In the Crease (Assassins Book 11)

by Toni Aleo

  “Good talk,” he said, and they shared a long look full of nothing but love and heat.

  But that was interrupted when Wells clapped his hands together. “So, I’m flying out to New York to meet Matty’s parents tomorrow.”

  “Awesome, do they know?” Vaughn asked.

  “That I’m coming? They have no clue.”

  Jensen laughed as Wren shook her head. “So it’ll be a surprise?”

  “One of many thus far,” he joked, shaking his head. During a trip they all took that summer, some shit had gone down. But none of them really talked about it since they all knew how upset Matty had gotten, which, in turn, upset Wells. “They probably hate me.”

  “Probably,” Winston joked before wrapping his arm around Wells as they laughed together. “But once they meet you, they’ll love you.” Watching as they shared a moment, Jensen found himself grinning. Things were still a little weird between them, but he felt good about it. They might get back what they had so long ago.

  The kind of friendship he prayed he had with Gunner.

  Later that night, after everyone was gone, it was just Jensen and Wren. He lay in bed with her, Gunner on her lap as he held her close, dusting kisses along her temple.

  “I can’t believe your mom called him a little cabbage. So what, we’re the big cabbages?”

  Jensen laughed against her temple, his eyes drifting shut. “I guess.”

  “She said he looks nothing like you and says we need another.”

  He smiled. “Guess we need to start working on that, eh?”

  She scoffed. “Um, no. I just pushed something the size of a Zamboni out of my coot. You’re going to have to give me time to forget that.”

  “You can forget something like that?”

  “From what Elli said, yes.”

  “So, there is hope?”

  She giggled, leaning into him as she slid her hand into his. “Maybe.”

  “I won’t hold my breath or forget the image of your vagina roughly the size of my head.”

  She grimaced. “Don’t remind me.”

  “At least you didn’t see it.”

  “Thank God. Can you believe they asked if I wanted the mirror? Like, hell no, I don’t want to see that! Just give me my kid.”

  “Some of us weren’t that lucky.”

  Wren laughed out loud as she kissed his shoulder. “You were amazing. I’m sorry I ruined your award.”

  He grinned as he ran his finger along the back of Gunner’s arm. “This is the prize I ultimately wanted.”

  She leaned her chin into his shoulder as he kissed her nose, feeling the love between them all over his body. Smiling, she said, “Your dad looked so proud.”

  “He did, and thank God he’s walking some.”

  “Right? I was so happy to see him coming toward the phone.”

  “It was awesome.”

  She nodded, exhaling as she traced Gunner’s lips. “I’m exhausted.”

  “Me too,” he muttered into her ear. “Are we giving him to the nurses?”

  “No.”

  He scoffed, shaking his head. “We’re supposed to.”

  “I don’t care,” she announced, looking up at him. “He’s ours.”

  “He is,” he agreed, meeting her in the middle for a kiss.

  She looked down at Gunner, running her thumb along the back of his sweet, soft hand. “Did this really happen?”

  He smiled as he nodded. “It did.”

  “Who would have thunk it?”

  “I almost dreamed it.” Her lips curved as he kissed her temple. “But even dreaming could never come close to this moment.”

  “I love you, Jensen.”

  His heart exploded. “I love you.”

  Silence fell between them as they gazed down at their beautiful child.

  “Hey, Wren?” he asked in a whisper.

  “Yeah,” she whispered back, tracing Gunner’s cheeks with her finger. The baby was wide awake but drunk from all the milk he had consumed. For being almost a month early, the kid was healthy as a horse and eating as much as one too. He took after his mother in more ways than one.

  “Are you happy?”

  She looked up at him, and her eyes sparkled as she nodded. “Never in my life did I think I could be this happy.” Leaning her nose to his, she smiled. “You?”

  As his heart filled with such love and passion for the one who gazed up at him, completely exhausted and looking a hot mess, he nodded, feeling nothing but completion when he stared into her green depths. “I don’t want what I’m feeling to ever change.”

  “It will.” She gave him a wicked smile. “I’ll piss you off and drive you completely crazy.”

  He laughed, nodding his head. “And I’ll still love you.”

  She pressed her forehead into his chin, and his eyes drifted shut.

  Jensen Monroe finally had it all.

  Keep reading on for a snippet of Wells and Matty’s story!

  Chapter One

  Wells Lemiere wasn’t sure what he was doing.

  Standing in front of a fucking estate in Princeton, New Jersey, he could feel his stomach turned with nervousness as the brisk air burned his face. With his beanie and hoodie, he would have thought he would be fine, especially after growing up in Colorado and all. But nope, he was still freezing. He wasn’t sure what it was about New Jersey, but he didn’t like it much. Or maybe his dislike for the fine state had to do with so much more.

  Like Matty.

  Matty Haverbrooke.

  Looking up at the beautiful home, with the manicured lawn and perfectly trimmed hedges and the kind of windows that let all the light in, he knew that Matty was somewhere inside. Probably sitting around the table with his family, eating and enjoying their company. The same family that didn’t know one of its sons was gay.

