Dump and Chase (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 1)

When I hear a TV, I walk into my bathroom and through it to see that it’s in Posey’s room. I go to turn it off when I realize there are people watching it.

Posey and Maxim.

In bed, watching TV. Mighty close.

Posey looks at me with wide eyes and looks back at the TV as she yells, “We’re just watching TV.”

“Yeah, I know. But I’m gonna shut my door. It’s loud.”

She nods quickly as she tries to put space between Maxim and herself. Maxim, though, is fully engrossed in the movie with no cares that I am there or how close Posey is. She’s two seconds from straddling him. Does he really not realize my sister digs him? What an idiot.

I shut her door and head back into my room. I don’t even want to go back out to the party. Not only did Aiden hear all that, but he saw how ridiculous my dad acted. I’m twenty-one. What does he expect? This is entirely my mom’s fault. She was supposed to talk to my dad about me having sex after I lost my virginity. If Aiden didn’t see me as a kid before, he sure as hell does now. I knew this party was going to be a shitshow.

When there is a knock at my door, I glare it at. “Go away.”

It cracks open, and Aiden’s head pops in. “Does that apply to me?”

I cross my arms over my chest, looking away. “Yes.”

“Well, that’s rude.”

I roll my eyes. “What do you want?”

“Hey, I did nothing here. I was just trying to take a picture.” I hear the door shut again, but I refuse to look at him. “Your dad is terrifyingly funny.”

I scoff. “He’s an idiot.”

The silence stretches between us until, finally, he says, “So that’s why when I kissed you, you didn’t stop me.”

I press my lips together. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“That night,” he says, and when I see his outrageously expensive shoes, I close my eyes. “I couldn’t figure out why you’d let me kiss you if you knew me, but you thought I was returning feelings you had.”

“Could you not say that out loud? It makes me sound totally tragic.”

“Is it true?”

I bite the inside of my cheek as I look up at him. His eyes are full of gentleness, leaving me breathless. “Is what true?”

“What I said?”

How the hell do I get out of this situation? I look away as I shrug. “I don’t know.”

“Shelli.”

I lick my lips as I glance back up at him. “Yeah, I thought you knew who you were kissing and that you wanted me because maybe you liked me too.”

“So, you like me?” His eyes are a tad playful, but he’s serious.

“I may have at some point.”

He moves closer, his hands gripping my hips. “And now?”

His head is dropping to mine, and slowly I tilt mine back. “Maybe.”

Before the word can even escape my lips, his take over mine.

And I’m flying.

I wrap my arms around his neck as his go around my waist, holding me so close, I can feel his heart jackhammering against mine. He runs his tongue along my lips, and I instantly open for him, wanting the kiss to deepen. Because he knows who I am—and he wants to kiss me. The kiss is hot, wanton, and I want to wrap myself around him and not let go.

But, of course, there is a knock at my door.

“Shelli. Honey, come on out.”

My dad’s voice has us separating like two naughty teens caught trying to cop a feel during a movie.

Aiden’s eyes are wide as I clear my throat. “I’m coming.”

“Is the door locked—” Dad starts, but then he is coming in. I push Aiden back into my closet and kick off my shoe real fast. There is a loud bang from Aiden’s body hitting the wall, but I play it off.

“Damn, I didn’t mean to kick my shoes off that hard.”

Dad looks at me, and I lean into the closet, rubbing my foot in my hand. “What are you doing?”

“Changing my shoes,” I answer quickly.

He eyes me. “Your lipstick is smeared.”

I cover my mouth. “I need to reapply it. I always mess it up when I’m singing.”

“Oh, that’s right. Are you okay? I’m sorry that your mom mentioned your little crush on Aiden. I don’t think he cares. It was a cute thing about you when you were younger. He’s way older, so he doesn’t care.”

I swallow hard. “Dad, I don’t want to talk about this.”

“It isn’t like he would date you, honey. He’s in his own world. Don’t be upset.”

“Dad, please stop.”

He sighs deeply. “Fine, come on. Let’s go get a beer, ignore your mom together.”

“So I can drink without the angina acting up, but boys are out of the question?”

He looks at me dryly. “Yes.”