Taking Shots
Page 79

 Toni Aleo

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“What?”
“What was that?”
“Oh, nothing, just some pills I gotta take.”
“For what?”
“Um, you know, to keep things right I guess. They help with my hormone levels.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, no big deal. So the bathroom’s open if you want to take a shower.”
“I think I will,” he said, kissing her cheek before walking down the hall with his coffee in hand.
Shea loved her house. He could see himself living here, but they would have to keep the condo since they both worked in Nashville. Or maybe they could find another house like this one, since he really did like this layout.
What was he thinking?
He has sex with Elli once and he is already thinking about moving in with her?
He needed help.
Shea shook his head as he showered quickly. When he looked in the mirror, he glared at the stubble on his chin, but it wasn’t like he came prepared, so he threw on his clothes from last night. He was tying his shoes when Elli came back in; she was wearing a brown skirt with some ivory tights and an ivory blouse that hung off her shoulders. Her hair was still up in the towel as she breezed by him, smelling like the mango shampoo he had just used. He was going to have to get some of it, so he would always have her scent on him.
Shea was sitting on the porch watching Adler run through the yard when Elli stepped out in some brown heels. She smiled at him before calling Adler in.
“So isn’t it called the walk of shame when you are caught in the clothes from the night before?”
He laughed as he stood up. Elli locked the door then turned to look at him, laughter dancing in her eyes.
“Maybe for other people, but I would never walk in shame after last night,” he said, wrapping an arm around her waist as they walked down the stairs, “By the way, you look good.”
“Why, thank you,” she said with a grin as she climbed into the truck after he opened the door for her. He went around the truck , got in, started the engine and they drove off.
They went to the mall in Clarksville. Even though everyone in the Gap gave him a look, he wore the clothes he bought out of there. He had picked a yellow button up shirt with some nice khaki pants. From what Elli said about the club, it was pretty classy. He was a little nervous about his Chucks, so he went ahead and bought canvas shoes while they were at the mall.
They left the mall and drove about 15 minutes before turning down the drive for the Clarksville Country Club. Shea was starting to think every place had a long driveway in this town. After driving past golfers and tennis courts, they finally pulled up in front of the large, pretty white building. It had large windows lining the outside, with double glass doors, and flowers galore. Shea got out as the valet helped Elli out. He came around the truck, handing the valet a tip before taking Elli’s hand in his.
As they walked, people stared at them before whispering to each other. He wasn’t sure if hockey was popular in Clarksville, and he didn’t know if they knew who he was, but they definitely knew who Elli was.
“Ms. Fisher,” a tall balding man said as he walked in front of them.
Elli smiled nicely.
“Hello, Mr. Johnson, how are you?”
“I’m fine darlin’. Visitin’ your daddy?”
“Yes, sir. We are late, so if you’ll excuse us,” she said, pulling Shea along towards a lady who stood behind a podium.
“Ugh, I hate this place,” she muttered before giving the lady her dad’s name. The lady smiled at Shea, then led them out onto the terrace. The room was large, filled with about ten tables. The walls were blue with brown trim that lined the floors, windows, and doors. It was very classy. A lady sat in the corner playing a harp as people enjoyed their brunch. As Elli and Shea past each table, people would look up, staring at Elli, but not at him. He was so used to everyone staring at him, that it was new having everyone stare at Elli. Not that it was bad, but different for sure.
Elli’s dad, Michael, was sitting at a table on the other side of the room, by a large window looking out over the front nine. He stood as they got closer, a big welcoming grin on his face.
“Eleanor,” he said, kissing her cheeks.
He smiled up at Shea, shaking his hand hard.
“Shea, how are you? So glad you could come.”
“I’m good, thank you for having me,” Shea said as he pulled out the chair for Elli beside her dad. Elli smiled up at him as she sat. Michael sat down as Shea pulled out the puffy chair and sank down into it. It had to be the most comfortable chair he had ever sat in. He looked at Elli and Michael to see if they thought the chairs were awesome, but they were settling in, not paying attention to him or basking in the awesomeness of the chair like he was.
Nothing was said as a waitress came up, getting their drink orders.
“I’m surprised you’re not working, Eleanor,” Michael said after taking a drink of his water.
Elli looked up from her nails that she was picking at. He was starting to notice that was a nervous habit of hers.
“I took the weekend off since Shea is leaving tomorrow night. Alice and Ryan are doing the weddings I had today, and Jack, Alice’s brother, is doing the birthdays.”
Michael nodded his head, “Where’s Harper?”
“She took off this weekend, too. Her boyfriend is actually Jakob Titov, so she is spending the weekend with him,” Elli said with a grin.
Michael smiled.
“Boyfriend, huh? Interesting.”