Spiked by Love (Bellevue Bullies #6) - Toni Aleo Page 0,6
to kick Jasmine’s ass.”
“She isn’t worth it.”
“Did you get the ring back?”
“Duh, sold it on Facebook.”
“Good for you.”
“Now I can use that money to find a place to live since, let’s be honest, I won’t last at the house.”
Ally grins as we get on the trolley to take us to where she parked. “I don’t know. Your mom is pretty stoked you’re coming home. She already texted me twice about when we’re running by Brooks House.”
I lean my head on the window and glance over at her. “She wants me to work with her until I find a job.”
My mom owns a really successful winery and restaurant. My siblings and I grew up on hockey and wine. You’d think I’d want to play hockey like Aiden and my dad, or even run the winery like my mom and Stella. Yet I just want to make jumbotrons do cool shit. I don’t know what it is about those big TVs that revs my engines, but I love them. I first became obsessed when I was four. My dad took me on the ice one time when they were servicing the Assassins’ jumbotron, and I was done for. I wanted to fix the lights and control what went on the screen. It all blew my mind. Since then, they’ve gotten three new ones, but I really want to talk to Elli Adler, the owner and our family friend, about getting a bigger and better one. I have a meeting with her Friday, and I’m praying that means I only have to work for my mom for a week.
Because I really hate the restaurant, and I’m not a wine drinker.
“I thought you were going to try to get Elli to hire you?”
“I am. Dad says I won’t have to try too hard, but they’ve had the same jumbotron team the whole time I’ve been alive. I don’t know if she’ll bring me on.”
She gives me a dry look. “You’re Lucas Brooks’s son. She’ll do anything for you. She loves you.”
I shrug. She isn’t wrong. Elli has the biggest heart, but I want her to hire me because I love jumbotrons and I’m talented. Not because of who my parents are and the fact that she changed my diapers. “Yeah, we’ll see.”
When the trolley stops, we get off and head toward her car. Ally pops the trunk, and I put my things in. Once in the car, she starts it and says, “Taco called last night.”
I try to hide my disdain, but it’s impossible, and I groan loudly. I absolutely hate her ex-boyfriend. More so than some of her other exes. Taco’s just a complete shitshow. By the looks of him, you’d think he has his shit together, but then you get closer and you notice he smells. He’s a douchebag. Ugh, I hate him. He tried to get her to move to Texas and leave behind everything she’d built here. She’d worked her ass off to keep her 4.0 and to be captain of the Bullies’ volleyball team. He knew this, yet he was pushing her to go. He’s basically a piece of shit. “Please tell me you ignored the call.”
She grimaces. “No, I answered. He’s back in town.”
I know whatever I say will be ignored. She loves fixer-upper dudes, and not the kind they sing about in Frozen. No, the real shit cases. I mean, he goes by Taco. What an idiot. “Ew, ignore him, please.”
“You know I can’t. He asked me out.”
“And you said no,” I say hopefully, putting that good energy into the world.
“I did because I’m spending the day with you.”
I side-eye her. “Ally.”
“What? He says he just wants to talk.”
“And get in your pants. He’s a douchenozzle. Find someone else,” I urge as I try calling my brother. He doesn’t answer. “You don’t need that shit. You’re too good.”
She shrugs. “It’s nice to be wanted.”
“There are plenty of guys out there who want you, Ally. Stop settling for trash.”
“I guess.” She pulls out of her parking spot and hits the highway. “I’ll cancel the date.”
No, she won’t. I’m not stupid.
“Good,” I say, hoping she’ll do it, but I know she won’t.
Since I have nothing nice to say, I send a text in my family group chat.
Me: HOME! Hanging with Ally. I’ll see you guys soon.
Stella: You chose Ally over us?
Me: You’re all working or have things to do. Remember? No one could get me from the airport? Ally could.
Emery: So? We still want to feel important, and we