Dump and Chase (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 1)

“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

She shrugs. “Your loss.”

And then she gets up, shimmying to Wes. In that tight skirt, I can see her ass jiggle. She’s right, it is my fucking loss. I sigh deeply as I reach for the bottle of water Boon ordered for me. I lean back in the booth, and I’m thankful for the dark shadow cast over my face.

Because I’m watching Shelli Adler move in ways I wish she’d only move for me.

As the night flows on, so does the alcohol. We hit up three more clubs before I start to notice this party is getting a little out of hand. Willy left about an hour ago to go home to Caitlin, while Boon is dry-humping anyone who will let him. He’s completely toasted, and I’m wondering if I should get him out of here. Wes was dancing with Shelli, but now I have no clue where he is. I’ve kept Shelli in view, and she hasn’t stopped dancing since we got here.

I’m watching Boon stumble into a chair when Shelli falls beside me in the booth I’m sitting in. She leans into me, her mouth coming close to my ear. “I’m really drunk.”

My lips curve. “Are you now?” She leans back laughing, and I grip her wrist so she doesn’t fall out. “Wow, you are really drunk.”

“I am.”

I mutter a curse under my breath. I move to get up, but she clutches my wrist. “Don’t leave me.”

“I’m gonna get Boon and see if I can find Wes.”

“But don’t leave me,” she says as she stares up at me, eyes half lidded. I can see her eyes floating in tears, and I want to groan. Great, she’s a crier when she’s drunk.

“I’m not,” I promise, and then I look up to see Wes coming toward me. I point to him. “How drunk are you?”

He holds up his hands, moving them up and down, like he’s weighing his answer. “I might be.”

“That’s not a unit of measurement.”

“Fine. A lot.”

“Ha!” Boon laughs. “Like mer-lot!”

The peanut gallery, ladies and gentlemen.

“Great. Give me your phone.”

He hands it over as he sits down beside Boon. I notice the bouncers watching us, and I know we gotta get out of here. I sit on the arm of the chair, and Shelli’s head falls into my lap. I move my hand over her hair absentmindedly as I use Wes’s app to request an Uber.

“Nice. It’s already outside.” I get up and grab Shelli’s jacket before putting it on her. “Guys, come on.” I then look down at Shelli and say, “Come on, angel. Let’s get out of here.” She takes my hands, and I pull her up into my arms. She’s so much shorter than me, and when she tips her head back, I can’t help but look down at her.

“You called me angel?”

I smile. “Yeah, I guess I did.”

I wrap my arm around her waist and then follow my two buddies out. Thankfully, we all make it outside without any assistance from the bouncers. After a long argument with Boon and Wes about leaving their cars back at Brooks House, the Uber finally drives off with them in it. I promise to take them to get their cars tomorrow. It’s all good, and I’ll text my mom so she doesn’t tow them. We’re only a block from Brooks House, but I’m unsure Shelli will make it.

“You good there, Shell?”

“I think I might puke…or pass out,” she mumbles, and she looks a little green.

“Fantastic,” I mutter as I lift her into my arms with ease. I can feel her skirt riding up, so I put her back down, much to her dismay.

“But I don’t want to walk.”

“Hush you,” I murmur as I take off my jacket, which, luckily, she returned to me earlier, and wrap it around her waist. I then pick her back up, satisfied knowing no one will see her ass. She wraps her arms around my neck and cuddles her face into my chest as I head toward our cars. She smells like tequila, smoke, and absolute perfection. She drives me wild. Problem is, I’m unsure what I am going to do. I don’t think I can take her home. What the hell would I say to her parents? Plus, it’s almost three in the morning. They’re probably sleeping. There is really only one thing to do.

When we reach my car, I hit the unlock button for my brand-new Fiat Spider and open the door. I slowly lower her into it and then buckle her seat belt. When I go to make sure the belt is over her chest correctly, she opens one eye.

“Hey.”

“Hey.”

“You’re super hot.”

I chuckle as I pat her thigh. “You too, but don’t throw up in my new car, please.”

“You should kiss me.”

Yup, I knew I was going to die tonight. “No can do, angel. When I kiss you, I want you to know what’s happening.”