Free Taking Shots (Assassins) by Toni Aleo Page B

There was a fathead of the team’s emblem and then pictures from the game, mostly of Shea, since he was her favorite player. There was also a signed jersey that her uncle had gotten her that year to go with her season tickets. Shea’s signature was in the middle, right beside his number. She loved her little entry way, it was totally Assassins’ decked out.
    “ Oh, shit!”
    She looked around in horror. She was dating an Assassin and when Shea saw this he would think she was a freak!
    “ Oh my God, and he’s coming here tomorrow!”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter 6
     
    Shea was looking really good, in his opinion, as he drove to Elli’s house. The suit he had picked out fit him perfectly and he was having a great hair day. He was going to put his contacts in, but he couldn’t find them. He was extremely excited about seeing Elli, even after the conversation him and Jakob had had that day.
    “ Dude, you’re making yourself too available!” Jakob bitched as Shea texted Elli, “You’re always talking to her and she’s going to think you’re desperate.”
    “ No, she won’t. I just like talking to her,” Shea said defensively, “So shut up.”
    “ You’ve seen her every day since Sunday. You are smothering her!”
    “ I am not! I just want to get to know her,” Shea looked back up at him, glaring, “and this coming from the guy that stalking what’s her name.”
    “ Harper, but I love her.”
    “ Oh, my God, really dude? It’s been a week!”
    “ I know the one when I see her.” Shea stood up, wrapping a towel around his waist.
    “ You know what, before you try giving me advice on how to date girls, get your love life square.”
    Shea shook his head just thinking about Jakob declaring love for Elli’s friend. It made no damn sense, but it really didn’t matter. He was going out with Elli in a matter of minutes.
    Her house wasn’t hard to find. It was one of six on the road she had given him. He saw her truck before he saw the house. That damn truck, a girl shouldn’t be driving it, a man should. He shook his head as he pulled up behind it and got out. He was so mesmerized by her truck that he didn’t notice her sitting on the porch in a rocking chair. She stood up, looking as beautiful as ever in a light colored dress.
    “ Hey,” she said with a wave, crossing her legs. She was wearing some naughty looking boots that had chains on them.
    “ Hey, I was going to come to the door,” he said as he walked towards her. She looked nervous as she came down the stairs.
    “ Yeah, my dog jumps on people.”
    “ How high can a forty pound pug jump?” he asked with a laugh.
    “ Hey, shut up. Let’s go,” she said pulling him towards the car.
    “ You don’t want to show me the house?”
    “ No, I’m ready to go. Plus, I don’t want my dog to mess up your suit.” She took his hand in hers and started for the truck. He went along with it. If she didn’t want him in her house, fine.
    For now.
    He opened the door for her and she climbed in, grinning back at him. He returned the smile, and then went around, getting in himself. He pulled out of her driveway and they were off.
    “ I told you I should have just drove,” she said from beside him. He looked over at her.
    “ What?”
    “ You’re mad.”
    “ I am not.”
    “ Yes, you are. You get that tick in the side of your jaw when people irritate you.” He had to smile at that. That’s how he knew for sure she was a hockey fan. His tick was documented as a way for is opponents to watch the hell out.
    “ That doesn’t mean I’m mad.”
    “ True, but you are irritated. I’m sorry Shea. I’m just not ready to show you my house.”
    “ Can I ask why?”
    “ I’d prefer ya didn’t.”
    “ Okay,” he took a deep breath, trying to calm his irritation, “but I still want to pick you up and walk you to the door at the end of the night.” He looked over at her and she was biting her lip. He reached over, taking her hand in