Dirty Toe Drag (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 6)

“Duh,” I joke, and honestly, I did. I’m in a pair of wide-leg jean shorts, and I’m wearing a pair of black nylon thigh-high boots with a bright-pink cami. My hair is up in a sleek ponytail, and I know I’m giving off Ariana Grande vibes, but I’m not even the least bit ashamed. He nips at my bottom lip and I grin up at him, but then I remember we’re in a room full of people. “Ugh. Have you met my aunt Audrey?”

“I think we met in passing at the wedding.”

I pull away, taking his hand in mine and pulling him to Audrey. She smiles brightly at him, taking his extended hand. “I’m not sure, but I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“All awful, I’m sure,” he teases, but Audrey just beams.

“I don’t know. She’s a smitten little kitten, this one.”

I smack her as he laughs, kissing my temple. “That’s good to hear.” I lean into him as he holds out the whiskey he’s carrying toward Aiden. My brother takes it, though I know he is upset with me. I don’t care. Everything I said was the ultimate truth, and I don’t plan on going back on my word.

“Thanks, brother.”

“Anytime. I wore blue. Hoping for a boy.”

He grins as Shelli laughs. “Isn’t everyone, just so Zac and the new baby can grow up and be best friends?”

I gush. “Wouldn’t that be the sweetest?”

“It would. So, Team Boy!” Shelli exclaims, trying to lighten the mood. The tension is thicker than a sheet of ice, and I’m waiting for Aiden to snap at me once more. Though, he probably won’t. I’m his baby sister, and he handles me with kid gloves. But now that I’m dating Wes, that may have changed.

I look over at Aiden, and his eyes burn into mine. “Don’t mess this up.”

“I won’t,” I promise, but he doesn’t seem convinced. He takes Shelli’s hand then, and together they go out in the backyard.

When I glance up to see Wes looking at me, he asks, “Everything okay?”

“Aiden thinks I’ll hurt you.”

“Isn’t he supposed to be worried about me hurting you?”

Audrey smiles. “No, honey. Not when Emery Brooks is in this world.”

Thank God for Audrey because the tension is gone and our laughter fills the room.

While the tension may be gone, the anxiety of telling him about his dad is drowning me. His eyes meet mine, a sweet grin on his face before he takes a bite of a cupcake. When he moans, he says, “I swear, you’re incredible.”

I grin at him, and I don’t know what to do here. I don’t want to lose him. I don’t want to ruin this. I don’t want him grinning like that at anyone but me.

Damn it.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Wes

“Oh, thank God.”

Beside me, Emery looks relieved as blue smoke and little confetti explode from the puck Aiden just slammed his stick into as if he were trying to score the winning goal for the Cup finals. Of course, his father and father-in-law both look on proudly at his form. Once the blue bursts into the air, though, everyone loses their goddamn mind. The backyard is full of excitement, all the hugging, the kissing, and the loud cheers as the newest grandchild is announced.

A boy.

Shelli and Aiden embrace, and I get this itch in my chest. A pull, really. Almost instantly, my eyes divert to where Stella is standing, a wide, happy grin on her face as her mom and Audrey hold her, both crying. She looks like she belongs on the stage of the Grammys or something, but she doesn’t look out of place here either. She’s beautiful. Perfect, even. I couldn’t ask for a better girlfriend, a better person to hold me and comfort me as I open the closet to my fucked-up skeletons.

“When can we eat? And is it only tacos?” I glance down to Emery, who is no longer relieved but annoyed. “Aren’t you hungry?”

“Almost always.”

“Same,” she says on an exhale. “So, is this done?”

I chuckle. “Aren’t you excited? You’re going to have a nephew.”

“Who won’t be here for like four months,” she says without missing a beat. “Listen, all everyone talks about is this damn gender reveal. It’s finally over, but guess what’s next?”

“The baby?”

“No, the baby shower,” she says slowly. “And, oh my God, it’s going to be so overly planned and extra. Add on to it that my parents haven’t found out about Asher and Ally, and there are endless fucking parties coming. I am so over it.”

“You don’t like parties?”

She glares at me like I’m an idiot. “I’m the only one who wants sushi at these parties, but guess what? Pregnant people can’t eat sushi, my dad is allergic to random fish, and Ally doesn’t like it as much as she should. So, no, until there is a party with sushi, I will not enjoy it.” I grin until she sets me with a look. One of those looks that hits you in the soul and rips it apart. A murderous stare, if you will. “Do you like sushi?”