  And very much in love with Wells.

  Or so he hoped.

  Swallowing hard, Wells made himself move toward the house. He wasn’t sure if this was the smartest thing to do. But they had been together for so long, over a year, they were in love, and damn it, Wells wanted more. He wanted the Christmas with the parents, the vacations together where pictures could be taken, and fucking hell, a life together. With the whole world knowing. Yeah, his friends knew and his sister, but his parents hadn’t met Matty—for the simple reason Wells didn’t think it was right for them to know him when Matty’s parents wouldn’t ever know Wells. Since Wells loved him, he’d gone with it, but he couldn’t anymore. He needed all of Matty. He deserved that.

  Taking the steps two at a time, he reached for the door knocker, seeing Matty’s family name gracing the front door.

  Haverbrooke.

  Such a wealthy and distinguished name. It was the name that belonged to the commissioner of the NHL. The name that belonged to three fantastic players in the NHL and even a songwriter who lived in Florida. Everyone knew the Haverbrookes.

  And Wells was in love with one of them.

  Swallowing back the bile that wanted to escape, Wells knocked twice as his heart jumped up into his throat. He wasn’t sure who would answer, and if it was Matty’s parents, should he introduce himself as Matty’s boyfriend? Wouldn’t that freak Matty out more? It wasn’t his place to out his boyfriend, but then, if he didn’t, would Matty ever? Yes, yes he would. He just needed a little push, that was all. Wells thought the fight they had at the beginning of the week when Matty left for New Jersey would have been the push, but in true Matty fashion, he’d shut down and hadn’t spoken to Wells. He figured that meant that Matty hadn’t told his family, so there he was.

  Ready to fight for his forever.

  Thankfully, he didn’t have to worry about what to say because when the door opened, Matty looked down at him, his brows jumping up to his hairline. He was wearing an awfully ugly green sweater, yet he was still so gorgeous. Thick jaw, beautifully shaped nose—obviously, he had never played without a cage on his hockey helmet—and his eyes, they were just soul-crushing. Such an interest
ing shade of green that almost looked turquoise. “Wells.”

  Shutting the door behind himself, Matty came out on the stoop with Wells, his eyes wild as he shook his head. “What are you doing here?”

  Ever so charming, Wells gave him a wide smile. “I wanted to spend Thanksgiving with you. With your family.”

  Matty took Wells by his bicep, leading him down the stairs to the sidewalk. “You know that can’t happen.”

  “I think it can. Just tell them the truth. Tell them who you are,” Wells pleaded, taking in the side of Matty’s face that was taut and filled with worry. “I will be right beside you.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Yes, you can.” Wells moved Matty’s hand from his arm, turning to face that man he had fallen so desperately for. “Matty, I love you. I will be there for you, support you, and damn it, I love you, baby.”

  “Which is what I want, but I can’t tell my family. They just wouldn’t understand.”

  “It’s not like how it was, Matty. It’s different now. People are more receptive.”

  “Not my family.”

  “Yes, your family,” Wells persisted, nodding his head and taking Matty’s hands with his. But when Matty pulled back from Wells, his heart sank.

  “You don’t know them.”

  “Because you won’t let me.”

  “Because they wouldn’t accept you. They wouldn’t accept me. I’m already the martyr in this house. Jesus, Wells, I can’t. I won’t subject you to that.”

  “They love you, you’ve told me that. They’ll support you, Matty.”

  “No, I was raised to love women, my mom wants grandbabies… I can’t come out to her, not yet.”

  “Matty, my best friends love you, my sister can’t wait to meet you. We can be together because it’s what we want. They’ll understand that. Maybe not at first, but in time.”

  He scoffed. “Wells, no one knows I’m gay. My sister suspects it, but I never admitted it. Even so, she hates me—”

  “She hates you for other reasons,” he interjected, and Matty shook his head violently.

  “Even so, if I tell my brothers, or even my parents, they’ll hate me too. I can’t risk that. My sister already hates me. I can’t have them hate me too.”

  Rolling his eyes, Wells threw his hands up. “You can fix that. If you’d go and apologize to her, it could be fixed. She’s your sister, your twin, she loves you.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  “Because you won’t let me know her, or hell, them!” he said, shifting his hand to the house. “Jesus, Matty, you’re living a fucking lie.”

  But Matty shook his head. “And it will stay like that until I know I can tell them.”

  “Why?”

  “I’ve told you, they wouldn’t understand it,” he said, clearly upset and at his wit’s end. “Us, I just can’t, not yet.”

  “So, when?”

  “I don’t know!”

  Silence fell between the two men. Their breathing was labored, little air clouds appearing with each breath they took. Tears threatened to fall and Wells almost let them, but he wasn’t ready to let this go. To lose the one person he knew he’d love his whole life. “Matty, I can’t live like this.”

  Panic filled Matty’s face. “Wells, I love you, but I need more time.”

  “I don’t have it.”

  He eyed Wells, his gaze full of alarm and confusion. “But you love me.”

