Dump and Chase: Nashville Assassins: Next Generation

by Toni Aleo

I glance to him. “Sorry?”

  He laughs as Mom smacks my hand playfully. “So, sing for us.”

  My shoulders fall. “Now?”

  “Now,” she says with a grin.

  “Shelli, please do Frozen,” Emery begs, and Mena Jane nods eagerly.

  I want to groan, fall on my face, and die. “Please do not make me.”

  “I love Frozen,” Aiden says, and I glare.

  “Oh, you do?”

  “Biggest fan ever. Especially for Elsa. She’s hot.”

  My mom laughs. “That’s who Shelli played.”

  His eyes widen in mock surprise, but when he looks back at me, there is nothing but heat in those gray eyes. “No way.”

  Fallon shakes her head. “I told you that you should have gone.”

  “Yes! She had this awful white-blond wig. She didn’t even look like herself,” Mom says, and the look that comes across Aiden’s face irks me.

  “You don’t say. A wig, hiding someone’s identity.”

  I glare. “Yes, but anyone who knows me, knew it was me.”

  “Well, of course. It’s your eyes.” Fallon cups my jaw. “So blue and so pretty.”

  I almost stick my tongue out at Aiden, but Emery pulls me to the piano, and I laugh as I sit down. I move my fingers along the keys, and soon the melody to a song from the popular Disney movie starts. “For the First Time in Forever” is my all-time favorite to sing. I know more people are fans of “Let It Go,” but “For the First Time in Forever” is where the magic is. As my voice carries, singing both parts, all the kids gather around. Soon, they’re singing along, even the adults, and it feels just like it did onstage. I get that rush of excitement, that tingling feeling in my gut, and I feel good. There is no pressure on being perfect either; I can just do it because I love it. When I finish, the room erupts, and all the girls ask for more.

  “Oh guys, I’m so Frozened out.”

  “Then sing something else,” Emery begs. “Anything.”

  I smile as I think of what to do next. I bite my lip as I look up, my gaze finding Aiden’s. His lips are tilted in a sneaky grin, and I wonder what he’s thinking. Is he thinking of that night? I am. Soon my fingers are moving again, playing the beautiful, stunning melody to the candlelight mix of Cascada’s “Everytime We Touch.” It’s one of my favorite songs, and when my voice fills the room, a hush falls over the crowd. The lyrics flow out of me, and I feel each word in my soul. When I look up, Aiden is leaning on the piano, a peaceful look on his face.

  Does he know I’m singing for him?

  My eyes fall shut as I hit the high notes, and when I strike the last key, my voice carries on. Everyone claps once more, and I stand up, bowing obnoxiously. “And now, for the next show, Aiden will be outside doing stick and puck tricks.”

  Everyone laughs, but I notice Aiden doesn’t. Instead, he’s staring at me like it’s the first time he’s seeing me. It brings on such a rush, one greater than the one I felt when I was singing. I swallow hard as I walk around the piano toward the kitchen for a beer. I reach into the cooler, and when I turn, he’s there.

  “Oh.”

  “I really like listening to you,” he says, his body so big next to mine.

  I’m a tad bashful as I gaze up at him, popping the top off my beer. “Thanks.”

  “That song was beautiful.”

  “It’s one of my favorites.”

  He opens his mouth, and I don’t know what he is about to say before my mom yells, “Aw! Look, they’re finally standing beside each other. Kids, turn and hug. Let me get a picture.”

  I look back at my mom. “No way. You’re gonna blow it up and add it to the rest of that embarrassment out there.”

  “So? That’s the point,” Fallon says as she holds up her phone. “Do it now. We supplied beer.”

  I glance up at Aiden, and he looks uncomfortable. “Mom, he doesn’t want to hug me. We’re like—”

  “I don’t mind,” he says then, pulling me in close to his chest. His hip presses into my hot center as my hand comes up on his chest. I look up at him as he looks down at me with those naughty hooded eyes of his.

  “Oh.”

  “Aw! You two look like a couple,” Fallon gushes. “Isn’t that sweet?”

  “It is. Remember when Shelli had the biggest crush on Aiden?”

  I go cold. “Mom, oh my God, take the picture.”

