Dump and Chase (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 1)

“No problem. Listen, I had to take Wes and Boon back to their cars, and we grabbed yours too.”

Oh. He wants me to leave. Duh. “Oh, nice! Thanks. I’ll get out of your hair.”

I turn on my heels and feel him watching me. “You don’t have to. I made some food.”

I shake my head. He’s just being civil. “No, it’s cool. I’ve overstayed my welcome. I’ll go.”

“It’s not like that at all,” he says as I quickly grab my stuff, yanking my phone off the charger before heading back toward him. “Really, I’d like—”

“I gotta get home. I have to help set up the party and stuff and then shower. And yeah, I gotta go.” I move past him and notice my key on his bar. I grab it and see a plate of bacon. “You cook?”

He moves a piece of hair out of his face. “I’m the oldest of four. I had to feed those heathens.”

“I didn’t think you cooked.”

“I do, and you should stay.”

Before he even finishes what he is saying, I shake my head. “I really can’t. Sorry.” I grab a handful of bacon, and then I see the French toast. I take two pieces and make a sandwich. “For the road.”

He looks annoyed. “Of course.”

“Yeah, so um…” I say, walking backward. “Thanks again.”

“Like I said, it’s no problem.”

I flash him a grin. “Yeah, thanks.”

I reach for the door and pull it open, but my name from his lips stops me. “Hey, Shelli.”

I look over my shoulder at him. “Yeah?”

He looks unsure and, damn it, super adorable. “I had fun last night.”

Shit. I press my lips together. “Did we sleep together?”

He scoffs, shaking his head. “No. We don’t have to sleep together to have fun. I meant at the club.”

“Oh,” I say softly, my face warming. “You hardly spoke to me.”

He shrugs. “I don’t know. I didn’t know how to act.”

I squint at him. “Like yourself?”

He chuckles softly. “Yeah, I’ll try that next time.”

I squish up my face. “Probably didn’t help I was so drunk. Sorry. I feel like an idiot, drinking like that.”

He shrugs. “Hey, we were having fun.”

“You’re not hungover.”

He smiles. “I don’t think drinking is my jam anymore.”

“No?”

He slowly shakes his head, his gray eyes bright today and set on me. “Nah, last time I was drunk, I slept with a girl who deserved way more than I gave her.”

My heart jumps up into my throat as our gazes stay locked.

I open my mouth and wait for something to come out. Something witty and maybe a bit sassy, but all I hear is my phone ringing. I tear my gaze from his to look down at my phone. “It’s my mom.”

His lips quirk at the side, and heat swirls in his eyes. “Guess you’d better answer.”

“Yeah, see you later. Thanks again.”

“See you,” he says as I go out the door. When it shuts, I lean on it as I answer my mom.

When, really, all I want is to go back in there and have breakfast with Aiden.

It’s as if Mom and Fallon want to ruin my life.

Or kill me with embarrassment.

All around the living room are blown-up pictures on easels of Aiden and me as kids through the years. There is a picture of me in a swim diaper as Aiden sprays me with water. There is one of him and me playing hockey. There is another of us at one of the Cup finals and then just random photos. It’s mostly him, and in them, I’m staring at him like the love-sick child I was. There is even a photo of us when I was just born. He’s holding me close to his chest and grinning down at me like I’m the sweetest little thing in the world.

Pathetic thing is, I wish he’d look at me like that now. I still can’t believe he brought me to his home last night and took care of me. It’s something the Aiden I grew up with would do. But the Aiden I’ve been dealing with lately…I wouldn’t expect that. I’m pretty sure when he gets here, though, and sees this pitiful display, he’ll stay real clear of me. If a normal, sane person came over, they’d think this was an engagement party instead of an “Oh! Our firstborns are home!” celebration. It’s outrageously idiotic and so humiliating.

But I guess no one notices. The party is in full swing. Everyone is here. Past and current Assassins. It’s good to see Erik and his wife, Piper, with their two kids. Katrina is as stunning as Piper, with her glass-like blue eyes, and Dmitri is huge. Phillip and Reese are here too, and Flynn and Sawyer are as tall as Phillip. It’s kind of crazy. I grew up with all these people, and we’re all old now. When Jordie Thomas comes through the door with his wife, Kacey, tight in his arms, I grin.