Spiked by Love (Bellevue Bullies Series Book 6) Read online

  I’m not reminded of how completely and utterly in love with him I am.

  Chapter Two

  Asher

  I didn’t realize how much I missed Ally until I have her in my arms.

  I’ve missed her, of course; she’s been my best friend for years. But it was hard to go from seeing each other daily to only on FaceTime. The great thing about us, though, is that we talk every single day. Sometimes every hour. Even with us living apart, our lives are so intertwined distance means nothing to us. But it’s one thing to talk to someone at every waking moment, and it’s a whole other to be in their arms.

  Ally gives the best hugs.

  She never lets go until you do. I could literally hug her for hours, and she wouldn’t let go. She also smells like heaven. I know she wears Bonbon eau de parfum because I bought it for her years ago, and she’s never changed her scent. I love it. It fits her perfectly, and I’ve missed it. She’s always been unbelievably beautiful with her long brown hair that she’s put highlights in since the last time I saw her. Her eyes, my favorite thing about her, have specks of gold in their green depths right now since she’s so excited. Her face is flushed, and I love how happy she is. I can’t believe she talked me into coming home.

  In all honesty, it didn’t take much convincing.

  While I’m now back in Nashville, Tennessee, I hadn’t been planning on returning. I love it here, but my family is exhausting. Don’t get me wrong. I love them more than life itself, but it’s real hard to hang out in your perfect, high-scoring-hockey-player older brother’s shadow, and then act as a referee for two little sisters. Aiden has always been the star son. My mom ran off with him when she got pregnant because she thought my dad cheated. Then many years later, they reconnected with my dad, Mom found out he didn’t cheat, and a great love story happened. Now, they’re married and raising all these kids. Because of everything that went on when he was little, Aiden has always been extra loved to make up for the time they messed up. I’m loved, but I’ve often felt like I’m second best to him.

  Then there are my sisters. You can’t ignore them or not love them. They demand attention. Both beautiful and perfect in their own right, they’re also crazy as fuck. Stella is astonishing, striking, smart, and going places. I don’t know if Emery, the youngest and also possessing all the same characteristics as Stella…in her own way, is jealous of her or what. But Emery tries to kill Stella at least once a week. I wish it weren’t in a Netflix documentary kind of way, but I think it might be.

  Okay, that could be me exaggerating Emery’s craziness, but one thing is for sure, my parents are saving up money to pay off the dude who decides he wants to take her on and spend his life with her.

  God help him.

  Stella will find her person, and he won’t need payment. She loves love. And then Aiden, who witnessed the fucked-upness of my mom and dad, had sworn off love. But then he found his match in Shelli Adler when he was traded to the Nashville Assassins. No one had to pay her to take him on. She’s loved him for most of our lives, I think. I don’t know why; he’s kind of an asshole sometimes. In his defense, our parents screwed him up good. It’s a whole big story that is equally as exhausting as my family. Though, I love them.

  My dad is a badass. He is a great dad. He loves us more than life itself, and he is so damn supportive. He isn’t as protective of Aiden and me as he is of Stella and Emery, but he cares. A lot. Our choices matter to him, and he wants us to succeed. My mom, well, she is the best damn woman I know. We’ve had our moments—we are both the same person, very headstrong and know what we want—but in the end, I know she’d die for me. Unlike with Aiden, she didn’t feel guilt about us three, so she was hard on us. But I’m glad she was. It made me a better person. A strong person, and really, I don’t know why I was so sure I’d never come back.

  Not only do I want to be around my mom and dad, I actually hated California. It was too busy, traffic was a fucking mess, and it’s expensive to even breathe there. I think the only reason I stayed as long as I did was for Jasmine, the woman I thought was my forever. I really did believe she was my soul mate. She was fucking gorgeous, super thin and tall, thick blond hair, and blue eyes that reminded me of a sheet of ice. Jasmine grew up in California, and once we were engaged, she made it clear she didn’t want to move to Nashville. I was cool with it for obvious family issues, but it felt a little weird. California wasn’t my home, but to make it somewhat like home, I was trying to convince Ally to move out there with us. Jasmine loved Ally—in a way I didn’t fully realize, which is why we are no longer engaged. Can’t marry a lesbian and expect it to work.

