Dirty Toe Drag (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 6)

“Are you done?”

“Nowhere near, but honestly, you rendered me speechless, Stella. Since the moment I set eyes on you. Both back at the wedding and today. Always, really.”

My stomach clenches as my heart starts to race. “Well, that’s a very sweet thing to say.”

“Only the truth, sweetheart. Only the truth.”

As we drive off, I look back at Leanna’s house to find Emery on the porch with that damn shit-eating grin back on her face.

God, she infuriates me, but I’d die for her.

Chapter Fourteen

Stella

For reasons unknown, Wes doesn’t take me home. Instead, we continue on, and the ride to where we’re going isn’t long once we hit the interstate.

“So, what cupcakes did you make me?”

When I look over at him, he waggles his brows at me, and I grin. “I made some that are newbies for me.”

“Do you mean that no one has tasted these Stella Brooks flavors?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying,” I confirm, my face aching from grinning so hard. “I made a RumChata one because you told me you love horchata.”

“I do. A lot. And rum rhymes with fun.”

“This is true,” I laugh as I wring my fingers together. “And then a French toast cupcake.”

“Oh, man. I don’t know if I’ll be able to share.”

We share a dazzling grin, and I can’t get enough of him. His window is down, and his arm hangs out as he rides. He has a ball cap low on his head, his dark sunglasses hiding his eyes and any clue of if I’ll need to call an Uber once we get to where we’re going. I am still burning with humiliation, but I don’t know what I expected. Emery is very headstrong and extremely direct. If she has no issue calling out my dad or brothers, no one is safe, really.

“What’s your week look like?”

I smile over at him. “Work and school.”

“Work is Brooks and cupcakes?”

“Yup,” I say proudly, and it feels amazing. “When is your next road trip?”

“Not this week, but next week. Tuesday.”

“Is it a long one?”

“Kinda. Nine days.”

I only nod because, really, I have nothing to say to that. Oh, I’ll miss you? It’s date one; I need to relax. Road trips are nothing new to me. My dad was gone most of my early life and didn’t retire until Aiden’s senior year. Unlike Aiden, we later kids got a lot of Dad time, but I still haven’t forgotten living without him. I always thought I wouldn’t want to live that kind of life, but then I see a hockey player, and I seem to forget all about those sacrifices.

Or maybe that’s just how Wes makes me feel.

When we pull into a pretty park area I haven’t been to, I look around, confused, as Wes puts the truck in park. “You brought tennis shoes, right?”

“I did,” I say as I reach for my bag that holds both my shoes and the cupcake tub. “In here.”

“Awesome.” He gets out, and I gather my things as he comes around, opening my door. I take his hand as I get out, and he jokes, “Kinda hope I did that right so you tell Emery and she doesn’t kill me in my sleep.”

I snort. “I’ll protect you.”

“Thanks. She’s little but terrifying.”

“You have no clue,” I admit as he shuts the door.

He locks the truck and tucks the keys in his pocket. “It’s a little walk to the spot. Do you want to change now?”

“Do I need to?”

He shrugs. “I don’t think so. Plus, I like those shoes.”

We share a heated look before we start off for the spot he is speaking of. I have no clue, but if I were a guessing woman, I’d say it’s a picnic. Why else would you come to a park? The area is gorgeous, and it’s a beautiful spring day. Lots of flowers and even more people hanging out, flying kites, and throwing Frisbees.

“Do you throw?” Wes asks, tipping his head toward the few people who are tossing their Frisbees.

“I’ve never played for real, but I can sling one. I was actually thinking I haven’t flown a kite in years.”

He thinks that over. “Shit, I don’t think I have either. We should do that. Maybe bring Emery with us.”

I scoff. “You don’t have to include her. I wouldn’t want to subject you to that again.”

He grins. “I love her. She’s hilarious.”

“You know she wasn’t joking at all. Like, that was her.”

He laughs. “That only makes me love her more.”

“Okay, weirdo.”

His laughter runs down my spine as we start down a little wooden set of steps. “Oh, this is cute.”

“Yeah, one of the guys brought his girl out here for engagement pictures. That’s how I knew about this spot.”

“I’ve never been here,” I say, taking the hand he offers.

“I’m glad,” he says happily, and it makes me happy. He stops on the bottom step of the bridge, and I step down in front of him. I go to step off, and I don’t know what happens. I hear a crack, and then I’m falling back into Wes. He catches me with no problem. Any other time, I would bask in the feel of his chest against my back, but right now…right now, I’m trying not to break out in a sob.