Dirty Toe Drag (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 6)

“Okay,” I say happily as he throws the door open.

He rolls down the window and then gets out, shutting the door to lean on it. This is where he asks. It has to be. “Can you text me when you get home?”

I’m taken aback, but I recover well, smiling widely. “I will.”

He taps my door, flashing me a grin. “I had a blast tonight. Thanks for inviting me out.”

I’m holding my breath. I don’t trust myself. “Me too. Thanks for coming.”

He gives me a nod. “Okay, goodnight. Be careful going home.”

I blink. That’s it? He didn’t even try to kiss me. “Goodnight,” I say to him as he slowly backs away from my car. I roll up the window and lock the doors as I watch him head up the stairs and into his house. He waves back at me before he goes in, and I let out a long breath.

That did not go the way I thought it would.

But I have to admit, I’m all giggly inside.

That is, until I look at the text from him on my phone. Then, I’m just hot all over.

This text is from a man who finds you so incredibly gorgeous, it’s hard to stand beside you and not wrap you up in my arms. I had a blast tonight. I’m glad we’re exploring this. Goodnight, my stunning Stella.

* * *

Audrey has a lot for me to do when I get to the shop. Thankfully, Penny is here, and together, we get to work on the fifteen hundred cupcakes for a wedding that evening. As I mix all the ingredients in one industrial mixer, Penny is at the other. We don’t talk much because I think we’re both exhausted. She’s got a crazy schedule, and she’s also a very talented volleyball player and wrestler. Because of the dual sports, she’s always training. I know that work ethic comes from her parents. My aunt Audrey can work herself into the ground, and Uncle Tate was the best goalie at one time, but he’s still a great and influential man. My other cousin, Phillipe, is following right in his dad’s footsteps, and I, for one, am excited to see how far he gets. He’s already playing for the Junior Assassins team at our local rink, and he’s phenomenal. It reminds me of watching Aiden play for them. He was always the one to watch on the ice, and now, it’s Phillipe.

As I transfer batter into each cupcake liner, my thoughts wander from junior hockey to professional. Or, really, to Wes. I texted him once I got home, and he thanked me again for a great night before wishing me another goodnight. It was the weirdest thing. Though, to be honest, I feel special. He’s being really kind—not that he wasn’t before; he’s always been a nice guy—but now it feels like more than just a fuck.

Which is what I want.

Once I put the cupcakes in the oven, I move to the next mixer to make the frosting. Penny meets me there, and together, we prepare a huge batch of frosting.

“Still haven’t told your family you work here?”

Her question surprises me since I thought we weren’t chatting right now. I shake my head as I meet her glowing hazel eyes. They’re so light, almost a green but more a blueish-brown. It’s weird, but I love them. She’s a gorgeous girl, so tall and slender. She takes after Tate, which Audrey says she’s thankful for since she struggled with her weight all her life. But to me, Audrey is absolutely stunning. Penny’s long, dirty-blond hair is back in a French braid, and she’s wearing her sweats from volleyball.

I swallow past the lump in my throat since I know she could tell my family, or even my sister, at any time. She and Emery are buddies. “Nope. They still don’t know.”

“Why? I mean, you love this, Stella. Stop fighting it and be who you are.”

I nod. “You’re right, but I’m a scared little bitch.”

“Don’t know why. You’re talented, and Mom can’t stop talking about it.”

“I know,” I say softly. “I’m figuring it out.”

“Okay,” she drawls, very unconvinced. “How’s life?”

“Busy.” I blow a piece of hair out of my eye. “School and work are kicking my ass. I’d rather just be here all day.”

“You could if—”

“Thank you, Captain Obvious. I know.”

She snickers as she starts the mixer. “Any new guys? I keep seeing you with that really skinny black dude? New boyfriend?”

I shake my head as I turn off the mixer, scooping the frosting into the bags. “No. That’s Lake, my buddy.”

“Oh, he’s hot.”

“He is and so damn funny, but very much gay.”

“All the good ones are.”

“True.” I laugh with her as we make bag after bag. Once we are done, we toss them into the blast chiller. When the timer sounds for the cupcakes, we take them out of the ovens and then move them to the cooling racks before leaning on the table to rest for a second. She’s on her phone and I’m on mine, and once again, we don’t talk. I really have nothing in common with Penny. I love her, I do, but she doesn’t like fashion or makeup. And when we talk about boys, it’s very to the point.