Taking Shots (Assassins)

by Toni Aleo

  After washing up and shaving, he went back into the bedroom, noticing that his suitcase was packed and ready to go. He smiled, thinking she was a Godsend as he went into the closet getting his suit for the day. He was putting his suit on when Elli crossed the room, going into the bathroom, he stopped for a moment, thinking that maybe he could squeeze in a quickie, but then again, he knew he couldn’t. He always took his time, always wanted to taste every part of her, there was no such thing as quickies with Eleanor Fisher--her body was his play land.

  After getting dressed and tying up his chucks, he went into the kitchen seeing that Elli had made a quick breakfast of eggs and bacon while he was in the shower, so he sat down to eat while he waited for her. Adler sat beside him, watching him and waiting for anything Shea would give him, which was half his plate. What could he say? He loved the damn dog.

  “Did your mom take you out yet?” The words had Adler running to the door, jumping higher than a 40lb pug should. After hooking his leash on and putting on his jacket, Shea walked Adler around the condo twice before heading back up, frozen. Elli stood in the kitchen, drinking some coffee and popping her pills when he came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her for her warmth. She let out a little scream, smacking him away as he laughed. “It's cold out.”

  “I can tell, jeez,” she laughed as she took a drink of her coffee.

  Shea watched her for a moment, wondering if it was a good time to bring up Thanksgiving and her family. Since Shea never beats around the bush, he asked “Are you going to your parents for Thanksgiving?”

  She looked over at him, shaking her head. “I’m going to the club with Papa, daddy said he’ll try to meet us for a little bit.”

  Shea nodded. He knew Elli hadn’t talked to her mother or siblings since the family dinner he was subjected too. He also knew she hadn’t seen the kids in a while, and she was hurting from it.

  “Maybe you can go over for a little bit, at least to see the kids.”

  She shook her head, “I don’t want to see my mother.”

  “I know, baby, but you miss the kids,” he said wrapping his arms around her, kissing behind her ear. “And I know they must miss you, even if it’s only for a few minutes, you know?”

  She smiled, leaning her head against his, running her hands along his arms, “Maybe.”

  “That’s my girl,” he said kissing her again before glancing at the clock, “We need to go.”

  “Alright.”

  Shea loaded the truck up as Elli got in. They headed over to the airfield, and watched as everyone hugged and kissed their families. He was dreading going since he was going to be lonely for the next six weeks, with Jakob being out for that long. When he was asked if he wanted a new roommate, he said hell no, Jakob was his roommate, he didn’t want no one else, even if it was going to be lonely as hell.

  Shea popped the trunk and got out as Elli did the same, getting his bags. One of the crew members came over, getting Shea’s bag, leaving him and Elli to say goodbye. It was so cold outside, winter being in full swing, so he wrapped his arms around Elli, holding her close to him, not only for her heat but because he wasn’t going to see her for another two weeks. He wasn’t even going to be able to spend Thanksgiving with anyone he loved. He had a game that night.

  Elli nuzzled her nose into the middle of his chest, moving her face back and forth, that’s when he noticed she was crying.

  “Oh no, no tears Elli, I can’t do it this time around.” She looked up at him with a watery smile.

  “I’m gonna miss you so much, I just hate that you have to leave for so long again,” she cried as she nuzzled her nose back into the stuffing of his jacket.

  “I know baby, but it’s just another two weeks, then I’ll be home.”

  “Yeah, but then you leave for another week.”

  “Yes, but you are coming down that week, we are going to be fine babe,” he said with a grin, putting his fingers under her chin, moving it up so she would look at him with them beautiful green eyes. “I’ll miss you.”

  Elli gave him a small smile, sniffing before saying, “I’ll miss you more.”

  “I’ll call every chance I get, are you going to keep my bed warm?”

  “I am,” she said as red dusted her cheeks, he didn’t know if it was because she was cold or if she was embarrassed but he loved the color all the same.