  Wells nodded. “I do, and I fucking always will. But if you can’t tell them, I can’t keep doing this.”

  “Wells! We’re fine!”

  “No, we’re not.” He looked away, the hurt in Matty’s eyes gutting him. He knew he was a broken record, but this time was different. Wells wouldn’t accept the “soon” answer this time, but he also wouldn’t go over all the reasons why he wasn’t willing to put up with it anymore. “I’m not happy.”

  “Wells, you are… You jus—”

  “I want to be able to go on vacations together, to go to events together—not as friends, but as a couple. I want to touch you in public, kiss you, feel you against me.” He took a step toward Matty, placing his hands on his chest. When Matty looked past him to the house, Wells knew he was going to have to walk away. Unwilling to accept that yet, he whispered, “Matty, please, I want more. I want it all. All of you.”

  Taking a step back, Matty looked away, shaking his head. “I can’t.”

  “So you’re gonna let me walk away?”

  His head shot up, his eyes wide. “Are you giving me an ultimatum?”

  Swallowing hard, his lips twitching with a sob, Wells looked away. “Do I have to?”

  “Wells, I love you. I do, but I’m not telling them.”

  Wells’s eyes drifted shut as he inhaled deeply. “And I love you, Matthew Haverbrooke, more than I could ever fathom, but I won’t be someone’s secret.”

  When he looked up, Matty’s eyes were stone, his mouth in a thin line. Tears burned Wells’s eyes as he started past Matty, and when he didn’t stop him, the tears started to fall. Not even when Matty’s words hit his back did Wells stop. Because if he did, he’d never leave.

  “So just like that?”

  Wiping his hand along his cheek as he went around the car, Wells looked over at Matty and nodded his head. “Just like that.”

  “So we’re over?”

  His throat felt as if it was closing up. “Are you going to walk up those stairs and tell your family you’re gay? That I’m yours?”

  Matty looked back once more, not for a long, thoughtful pause, though. No, it was more to make sure no one had heard Wells.

  That was his answer.

  Getting in the car, he drove off with his heart in a billion pieces.

  And that was why Wells Lemiere would always hate New Jersey.

  DO YOU WANT MORE?!??! CLICK HERE!!

  Hello! I can’t believe we’re already to installment twelve of the Assassins series! Kind of nuts, but also superawesome. I hope you enjoyed this book. I absolutely adore this couple and had so much fun writing it. I love Wren, but I think I might love Jensen more. Haha!

  So a lot of crazy things happened this year: signed an awesome contract with Waterhouse Press, then I had a small cancer scare, and also, my Predators lost in the Stanley Cup final. But through it all, I’m me. I’m a full-time writer, a mom to a gymnastics star and a gamer, also a dogmom, and then a wife to the love of my life. So yeah, I’m a happy camper. Things are good. Mostly because I have an awesome Life Manager, Lisa Holletta (Nope, still not how you spell it. But she loves me enough to let me misspell just that one word on purpose.) who keeps my business moving and grooving. I have awesome friends who stand behind me and a family that continues to believe in me. So thank you to all of them.

  But a BIG THANK YOU goes to you. Yeah, you! With each purchase of my books, you help me live my dream, and there is not enough time to ever show my gratitude. So thank you. Thank you so very much!

  I’m excited for the future. It’s gonna be good! Especially with all of you behind me!

  So thank you! Please go leave a review! And, hey, I love you!!

  Love,

  Toni

  My name is Toni Aleo, and I’m a #PredHead, #sherrio, #potterhead, and part of the #familybusiness!

  I am also a wife to my amazing husband, mother of a gamer and a gymnast, and also a fur momma to Gaston el Papillion.

  While my beautiful and amazing Shea Weber has been traded from my Predators, I’m still a huge fan. But when I’m not cheering for him, I’m hollering for the whole Nashville Predators since I’ll never give my heart to one player again.

  When I’m not in the gym getting swole, I’m usually writing, trying to make my dreams a reality, or being a taxi for my kids.

  I’m obsessed with Harry Potter, Supernatural, Disney, and anything that sparkles! I’m pretty sure I was Belle in a past life, and if I could be on any show, it would be Supernatural so I could hunt with Sam and Dean.

  Also, I did
mention I love hockey, right?

  Also make sure to join the mailing list for up to date news from Toni Aleo:

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  Assassins Series

  Taking Shots

  Trying to Score

  Empty Net

  Falling for the Backup

  Blue Lines

  Breaking Away

  Laces and Lace

  A Very Merry Hockey Holiday

  Overtime

  Rushing the Goal

  Face-off at the Altar

  Delayed Call

  Twenty-Two

  In the Crease

  Bellevue Bullies Series

  Boarded by Love

  Clipped by Love

  Hooked by Love

  Taking Risks

  Whiskey Prince

  Becoming the Whiskey Princess

  The Works Series

  (Paranormal)

  Pieces

  Broken Pieces

  Pieced Together (Coming Soon)

  Misadventures

  Misadventures with a Rookie

  Standalones

  Let it be Me

  Two Man Advantage