Page 290 of Breaking the Pucking Rules
“Casey, I—” My words are cut off as the door behind me opens again and Mom rejoins us.
She looks between us with a frown on her brow.
“Everything okay?” she asks.
“Yeah,” I say. “Sutton is sleeping.”
Mom glances at Sutton before looking back at me with a raised brow as if to say, no shit.
She walks around me and places a huge bag of candy on the unit beside Sutton before moving toward the window and perching on the low sill.
“I should arrange a ride home,” Casey says, rising from her chair with her coffee still in hand.
The thought of her leaving sends a bolt of panic through me.
“We can take you back tomorrow,” I say.
Casey’s eyes hold mine. I swear I see a little spark of something within them. “I have work tomorrow,” she mutters, although there isn’t much conviction in the words.
“I’m sure they won’t mind if you go in a little late,” Mom says hopefully.
“Mom,” I warn, aware of what she’s doing.
“What?” she asks innocently. “You have a game tomorrow night. You need to be back early. Assuming Sutton is okay, I’m guessing we’ll be leaving early so you’re back in time.”
Casey looks between the two of us, indecision warring in her eyes.
“I can work remotely. I have my laptop and?—”
“You’ve had a long day. Stay, rest, and then start over tomorrow,” Mom says, her tone a little more commanding than I’ve heard for a while. I study her, trying to figure out what her game plan is here.
“What?” she mouths.
“A night in a hotel sounds like heaven right now,” Casey finally admits.
“Exactly.” Mom digs into her purse and pulls out a hotel keycard. “Go and have a bath. Relax.”
“Oh, I can’t accept that,” Casey argues.
“You looked after our girl today. We owe you everything for that.”
When Casey looks back at me, all I do is smile encouragingly.
“Okay,” she concedes. “I know she’s okay, but will you let me know if that changes?”
“Of course,” Mom agrees while I sit there, mute.
Casey hesitates, but after a couple of seconds, she moves toward the door.
“I’ll walk you out,” Mom says in a rush, and not a moment later, they’ve both disappeared, leaving me with my sleeping daughter and my head spinning.
69
CASEY
Ilet out a sigh as I sink into the bathtub full of bubbles and a little too hot water. Soft music fills the air along with the floral scent of bubble bath I found waiting for me on the counter.
My body ached for this when Kathleen described it, but if anything, this is better.
