Dirty Toe Drag (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 6)

It’s been fantastic, and I’d hate for Aiden to ruin that. The problem is, everyone else in his family knows—well, not his brother, but I haven’t seen that dude in months. Asher is a private person anyway, and also, I haven’t been to any family events for Aiden in a while. That’ll change this weekend for the gender reveal. Not that I plan on telling Asher or anything. That would be weird.

“I actually have therapy tomorrow and plans with my girlfriend,” I say slowly, and his brows rise. Even Boon looks back at me.

“Girlfriend?” Boon asks, the side of his mouth quirking up.

“When did this happen?” Aiden asks, grinning from ear to ear.

“Monday,” I say as I tape my elbow pads on. “We were going to wait a bit to put a label on it, but she’s… Dude, she’s just exceptional.”

Aiden sputters with laughter, and Boon grins fully at me. “Exceptional?”

“I need to meet this exceptional girl,” Aiden laughs.

“For real. Anyone who can make Wes use words like exceptional must be close to perfect,” Boon throws at me.

I grin, nodding. “She is.”

They both send me a grin, but then Josef leans in, fully ready for the game in all his pads. “Is your sister still off-limits? Because that girl is exceptional.”

Aiden glares, and I do the same. “Shut up, Jo,” we both say at the same time.

I don’t have to look at Aiden to know he’s eyeing me. I can even feel Boon’s eyes on me, but I ignore them both, taping my leg pad. I don’t know why I did that. I might as well have just said, “Hey, that’s my girlfriend, asshole.”

Josef doesn’t seem to care. He shrugs. “I’m just saying. I’d be good to her.”

“I don’t care. She’s too good for you.”

“You say that about everyone when it comes to Stella,” Boon laughs, and Aiden shoots him a deadpan look.

“Because she is. Not only is she smart, she’s fast on her feet. She’s bigger than this town. She’s going to go off to Paris and design clothes for celebrities or something. She’s incredible.”

Okay, now I get why she would be nervous about telling her family about her plans. But then, hearing his words, I know Aiden loves her and would support whatever she wants. I just hope she realizes that and owns up to her dreams. Stella deserves that. She deserves the world. But of course, I’m overthinking Aiden’s statement. She is bigger than this town, and she is way too good for anyone. Especially me.

Somehow, though, I’ve landed her, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to lose her.

I lick my lips as I lean back in my locker, taking out my phone to text Stella. I inhale, doing my breathing exercises as I type a text to her.

Me: Your brother is talking about you.

Stella: Jeez, about what? And aren’t you supposed to be getting ready for a game?

Me: Aren’t you supposed to be working?

Stella: I am. But when you text, I answer.

Me: Aw, you like me?

Stella: A bit. What’s he saying?

Me: That you’re too good for anyone.

Stella: He’s so over the top. Sometimes I think he’s more protective than my dad.

Me: I don’t know about that.

Stella: LOL, maybe.

Me: He asked me to go to lunch tomorrow, but I’m seeing you.

Stella: You can blow me off, or we can both go.

Me: Nah, I’m good. I’m gonna wait until next week. Get through the gender reveal first. He’s still upset about the ultrasound and all.

Stella: True. And also, that was bullshit. Had everyone freaking out.

Me: Exactly. So, I’m gonna wait it out.

Stella: Okay. Let me know if you want me to do it with you.

Me: I will. Though, I feel weird about it.

Stella: Weird about what?

Me: Not telling him.

Stella: Okay. I don’t know what you want to do here. I support whatever. I just want to be with you, and I want you to be comfortable.

Man, this girl is a godsend.

Me: I know. I’m indecisive and annoying.

Stella: Just a bit.

When she sends the winking emoji, I grin.

Me: What do you think we should do?

Stella: Wait till next week.

I nod. She’s probably right. I hate dragging this out, though. I just want to rip off the Band-Aid. Let it happen and face the repercussions. But what if he is dead set that I can’t be with Stella? What do I do? Do I give up my best friend for a girl? I always said I wouldn’t be that kind of guy, but I’ve never met a girl like Stella before. I feel like exceptional isn’t even the right word for her. She is so kind. So supportive. I had therapy a couple days ago, and she called afterward to make sure I was okay. I was—Noelle is a great therapist, and she spent most of the time apologizing—but Stella was so concerned.