Page 49 of Released from the Sin Bin

“Yeah, I’m right down the street,” I tell him and purposely omit who I’m with.

Luca wouldn’t be happy if he knew I was hanging out with Carter. We’re just friends, but Luca is like a brother to me and has been even more protective after everything that happened last weekend.

“I’ll be there soon.”

“Where to, Miss. Daisy?” Carter asks when I hang up.

“Luca needs help picking out jewelry for Kandi.” I groan and tell Carter where to go.

He pulls to the side, but doesn’t park.

“Are you coming in? I think he’s with Finn and Alex.” I pull my crutches out from the back to use them to get myself out of the car.

“Nah, I’m good. I don’t really get along with them outside of the rink.” He taps the steering wheel and waits for me to get out.

“You isolate yourself,” I point out as I slide out to the sidewalk.

“I prefer it that way.” He smirks. “See ya never.”

I watch him drive off in wonder. He isolates himself from all the guys on the team as if he’s punishing himself. As if he doesn’t deserve to get close to anyone.

“How’d you get here?” Finn questions me and slides down to make room for me on the bench once I walk in the jewelry store.

I sputter to think of an answer, but get immediately distracted by the set of engagement rings in front of Luca.

“Oh Luca, this is such a bad idea.” I hobble to the counter. “What did these fools convince you to do?”

“Hey now.” Alex gets defensive. “I told him it was a bad idea.”

Luca groans at me. “I’m just getting the ring while I have my friends here to help me. I’m not planning to ask yet.”

“Ha!” I throw my head back in disbelief. “There is no way you can sit with a ring burning a hole in your pocket and not ask her. I'll give it a week.”

“Two days,” Alex says, taking my bet.

“Gala night,” Finn calls from where he sits on the bench, looking like he’s going to pass out.

Luca grimaces at us and turns his attention back to the saleswoman. She appears with a beautiful square diamond ring with a tint of blue. Kandi’s favorite color that she always paints her nails with.

“That’s it,” Luca says with googly eyes, looking at it as if it holds all his dreams.

“She’ll love it,” I agree, because I know there’s no stopping Luca. Once he sets his mind on something, there’s no turning back, and that ring is perfect for Kandi. “But she’s going to say no. Don’t get your hopes up.” I warn him as best as I can because I know Kandi.

She’s great. I love her for Luca. She pulls him down to earth, but she’s also afraid of commitment and isn’t ready for a wedding proposal.

But like I did, sometimes you need a bit of heartache to really understand what you want and need. I think she’ll figure it out soon.

Luca drives me home and I’m happy to get some more time with my best friend.

“Who were you with before?” He doesn’t waste any time to probe me.

“A friend.” I shrug. “We were having an early dinner.”

“Willa-bean.” He coaxes me to tell him. “Tell me who it was. It better not have been Vic.”

“No.” I quickly stop him from thinking I was with Vic, but Luca gives me a look as if he doesn’t believe me. Now, I have to tell him. “It was Carter.”

“Carter?” he grumbles. “That’s not much better.”

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