Page 149 of Pucking Tangled
Brooke stood in the middle of the room, looking like she was already mentally gutting the place. “When are you heading out?”
“Thursday,” Luca replied. “We’ll be gone four nights. Is that going to be enough time?”
“Absolutely,” she said, clapping her hands together. “I cannot wait to get started.”
“Donotspill a single detail to her,” Owen warned. “Got it?”
“Yessss.” Brooke rolled her eyes. “Jeez. You act like I can’t keep a secret.”
Casey snorted. “Uhuh. Now, you should get going before she comes home from class.” Casey got up and slung his arm around her. “You still have my spare key, right?”
“I do.” Brooke nodded.
“Oh. Troy is coming by Friday morning to pick up Skeeter. But Mia thinks you’re dog sitting and that’s why you’ll be here when we leave,” Casey added.
Brooke blushed at the mention of Troy’s name. “Oh. Uhm. Okay.”
“You always were my favorite cousin, Brookie.”
“Right. I’ve heard you tell the others that, too,” she laughed. “Either way, I’ll be here. Thursday morning.”
FIFTY-ONE
Luca
Luca hadn’t been homesince before he signed with the Barn Raisers, but driving the stretch of road through South Central Texas, he was happy to see it still looked like a painting come to life—rolling hills, sun-drunk wildflowers, vineyards unfurling in long, perfect rows beside limestone buildings with tin roofs and wraparound porches.
He adjusted his grip on the steering wheel as they passed a sign for Weintraube, then turned down a narrow road flanked by live oaks and split-rail fences. “Ten more minutes,” he said. His voice came out sounding calm, but inside his body, his heart was pounding.
Mia reached over from the passenger seat and squeezed his hand. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Just nervous.”
Waylon leaned forward, his head popping into view between the headrests. “Youdidtell your mom we were all really coming, right?” he teased.
“Yes, asshole,” Luca said with a snort. “She knows I’m bringing my girlfriend and her three other boyfriends.”
Owen, half asleep in the backseat, mumbled, “Bet your mom made, like, five casseroles.”
“I hope so, I’m starving.” Waylon rubbed his stomach.
Luca exhaled a quiet laugh. “She probably made enough to feed the entire town. Wouldn’t be surprised if sheinvitedthe entire town.”
“Yikes.” Casey sat upright from where he was lounging next to Owen. “Are we surethat’sa good idea?”
“We’ll find out, won’t we?” Luca asked, quickly glancing at him in the rearview mirror.
The closer they got to the house, the harder it was for him to pretend like this visit wasn’t huge. It was one thing to tell his parents over the phone about his relationship—it was another to show up hand-in-hand with Mia, who might also at some point link hands with one of her other boyfriends in front of his parents. Not that the guys would ever be disrespectful, but they were still learning to navigate this relationship and it was hardnotto want to constantly touch Mia, hold her hand, or kiss her.
They passed Keller Vineyards first, a quaint winery that offered tours and tastings. It was Luca’s parents’ favorite.
Just a little further down the road, his family home sat a few hundred yards back off the main road., perched on a gentle slope surrounded by vines and pecan trees. The old stone house had been restored a few years ago, but still looked like something out of a Hill Country postcard.
He pulled onto the gravel driveway and put the rental car in park. “Okay. Let’s do this.”
His mom was already coming down the steps before they even made it out of the car.
Celia Blackford was small but fierce, withsilver-streaked curls pulled into a low bun and a linen apron still tied around her waist.
