Spiked by Love (Bellevue Bullies #6) - Toni Aleo Page 0,96

I’m compacted between the wheel and the floorboard. They must have noticed because their words drop off, and Stella leans toward me. “Um. You okay?”

“Fine.”

“What are you doing?”

“Hiding from you two insane people.”

“But we see you,” Emery says simply. “Looking like a dumbass. You know you’re gonna get stuck. And I’m so telling Ally, ’cause she’ll make fun of you.”

“She sure would,” Stella agrees

She would. I exhale through my nose, and now I see why Ally didn’t want to tell anyone. The fact that my sisters and dad know has me crawling with nerves. I slide back up into the seat, and when I glance over, they look like two puppies waiting for treats.

“So, what songs do you have picked out?” Stella asks, and I groan as I reach for my phone.

“‘Lover,’ Tay—”

“Ew, no. Everyone is dedicating that to people. Be original,” Emery says quickly, and Stella nods.

I swallow hard, and for the next what feels like a lifetime, we go through all the songs I’ve compiled for Ally. It was totally impulsive, but each song reminded me of her. I feel silly, though, sending one to her. Would she think it’s romantic? Is it romantic or overdone?

“Will she even like this?” I finally ask, and both my sisters look at me like I’m crazy.

“She’ll love it. Promise,” Stella says as she leans her chin on my shoulder. Emery has somehow wiggled her way between the window and my other shoulder, both of them in my phone like it’s theirs.

Suddenly, my phone signals a text.

Ally T: Hey, I’ll meet you at the restaurant. Give me the deets.

I bring in my brows as I type her back, despite Pinky and the Brain watching.

Me: I can pick you up.

Ally T: No, I gotta come home tonight. I got so much shit to do in the morning, and I don’t want to wake you up when I leave so early.

Me: I don’t care if you wake me up.

“You sound desperate. Back off,” Emery advises, and Stella nods.

“Jesus Christ,” I groan as my phone sounds again.

Ally T: Don’t worry. I’ll make it up to you.

“I bet she will,” Stella sings, waggling her brows at me.

What in the actual hell am I doing here?

Me: You better.

Stella nods. “Yeah, she’ll like that.”

“Assertive. Makes you sound like you’ve got big balls,” Emery comments, and I stare out the front window as I take a cleansing breath.

I clear my throat. “Okay, my beautiful, smart, and talented sisters. I don’t know what level you two think the three of us are on, but I’m not comfortable with this cavalier manner of speaking. I still see you two as babies and in diapers. Don’t talk like that.”

They actually roll their eyes in unison. “You’re the baby.”

“Such a baby,” Stella says dryly.

Ally T: What are you doing?

Me: Shopping with my sisters.

Ally T: ???? That’s nice… LOL Did they hog-tie you?

I snort, and the girls laugh too.

Me: No. I needed help.

Ally T: ??? With?

Me: Something for you.

Ally T: Oh, really?

Me: Yeah. There will be a package at the dorm containing the deets and your present. I look forward to seeing you tonight.

Ally T: I’m a little awestruck, Ash B. Speechless, even.

Me: Good. I like you that way.

Stella quickly taps my shoulder. “Send her the song now. It’s the perfect time.”

I shake my head. “I don’t want to.”

“Why?”

“It’s not my words…I don’t know. I feel silly.”

“So, you wasted our time here. I feel that song is bomb.”

“I don’t. I’m second-guessing it. I don’t want her to hear it and question me.”

Emery blinks. “I’m confused. Question what?”

I pinch the bridge of my nose, and shit, I’m having second thoughts. “I think the dress will be great, and then I’ll give her a present at dinner.”

“What present?” Stella asks, and I exhale as I reach into the glove box, grabbing a mahogany box. I swallow nervously when they both take in a deep breath. I don’t even have to open the box for Stella to gasp, “That’s Mom’s engagement ring.”

Emery’s eyes are wide. “I thought you gave that to Jasmine? You can’t give that to Ally. That’s so tacky.”

“I didn’t give it to Jasmine,” I say as I open the box to the ring my mom saved for me. With each kid my mom had, my dad bought her a new ring with diamonds representing each of us. Emery’s may have the most diamonds, but I think my ring is better. It’s an open-concept ring, with one emerald-cut diamond and the other cut in a