Dump and Chase: Nashville Assassins: Next Generation

by Toni Aleo

  “There was never a question of you going back to New York for a little while, Shell. You know I support you one hundred percent, but you belong at home. You may be mad right now, but you know it doesn’t matter because I am going with you.”

  I shake my head and push by him to get out the door so I don’t break down crying. Does he really love me? Seriously, after all the crap he caused, he finally wants to admit it? He’s infuriating! But nothing comes close to the anger I have toward our parents. I stomp up the hall, pissed the hell off. What the hell were they thinking? Did they really think butting in would get us back together? That’s insane and just like them, but still! This isn’t a business deal; this is my heart. His heart.

  “Ugh!”

  When I hear someone rushing up behind me, I pray it’s not Aiden. But when I see it’s my dad, I kind of wish it were Aiden. “Not right now, Dad.”

  He takes ahold of my arm, stopping me. “I’m gonna give you some unsolicited advice—”

  “I’d rather you didn’t.”

  He smiles, his blue eyes tender as he cups my face. “I know you don’t want to hear this. But the truth is, baby, a long-lasting relationship comes with a lot of forgiveness and understanding.”

  I just blink up at him. “You want me to forgive him?”

  “Yes, and I want you to acknowledge that it was a misunderstanding.”

  I’m flabbergasted. “You? You’re the one telling me this?” I shake my head. “What happened to killing him?”

  “He loves you, Shelli. I know that. And to be honest, after everything we talked about last night, I can see he’s wrecked by this.” I look away, the tears burning my eyes.

  “Last night?”

  “Yeah, Lucas and I went over to make sure he was okay. And baby, he isn’t.” I shake my head as he squeezes my wrist. “All that in there was your mother and Fallon. Lucas and I had no part in it, but I do agree that you need to talk to Aiden. Really talk to him.”

  I chew on my lip and then slowly nod. “I can’t right now.”

  And at this moment, I don’t know when I’ll be ready to.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  SHELLI

  I WANT to be proud of what I’ve done here.

  The arena is decorated like the 1920s with an awesome Great Gatsby theme. Usually, my mom’s themes are something purple, but I wanted to go bigger. While purple is the main color of the décor to honor our Assassins Foundation, I added sparkly golds and blacks to tie everything together. Lights, pearls, and feathers hang above us, while the tables are decorated with plumes of feathers and glitz. Flapper girls are walking around with champagne since there is no smoking, but I don’t think anyone minds. Especially when the Gatsby-era jazz band I hired is killing it. They’re freaking great, even if Aiden was the one to choose them.

  I ignore that fact and try to smile at everyone as they enjoy themselves. Thankfully, the players were supportive of my request and are wearing the time-period-specific outfits I had ordered. I had their vests made with the Assassins logo and their numbers on the pocket. The vests are being auctioned off at the end of the night to fund the addition of a rec hall in the facility we’re building for the veterans.

  All the guests came dressed to the nines, and the photo booth is a huge hit. Along with taking pictures with the players, everyone seems pretty happy. People are bidding on the auction items and eating the wonderful food from Brooks House. We’ve already raised so much money, and the night is just getting started. It’s all perfection, everything I wanted it to be. Yet I feel like utter shit.

  I’d thought getting my hair done in a Roaring Twenties do, along with some fierce makeup, would have made me feel a lot better. It didn’t. Especially when I had to put on my dress for the night. The dress Aiden had given to me. Of course, it has a sexy, plunging neckline with a scrap of tasteful sheer fabric in place to shield my breasts. The gold material hugs my body in all the right ways, stopping at midcalf. He bought me a thick strand of pearls to go with it, and the feather headpiece he picked out brings the whole outfit together. The only thing he didn’t get me are my sparkly gold heels, but when I bought them, I’d picked them out just for him. The higher, the better is his motto.

  A little grin pulls at my lips.

  I miss him.

  I stand by the stage as I people-watch. I haven’t spoken to anyone, really. Only to give people direction on how to do their jobs and then to tell them to schmooze the folks with deep pockets. It’s gone well for me, but I’m a bundle of nerves. This has to be a success. I can’t leave for New York without having my name shine in this arena.

  That’s not the only reason I’m nervous, though. My stomach has been in knots since I arrived. I haven’t seen him yet, but I know he’s here. I can feel him here. All day, I thought about what my dad said. He’s right; forgiveness and understanding are huge factors in a long-lasting relationship. If my mom hadn’t forgiven my dad, or the other way around, they wouldn’t be together. Same with Fallon and Lucas.

  “This party is stunning, baby.”

  I look over at my mom, and she’s dressed up perfectly. Instead of a flapper dress, though, she’s wearing a billowing white floor-length gown. She is dripping with diamonds, and she looks as if she belongs in a film rather than at my party.

  I beam as I nod. “It is. It’s everything I wanted it to be.”

  “You did a wonderful job.”

