Taking Shots (Assassins, #1)(88)

I told him, I love him.

What!

I know, but I do. He said he loved me too.

Oh my god, Harper, that’s awesome, babe.

I’m so scared.

Don’t be. He’s amazing.

He is, but what if I cheat on him?

Okay, with anyone else that would shock them, but not Elli. She knew Harper would be nervous about that, but Elli would be there for her, like Harper had always been there for her.

Won’t happen.

You sure?

Damn sure.

Thanks Elli, I’ll see you soon?

Yeah, waiting on Shea to finish packing.

Elli laid her phone down just as Shea came into the kitchen, carrying his bags and laptop case. He laid everything on the couch and bent down picking Adler up, hugging him close to his body. She was going to complain about Shea’s suit, but he wouldn’t listen anyways.

“You take care of your mom, okay, bud? See you soon,” He kissed Adler’s head before putting him back on his feet, looking over at Elli.

“Ready baby?”

Elli nodded, and they left, packing Shea’s stuff in the back of his truck. Elli was nervous about driving it back from the airfield, but Shea assured her she would be okay. They rode in silence, Elli’s hand in Shea’s as he drove with their hands on his thigh. She was trying so hard not to cry but when they pulled up to the airfield and Elli saw the plane, her heart just broke. She knew she was being a baby, but it just sucked, she didn’t want him to leave. Shea took in a deep breath, kissing the back of her hand before jumping out and opening the back of the truck, pulling out his bags. Elli got out of the truck, and went around the truck to help carry something. He gave her his laptop case, before shutting the back of the truck, and handing her his keys. She pocketed his keys as they walked up the walkway through the building to the strip that would take him to the plane.

Women and children stood around their hockey players, kissing and crying as they hugged them tightly. Elli saw Harper and Jakob making out and her heart broke at the sight of Harper’s face, blood shot eyes with tears running down her face. Jakob had her face in his hand, trying to kiss away the tears that kept falling. Mary Ann stood with Alex, with their four little girls surrounding him, smiling with tears in their eyes. A man came up and took Shea’s bags from him. After telling him thank you, Shea turned to look at Elli.

“So like I said, stay at the condo when you need too.”

She nodded, “I will.”

“I’ll text before I call, just in case you’re busy.”

“Okay, I’ll make sure to do the same,” She looked down at the floor as the tears rushed to her eyes, she hated goodbyes. “You better keep you’re GP up, I want you to get the Norris this year.”

He laughed, pushing his glasses up on his face, “Will do, you’ll be watching, right?”

“I don’t miss a game.”

“Good,” they both stood there, not touching or looking at each other, both not knowing what to say. “God, this sucks,” he said in a sigh, making Elli smile.

“It really does.”

She watched as his converses came a little closer to her canvas shoes, feeling his arms wrap around her waist. He nudged her face up with his fingers under her chin, making her look up at him. “I’ll be gone for two weeks, don’t keep that face hidden for me,” Elli gave him a small smile but she couldn’t keep in the tears that leaked out and ran down her cheek in. She soaked in the sight of his face, the scars, the one dimple, his beautiful blue eyes, the glasses that drove her crazy, and the way his hair fell into his eyes. She wanted to make sure she wouldn’t forget, even though she knew she wouldn’t. Not only had she taken pictures of him all weekend, but his face would be forever burned into her memory. It was like he was doing the same, taking in everything about her. She wished she had done something with her hair, instead of throwing it up in a bun. Wished she had put on some better clothes, but she felt so comfortable in his shirt and her favorite jeans.

“I’m gonna miss you something stupid, Shea.” she blurted out as the tears started falling faster, “I’m sorry, I’m such a baby,” she complained wiping her eyes, and laughing. He took her hands down from her face, cupping her in his hands, running his thumbs along her cheeks as he looked deep into her eyes.

“I’m going to miss you more Elli, so much more.”

Elli’s lip wobbled as another round of tears fell down her cheeks. He brought her lips to his, kissing her long and hard. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, wanting to climb up his body and live in his arms as she kissed him. She wouldn’t be able to kiss his beautiful mouth for two weeks, so she was gonna get her fill.

And boy did she.

When they finally parted, Elli noticed that people were walking back to their cars, wiping their eyes, and trying to calm their children. Elli looked back up at Shea, and he was looking at the plane before looking back down at her.

“I need to go, they are boarding.”

Elli nodded, as she brought her lip between her teeth. “Be safe, and come home in one piece.”

He nodded slowly before kissing her deeply once more, he took a step back, kissing her knuckles, and then looking up at her. “Better not get a new boyfriend while I’m gone,” he teased with a wink as he started walking away, their hands still connected.