Dump and Chase (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 1)

“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.