Page 46 of Pucking Tangled
At least she’d brought Casey’s cousin, Brooke, with her.
He met Brooke a few times and knew she was solid. Feisty. A force to be reckoned with.
Waylon hoped that she would watch out for Mia and see to it that she was safe.
Jealousy pumped through his veins when he watched Luca toss her a puck.
Another thing he should have thought of first.
For a man who swore he didn’t do complicated, he sureas hell felt like he was making shit more complex than it needed to be.
Mind made up and desperate to regain his focus, Waylon vowed that tonight he’d sit down and talk to the guys about everything. Whatever happened after that was a worry for later.
Now it was time to put on a show and play his best game of hockey yet.
All for Blondie, sitting in the stands.
Casey
“Someone got Mia to come out tonight,” Owen teased as soon as they made it into the locker room for the last pep talk and strategy session before the game started.
Waylon grunted and tightened his pads.
“Luca,” Casey called out with a playful smile. “You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”
The rookie shrugged. “I just told her there would be two tickets waiting for her if she wanted to be here.”
Casey whistled. “Impressive. I didn’t think it would be that easy.”
“Why not?” he asked.
Waylon gave Luca a side eye. “I don’t know, jackass. Maybe because last time she was at a game, a bunch of puck sluts said some nasty shit. Taunted her enough that she left early.”
Luca’s eyes widened. “That’s what happened. That’s why she stopped coming to games?”
“Yeah.” Owen blew out a breath. “She brought Brooke with her tonight, though, so she should be okay. Honestly.”
Casey nodded in agreement. “My cousin doesn’t take shit off of anyone.”
“I let the event staff know to keep an eye out too,” Luca added. “I didn’t know the full story, but I wanted to make sure there wouldn’t be any issues.”
Casey clapped Luca on the back. “Don’t sweat it. If anything, we all should be thanking you,” he said, giving Waylon a pointed glare.
Waylon snorted.
Oh yeah, they would all need to talk after the game. Before one of them laid claim on Mia and everyone else lost their minds.
“Alright everyone, listen up,” Coach Michaels called out, walking into their locker room and promptly ending any more talk of Mia.
Adrenaline pumped through Casey’s veins and he bounced on the balls of his feet.
Everything about this game felt heavier now that Mia was here.
He sent up a silent prayer that they all played their best and made her proud.
Owen
The game clock ticked down, but Owen refused to let himself fully believe it until the final buzzer sounded.
