Dirty Toe Drag (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 6)

“I haven’t heard from them yet. Didn’t they have the ultrasound? Think they already found out?”

Dad shakes his head. “No. I doubt it. They probably know we want to know, so we’re going to beg them for the envelope.”

Mom laughs, and I love the wrinkles by her eyes. Her hair is down in a lazy braid, and she’s wearing her PJs. My dad has on sweatpants and an old Assassins tee. They’re waiting for the veggie lasagna to be done so they can eat, while I’m standing here trying to find the balls to tell them I’m going out with Aiden’s best friend and ask if maybe they can keep that to themselves.

“I think it’s a girl,” Emery supplies, and Mom beams.

“Oh, I hope. A little girl with Aiden’s face and Shelli’s eyes? To die for.”

“Nah, it’s a boy. I got to start training another hockey player. Asher was a dud.”

Mom smacks him. “Asher is a godsend.”

“Yes, but a dud when it comes to hockey.”

“He’s not wrong,” I say, and Dad points at me with a nod.

Emery rolls her eyes. “You’re such a daddy’s girl.”

I shrug. “So?”

Dad winks at me, and I grin. I clear my throat then, when I see I only have a few minutes before Wes gets here. “I have a date tonight.”

Mom smiles. “Well, you look amazing. He’ll be knocked on his ass for sure.”

“For sure. Leave him there,” Dad says simply, and I scoff.

“Dad.”

“Just saying, no man is good enough for my girls,” he says, a true overprotective daddy.

“I know,” I agree. “But he’s actually pretty wonderful.”

Mom raises a brow, a sweet, kind smile on her face. “Where did you meet him? School?”

I notice Emery grinning from ear to ear as she sits on the edge of her seat, looking between our parents and me.

I want to knock her off the stool.

I clear my throat. “Actually, I’ve known him for a while.”

Dad eyes me. “Oh? Do we know him?”

And I swear, God is punishing me. The doorbell rings, and I silently curse as I untangle my legs and head for the door. Right on my tail is Emery and, of course, my parents.

Jesus help me.

I reach for the door as I fix the bottom of my dress, and when I pull it open, Wes is standing there in gray slacks and a light-blue button-up that he’s left open at the top. His hair is combed to the side, a few bangs in his eyes, and he’s completely clean-shaven. For someone who had a shitty day, he is fucking gorgeous for sure.

His eyes light up, and his mouth parts but then turns up in the most sinful grin. “Wow, sweetheart. Wow.”

I beam. “My thoughts exactly.”

He leans in, and I meet him halfway, kissing his lips. They’re so soft, and I love kissing him. As we part, he pulls a long stem rose from behind his back and hands it to me. “Sorry for being kinda off the grid today.”

“Don’t apologize,” I say, smelling the bud. “I know it was a tough day.”

“Well, you just made it better.”

We share a grin before I turn to see my parents and sister watching us. Emery gives Wes a thumbs-up. “I didn’t even have to complain.”

He grins at my sister, but he seems surprised to see my parents. “I learned my lesson. How are you, Emery?”

“Good. You can come in since my sister is just standing there.”

He gives an awkward laugh, coming inside as I turn to my parents, who both look very, very surprised and confused. “Um, y’all remember Wesley, from Aiden’s wedding? His best friend.”

Mom’s eyes are wide, and Dad looks as if steam is about to come out of his ears. Emery, again, is ready for the fireworks, but Wes reaches out to shake my dad’s hand. My dad may not be happy, but he’s not an asshole. He takes Wes’s hand, shaking it as Wes says, “Mr. Brooks. Mrs. Brooks, as gorgeous as always.”

Mom blushes as she shakes his hand. “Hello, Wes. I’m surprised to see you, picking up my daughter.”

He gives me a sly smile. “This has been a long time coming. I’ve been crushing on Stella for a while.”

“Aren’t you thirty?” Dad asks, and Emery snorts, but thankfully, Mom smacks him.

“Dad! He’s twenty-five.” I can actually see my dad doing the math in his head. “And before you say anything, Aiden and Shelli are, like, nine years apart.”

Emery grins. “Ha! She’s got you there.”

Dad presses his lips together, and Mom says, “Well, we won’t hold y’all up. Have fun.”

Wes shows his palms to my parents. “I haven’t told Aiden yet. Can you give me a chance to do that?”

They both look at Wes and then at me. Dad gives me a look. “Aiden doesn’t know you’re dating his best friend?”

“He does not, because Wes wants to sit down and talk to him about it, because he is a good guy who respects his best friend.”