Page 40 of Pucking Tangled
It wasn’t like he asked her to wear his jersey, too. Though that would be a sight to behold.
SIXTEEN
Mia
“I wantedto invite you to the game tonight.”
Could he hear her heart trying to beat out of her chest? Because she could hear it. Hell, she couldfeelit.
The last time she watched the Barn Raisers play in-person was after a charity gala that she attended with Casey. The pictures were all over social media and a few puck bunnies in the stands heckled her fiercely, saying she wasn’t pretty enough to be with someone as hot as Casey.
The team won, barely.
But Mia didn’t get to see the ending. She left before the second period even started because she couldn’t stand the attention or their mean words. Casey noticed she left and Mia always felt partially responsible for the fact that the second half went to shit. Even if she knew deep down that wasn’t on her.
Now Luca was asking her to sit in the stands during a playoff game. When there was so much more on the line, onand off the ice.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” she croaked.
Luca’s face fell and she instantly regretted what she said.
“I get it. No worries.” He gave her a fake smile. “I shouldn’t have asked. It’s probably a bad idea anyway.”
Mia sighed. “Luca. I…”
“Hey, MiaMoo.” He put a hand on her shoulder. “It’s okay. Really. I need to get going, but I’ll see you when we get home tonight.”
And just like that, he started to walk away.
“Wait,” she called out.
Luca paused and turned around.
“It’s not because I don’t want to be there,” she whispered. “Last time I went to a game, it wasn’t a pleasant experience. When you asked, I freaked out. I’m sorry.”
“Mia, Ineverwant you to do anything that you’re uncomfortable with. Do you hear me?”
She nodded.
His expression softened. “If you’re nervous about going to a game and you’d rather watch from home, then I understand. But, if you’re feeling brave and you’ve got a friend that you’d feel safe going with, then I’ll have two tickets waiting for you at the box office.”
She wanted to cry.
She wanted to jump into his arms and hug him tight.
At every turn, Luca went out of his way to make her feel seen. Heard. Protected. Over and over again.
And asked for nothing in return.
“You don’t have to give me an answer now. Think about it. If I don’t see you in the stands, I’ll come find you the minute I walk in the door and we can recap the entire thing together. Okay?”
Lack of sleep and the overwhelming emotional rollercoaster happening had tears filling her eyes.
Damnit.
“None of that, MiaMoo.” Luca swiped away a stray tear.
She heard the other guys trotting down the stairs.
