Page 48 of Pucking Tangled
Tapping his stick against the ice one final time before turning to follow his team off toward the tunnel, Owen found Mia again and gave her a heartfelt smile.
Yeah. We’ve got some shit to figure out, boys.
NINETEEN
Owen
They madeit back to the house still riding the high from their win, while Owen silently contemplated how they were going to address the elephant in the room.
Mia greeted them at the door with Skeeter by her side. Both excited to see them. Mia gave them each a hug that lingered a little longer than normal.
She rattled on for a bit about how excited the game had been and thanked Luca over and over for inviting her to come. It was clear that they had grown close, and something was building under the surface.
As the night wore on, the tension grew thicker around everyone until Mia eventually excused herself. She said it had been an emotional whirlwind of a day and she was tired. No one protested. They wished her a good night, then went their separate ways to shower and get settled for the night, but not before Owen made sure they all saw his text.
Owen: House meeting. The four of us only. Kitchen. Thirty minutes.
They all silently acknowledged his message and scattered.
Now Waylon was leaning against the fridge with a beer in his hand.
Luca was fidgeting like a toddler on one of the barstools while Casey paced back and forth, nervous energy radiating off of both of them like smoke.
Owen stood at the counter with his hands crossed over his chest, staring at the House Rules posted on the fridge that had been recently modified.
11. If you’re gonna fall for someone in this house, do it all the way.
Mia was obviously on to them.
Like always, Owen spoke up first, breaking the silence and taking the lead. “I’m pretty sure we all know why we’re standing here. And I think it’s time we stop pretending.”
“Pretending what?” Waylon started. “Like we’re all not falling for the same girl?”
Luca let out a barely audible gasp but remained quiet.
“Yeah. That,” Casey sniped.
Owen wasn’t the least bit surprised that Casey was in a foul mood. He had been almost unhinged, feral, when they were finally alone. Even an orgasm couldn’t help his boyfriend settle down. The realization that Luca had made a move hit Casey like a ton of bricks. He told Owen that he was afraid that after all this time, he’d lost his chance.
Luca’s demeanor shifted. The rookie flexed his hands a few times and his shoulders tensed.
“Luca, is there something you want to say?” Owen pushed.
He swallowed hard. “I—” Luca cleared his throat. “I haven’t said much because…because I didn’t know how to.”
“Just say it, man,” Waylon said, his voice surprisingly gentle for being the most abrasive guy in the group.
“I like her. A lot.” Luca’s voice cracked just slightly. “But it's not just that. I…I’ve never done this before.”
Waylon raised a brow. “Never done what? Hooked up with a roommate? Happens to the best of us,” he smirked.
“No,” Luca shook his head, cheeks flushing. “I mean… I’ve never been with anyone. At all.”
You could have heard a pin drop as his admission lingered.
“You’re serious?” Waylon blinked.
If the situation wasn’t so personal and private, Owen would have laughed—but only at Waylon’s expression as he processed what Luca had just told them.
