Dump and Chase: Nashville Assassins: Next Generation

by Toni Aleo

Me: I love you and I am safe. Promise.

  I swallow hard at the promise I just made in Shelli’s name.

  As I set her phone on the nightstand, I look down at her and know that it’s true.

  She is safe because she’s with me.

  I hook her phone up to the charger and then glance back at her once more. She’s just so pretty. I trace her lips with my fingers before a smile comes over my lips. As sweet as she is, she’s wild as all hell. She danced the night away and flirted relentlessly with everyone but me. Mostly because I was sulking in the corner. I wanted her to flirt with me. I wanted to be on the receiving end of those luscious lips.

  Now, she’s in my bed. Again.

  And I’m going to sleep on the couch.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  SHELLI

  I’VE GOT cottonmouth like a bitch.

  My head is pounding.

  And, ugh, I gotta pee.

  As I smack my mouth, I sit up slowly and look around. The room is bare, with a lot of boxes by the bathroom, and a dresser is on the wall opposite the bed. This bed is huge too. I look to my left, and there is my phone and a tall glass of water. I reach for the water and gulp it quickly. I don’t finish it, thankfully, because I notice two white pills.

  “Oh, praise God.”

  I take the pills even with my mom nagging in my head that I shouldn’t take strange pills. Sorry, Mom. I’ve done worse. But the real question is, where the hell am I? I put down the glass and reach for my phone. I open it to find no texts or even calls. That’s so weird; my mom should be losing her mind since I forgot to text her. I open her thread to find someone has already texted her.

  Me: I love you and I am safe. Promise.

  Well, that’s good to know. Maybe I’m at Wes’s? I go to get out of the bed, but then my phone rings. I look down to see it’s Amelia.

  “Hello?” I ask in a hushed whisper since I don’t want anyone to know I’m awake.

  “Why are we whispering?” she whispers, and I close my eyes to shield them from the sunlight.

  “I don’t know where I am.”

  “I’m sorry, what?”

  “I went out last night, got shitfaced, and now I don’t know where I am. I’m in someone’s bed, and my panties are still in place.”

  “You live a sketchy life, Shelli Grace Adler.”

  I scoff. “No, I just don’t think things through.”

  “Who did you go out with?”

  “The guys…and Aiden.”

  She tsks at me. “Are you at Aiden’s? Are you sure your panties are in place?”

  I nod as I lift my skirt again. “Totally, and I don’t feel like I had sex. Oh my God, I sound like such a whore. I am never drinking again.”

  “I agree with that statement.”

  “So, I do sound like a whore?”

  “Well, maybe not a whore, but definitely someone who doesn’t make terribly thought-out decisions.”

  “I’m not Posey!” I snap, and she laughs. “God, I can’t believe I don’t know where I am.”

  “What in the world were you doing? Why did you get so drunk?”

  I shrug. “I don’t know. I was trying to impress Aiden. He told me to slow down, and I wanted him to be impressed with my drinking skills.”

  “You know how ridiculous that sounds, right?”

  “I am aware, thank you.” I hear movement behind the door. “Someone is here.”

  “Probably the person who lives there,” she says dryly.

  “I’ll call you later.”

  “Please do, so I know you’re alive. Plus, I’d love to know whose house you’re at. The suspense is killing me.”

  “You and me both, sister,” I say before I hang up quickly. I move my hands through my hair and pull it up into a bun with the hair tie at my wrist. I hope I look okay. Not like a hungover, drunken mess. Oh! There is a bathroom. I head toward it, and I notice that a towel and a toothbrush have been laid out. Yeah, this has to be Wes’s place. Only he would go out of his way to make sure I’m comfortable. We did the same for him when he would come to stay with us when we were younger. A little grin sits on my face. That’s really nice of him. I brush my teeth and then clean my face free of my makeup. Once I look presentable, I head out and then to the bedroom door.

  I pull it open just as someone knocks on it.

  That someone being Aiden.

  “Oh!”

  He jumps in surprise as he takes a step back. His gaze moves along my body so damn slowly before he says, “I was coming to check on you.”