  “Thank you,” I say, and I bite the inside of my cheek. “I’m sorry for being disrespectful yesterday.”

  Mom scoffs. “Oh, love. I was probably in the wrong. I keep forgetting you’re not a baby anymore.”

  “You were wrong.” My lips curve.

  She laughs as she cups my arm. “How are you?”

  I shrug. “Living my best life.”

  I know she sees right through me. “Is that code for complete shit?”

  I grin back at her. “Yup.”

  “Well, then, Aiden is doing the same.”

  I follow her gaze to where he sits with some of the guys. He looks stunning in his vest and newsboy hat. He’s wearing an adorable purple bow tie that goes great with his whole outfit. He’s pulled his hair back too, but it’s typically messy and, of course, so sexy. Even with how good he looks, it’s easy to see he’s miserable. I swallow hard as I look away.

  “Have you talked to him?”

  “No, Mom.”

  She gives me a look. It’s somewhere between pity and annoyance. “Can you stop being so stubborn?”

  “Nope. Inherited it from you, so thanks.”

  She makes a face as she shakes her head. “You’re a pain in my ass.”

  I smile and lean back into the stage. “Mom, let me be. I need to get through this.”

  She doesn’t move, though, as her eyes burn into mine. With a small grin, she takes my arm in her hand. “Can I give you some advice?”

  I groan loudly. “Please don’t.”

  She ignores me. “You knew he was good before he did. Don’t lose that, my love. Hold on to the love you want because, I’m telling you, he loves you something fierce.” I meet her gaze, and she gives me a pointed look. “Remember, I was just as proud as you are being now, and all it did was bring me heartache. It wasn’t until I knocked off the chip on my shoulder that I was happy again.”

  With that, she walks off, her dress flowing behind her. She’s stunning, she really is, but she’s also annoying as fuck. It doesn’t matter. I only have to get through this party, and then I’m home free. I could even move back to New York now if I wanted. Not that I will, but I could. I don’t want to. I want to go over and wrap my arms around Aiden.

  My damn pride won’t let me.

  Since I know where he is, I keep my eye on him as I move around the room. I’m trying to be inconspicuous, but it’s pretty obvious I’m staring at him. I hate how hopeless and upset he looks, even if it’s exactly how I feel. It’s kind of funny that we’re both so bummed and apart, when I had asked him to come to this thing with m
e. If only we could go back to that time in the truck. Maybe then he would have said he loved me. Not during a fight… God, I can’t believe he did that. He sure is handsome—and book-smart to boot—though, when it comes to relationships, the dude is a dud.

  But he’s trying.

  When he looks up, our eyes meet, and everything around me just stops. Gone are the guests, the staff, the players, everyone. It’s only him and me as my heart goes crazy in my chest. His eyes are so dark, so sad, and they gut me. He holds his beer by the neck, running his thumb along the top of it. He looks down, almost as if he is arguing with himself before looking back up at me, those gray eyes piercing my soul. When he starts to get up, I know I should probably go the other way, but I stay where I am.

  It only takes a few strides before he’s standing in front of me, intoxicating me with his ice-rink smell.

  “I don’t want to fight,” he says then, calmly but sternly. “I just want to say that everything you’ve said is bullshit—”

  I scoff. “If you don’t want to fight, don’t call what I say bullshit.”

  His eyes burn into mine. “Always got something to say, huh?”

  “Always,” I retort. “You hurt me, Aiden. Truly hurt me.”

  “I know, but that wasn’t my intention. I really was just protecting us.”

  “But Boon and Wes know about us.”

  “They do, and of course, they know the truth. I even shook my head at them so they knew I was putting up a front. We know the truth. That’s all that matters.”

  I slowly shake my head. “I don’t know, Aiden. It’s almost like I didn’t know that guy who was saying that crap. You don’t talk about me like that anymore, but then you did, and it hurt. It was a huge blow. Anyone who sees us together now will think I’m only the girl you keep around to fuck and not feel anything for.”

  He closes his eyes, and his head falls forward. “I don’t give a fuck what they think,” he says, meeting my gaze. “I only care what you think. Do you think that, Shelli?”

  The tension between us is thicker than ice. Not even my daddy’s slapshot could break it. “I want to say no, but I don’t know if I can.”

  “You’re not just a fuck,” he says, coming closer and grabbing my hips to pull me into him. “You never were, Shelli. You were always special. From the moment I saw you and felt your lips on mine, I didn’t want to let you go. Please believe me.”

  Tears flood my eyes as I look up at him. I take in a deep breath. I know he’s waiting for an answer, but I can’t give him one. “I have to go check on things.”

  “Lame excuse to get away.”

  “It’s either that or the truth,” I say, backing away even as his arms beckon me to him.

  His shoulders slump. “What’s the truth?”

  “I don’t know if I can get over it.”

  He shakes his head. “You’re so fucking stubborn, Shelli.”

  “I know,” I say, walking backward as I shrug.

  “But I love that about you.”

