Page 25 of Pucking Tangled
Luca blew out a relieved breath when Nate backed away completely and Casey headed for the shower.
When they were all ready to leave the arena, Waylon pushed him toward a waiting town car. “Come on, Rookie, we’re going out.”
“We are?” He didn’t feel like going out. What he wanted to do was head back to his hotel room and text Mia again.
“Yes. Let’s go.” Waylon opened the door for him and tipped his head toward the backseat.
Feeling like he had no choice, Luca slid in the backseat. Waylon got in beside him.
“So, where are we going?”
“There’s a private club about forty-five minutes away. I scored us an invite from a friend.”
Luca’s stomach recoiled.
Waylon was on the prowl and Luca was going to be his wingman.
Great.
“Relax. It’s not that kind of club,” Waylon chuckled, clearly picking up on Luca’s discomfort. “I like to keep a low profile during the postseason. Never know who’s watching.”
“Oh.”
“Hey, if Case and O don’t say it, you earned some mad respect, standing up with us like that. You didn’t have to. We wouldn’t have held it against you. If Coach wouldn’t have backed down, or decided to punish us all worse, it could have been damaging to your career.”
Luca snorted. “And it wouldn’t have been damaging to any of yours?”
“Oh, it would have. But you’re the rookie, you’re building your career and your persona. Everyone already knows who we are.” He smirked at him.
“You know, Way, something tells me you’re not as big and bad as you pretend to be.”
“I’m biggerandbadder,” he said with a devious chuckle.
“Whatever you’ve got to tell yourself man.”
TEN
Mia
Casey: So, you liked that dive behind the net, did ya?
Mia: Whatever you have to tell yourself to sleep tonight.
Casey: It’s okay to admit it was iconic.
Mia: I think you mean moronic.
Casey: Nah. I had it right the first time. I bet I’ll look sexy in all those highlight reels they’ll be playing tonight.
Mia: You’re really full of yourself tonight, Mr. Novak.
Casey: Oo. I gotta go. Owen just got out of the shower and dropped his towel on the floor.
Mia: TMI, Case. T. M. I.
Mia: I almost forgot I fed your sourdough starter, just like you asked. Also found a really good recipe for discard chocolate chip cookies. Burnt the first dozen while watching the game. The second dozen? ::chef’s kiss:: But man, this sourdough thing is hard work!
Mia: Hm. You must be back at the hotel reading On Thin Ice. Noticed Rebecca’s new release when I downloaded the entire Rugby series.
