Bring It Home (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 3)

She snorts with laughter. “I’m just worried you and Amelia will be too big to do the group dance.”

With the straightest face I can muster, I say, “God, I hope not.”

She side-eyes me, and I can’t hold it in. I laugh from my soul, falling back on the bed as she does the same. Our hands lock, and I let out a long, happy sigh. In a matter of months, Shelli and I will both be married, and I’ll be starting a family. Owen and Evan will be heading to Carolina for their new careers, and Quinn will be off to college soon. It’s all so crazy. “When did we grow up?” I find myself asking.

I look over as Shelli does the same, a bit of sadness in her blue eyes. “I don’t know. I can still remember playing hockey with Dad, and the boys being in their walkers on the ice.”

I grin. “Remember when Owen flipped his and busted his face? Dad and the rest of us were laughing so hard, while Mom was freaking the hell out.”

Her laughter fills my heart. “It was so funny.”

“It was!”

“It has all gone by so fast.”

“I know, but I’m so happy.”

She nods. “So am I.”

“Good thing we have a dad like we do. We would never settle for less than Shea Adler status.”

“For real, and I think Aiden knows that.”

“I know Boon does. I mean, he’s out with dad right now.”

Her eyes widen. “Have we checked to make sure he’s still alive?”

I chuckle, but then I stop abruptly. “No. Maybe I should?”

“You should.”

“I should.”

And as I text my future husband, our laughter fills the room.

Just as it did when we were kids.

Chapter Seven

Boon

Shea kicked my ass at golf, but it wasn’t like I thought I would win. What I didn’t expect was to have such a breakthrough with him and also to be able to talk about my mom so freely. It’s been a long time since I had a father figure, and I may be getting ahead of myself thinking Shea could be that for me, but it was nice to talk to someone who knew how to deal with what I am going through. We had a blast this morning. We got along, and Shea didn’t even give me any death glares. He laughed a lot, and I did too. With all the stress of the Cup finals, my mom, and praying to God that Posey’s pregnancy goes to term, it was nice to unwind.

Posey was right; Shea Adler is a great man.

She’s right a lot, which is really annoying.

“Where you guys thinking of honeymooning?”

We’re riding back from the course after a lunch to sober up from our drinking this morning. Apparently the whole Adler clan is back at the house, so Shea is killing time. He loves his family, but they are loud. I had to hold back from reminding him where they get that from. I want him to continue to like me.

“I wanted to do like a European tour, but she’s nervous about leaving for that long, being pregnant and all.”

“Ah. Has the doctor said she can’t travel?”

I shake my head. “Not to my knowledge, but then I haven’t gotten to go to an appointment yet.”

“True. I get why she did that, but still, she should have told you.”

I grin. “Yeah, she’s lucky I’m totally in love with her.”

Shea laughs. “That she is. Just like her mom.” I’m unsure if I can agree with that, but before I can decide one way or the other, he asks, “So, where are you guys going?”

“Jumby Bay in Antigua. We plan on lying beside the pool and beach and never leaving.”

“That’s a damn good plan. You’ll need to let me know how it is. I might take Elli.”

I don’t know why that pleases me. Maybe because I want to still be happily married and wanting to go somewhere with my gorgeous wife when we’re older and our kids are leaving. “Of course. I’m sure we’ll take a lot of pictures.”

“Let me know if you need the plane.”

“The plane?”

“Yeah, our plane. You’re more than welcome to it. Posey is weird about using it. She says we’re bougie,” he laughs, shaking his head. “But Shelli uses it every chance she gets. So, you guys can use it for the trip.”

I laugh. “Well, Shelli is bougie.”

He agrees. “Damn right. Gets that from her momma,” he says as we pull into the driveway of his house. “Oh, speaking of Momma Adler, Elli says she can’t get ahold of your mom. I didn’t tell her your business, so maybe see what your mom is doing and then just let Elli know?”

My heart kicks up. “Of course. I’ll take care of that now.”

“Cool,” he says, shutting off the car. We both get out, and he comes around the car toward me just as I take my phone out of my pocket. I pause as he cups my shoulder. “I had a great time with you. Maybe we should make this a weekly thing? Get Aiden to join us.”