  “Yes! She used to write in her journal and chase him around. She was so cute,” Fallon laughs. “Aiden had no clue she was so in love with him.”

  “Hey, two feet between you two. What are you doing?” my dad barks. And please, anyone, kill me.

  “Dad! We’re taking a picture!” I yell, and he shakes his head.

  “No way. He’s a boy,” he says sternly, and of course, Aiden takes a good step away from me. This is awesome.

  “Yes, Dad, and I touch boys. Hell, I’ve kissed boys—”

  “Ah! Elli, make her stop. The angina!” My overdramatic dad grabs his chest with one hand and the counter with the other.

  Mom sets me with a look. “Really, Shelli. You know he can’t handle that.”

  “I’m twenty-one! Have you had the talk with him?”

  Dad’s eyes widen before he looks back at me. “What talk?”

  “Nothing, sweetheart,” she says, waving him off. But then she glares back at me. “I haven’t had time.”

  “Mom! It’s been damn near six years!”

  She points to my dad. “The angina, Shelli.”

  “Oh my God, you guys are insane. What are you going to do when I get married and have kids? Do you know where kids come from? Sex, Dad—”

  “Angina! Elli! Angina!”

  “For the love of Pete,” Mom complains. “Why do you mess with your father like that? Is this because I said you had a crush on Aiden?”

  I throw my hands up. “I did not!”

  “Oh, you so did,” Lucas adds. “Didn’t I see her write ‘Shelli Brooks’ on her skin as a tattoo?”

  Mom laughs while my dad bends over the counter as if he’s having a heart attack. “She did! It was so cute. But, honey,” she says, going to my dad. “It’s okay, she is a good girl. No boys.”

  I can’t even look at Aiden right now. I am completely mortified. I turn on my heel and head out of the room in a huff. I hear my mom and Fallon laughing and trying to call me back, but they can all go to hell. Who brings up something from ten years ago? Especially when the guy is right there! And I slept with him like a month ago! No one has respect for me in this house. I head down the hall to my room, going in and slamming the door behind me. I feel the tears burning in my eyes, but there is no way I will let them fall. So what? He knows I had a crush on him. Doesn’t mean anything.

  When I hear a TV, I walk into my bathroom and through it to see that it’s in Posey’s room. I go to turn it off when I realize there are people watching it.

  Posey and Maxim.

  In bed, watching TV. Mighty close.

  Posey looks at me with wide eyes and looks back at the TV as she yells, “We’re just watching TV.”

  “Yeah, I know. But I’m gonna shut my door. It’s loud.”

  She nods quickly as she tries to put space between Maxim and herself. Maxim, though, is fully engrossed in the movie with no cares that I am there or how close Posey is. She’s two seconds from straddling him. Does he really not realize my sister digs him? What an idiot.

  I shut her door and head back into my room. I don’t even want to go back out to the party. Not only did Aiden hear all that, but he saw how ridiculous my dad acted. I’m twenty-one. What does he expect? This is entirely my mom’s fault. She was supposed to talk to my dad about me having sex after I lost my virginity. If Aiden didn’t see me as a kid before, he sure as hell does now. I knew this party was going to be a shitshow.

  When there is a knock at my door, I glare it at. “Go away.”

  It cracks open, and Aiden’s head pops in. “Does that apply to me?”

  I cross my a
rms over my chest, looking away. “Yes.”

  “Well, that’s rude.”

  I roll my eyes. “What do you want?”

  “Hey, I did nothing here. I was just trying to take a picture.” I hear the door shut again, but I refuse to look at him. “Your dad is terrifyingly funny.”

  I scoff. “He’s an idiot.”

  The silence stretches between us until, finally, he says, “So that’s why when I kissed you, you didn’t stop me.”

  I press my lips together. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “That night,” he says, and when I see his outrageously expensive shoes, I close my eyes. “I couldn’t figure out why you’d let me kiss you if you knew me, but you thought I was returning feelings you had.”

  “Could you not say that out loud? It makes me sound totally tragic.”

  “Is it true?”

  I bite the inside of my cheek as I look up at him. His eyes are full of gentleness, leaving me breathless. “Is what true?”

  “What I said?”

  How the hell do I get out of this situation? I look away as I shrug. “I don’t know.”