  Learned that from Ross Geller.

  While everyone thinks I had to know my so-called soul mate was a lesbian, I didn’t. I had no clue. She was a freak in bed and loved sucking my cock. She never really let on that she wanted something else. We got along great, and I loved her fully. She cared about Ally, and that was a big thing for me since Ally is so important to me. Problem was, Jasmine started asking to have a threesome with Ally. I thought she was joking, but she kept asking. Kept begging. It was really weird for me.

  I won’t lie and say I haven’t thought of banging my best friend—I am a man, and she is hot—but I don’t want to open that can of worms. I’m not comfortable with it. I feel like sleeping with Ally could lead to something I can’t handle. Feelings I’ve never known. And that scares me. I can’t ever risk the relationship we have. I can talk to Ally about anything, and she always has my back. Plus, Ally gravitates toward some real fucking dickwads. She doesn’t know how to like a good dude who will treat her well, and I take pride in the fact that I’m one of those.

  My mom made sure of that.

  Jasmine, though, she didn’t want a good dude either, apparently. When I finally asked what the hell her issue was in wanting to sleep with my best friend, I quickly learned she had been sleeping with another girl for over two months. She said she didn’t think it was cheating since it wasn’t a dude and it wasn’t an actual relationship. Since I disagreed, and I watch Friends more than I care to admit and know how that story line ends, I’m now back in Nashville with my pride a wee bit dented and very much single.

  It’s been a real long time since I’ve been hugged by a woman, and well, it feels damn good. I know that’s bad since this woman is my best friend, but I can’t help but nuzzle in her warmth a bit more. Like I said, she’s one hell of a hugger, and I’ve missed her. I pull back, because I know she won’t, and she grins up at me.

  “You’ve changed.”

  I bring in my brows, narrowing my gaze. “No, I haven’t.”

  “Yes! Where are your glasses?”

  I grin. “I’m wearing contacts. Jasmine didn’t like the glasses.”

  “But I do. You don’t look nerdy. You look all devil-may-care and shit.”

  I chuckle as I reach for my bag. “Devil-may-care?”

  “Yeah, like you’re ready to start a gang fight over Rosco who did you wrong.”

  “Wait? What?”

  “Yeah, especially with all these tattoos you’ve got, and are you on steroids?”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “Seriously. You’re all jacked and tatted and contacts. Jesus. Do I even know you? Do you still have Dungeons & Dragons in your bag?”

  My stomach hurts from laughing. “Yes, my D&D club was sad to see me go. And I told you, we’d play and then go lift weights. I was getting fluffy.”

  “I could kill Aiden for telling you that.”

  “He was right.” I laugh as I wrap my arm around her neck, and we head toward the exit. “I’m still the same dude, Ally. Promise.”

  Her arm comes around my waist, but she doesn’t look convinced. “Did you get everything separated from Jasmine?”

  I hesitate because I know she’s about to get mad. “I let her have everything.”

  “What?” she asks incredulously. “No way. You bought that bedroom set and dining room furniture.”

  I shrug. �
�I know, but she was being psycho about it all. So, I just packed up my clothes and some other shit. Left everything we bought together. I had to get away from her, Ally. The girl, Dee, has now moved in.”

  She gasps, her eyes widening. “No. I swear, I’m going 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 all know you’d rather be with her.

  Stella: For real. Like, why don’t y’all just get married and have babies and shit?

  Mom: Girls, leave him be. And please don’t have babies yet. I’m too young for that. I’m seriously buying boxes of condoms for Aiden and Shelli to remind them of that. But I love you, Asher. I’ve missed you and can’t wait to see you.

  Me: No babies, Mom. Costco is having a sale, I heard. Not that I need them.

  Emery: Not for a long time, I assume. Since your ex is a lesbian.

  Stella: HA BURRRRNNNN!!! Maybe you need to buy some burn cream from Costco too, Mom.

  Me: I hate both of you.

  Stella: But you loooooveeeeee Ally.

  Emery: Ally and Asher sitting in a tree… I forgot the rest.

  Me: Stop. You guys know she’s like a sister to me.

