Dump and Chase (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 1)

Jesus.

I swallow hard as I admire her short little dress. It’s a bold red that makes her skin look delicious. Her black, red-soled shoes are high and dangerous, but it’s her voice that has me in knots. She’s so talented.

“The only thing I don’t like about this place…” Boon says, and I glance over at him. He’s a funny dude. Real big, but fast. I thought he’d be a defensemen, but he’s actually one hell of a shot. He’s taller than me, with dark brown hair and hazel eyes. He has an insane beard, with a jagged scar running along his cheek and brow. He got into a nasty fight when he was younger, and that’s the result. He’s a cool guy, and we click. Our line—he, Wes, and I—is doing big things. “There aren’t enough single girls here. There’s just a whole bunch of couples.”

“Hey, some of the waitresses… Never mind,” Wes starts, and I laugh.

“We can head out, hit up a club or two,” I suggest, and everyone nods.

“Yeah, I gotta call Caitlin. I told her I wasn’t going to be out late, but I’m not ready to head back. Maybe she’ll want to come out,” Willy says as he gets up and takes out his phone.

Boon looks over at me. “Can we dump him as a friend? He’s boring when it comes to partying.”

I laugh as Wes sets Boon with a look. “Hey, Willy is awesome. He’s just in love. You know how that is.”

Boon shrugs. “Yeah, turns you into an idiot. It’s all about the girl. What they want. You don’t matter. It’s fucking annoying.”

Wes scoffs. “Says the guy who just got out of a three-year relationship.”

“Hey, I learned the error of my ways and got out.”

“She left you,” Wes says dryly. “You cried for a month.”

Boon shoots him a murderous look. “I don’t cry.”

Wes snorts. “Fine, you leaked from your eyes in a very manly way.”

Boon nods. “Thank you.”

“Why did she leave you?” I ask, and he looks to me.

Boon’s face sort of changes, and he shrugs. “She wasn’t happy. Didn’t like the life. She wanted me home, and I couldn’t be there. I wanted to play. She asked me to choose, and I went with my first love. Hockey.”

“Don’t blame you.”

“But that’s an asshole move. She never should have asked,” Wes says then with a furrow of his brow. “This is our dream. Our life. No one should ask us to give it up.”

We all nod in agreement as I take a sip of my wine. My gaze, of course, ends up on Shelli as she finishes the song. She loves hockey as much as I do. She’d never ask me to give… What the hell am I thinking?

I start coughing from the wine going down the wrong pipe. Shit, I’m going to die. I put the glass down as Wes slaps my back. “Told ya. Wine is dangerous. Stick to beer.”

Boon tips his glass to me as I hack up my lung. “Yeah, leave the classy side and slum with us.”

Laughing and coughing don’t mix, and soon I’m in a fit. Everyone is looking at me funny, but all I hear are sirens in my head. Why the hell did I think that? What the hell is wrong with me? I hate Asher. This is his fault. I don’t know what is going on, but Shelli is more dangerous than I thought. I know this. I’ve got to remember this!

“Hey, guys. Great game tonight.”

I look up to see Shelli standing there in all her beautiful glory, and I’m still coughing a bit. Her jacket is over her arm, along with a jar full of money. From beside me, Wes flashes her a winning grin. “Thanks, Shelli. Did you watch?”

She nods with a “come on” look. “Of course. I messed up three songs ’cause I cheered when y’all scored.” God, her country drawl is so damn sexy. Her eyes fall on me. “Great goal from the slot.”

My throat is dry. “Thanks,” I rasp, and her eyes flash with something treacherous. I feel it all in my gut, and I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me, but I need to remember.

This. Can’t. Happen.

No matter how much I want to lift that skirt of hers and bury my face between her legs.

It. Can. Not. Happen.

Willy comes up beside her, wrapping an arm around her as he squeezes her tightly. “Great set. I love that Elton John song.”

“Thanks,” she gushes, and I love the pink of her cheeks.

“Hey, so Caitlin said it’s cool. She isn’t going to meet us. She’s not feeling up to it.”

“Cool,” Wes says, getting up. “Hey, Shell, what you got going on?”

“Heading home, I guess.”

“We’re gonna go barhopping. Wanna come?”

No. No! Don’t invite her!

Her gaze shifts to me before she looks back at Wes. “Yeah, that sounds like fun.”