  “Shelli.”

  I lick my lips as I glance back up at him. “Yeah, I thought you knew who you were kissing and that you wanted me because maybe you liked me too.”

  “So, you like me?” His eyes are a tad playful, but he’s serious.

  “I may have at some point.”

  He moves closer, his hands gripping my hips. “And now?”

  His head is dropping to mine, and slowly I tilt mine back. “Maybe.”

  Before the word can even escape my lips, his take over mine.

  And I’m flying.

  I wrap my arms around his neck as his go around my waist, holding me so close, I can feel his heart jackhammering against mine. He runs his tongue along my lips, and I instantly open for him, wanting the kiss to deepen. Because he knows who I am—and he wants to kiss me. The kiss is hot, wanton, and I want to wrap myself around him and not let go.

  But, of course, there is a knock at my door.

  “Shelli. Honey, come on out.”

  My dad’s voice has us separating like two naughty teens caught trying to cop a feel during a movie.

  Aiden’s eyes are wide as I clear my throat. “I’m coming.”

  “Is the door locked—” Dad starts, but then he is coming in. I push Aiden back into my closet and kick off my shoe real fast. There is a loud bang from Aiden’s body hitting the wall, but I play it off.

  “Damn, I didn’t mean to kick my shoes off that hard.”

  Dad looks at me, and I lean into the closet, rubbing my foot in my hand. “What are you doing?”

  “Changing my shoes,” I answer quickly.

  He eyes me. “Your lipstick is smeared.”

  I cover my mouth. “I need to reapply it. I always mess it up when I’m singing.”

  “Oh, that’s right. Are you okay? I’m sorry that your mom mentioned your little crush on Aiden. I don’t think he cares. It was a cute thing about you when you were younger. He’s way older, so he doesn’t care.”

  I swallow hard. “Dad, I don’t want to talk about this.”

  “It isn’t like he would date you, honey. He’s in his own world. Don’t be upset.”

  “Dad, please stop.”

  He sighs deeply. “Fine, come on. Let’s go get a beer, ignore your mom together.”

  “So I can drink without the angina acting up, but boys are out of the question?”

  He looks at me dryly. “Yes.”

  I roll my eyes. “Let me change my shoes.”

  “You don’t need them. Come on,” he says, and then he grabs my wrist, but I pause.

  “My lipstick.”

  He moves his thumb along my bottom lip and then gives me a warm smile. “As beautiful as ever.”

  I lean my head on his chest. “Thanks, Dad. Let’s get out there.”

  Before you find the boy in my closet.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Aiden

  * * *

  I LEAN my head over the back of my couch as I exhale heavily.

  I run my hand over my bare chest and down into my open slacks. I can still feel Shelli’s mouth on mine. I can also feel the sting of pain in my elbow from where she shoved me into the closet. For such a small girl, she sure does have some power. But damn if she isn’t exquisite. The dress she wore today fit her perfectly. Even though it was flowy, her ass was unstoppable. The neckline dipped down in the front, showing off those perfect breasts of hers… Hot damn. There is something about her hair that makes me want to wrap it around my fist. I want to tip her head back, take her mouth with mine, and never stop.

  I can’t believe I kissed her. I don’t know what got into me. Especially in her parents’ house. It’s like I wanted to get caught. That’s not like me, but I couldn’t resist. Her lips were so pink, her eyes so blue, and something about the fact that she thought I was returning feelings that night did something to my chest. I don’t know. She does something to me.

  When my phone rings, I look at it where it’s vibrating on my coffee table. It’s Asher. I lean forward and answer it before bringing it to my ear. “Hey, bro.”

  “Hey, how was your party?”

  I scoff. “A fucking shitshow.”

  “I figured. I saw the pictures.”

  “It was so embarrassing.”

  He laughs. “Well, I had to call and say how adorable you and Shelli are. I mean, goodness me, you two need to be on a magazine,” he says in a higher-pitched voice.

  “You done?”

  “Yeah, I guess. But for real, the picture was cute.”

  I bring in my brows. “Where did you see it?”

  “Mom’s Facebook.”

