Spiked by Love (Bellevue Bullies #6) - Toni Aleo Page 0,35
me. Apparently, that’s the theme lately. But she doesn’t mention it. “Hey, I’m moving in to Aiden’s condo.”
“Man, you didn’t even make it a week.”
I laugh. “Sorry. I don’t know how you do it.”
“They’re not that bad.”
“Mom, they’re crazy,” I retort. “I feel you and Dad might be in danger from the cross fire.”
She laughs ruefully. “You’re insane. If they didn’t love each other, then I would worry. But they love each other more than they love any of us.”
Huh. I didn’t think of it that way, but still, I need out. “Whatever you say. So, I’ll be moving out this weekend.”
“At least I got a week. Though, Aiden gave me longer.”
I scoff. “Because he’s a titty baby.”
That makes her snort with laughter. “Will you be home tonight?”
“I don’t know. I might go get my key from Shelli and stay at the condo if it’s late. I’m going to a party.”
“A party?”
“On campus. A date, if you will.”
“Look at you go. Condo, jobs, potential companionship. And you were worried?”
I grin. “Yeah, I sometimes forget I can do anything I put my mind to.”
“This is true. So, who’s the lucky lady?”
“Angie Paxton.”
I’m met with silence. “Oh Jesus, Asher. No. Not Angie.”
“What? Why?”
“She’s a baby!”
“She’s eighteen.”
“A baby! Lucy is going to flip.”
I laugh. “We’re not dating, dating. I haven’t even kissed her yet.”
“Benji might too, and all those Sinclairs will come after you. Lord help you.”
“Stop being so dramatic.”
“This is almost as bad as Aiden getting with Shelli. I saw his death. I saw Shea and the twins coming to murder him. That was only three of them. I feel like there are a hundred Sinclairs.”
I chuckle loudly. “I don’t see it going anywhere, Mom. I’m just having fun.”
“Can’t you have fun with Ally?”
I can’t exactly admit that’s why I am going to the party. It’s not to hang with Angie but to keep an eye on Ally. Taco loves parties, so I know he’ll be there. “I will. She is going too.”
“Don’t call me when people find out about this. I want to be completely oblivious. You know what? This conversation didn’t happen.”
“Now I know where your daughters get their dramatics from.”
“Okay, smartass. My marketing team just showed up. Let me let you go.”
“All right. Love you, Mom.”
“Love you, and I’m very proud of you, minus the Angie thing. I have no clue about that.”
She hangs up on the sound of my laughter. I have a grocery list, and I promised I would pick everything up. I may only be staying a week, but at least I do chores. When I pull up to Aldi, I put the car in park and then grab my phone to text Ally.
Me: Guess what?
Ally T: What?
Me: I got the job at Bellevue.
Ally T: !!!!! WELL, DUH! That’s super awesome! CONGRATULATIONS!
I beam.
Me: Thanks. I’m pretty excited about it.
Ally T: You should be. You’re basically a badass.
Me: This is true.
Ally T: Okay, your head is big enough, and I’m in the middle of class. Leave me alone.
Me: Fine, asshole.
She sends me a kissy face, and I laugh as I click off her name and go to Angie’s.
Me: Hey, if you still want a date for the party, I’m your dude.
Angie: Really? What changed your mind?
I can’t exactly tell her the whole truth, so I go with part of it.
Me: I want to get to know you more, and I don’t want to wait until tomorrow.
Angie: Well, that’s good to hear. Wanna meet at my dorm at nine?
Me: Yeah, I’ll see you in a bit.
Angie: I can’t wait.
Me: Can’t either.
I sort of feel bad. I don’t want to lead her on, but then again, I’ve been totally honest about what I want. Maybe tonight, she’ll decide she wants more. Though, that’ll just put me in more trouble.
’Cause I don’t want anything with her.
Shit. I’m acting like a before-Shelli Aiden.
Not a good look, but he’d be so proud.
I get to Angie and Ally’s dorm right at nine. I’m one of those punctual dudes, which is why my supervisors and professors speak so highly of me. The rest of my family? Always late. It drove me insane growing up. It didn’t matter what time we had to be somewhere; we were always thirty minutes late. It was so bad that Aiden would have to put his hockey gear on in the car just to make it to practice on time. The smell was horrendous. When he started driving, it was a godsend. He actually cared about getting to practice