  “Good,” he said as someone called for him to come on, he looked over at the plane and noticed no one was there, everyone had already boarded, and families were making their way back to their cars. He didn’t even notice; something that always happened when he was wrapped up in Elli’s arms.

  “You gotta go,” she said as big tears rolled down her cheeks, “Be safe, come home in one piece, alright?”

  “I will, remember don’t replace me,” he said with a wink before kissing her laughing mouth. He kissed her twice more before pulling away, and backing away from her. He wanted to tell her he loved her, but she already knew, and he didn’t want to put her on the spot, making her feel like she had to say it back.

  When she blew him a kiss as the tears rolled down her cheeks, the words fell flew out of his mouth, “I love you, Elli, bye.”

  She put her hand over her mouth, but didn’t say anything as he turned walking towards the plane. He hated leaving her, he did, but he hated that she didn’t love him more.

  When Shea’s plane landed, he had finally finished Pride and Prejudice, the book Elli had given him so long ago, and he knew what he wanted to do for her birthday. While waiting for the crew to load the bus up with everyone’s bags, he dialed Grace’s number.

  “Hey, you land already?” she asked when she answered.

  “We did, I figured out what I want to do for Elli’s birthday.”

  “Okay? Why do I feel I’m about to get pissed?”

  Shea laughed because she was probably going to get pissed but he didn’t care, it was the profession she chose, and it wasn’t his fault she was his twin. It also wasn’t his fault that she had to do anything he ask, and vice versa. He went on with the theme he wanted, and she didn’t say anything for about a minute after he got done talking.

  “When’s her birthday?” she asked.

  “December 17.”

  “So you want me to take us back to the 19 century in a little over a month?”

  He nodded, even though she couldn’t see him as he said, “Yes.”

  “Are you fucking crazy! How the hell am I gonna pull that off? I would have to send the invites out next week just to see how many people RSVP! Then where am I going to have it at? Places are filling up because of Christmas parties! You’re positively crazy!-” and on she went, complaining about how she wasn’t gonna be able to pull this off as he rode the bus to the hotel.

  When he had enough he said, “You can do it, Grace, I know you can. You have access to my account. I don’t care how much it costs, just make it happen. Invite all her friends from Facebook, invite the team, I’ll contact her family, this is gonna be amazing, and when it’s all said and done, I’ll make sure you get all the credit.”

  “Damn right I will and I’m gonna charge you an arm and leg!”

  He laughed before saying, “You can have all my limbs as long as this is the best birthday Elli has ever had.”

  Chapter 21

  “He’s driving me bat shit crazy Elli, I don’t even understand how a grown man can bitch and moan as much as Jakob does!” Harper complained as they sat in Elli’s office, waiting for a walk-in or their next appointment to come in.

  It had been a long two weeks, but Shea was coming home the next day and Elli was super excited!

  The first week Elli work a lot, it was a good week for her and the Assassins since they had won every game they played. On Thanksgiving, Elli ended up going to Liam and Noah’s house to see the kids before they went to her parents. It was wonderful seeing the kids, they asked her about Shea and when they would see him again, Elli promised to have a day with them and Shea. They lov
ed that and covered her with kisses and hugs. She ate dinner with Bryan, talking hockey, and about Shea. He wanted to make sure Shea was being good to her, which, of course, he was.

  Every time Shea and Elli would get off the phone, he would tell her he loved her. She didn’t realize being told that she was loved by someone would fill her so completely, but every time Shea did, it gave her butterflies, but then she would feel like the biggest ass in the world because she would say “Thanks, bye!” What was supposed to say though? She didn’t want to lie to him. Yes, she had deep feelings for Shea, maybe they were love, but she just couldn’t bring herself to say it, not in less she knew for a fact that she did. Which how she was going to know that was beyond her.

  The past week was busy with people getting Christmas pictures done in the studio, and businesses hiring Elli for Christmas parties. Birthdays and weddings were in full swing again, and Elli wasn’t getting home until late again. The holidays always brought in a lot of business, which was good, but Elli was crazy tired by the time she got home.

