d already ordered Chinese food, cracked open a beer for the four of them and poured a glass of wine for Mia.
She practically sleep walked her way to the couch, collapsing between Casey and Luca.
Before they knew it, Waylon was at the door, taking several large bags from the delivery driver and slapping a hefty tip in the young boy’s palm before he thanked him and kicked the door closed with his heel.
“Dinner’s here. Don’t all cheer at once.”
Mia groaned softly from the couch, her legs flopped over Luca’s lap. “Please tell me you got dumplings.”
“I goteverything,” Waylon said, grinning. “And then doubled it.”
“You’re a menace,” Casey muttered, already unfolding off the couch to help him unload the bags.
“I’m ahero,” Waylon corrected.
He leaned against the wall between the kitchen and living room and just watched. There was a rhythm to them now. An ease.
Casey grabbing plates.
Luca already setting out napkins.
Waylon opened every takeout container like he was presenting sacred offerings.
And Mia—Mia just sat there in the middle of it all, hair damp, face clean, wrapped in Owen’s oversized sweatshirt that swallowed her whole.
She looked so small in it.
Andcompletelyat home.
Owen moved to sit beside her, nudging her knee with his. “You eating?”
“If someone feeds me.”
“I’ve got you,” Luca said before Owen could move, lifting a container of lo mein. “You want this?”
Mia smiled sleepily. “Feed me and I’ll love you forever.”
Waylon huffed. “I swear to god, if noodles are all it takes…”
She laughed at him. “Noodles and a thorough fucking every once in awhile.”
“Jesus Christ, Mia,” Waylon sputtered.