  I pull my phone away from my face, hitting speaker so I can look through Facebook. I go to my mom’s page, and there it is—a damn good picture of Shelli and me. Like a lot of the other photos displayed in the house today, she’s looking up at me so sweetly. This time, though, I’m looking down at her. Our moms were onto something; we do look like we’re together.

  “Well, that’s a cozy pic.”

  “Very much so. Anyone who doesn’t know you two would think you’re together.”

  “That’s what Mom and Elli said,” I say as I save the picture. I’m not sure why I’m doing that, but I want it. “I kissed her tonight.”

  “No way. Tell me more,” he teases, and I laugh.

  “You’re such a jackass,” I accuse, and he laughs along with me. “I don’t know what happened, really. Elli and Mom were saying how Shelli was in love with me when we were younger, and it all came together. That was why she didn’t push me away when I kissed her in New York. She thought I was returning her feelings.”

  Asher clicks his tongue. “Damn, that’s awful. No wonder she wasn’t nice to you. You embarrassed the shit out of her.”

  “Yeah, I think that’s why I kissed her this afternoon.”

  “Or you kissed her because you like her.”

  I shake my head. “I mean, I’ve always liked her. She’s cool.”

  “Yeah, but I think you might have developed a little crush yourself.”

  “No way. I don’t do that.”

  “Before. But maybe Shelli is different.”

  “Eh, I don’t know,” I say, leaning on my knees and moving my hand through my hair. My fingers get caught in my curls, but I welcome the pain. It’s better than this ache I have in my chest. What the hell I’m aching for, who knows, but it’s there.

  “You know, every time we’ve talked, it’s been about her.”

  “No, I called you about Dad.”

  “And that led into Shelli. Might need to wake up there, buddy, and notice what you got.”

  “I got nothing. I haven’t even spoken to her. I kissed her, and then she pushed me into the closet and left. It felt like she avoided me the rest of the night.”

  “Probably because she likes you still and is scared you don’t feel
the same and that you think she’s just a fuck.”

  My face squishes up. “Where the hell are you getting this shit from?”

  He laughs. “When you left for New York, I had to deal with Stella and all her drama. Believe me, I know way more about girls than I want to, but in a way, it helps with my own relationship.”

  “Good for you,” I grumble as I let my head fall back once more.

  “You should call her.”

  “I don’t have her number.”

  “I do,” he says, and then my phones dings. “I sent it to you.”

  I close my eyes. “What would I even say?”

  “‘Hey, pretty lady, how’s it going?’” he says in an even deeper voice.

  “You’re a really big dork, you know that?”

  He scoffs. “Yeah, but at least I’m getting laid all the time and I don’t have to have anyone set it up for me.”

  “Wow. Low blow.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. But so am I.” I laugh as he chuckles. “Call her.”

  “Eh, I don’t know. I need to unpack.”

  “So call and do it while y’all chat.”

  “I don’t even know what we’d talk about.”

  “Life? How our moms are out to embarrass the hell out of both of you.”

  I laugh. “Yeah, I don’t know.”

  When a knock comes at my door, I look at it, confused. “Someone’s at the door.”

  “Oh. Well, usually when that happens, you answer it.”

  I shake my head as I get up. “Bye, jackass.”

  “Bye.”

  I hang up, throwing my phone on my couch as I button my pants. I reach for the door, and when a pair of blue eyes meets mine, I can’t seem to find my next breath.

  Shelli gazes up at me, her eyes wide as she twists her fingers together. Her eyes move down my body as she takes in a deep breath, her lips parting. “I don’t know why I’m here.”

  “I didn’t ask,” I say almost automatically. I don’t care why she’s here; I need to kiss her. I reach for her as she reaches for me, and our mouths meet in a heated assault. I slowly walk backward, pulling her with me before she kicks the door shut. I slide my hands down her back to her ass, cupping her sweet mounds in my palms. She arches into me, her tongue prodding my lips for entrance. I don’t hesitate in deepening the kiss. She tastes like something sweet, an orange or something. I gather her dress in my hands before pulling it up and over her head. She stands in front of me in nothing but a thong and a barely there bra. I shake my head as I drop to my knees, kissing down her breasts as I unhook her bra. The cups fall, and I take one of her nipples in my mouth while my fingers tweak the other one.