  “Oh, I’m good,” I say quickly, and of course, I’m practically knocked on my ass by how hot he is. He’s wearing some basketball shorts and a fitted purple Assassins tee. His hair is in a high ponytail, and he has the sexiest five-o’clock shadow on his angular jaw. “Why are you here?”

  His brows quirk. “I live here.”

  “Oh,” I say slowly as I look around. Everything is in boxes, but in the corner is a sleek black piano that I remember from New York. Yup, this isn’t Wes’s place. “You brought me here?”

  “I didn’t want to take you home and wake your parents.”

  I nod. “Did you text my mom?”

  “Yeah, and you really should put a password on your phone.”

  “Yeah, I’m lazy,” I say softly as I twist my fingers together. I didn’t expect this from him. He made it very clear he didn’t want anything to do with me last night. No matter how hard I flirted, he rejected me left and right. I don’t know why he brought me home or even cared to leave me water or aspirin. Heat and something else flush through me in abundance as I gaze up into his face. His lips are parted, his eyes kind, and it reminds me of when we were younger. When he used to be the oldest of everyone, making sure we were okay. He was always nice when he didn’t have to be. Really, I shouldn’t be surprised he was the one to take me home. Yet I am, especially after everything that’s happened. “Um, thanks for taking care of me.”

  “No problem. Listen, I had to take Wes and Boon back to their cars, and we grabbed yours too.”

  Oh. He wants me to leave. Duh. “Oh, nice! Thanks. I’ll get out of your hair.”

  I turn on my heels and feel him watching me. “You don’t have to. I made some food.”

  I shake my head. He’s just being civil. “No, it’s cool. I’ve overstayed my welcome. I’ll go.”

  “It’s not like that at all,” he says as I quickly grab my stuff, yanking my phone off the charger before heading back toward him. “Really, I’d like—”

  “I gotta get home. I have to help set up the party and stuff and then shower. And yeah, I gotta go.” I move past him and notice my key on his bar. I grab it and see a plate of bacon. “You cook?”

  He moves a piece of hair out of his face. “I’m the oldest of four. I had to feed those heathens.”

  “I didn’t think you cooked.”

  “I do, and you should stay.”

  Before he even finishes what he is saying, I shake my head. “I really can’t. Sorry.” I grab a handful of bacon, and then I see the French toast. I take two pieces and make a sandwich. “For the road.”

  He looks annoyed. “Of course.”

  “Yeah, so um…” I say, walking backward. “Thanks again.”

  “Like I said, it’s no problem.”

  I flash him a grin. “Yeah, thanks.”

  I reach for the door and pull it open, but my name from his lips stops me. “Hey, Shelli.”

  I look over my shoulder at him. “Yeah?”

  He looks unsure and, damn it, super adorable. “I had fun last night.”

  Shit. I press my lips together. “Did we sleep together?”

  He scoffs, shaking his head. “No. We don’t have to sleep together to have fun. I meant at the club.”

  “Oh,” I say softly, my face warming. “You hardly spoke to me.”

  He shrugs. “I don’t know. I didn’t know how to act.”

  I squint at him. “Like yourself?”

  He chuckles softly.
“Yeah, I’ll try that next time.”

  I squish up my face. “Probably didn’t help I was so drunk. Sorry. I feel like an idiot, drinking like that.”

  He shrugs. “Hey, we were having fun.”

  “You’re not hungover.”

  He smiles. “I don’t think drinking is my jam anymore.”

  “No?”

  He slowly shakes his head, his gray eyes bright today and set on me. “Nah, last time I was drunk, I slept with a girl who deserved way more than I gave her.”

  My heart jumps up into my throat as our gazes stay locked.

  I open my mouth and wait for something to come out. Something witty and maybe a bit sassy, but all I hear is my phone ringing. I tear my gaze from his to look down at my phone. “It’s my mom.”

  His lips quirk at the side, and heat swirls in his eyes. “Guess you’d better answer.”

  “Yeah, see you later. Thanks again.”

  “See you,” he says as I go out the door. When it shuts, I lean on it as I answer my mom.

  When, really, all I want is to go back in there and have breakfast with Aiden.

  IT’S as if Mom and Fallon want to ruin my life.

  Or kill me with embarrassment.

