Dirty Toe Drag (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 6)

She’s a stunner, for sure.

My stunning Stella.

Even being in the car with a very annoyed Boon and Aiden, I can’t keep this grin off my face. I get to see Stella tonight. She’s at work right now, and I thought about heading to Brooks, but I wanted to unpack, shower, and decompress a bit. The plane ride home was very depressing, with everyone beating themselves up. We’re an emotional team, a proud one, and we sure as hell don’t like letting Elli down.

I clear my throat as we turn onto Boon’s street. We always ride with Aiden to and from the airport. It’s our thing. Shelli and Posey usually drive together. I guess they all need their space after games. It’s understandable and probably healthy. I’m in the back seat, beside the future baby’s car seat. I’m using the cupholder for my slushie we got, much to Aiden’s dismay.

“So, a game of golf this weekend?”

I mainly ask the question to try to cheer everyone up. I don’t care to play since I hate golf, but I don’t like it when my friends are bummed.

Boon nods. “Yeah, I’m down.”

“For sure. I’ll set us up a tee time.”

“Awesome,” I say, happy with myself. When we pull into Boon’s driveway, I get out with him, helping him with his bags before hopping in the front seat after wishing him a good night. Posey is already home, standing in the doorway with a small smile on her face. She’s just as competitive as us, and she blames herself for the failure of our special teams. We had eight power plays the other night. Nineteen shots on goal. No goals. So ridiculous. I wave at her, and she waves back as Aiden pulls away.

“Fuck, I hate that we didn’t make it.”

I swallow hard, leaning on the armrest. “Yeah, sucks ass.”

“It does, and Shelli is annoyed and bummed. It just sucks all around.”

“It does. But upside, we get to start off-season early.”

He scrunches up his face. “I’d rather be playing.”

“Me too,” I say truthfully. But I don’t want to dwell on it. I’m trying to be positive. When my phone rings, I glance down to see it’s Stella. I grin as I answer. “Hey, baby.”

She squeals happily. “I’m guessing you landed?”

“Yup. On my way to my place.”

“Eek! Exciting. I swear, as soon as my shift is over, I’ll be there, food in hand and in need of a hug.”

I grin. “Can’t wait.”

“And a kiss.”

“Absolutely.”

“Who am I kidding? Just be naked.”

I laugh. “I can make that happen.”

She laughs along with me. “I’m so excited! I love you!”

Man, she makes my heart skip a beat. “I love you too.” We say goodbye, and I don’t miss the rolling of Aiden’s eyes. “Shut up.”

Aiden scoffs. “I’m still adjusting. It hasn’t stopped being weird to me.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. She’s my little sister. I struggle with her being in a relationship and being an adult. To me, she’ll always be little.”

I get that. “I promise, I’m good to her.”

“Oh, I know,” he says confidently. “It’s not that. I trust you, and seeing you two together shows me that.”

“Good. I’m glad.”

“I’m happy for you two.”

I grin, clicking off my phone. “Thanks. I’m pretty stoked with how things played out.”

Out of nowhere, he asks, “Should I be prepared for an engagement?”

I scoff, shaking my head. “Don’t get me wrong, I’d marry and knock her up—”

“Bro, gag. Come on!”

I give him a dry look. “Grow up,” I scold him. “I’d do it all right now, but I want to give her time. She could decide tomorrow she doesn’t want to be in a committed relationship anymore. And while it would crush me, I would understand. Who wants to be locked down at nineteen?”

“Stella.” My surprised gaze burns into the side of his head. “You know how she is. It’s really annoying. Ash and I thought we had it all figured out when we were each her age, but we didn’t. We were living on the edge and loving it, but Stella has always been three steps ahead of the game. She is one confident cookie.”

“That’s my favorite thing about her,” I admit. “Though, I wish she was confident in the whole situation with telling your parents about her career change.”

He nods. “Yeah, that surprises me. I think since she didn’t plan this, or want this initially, it’s hard for her to admit. She loves pleasing my parents. We all do, but Stella most of all. She thrives off making people feel good—well, not Emery. Those two…”

He’s so right, and I love that about her. I love that she is a pleaser, a supporter. It makes her who she is. “I love them together. It’s hilarious.”

“There is something wrong with you. You should be terrified of them.”

I grin. “Nope. I love them.”

Aiden looks at me like I belong in a mental institution, and he may not be wrong. I probably do, but here I am, living my best life. As we pull into my driveway, I grab my slushie and keys out of my pocket. “Text me the tee time.”