  Nashville was also so beautiful during Christmas time. Lights covered trees, Santa filled the windows of businesses, lights shaped into different Christmas figures adorned every light post along the sidewalks and everyone was just nicer during the holidays, it seemed. There was such a beautiful feeling that just filled Elli up during the holidays, even with Harper bitching every minute about Jakob, she couldn’t help but smile.

  “I mean, I love him, I do, but, Jesus, I’m ready for him to go on the road!” Harper complained some more as Elli ordered some toys for the kids on the computer.

  “I mean what did you expect, Harp?”

  Harper threw her arms up in the air, “I was expecting him to not bitch and moan!”

  Elli shook her head, “Harp, he’s in pain, give him some slack.”

  “He’s a baby,” she said in a huff as she crossed her arms. Elli giggled just as her phone went off. She looked at the display seeing it was Jodi.

  “Jodi!” she gushed, Harper smiled as Jodi gushed, “Hey, Elli!”

  “Tell her I say hi!”

  “Harper says hi!” Jodi laughed, saying to tell her the same.

  “So I’m calling because my water heater busted, my carpets are soaked and there is no way I can have people over this weekend for our dinner, is there any way we can do it at your house?”

  “Oh no! That sucks, um, yeah, I don’t see why not,” Elli said trying to think of the last time she went home. She had gone shopping for clothes because she didn’t want to go back to her house. She had been missing Shea a lot these past two weeks; she had figured it was cause of the holidays. All she knew was she was ready for him to be home, even if it was only for three days.

  “Awesome, thanks so much!”

  “No problem babe! See ya Sunday,” she said before saying bye and hanging up the phone.

  “What happened?” Harper asked as she stretched out on Elli’s couch.

  “Jodi’s water heater busted, she was wondering if we can do it at my house,” she answered before putting in her credit card information in the right spaces for her order.

  “Well, shit, do you think Shea would mind having it at his house? Jakob won’t make it in the car out to your house.”

  Elli nodded, “Crap, I forget he can’t ride in the car for long. I don’t know, I can ask, I guess,” she said as she looked at the time. Shea was working out, so she would have to wait to call him.

  “Cool,” Harper said with a nod, then she sat up quickly, “You know what would make me happy and forget that I have a whiny, little brat of a boyfriend at home?”

  Elli giggled as she looked over at Harper, “What’s that?”

  “Let's go out later!”

  “Go out?”

  “Yeah, let’s go karaoking!”

  “Karaoking? Is that even a word?”

  “It is in my dictionary! Come on! Let’s go get our drink on!”

  Elli giggled as she shook her head, “Harper, I haven’t drank in months.”

  “More the reason to go, we’ll have a ball, we always do! Please!”

  “Maybe, depends on how the day goes,” she said with a grin while Harper’s shoulders slumped. She wasn’t saying no, she loved going out with Harper, but she needed to clean up a little at the condo before Shea got home, and she had a busy day tomorrow, so she wouldn’t be able to drink much if she did.

  Her cell phone rang just as she was about to get up to get the receipt that she had printed off the printer. It was Shea.

  “Hey you, I thought you were working out,” she said as she got the piece of paper, folding it up and putting it in her check book.

  “Got done early, what are you doing?”

  “Hanging out with Harper in the office, my next appointment isn’t for another twenty minutes.”

  “Cool, I was thinking about you, thought I would call.”

  “Aw, I’m always thinking of you,” she smiled, catching Harper rolling her eyes. She picked up the squishy ball she had on her desk and beamed Harper in the head with it. Harper let out of a scream before flipping Elli the bird.

  “What was that?” he asked as Elli laughed.

  “Harper being Harper,” she said as Harper stormed out the office, “I’m glad you called though. I need to ask you a favor.”

  “Sure.”

  “Is it okay if I have my friends over for dinner and games on Sunday? I know you leave Monday morning, but Harper wants Jakob to come and he can’t ride in the car for a long time, so my house is out, and Jodi’s water heater busted,” she said as she drew little hearts on her calendar.