  All around the living room are blown-up pictures on easels of Aiden and me as kids through the years. There is a picture of me in a swim diaper as Aiden sprays me with water. There is one of him and me playing hockey. There is another of us at one of the Cup finals and then just random photos. It’s mostly him, and in them, I’m staring at him like the love-sick child I was. There is even a photo of us when I was just born. He’s holding me close to his chest and grinning down at me like I’m the sweetest little thing in the world.

  Pathetic thing is, I wish he’d look at me like that now. I still can’t believe he brought me to his home last night and took care of me. It’s something the Aiden I grew up with would do. But the Aiden I’ve been dealing with lately…I wouldn’t expect that. I’m pretty sure when he gets here, though, and sees this pitiful display, he’ll stay real clear of me. If a normal, sane person came over, they’d think this was an engagement party instead of an “Oh! Our firstborns are home!” celebration. It’s outrageously idiotic and so humiliating.

  But I guess no one notices. The party is in full swing. Everyone is here. Past and current Assassins. It’s good to see Erik and his wife, Piper, with their two kids. Katrina is as stunning as Piper, with her glass-like blue eyes, and Dmitri is huge. Phillip and Reese are here too, and Flynn and Sawyer are as tall as Phillip. It’s kind of crazy. I grew up with all these people, and we’re all old now. When Jordie Thomas comes through the door with his wife, Kacey, tight in his arms, I grin.

  “Kace!”

  Kacey, who is whoa-pregnant, waves as we hug tightly. I used to work out with her all the time, but then she got pregnant and decided to take a break. I grab her belly as Ella, their daughter, runs past us to go play with the other kids. “He’s gonna be here soon, right? Like real soon?”

  “A week or two,” she gushes as Jordie, her magnificent husband, kisses her temple. He’s got the sexiest beard I’ve ever seen, and he’s all rugged and rough. He also just celebrated ten years clean. It’s amazing, and we’re all still so proud of him.

  “I think she’ll pop next week,” Karson King, her brother, says as he comes in with his younger daughter, Rose, on his back, his eldest, Mena Jane, running in and around him to get to the backyard. His wife, Lacey, walks with their son, Braden. “And who has a kid damn near ten years after the other is beyond me.”

  Kacey gives him a dark look as Lacey laughs. “It’s called a surprise.”

  Jordie holds up his hands, waving them. “Surprise!”

  Everyone but Kacey laughs, and I hug her once more. “Either way, you’re gorgeous as always.”

  “You’re a good girl, Shelli.”

  Soon my mom’s voice is carrying through the room, and they walk toward her. I go to shut the door when Jayden Sinclair blocks me. “Whoa, coming in.”

  Baylor, his wife, comes in first and grins happily at me. “I can’t get over how pretty you are! Welcome home.”

  I hug her and then Jayden. “Thanks! Where are the boys?”

  “We left them with my brother Jude and his wife, Claire. They’re practicing since they should be getting their new baby soon. I think the adoption is almost final. Right, Bay?”

  Baylor nods. “Almost. We’re so excited for them!”

  “I am too, but they should have come. I love Claire. She used to watch me.”

  “It was a surprise they came in. They didn’t want to impose.”

  I wave her off. “Tell them to come if they want! Bring your boys. We have plenty of food and drinks.”

  Jayden grins. “I will.”

  I once again try to shut the door, but again, someone blocks it. “Are we not welcome?”

  Ugh. Benji Paxton. While Aiden was my for-real crush, Benji was the guy everyone was in love with. He is by far the nicest and kindest man I’ve ever met. “Of course you are!”

  He hugs me tightly. “I cannot believe you’re twenty-one and we’re having a party welcoming you home from being on Broadway. You’ve done big things, Shelli.”

  I beam up at him. He’s so much hotter with his dusting of gray. “Thanks, Coach,” I say with a wink, and he grins. He helped coach the pee wee hockey team I played on with his daughter Angie.

  “Where are Angie and Lucy?”

  He shakes his head. “They’re off in Kentucky, doing tours for college. They left me with the twins,” he says, and just like that, their twin eight-year-olds, Max and Ryder, run past me. “I’m not sure the boys’ll be alive before those two get back. Charlotte’s with Autumn and River this weekend for some peace and quiet. I’m jealous.”

