Dump and Chase: Nashville Assassins: Next Generation Read online

  Mmm…

  I fall back on my bed just as my mom yells my name. I cover my face as I holler back, but when she doesn’t answer, I know she wants me to come there. I get up and head down the hall. While the house is quiet, it’s a madhouse outside. My brothers are so damn loud. I’m almost into the living room when a hand comes around my bicep and pulls me into the bathroom. Next thing I know, I’m looking up into one hell of a gorgeous face.

  “We need to talk,” Aiden demands. “Like A-S-A-P.”

  “Who actually says ‘A-S-A-P’? No one. That’s weird. Just say ‘asap.’ It rolls right off the tongue.”

  “I’m not joking.”

  “Fine. What’s wrong?” I ask. I try to back up, but the half bath is just that, half the size, and Aiden is huge. He takes up most of the room, and I didn’t realize how big he was when I was on top of him. He’s wearing a button-up that is straining at his shoulders. The shirt is tucked into his dress pants in a sophisticated way, and even though he smells like eggs, he’s still hot as fuck. His long hair is wavy along his shoulders, and I want so bad to run my fingers through it. I didn’t do that when we were together. I was too busy trying to devour him.

  “You know about what.”

  “Sorry, I don’t.”

  “You’re going to make me say it.”

  “Sure,” I say simply. “You’re the one who has the issue.”

  “You lied to me,” he says, holding his finger up at me.

  I push it away as I pull in my brows. “I didn’t.”

  “You said your name was Grace.”

  “It is.”

  “It’s your fucking middle name.”

  “Still my name.”

  “You knew hooking up wouldn’t be a good idea.”

  “I didn’t know any such thing. You’re the one who jumped me like a cat in heat.”

  His face fills with horror as he holds up his hands. “Because I thought you were there for sex!”

  I shrug just as my name is called once more. “Maybe I wasn’t, but it doesn’t mean I didn’t want it.”

  I pull the door open, but he slams it shut with his hand, glaring down at me. “You can’t tell anyone.”

  I shrug. “Already have.”

  He widens his eyes. “Why? Who? Do your parents know?”

  “Are you okay? You look stressed.”

  “Shelli, stop playing around. This is serious.”

  “It’s nothing. We fucked, and that’s that. It’s over. Relax.” I pull at the door, but he shuts it once more.

  “We need to talk this out. We need to make sure we have our bases covered.”

  “Lord, was that your first time? Excuse me, my mom is calling me.”

  I yank the door open, and this time, he lets me go. My heart is in my throat, and I can’t believe I just spoke to him like that. I was so aloof. Not the least bit affected by him.

  I think I might pass out.

  Before doing so, though, I find my mom and Fallon waiting for me in the living room when I enter. “Hey, sorry, I was in my room on the phone,” I lie, but Fallon waves me off.

  “I have an offer for you.”

  “I love offers,” I say with a grin, and behind me, I feel Aiden coming into the room. Fallon’s face lights up at the sight of her pride and joy, while my mom looks hesitant. I don’t know what her meeting was about, but I don’t think it went well. “What’s up?”

  “Well, your mom says you need a job.”

  I scrunch up my face as I look back at my mom. “I do?”

  “You know the rules. You go to school or work when you’re under my roof.”

  Stupid rules. I don’t have to work. I’m good. “I couldn’t sign up for school. I waited too long.”

  “Exactly, so I guess you’d better get a job.”

  “Wow. Maybe I should move out like Posey said.”

  Mom gives me a dry look as Fallon laughs.

  “But maybe I should know the job first.”

  Fallon grins. “I think you’ll love it. We need a pianist for our bar. I figured since you’re home, a fantastic singer and piano player, it would be great for you.”

  It would. It would be fun too. I love playing, and I heard that Fallon’s new wine bar is pretty amazing. She sold her space in the arena to branch out, and she’s doing great with it while running her winery too. She’s a busy lady. “Yeah, I would love that, actually.”

  “Great. Can you start tomorrow?”

  “Yeah… Wow, thanks.”

  “Of course. Come in at five so we can discuss everything.”

  “Sounds good,” I say, and then I hug her tightly. “Thank you.”

  “Anytime.”

  Mom gives me a look. “Not moving out, then?”

  “Not at the moment,” I say as she wraps her arm around my neck. I hug her tightly, just as Fallon does the same to Aiden. The only difference is Aiden swallows his mom in his arms, while my mom and I are basically the same height.

  Maybe I am pathetic, because I am super jealous of Fallon being held by Aiden.

  “Isn’t it wonderful having them home?”

  “So wonderful,” Fallon agrees. “Even though I think he’s gonna find a place and move out as soon as possible. The girls scare him.”

  Aiden tries to smile, but he looks stricken. “They’re fine, but I’d like my own place.”

  So his call girls can come over. I roll my eyes, and he narrows his at me.

  “I hear you. I thought she’d want her own place, but she misses us,” Mom says, kissing my cheek.

  “I’ve been gone for, like, ever. I want to be home.”

  Mom beams. “She’s a saint. My sweet girl.”

  I don’t miss the way Aiden scoffs a bit as he stares at me. Fire flares inside me. He knows how un-saint-like I can be, and his eyes are full of irritation and anger. I know he wants to speak to me, but I have nothing to say. He didn’t know who I was. And while I knew exactly who he was, I don’t have anything to say to him at this point. He didn’t want me; I was just there, and that’s fine. I know he is stressing and probably scared shitless I’ll tell my parents. But the thing is, I’m an adult. I sleep with who I want, and I don’t feel even the least bit sorry for his anxiety. Maybe next time, he’ll find out who he is sleeping with first.

  Maybe I hope it will be me again…but maybe I don’t.

  One thing is for sure. Aiden Brooks is nothing to me.

  Another thing that is for sure… That is a total fucking lie.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  AIDEN

  I KNOW Luther Arena like the back of my hand.

  I have been roaming these halls and hiding in lockers since I was six. It was awesome. I broke my fifth bone here after falling off the Zamboni. I broke my first stick and I think also a skate blade. I can’t remember, but I love this place. It was honestly a second home for me. Man, if it isn’t great to be back. I thought when Elli demanded I come home so quickly, I would be joining practice. But unfortunately, everyone has been on break until today. She brought me in to meet with her, the coaching staff, and then the personal trainers. While it wasn’t really what I wanted, it’s been a great couple days.

  When I’m not home with my family.

  My sisters are on a whole other level. I now truly understand what Asher meant when he said he had to get out of there. Those two girls fight like cats and dogs and are ruthless. Emery set fire to Stella’s newest makeup palette because Stella ate the last bowl of Emery’s favorite cereal. I wish I were lying, but I’m not. Nope, I watched my youngest sister take my other sister’s makeup, put it on the grill, squirt it with lighter fluid, and set fire to it.

  I’m gonna start to pray for the dude who decides Emery is the one he wants to be with, because she’s gonna kill that guy if he does her wrong.

  Emery is crazy, while Stella is just loud. She isn’t violent like Emery, but she cries about everything. My mom isn’t fair, my dad doesn’t listen to her, Emery is trying to kill her, and apparently my presenc