Page 128 of Pucking Tangled
“That Casey has never been more himself than when he’s with meandyou.”
“Yeah, they won’t even notice us.” Waylon rested both his hands on Luca’s shoulders.
“That wasn’t what I meant.” Owen rolled his eyes. “They won’t be able to deny the love we’reallbuilding here.”
A knock on the front door interrupted their discussion.
Mia jumped and yelped. “Shit. They’re here.”
Waylon pulled up the doorbell camera on his phone. “They’re all smiling, and no one brought a pitchfork. That’s a start.”
She smoothed her hands over her shirt and pulled her hair out of the messy bun to run her fingers through it while she headed for the front door.
With a deep breath and a silent prayer, Mia turned the knob. The door opened with a tiny creak then there they were. Standing on the front porch looking like they’d just swung by for a regular visit.
Her mom’s eyes found hers first, soft and searching. Gentle acceptance and understanding.
Her dad looked uncertain.
Casey’s mom, of course, shoved right past everyone and pulled Mia into the biggest, tightest hug she could manage. “Iknewsomething was going on! Laney and I have been saying for years you two would end up together.”
“Gee, thanks, Mom,” Owen teased with a smirk.
“Oh, you hush.” She let Mia go and turned to hug him. “Look at the both of you…the three of you. You look so in love.”
“Well…” Mia began.
“I meant, with all of them,” Mrs. Novak winked at Luca and Waylon who were standing back out of the way. “Don’t you worry, I read enough romance novels to know exactly how this works.”
Waylon snorted. “Sounds like we should have invited her to the last house meeting.”
Mia sent him a death glare while Casey and Owen laughed.
“Why don’t you come on in?” Casey motioned for everyone else to step inside.
Casey’s dad gave his son a long, quiet hug, then turned to Mia with a warm, steady look. “Hey, sweetheart. You holding up okay?”
She nodded, suddenly blinking back tears. “Trying.”
He nodded, as if that was the best answer he could hope for. “That’s all anyone can do.”
Her parents finally stepped forward. Her mom wrapped her in a warm embrace and whispered in her ear, “are you really okay, baby?”
“I’m good, Mom,” she sniffled, trying to hold back her emotions. She felt like she’d already done enough crying for a lifetime. “Really good.”
Because it was the truth. All the negative press aside, Mia felt better than she ever had before.
Her dad glared at Waylon and Luca still standing behind her, hovering protectively just out of reach.
Ed Abbott crossed his arms over his chest and raised a brow. “And are these the other two infamous hockey players?”
Casey cleared his throat. “Just infamous recently.”
“That’s me. Resident bad influence.” Waylon gave her dad a two-finger salute.
Poor Luca looked like he wanted to just disappear into the drywall like the guy fromThe Simpsonsgif, who disappeared into the bushes.
“Dad, the one whothinkshe’s the resident bad influence is Waylon. And this is Luca.” Mia stepped back and looped an arm around Luca’s.
