Dump and Chase (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 1)

“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.