Page 66 of Pucking Tangled
TWENTY-FIVE
Casey
Casey pacedacross the back patio. Jaw clenched. Fists balled up.
He bit his tongue. Pushed his own feelings so far down that it gave him heartburn.
First it was Luca, tasting what Casey wished was his.
Then Waylon made his move.
“Fucking idiot,” he grumbled to himself. For years, he kept his mouth shut. Never told Mia how he felt. Never tried to show her how deeply he really cared for her. More than just a best friend or a big brother.
Now she was slipping through his fingertips and falling for his best friends.
The slider door opened behind him. He didn’t bother to look since he knew exactly who it was.
Owen’s arms slid around his waist and he kissed him between the shoulder blades. “You okay?”
“Fuck no.”
Owen held on to him for a beat before spinning himaround and forcing him to look him in the eyes. “Luca’s got hearts in his eyes and Waylon’s light fires. But she still looks atyoulike you’re her home. You know that means something, right?”
Emotions swelled in Casey’s throat. “Won’t fucking matter if I don’t do something, soon.”
Owen nodded. “I’m inclined to agree. I’m following your lead here, though. Maybe now that the rules have gone up in flames, it’s time forusto invite her out to dinner. On a date. Put everything out on the table and see what happens.”
Could they though?
Was Casey brave enough to tell Mia how he really felt and face the repercussions of whatever happened next?
“I didn’t expect to feel like this afterknowingher and Luca…hooked up.”
Owen chucked. “Bullshit. Babe, you knew the minute you said you’d take a single step back that you were going to go nuts. Fuck, it was all I could do to keep you from storming into Luca’s room last night and claiming her like she was a dog in heat and you were her alpha.”
“Might be a hell of a lot easier if I was a dog. Or if this was one of those Omegaverse romances,” Casey snorted.
“That is thelastthing we need.”
“Think it’s too soon for me to say something now?”
Owen raised a brow. “I want to say let her breathe. But I’m afraid if you don’t tell her soon, someone’s going to get hurt.”
Casey took Owen’s hand. “I’m going to find Mia.”
“Right behind you,” Owen said, followinghis lead.
Mia was curledup on the living room sofa reading a book, when they went inside.
Casey walked in and sat on the coffee table, right in front of her. All the pain, the heat, the fear, the desire burned deep in his chest.
Owen stood behind him with his arms crossed. Silently watching.
Mia set down her book and froze when she locked eyes with Casey.
“You and Luca,” Casey said, his voice low. Rough. Raw with emotion. “That happened.”
Mia opened her mouth, then snapped it closed looking like a fish out of water.