  I laugh as I pat his arm. “You’re silly. Go have fun, grab a soda. The boys will be distracted for a while.”

  “Great. Good seeing you. Welcome home.”

  “Thanks,” I gush, and I watch as he walks away. Lucy Paxton is one lucky woman. I let out a long sigh before I go to shut the door once more, and again, it’s blocked. “That’s it. It can stay open for—”

  My words fall off when I see Aiden gazing back at me. He looks delicious in a pair of fitted maroon slacks and a black button-up. He wears an adorable maroon bow tie, and his hair is down, curly and luscious. “Oh.”

  He tips his lips up at the side. “Hey, Shelli.”

  Fire fills my gut in seconds. “Hey.”

  “You look really good,” he says, and my heart jackhammers in my chest. I’m just wearing a simple maxi dress, but under his gaze, I feel like I’m in a ball gown.

  “Thanks. You too. I like the bow tie.”

  He grins as he reaches into his pocket. “You left this.”

  He hands over my ID and money, and I sigh with relief. “I thought I’d lost them!”

  “Nope, they were in my bed,” he says, and when our gazes meet, both our faces are flushed with color.

  He swallows hard, and I look away. “I thought I had tucked them in my bra well.”

  “Yeah, I didn’t feel them when I grabbed your phone and key.”

  I look up at him with a sneaky grin. “You grabbed my phone and key?”

  Aiden’s face reddens even more. “In the most respectful way,” he promises, and I flash him a wide grin. “I really didn’t want you to get stabbed by your key or get cancer from your phone. But I didn’t feel your other stuff, and I wasn’t digging. Didn’t trust myself.”

  He didn’t mean to say that last part; I can see it all over his face. But for me, it sets butterflies free in my belly. He coughs. “Yeah, I’m gonna go find my mom.”

  He walks past me, but I reach out, taking his wrist without really thinking. Heat runs up my arm as our eyes meet. “Thanks again.”

  He turns his hand so I lose my grip and then laces his fingers with mine, his thumb moving along the back of my hand. It takes my breath away. In a low, very dangerous voice, he sa
ys, “It was a pleasure.”

  He squeezes my hand and then walks away. He doesn’t get far before everyone is on him, welcoming him home and telling him how proud they are of him.

  Me, I can’t move because I just realized there might be no getting over Aiden Brooks.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  SHELLI

  THE PARTY IS in full swing. Everyone is drinking, laughing, and having a great time. I walk through the living room, chitchatting and enjoying everyone’s company. It’s almost like a party from when I was younger. The team family is here, and it’s nice. I thought this was going to be awful, but it’s actually kind of fun. I pick up cups as I head toward the kitchen. For some reason, I always need to clean when there is a mess. I don’t know why, but it drives me crazy. With over fifty people in the house, it’s gotten messy in a hurry.

  As I gather things, I head to the kitchen, passing by Aiden. While I haven’t talked to him the whole time, I always know where he is. I don’t know if it’s some kind of sixth sense or what, but every time I look around, I see him. Man, it’s hard to act like he isn’t the most gorgeous thing in the room.

  And he’s standing with some very fine men. Even in their late forties, they’re hot as all hell. I can only hope my future husband ages like these men have. While some are rocking that hot dad bod, some are still fit as ever. Like yummy Benji. I’m still so jealous of his wife, and he’s more than twenty years older than me. Hmm, maybe I need help with my older men thing. I don’t even know where it comes from.

  Probably my ridiculous crush on Aiden.

  I bite my lip as I drink him in. He looks so good in those damn pants. His ass is so tight. I’d bounce a quarter off that sucker in a heartbeat. A sneaky little grin pulls at my lips at the thought of doing just that. Or seeing it again. I sigh deeply as I hear my mom’s voice.

  “Shelli, honey, come in here.”

  I stand up, throwing a paper plate in the trash before I head to where my mom is standing by the piano with Karson King, Fallon, and Aiden. I twist my fingers together as I rock back on my heels. “Yeah?”

  “Karson never got to see you on Broadway.”