The Chase is Over - Toni Aleo Page 0,8
talk to Aiden first.”
“I know,” I agree, swallowing hard. But I don’t know how. We are really happy right now, really vibing. Do I want to put so many miles between us? At least when he travels for away games, I go. But if I’m in New York, we’ll go back to seeing each other whenever we can. But it is a huge honor to be asked to play this part, and I really shouldn’t bat an eye at it. It’s funny. I don’t care about anyone else’s opinion of me except for Aiden’s. His opinion matters, his feelings matter, and if he tells me no, I’ll be crushed, but I won’t do it.
Which is probably why I haven’t told him about it yet.
I reach for my martini glass, downing it to help ease my nervousness. My self-doubt. As I put down the glass, I hold my hand up to order another drink, but then I feel a body press into mine.
Before I can turn, though, a pair of lips is at my ear and hair tickles my face as the smooth-as-butter voice says, “I’ve been watching you for a solid ten minutes, and if you don’t let me buy you a drink, I might lose my fucking mind, because you, Shelli Grace Adler soon-to-be Brooks, are the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen in my entire life.”
I feel my face light up, my lips curving in the widest grin as I turn in Aiden’s arms, wrapping my arms around him as our lips meet. He lifts me a bit off the ground as his hair continues to tickle my face. He’s left it down, wild curls surrounding both our faces as we kiss, and I feel like it’s the first time I’ve tasted his lips. As we part, I tuck his hair behind his ears, kissing his bottom lip a few times while our eyes dance together.
“Funny meeting you here,” I mutter against his lips.
“My thoughts exactly,” he whispers, his lips dusting mine. “You having a blast?”
I snort as we part only slightly. “Well, your sister has a fake ID and tried to come out with it.”
He furrows his brow. “Stella? She’s nineteen—”
“No.”
He shakes his head. “Man, Emery is gonna end up in jail before she’s eighteen.”
“Probably,” I agree with a grin. “Other than that, it’s been a blast with my two pregnant bridesmaids, your little sister who can’t drink, and my cousin who can but is way too wild for me.” We both look out on the floor where Ally is dancing with Asher. Her husband. I lean in, my lips at his ear. “Also, Asher and Ally got married in Spain.”
His eyes widen as he looks down at me. He hasn’t shaved, said he won’t until the day before the wedding. His eyes are wild with surprise and a bit hazy with alcohol. He’s wearing a thin tee with some khaki shorts. He looks absolutely yummy. “No shit?”
“Yup, she told us at dinner.”
He shakes his head. “They aren’t telling anyone?”
“I guess not.”
He scoffs. “Insane, but then, I’m not surprised. They’re so private and spontaneous.”
“We’re the only ones having a big wedding.”
He grins down at me. “Because we’re the coolest.”
We share an intimate smile before we tighten our grip on each other. “I missed you.”
Aiden winks at me. “Of course you did. I rock your world.”
“You do,” I admit, kissing his jaw. “Are y’all having fun?”
On the floor with Asher and Ally is Wes, who is dancing mighty close to Stella. His hands wander down to her hips, and I feel Aiden tense under my hands. “We were until that jackass started touching my sister.”
I hold him close. “Aiden, let them be. They’re having fun.”
“I don’t like that,” he says, snarling at them, even though Stella and Wes are so engrossed in each other, I doubt they notice. “He’s too old for her.”
I roll my eyes. “You didn’t say anything about Boon and Posey,” I remind him, and he gives me a blank look.
“She’s not my sister. You’re supposed to get mad about that.”
I laugh. “I didn’t because they are adults.”
He gawks at me. “Maybe not, but this brother knows that Wes is a whore who will not take advantage of my sister.”
I shake my head. “Aiden, come on. Stella isn’t dumb, and do you really think anyone could take advantage of her?”
“We’re talking about Stella here, not Emery.”
“I know. Stella is exactly the same,” I say, holding back my laughter. “Don’t pay them any mind.”
The tension leaves