Dump and Chase (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 1)

“That’s unlike you. Why haven’t you decided?”

I bite my lip as I look down at my computer. “Just been busy.”

“While I know you’re working hard on your assignment, I also know that you haven’t been sleeping in your bed.” My eyes widen as I meet her gaze. What is she doing? Dad is at the table. Hello? Did we forget about the angina? She waves me off. “He knows.”

I don’t look at my dad. “But the angina?”

She snorts, and my dad chuckles lightly. “Still in full effect.”

“I have to say, Dad, you’re not even red,” Posey teases. “You did hear that she’s not sleeping in her bed? Which means she’s sleeping in someone else’s. A boy, Dad, or maybe even a man.”

I glare at my sister. “Do you want me to stab you?”

She laughs at me as Dad swallows hard. “Mom says I need to relax. That you’re not a baby anymore.”

“But?” I supply, and he laughs.

“But I don’t want to know about it, so I’m leaving.”

He gets up then and heads out as we all laugh together. When we hear the TV come on, Mom looks at me all excitedly as she pats my hand. “So? Who is he?”

I shake my head. “I’m not ready to say.”

She pulls her brows in. “Really? You tell me everything.”

“I know,” I agree as I look away. “But he’s skittish, and we’ve decided to do us before we involve parents and stuff.”

I feel as if I’ve said too much, but she doesn’t seem to catch on. “So you know his family? Do I know him?”

“No, we’re just taking it slow,” I lie, but Posey sees right through me.

“Is it that guy AJ?”

My eyes widen as I look back at her. Aiden doesn’t really go by AJ, but he did a bit in high school.

Mom’s brows perk. “AJ who? Posey, do you know?”

Posey just shakes her head. “No, Mom. I just know she talks to AJ all the time, so I assumed it was him.”

Our gazes stay locked, and in a way, it’s nice that Posey knows.

“Is it serious?”

I smile. “For me, yes. For him, eh, not sure.” When she makes a face, I hold up my hands. “I want to say it is, but like I said, he’s skittish.”

She shrugs. “I was skittish.”

I raise my brow. “What? You love Daddy.”

Mom grins as she nods. “Of course I do, but I was scared shitless of getting hurt, and I was terrified of commitment. It takes one bad relationship to ruin you.”

I press my lips together. Aiden’s never dated anyone. I really have no clue why he’s afraid of commitment. “How did you get over it?”

She moves her head toward the living room, where I know my dad is sitting in his La-Z-Boy, watching the hockey highlights. “He never gave up on me. He loved me until I realized he wasn’t going anywhere. Now, look at us. Five beautiful children, a home, and happiness.”

My lips curve. “You guys are such relationship goals.”

Posey nods. “Totally.”

Mom smiles at us both. “It will happen for y’all too. Don’t worry.”

I glance at Posey, and she looks down, seeming unsure of herself. I know she’s thinking of Maxim, and it bothers me. I want her to realize there are men out there who want her, but she’s caught up on one guy. Just as I am. I didn’t give up on what I wanted, and now I have him.

When my phone flashes with a call, I look down to see it’s Aiden.

I lift the phone quickly and stand up. “Excuse me.”

“Is it AJ?” Mom squeals, and Posey laughs.

I roll my eyes as I answer it before heading out of the kitchen and down the hall to my room. “Well, hey there, stranger.”

“Hey. What are you doing?” His voice is soft, a little defeated.

I hold in my anger. “Nothing. Just working.”

“Cool. Do you wanna come over?”

“For?”

He pauses. “To see me? I leave tomorrow. I wanted to spend time with you.”

I nod, even though he can’t see me. “Oh, so we’re acting like you’ve been talking to me for the last twenty-four hours? You’ve been radio silent.”

He doesn’t answer for a moment before clearing his throat. “You haven’t texted me.”

“Because you said you’d text me when you were done at dinner,” I throw back, and he lets out a long sigh. “So, what happened?”

He doesn’t speak right away. I wait for an answer, and then he says, “Can you come over, please? I miss you.”

I purse my lips. “Why? So you can do something cute so I won’t be upset anymore?”

“Exactly,” he says warily, and I shake my head.

“You’re impossible.”

“Please?”

“Fine, but I’m not staying.”

“Yeah, you are,” he says, and finally, a bit of his cockiness is back.

“No.”

“Don’t forget your charger. Your toothbrush is here.”

“Whatever.”

“Be careful. It’s raining.”

The line goes dead, and I shake my head, though I am grinning from ear to ear. I want to see him. I’m annoyed he hasn’t called or texted, but by the way he sounded, I think dinner must have been a shitshow. I don’t know why, though. He was excited to spend time with his family. I tuck my phone into my pocket and grab my charger. I already have a bag there. I head out of my room and down the hall just as my dad comes out of the bathroom.