  “Sure, I don’t mind. I’ll like to meet your friends.” She smiled as Harper came back into her office a coffee in hand.

  “Who said you were invited?” she asked, teasing him a little.

  “Oh, am I not invited?” he laughed, she laughed along.

  “Oh, course you are, I think after two months it’s time for you to meet the besties. Thanks so much for letting me have it at the house. I’ll call everyone up and let them know, they’ll be excited to meet you,” she said picking up the coffee cup Harper had just laid down when she leaned over to see what Elli was writing.

  Elli took a sip and Harpers yelled, “Hey!”

  “Oh hush!” Elli said back as Shea laughed.

  “You guys act like sisters.”

  “We do,” she agreed as her business phone started ringing, “I gotta go, I’ll call ya later?”

  “Sure, babe, I love you, and miss you a lot,” he said, and like always her stomach filled with butterflies.

  “I miss you, too, bye.”

  When she hung up the phone, Harper had already answered the business line, so she leaned back in her chair, looking up at the ceiling. She wished she knew if she loved Shea or not, sometimes she thought she did, but then Justin would come into her head, causing her to question her feelings. Plus, she decided when she did know for sure she loved Shea, she didn’t want to tell him on the phone but in person.

  As Elli watched Harper write some things down, she decided she did need a night out. Girls night with Harper were always a hoot, and she loved to do karaoke, so when Harper hung up and looked up at her, all Elli said was, “What time we going tonight?”

  Shea knew he should have told Elli earlier that he was coming home after the game. It was what he gets for trying to surprise her, a taxi ride from the airport to the house. He had called her about ten times, but she never answered. So he got in the cab and went home, but when he got to the condo, Elli wasn’t there either, and it was well past midnight. He tried to call her again, but her phone just kept going to voicemail.

  When Shea went upstairs and saw that Adler was still there, he guessed maybe she was at a wedding, but she never had turned her phone off before, and he could have sworn she had said she was coming home early tonight. He stood with his hands on his hips, confused, a little pissed, and even more worried. He reached for his phone again and dialed Jakob.

&nbs
p; “Hey, dude,” Jakob said when he answered.

  “Hey, is Harper there?”

  “Nope, she’s out with Elli.”

  Out with Elli?

  “Huh? Where did they go?”

  “Well, apparently I’m driving Harper dog shit crazy, so she left to get her ‘drink on,’ whatever the hell that means,” he said, and Shea just shook his head.

  “You mean bat shit crazy, and drink on? Where?”

  “I think some karaoke bar, Wanna Do Something maybe?”

  Again, Shea shook his head. Jakob had been living in Nashville almost as long as he had, didn’t he know anything about the damn town?

  “You mean Wanna B’s? You’re pitiful Jake,” he laughed as Jakob chuckled.

  “No I’m drugged up dude, anyways, yeah I think they’re there.”

  “Cool, I guess I roll over there. I was trying to surprise Elli,” he said, going to the bedroom to change out of his suit, “Wanna roll out with me?”

  “Um, I don’t know, Harper might get angry.”

  “She’ll be okay, I’ll be there in ten.” Shea hung up and threw his phone on the bed, before stripping off his suit to put on a pair of jeans and a button down long sleeve dress shirt. After doing his hair, and putting in his contacts, he was out the door and on his way to Harper’s apartment since that was where Jakob had been staying. Harper lived in a little condo building unlike his large one; it was red brick, and old looking. He remembered Elli saying it was huge inside, but it was a studio condo, something he could never live in. Shea needed a bedroom.

  Shea called Jakob, letting him know he was there, and watched as Jakob limped to the truck. Shea cringed watching Jakob trying to get in the truck, he was obviously in pain, but Shea knew not to ask him if he needed help. Jakob was an ass when he was in pain, Shea learned that early on, and knew not to mess with him when he was hurting. After buckling his seat belt, Jakob looked over at Shea. His nose was completely healed; only a little yellow around the base of his nose.