  Stella: Because you’re hurting for sisters?

  Me: Sane sisters, yes. I am hurting for those.

  Emery: Whatever. We all know Ally isn’t interested in you. You’re a big ole loser.

  Stella: And you play Dungeons & Dragons. No girl wants a man like that. That’s probably why Jasmine was sleeping with a girl.

  Dad: Girls, really? Be nice. Good to have you home, son. See you soon. Love you.

  Me: Stella, you will die alone with your makeup. And Emery, you better hope Mom and Dad save up enough money to sell you to someone so he can deal with you. Love you too, Mom and Dad.

  Aiden: Damn, are y’all on your periods? Welcome home, bro. Sorry I didn’t answer. Busy. See you soon.

  Right after that text, Stella and Emery each send me the middle finger emoji, and I snicker as I tuck my phone into my pocket.

  “My sisters are on a whole other level.”

  Ally meets my gaze and rolls her eyes. “What else is new? Did I tell you that Stella was at Maxim’s house when Posey showed up?”

  For the love of Pete. It’s always been Posey, Ally, and me. We were the group out of all the Assassins kids that hung out the most. Posey is the daughter of the famous Shea Adler, the legendary hockey defensemen, and she’s also Ally’s cousin in a chosen kind of way. Her sister, Shelli, is engaged to Aiden. Posey, we love her—though, again, I feel my girl best friends have the worst taste in dudes. She chased after this fuckface that didn’t love her and got her heart broken when he told her so. I’ll give it to her; it was the kind of thing she’d never do, chasing a guy like that, but I wish it had been a guy who would be good to her. Stella being there… Yeah, I’d expect that. The guys love her, and she loves the attention.

  “Why am I not surprised?”

  “Yup, Stella was there, and apparently they had been in a relationship for a while, she and Maxim.”

  I never liked Maxim. He was the billet boy for the Adlers and acted like he couldn’t speak English, but I think he could. He would fake like he couldn’t to get girls into bed. I played Call of Duty with him once, and he cussed really well in English. He isn’t even that good of a hockey player. Not sure what Stella saw in him. She wants that hard-core, badass kind of player.

  She tiptoes that line of puck bunny real close, but she actually knows the game.

  “Really?”

  “It was bad. I thought Posey would hate Stella, but I guess they patched things up. Stella broke up with Maxim when she found out he was stringing Posey along too, so that was cool of her.”

  “My sister is a good girl. She just doesn’t have any impulse contr
ol.”

  “Well, in her defense, she does have ADHD.”

  I nod. “This is true. Impulse control isn’t a part of her chemical makeup.”

  “Nope, and I’m just glad that she doesn’t suffer from anxiety or depression because ADHD can cause—”

  “My brain hurts. I don’t want to talk about my sister’s ADHD.” I meet her grin. She’s a damn genius, Ally is, and the things she wants to do in the sports psychology field are downright amazing, but my sister is the last thing I want to talk about. “I know you’re all super smart, and that class, the one about chemical makeup and how it’s not just genetics that plays into who you are, tickles your pickle, but I’m exhausted and hungry.”

  She laughs. “Aw, you listen when I talk.”

  I scoff. “Like you give me the option not to.”

  “True,” she agrees, and then she says, “Truth?”

  “Truth.”

  “You sure?”

  “Hit me with it.”

  She smiles with guilt swirling in her green depths. “I don’t want to eat at Brooks House.”

  I glance over to her. “Me either.”

  She grins. “Regular spot?”

  I nod. “Regular spot.”

  Chapter Three

  Asher

  I rub my eyes with my balled-up fist as I groan. “I hate taking out my contacts.”

  When I look up, Ally is looking at me with such annoyance. “Here’s an idea. Don’t wear them.” She hands me my glasses case. “You look way better with these on.”

  I scoff. “No, I look like a dork. Can’t pick up women when I look like that.”

  She rolls her eyes. “If they don’t like you when you resemble a goofy Harry Potter, then they shouldn’t get you when you look like—” She pauses, looking me over as I open my case and get out my glasses. I grin, flashing her my white teeth. “A not-so-goofy Harry Potter who’s on steroids.”

  That has me laughing from my gut. “You ass.”