Page 64 of In My Hockey Era
Chase steps up beside him, still looking vaguely aloof, like he doesn’t know quite how he ended up here.
Mia’s eyes flick between us before locking onto him like a heat-seeking missile.“And you must be Chase.”
Chase studies her for a beat, then nods once.“Yep.”
Mia’s grin turns downright wicked.
Oh boy.
The server reappears, and the guys order some IPAs.
The drinks flow, the conversation is easy, and to my absolute shock, Mia and Chase hit it off immediately.
Not in a flirty way, which I honestly expected—because Mia flirts with everyone—but in a weird, “did we grow up in the same chaotic household” kind of way.
They’re instantly finishing each other’s sentences, bickering like siblings, and ganging up on Bennett and me before we can even get a word in.
Holy unexpected plot twist.
“You’re telling me,” Chase says, nursing his beer, “you broke your wrist jumping off your neighbor’s roof onto a trampoline, but the trampoline bounced you into a rose bush instead?”
Mia waves a hand.“Oh, please.That’s not even in my top five dumbest injuries.”
Bennett shakes his head.“How do you have a top five?”
“Because I’m an overachiever.”She grins, sipping her spicy marg.“And what about you, Remington?What’s the dumbest thing you’ve done?”
Chase lifts a brow.“Took Bennett in as a roommate.”
Mia throws her head back and laughs.“Ohhh, I like you.”
Bennett sighs dramatically.“Why does everyone always bond over bullying me?”
Chase shrugs.“It’s easy.”
I smother a laugh behind my margarita.
Mia elbows me.“So, Lucy.Tell me… how much longer are you two going to pretend you’re not already together?”
My drink nearly goes down the wrong way.I cough, setting my glass down, but before I can protest, Chase nods in agreement.
“Yeah, I give it, like, two weeks.”
“Two weeks?”Mia scoffs.“Optimistic.I say one.”
I shake my head.“Not happening.”
Chase and Mia exchange a look.“Denial,” Chase mutters.
Mia hums.“Classic.”
“It’s tragic, really,” Chase agrees.
Mia laughs into her fist.
I roll my eyes, but next to me, Bennett stays quiet.When I glance at him, he’s watching me, eyes warm, thoughtful.
A strange heat curls low in my stomach, and I’m suddenly desperate for a change of subject.
