Page 108 of Pucking Tangled
Casey
Casey took the longest to speak his truth.
He saw the notifications pop up letting him know the other guys had already posted.
He recorded a statement, then deleted it. Re-recorded it twice. Deleted those too.
Then finally, he decided to just hitrecordand let his heart speak.
“I’m Casey Novak. I’ve been a Barn Raiser from the beginning. I’ve also been in love with my best friend, Mia Abbott, since I was thirteen years old. Like Owen Hawk,she’s my safe place. My future. Together, they’re my whole Goddamn heart.
It took me a long time to step into my truth when Owen and I got together. But if you think I’m going to sit back while the world shames Mia orusfor something beautiful—somethingours—then you don’t know me at all.
Say whatever the hell you want about me. But leave her out of it. Because it won’t just be one of us coming for you, it’ll be four.”
His voice cracked, just slightly, before he shut the screen.
Casey blew out a breath and sought out Owen.
He wouldn’t wake Mia, but he needed at least one of his anchors to hold him steady in this storm.
Of course Owen was waiting for him just outside the door because the man knew exactly what Casey needed.
Always.
THIRTY-EIGHT
Mia
Mia staredat the view of herself on screen.
It had been fifteen hours since those photos went viral. Eleven since she cried into Casey’s chest while the rest of the guys flanked her like she might crumble without them. Eight since Luca climbed into bed beside her, just to hold her while she slept.
Now it was morning.
And she was done hiding.
Someone had shut her phone off overnight, and alerts were still rolling in now that she’d turned it back on, but she was studiously ignoring them until she said what she had to say.
The guys weren’t hovering—not quite—but theywerenearby. Casey was leaning in the doorway, his arms crossed. Owen was pacing, pretending to read something on his phone. Luca sat across from her, a mug of tea going cold in his hands. Waylon stood with his back to the counter, watching her with eyes that missed nothing.
They didn’t say anything when she opened her laptop.
And they didn’t stop her when she pressed record.
“I wasn’t going to say anything because assholes aren’t worth the waste of breath. But since the entire world knows my name, I felt it was time you knew the real me.
My name is Mia Abbott. I’m a law student studying entertainment and sports law. I live with and love four men who play professional hockey.
Yes, we’re in a relationship. Yes, I mean all of us.
No, this isn’t casual. And it certainly wasn’t calculated. And it sure as hell isn’t something to be ashamed of.
What we have together is built on honesty, communication, respect, and choice.
The only difference between our relationship and anyone else’s is that ours is expansive and without limits.
So if you came here expecting scandal, I’m sorry to disappoint you.