  I stop midstride. His words are so strong, so confident, and they blow me away. Unlike before when I was pissed, now my heart takes a hit. Breathlessly, I ask, “You do?”

  He nods. “I love everything about you.” I blink, my heart in my throat as his eyes hold me captive. “I’m gonna prove it to you too.”

  I watch him for a moment until he disappears into the crowd. I don’t know what just happened here, but hearing that he loves everything about me did something to my heart. Or better yet, my pride. My stubbornness. I’ve wanted to hear those words from his lips for as long as I can remember. Finally, he says them, and I just gawk at him. Why does he make me feel like a crazy person?

  I shake my head and head toward the bar. I need a drink. Probably not the greatest answer to this situation, but I don’t know what to do. Do I just let it go? Do I forgive him when I’m worried it is true? I was so sure of us. Is this going to be what holds me back from having the guy I’ve always loved? I reach the bar and take a wine bottle out of the cooler, waving off the bartender. I pull the cork out with my teeth, spitting it into the trash, and then take a swig.

  My mom would be so proud.

  “Hey.”

  I have the bottle at my lips when I direct my gaze to where Wes is staring at me. Boon is beside him, nodding. “Man, you’re a catch.”

  I laugh as I lower the bottle from my lips. “Y’all get to drink. Why shouldn’t I?”

  “Hey, no judgment here,” Wes says, showing me his palms. “What are you doing?”

  I wave the bottle at him. “Trying to get drunk.”

  He nods, and Boon grins. “I’ve got the strong stuff at my table. Come on.”

  “Okay,” I say, following them but not leaving my bottle. I can drink the strong stuff and my wine. When they go to cut across the dance floor, I’m confused. I thought they were sitting in the back, but maybe I was wrong. Boon stops suddenly, and I run into him as Wes laughs.

  “You already drunk?”

  I give him a dry look. “Hardly.”

  Wes takes the bottle from me. “Good,” he says with a grin.

  He then backs away, as does Boon. No one is on the floor. Why isn’t anyone dancing? I look up at the band to figure out why they’re not playing, but then I see Aiden.

  Only Aiden.

  With a guitar.

  “If I can have everyone’s attention,” he says, a guitar hanging around his neck as he brushes his hair back with his fingers. My heart jumps up into my throat as he ties his hair up and then grabs the mic. “My name is Aiden Brooks, and I want to thank everyone for coming out and supporting this amazing foundation. Isn’t this party stellar?” The room erupts with applause as he takes the mic from the stand and then comes to the end of the stage, his guitar now on his back. I’m still trying to breathe because I think I know what he is doing. But surely not. “As a lot of you know, Shelli Adler is the one who put this shindig together, and I think she may have outdone herself.”

  More applause as he lowers himself to the stage and then hops off. I wave at the crowd with a curt smile, but my heart hurts, it’s beating so hard. “I have witnessed Shelli plan this thing. She stayed up night after night, working hard to make sure it was a success, and I, for one, am very proud of her.”

  He comes toward me, his eyes only on me. “For those who don’t know, she’s very talented. But as all of you know, she is drop-dead gorgeous.”

  There are a few catcalls and laughter, but I don’t hear it, I’m lost in his gray eyes. “I am also head over heels in love with her, and being the idiot I am, I made her question that, question how I feel for her. I never meant to do that, not when she is the best thing in my life. So I’m gonna speak to her in a way I know she’ll listen to.”

  My eyes widen as Wes steps up with a mic stand for Aiden’s mic. Some of the guys holler for him, but his eyes are on me, and this naughty little grin sits on his beautiful lips. I’m surprised I’m able to identify the beating noise as his hand against the guitar rather than my heart pounding in my ears. When he starts playing, the room goes quiet. Then the words are leaving his lips.

  Oh, he’s playing dirty.

  “You & Me,” by James TW is one of my all-time favorite songs. He learned this for me? Every time it comes on, I jam like no other, mostly because it reminds me of Aiden. Because all I’ve ever wanted was him and me. As he reaches the chorus, he really gets into it, his eyes falling shut as he sings so beautifully. I feel as if I’m flying. There are tears in my eyes, my heart is in my throat, and I can’t believe this. When his eyes meet mine, the verse leaving his lips, the tears start to fall. I’m breathless as he plays with no cares and nothing holding him back. It as if it’s just him and me in this room. This is the man I fell in love with.

  When he pushes the guitar around to his back, he starts to clap, and the room joins in, leaving me utterly mind-blown. He moves past the mic stamd, coming toe-to-toe with me, before using his thumbs to clear away my tears. He cups my face in h
is large hands, his voice so perfect as he finishes the song just for me.

  “That’s all I want. I just want you and me,” I say, and his lips curve.

  “Well, that’s what you’re getting.” He leans in, his forehead against mine. “Everyone will always know how much I love you. How you mean everything to me. How you and I are a two-person team in this world. I waited so long to fall in love for a reason, Shelli. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was waiting for you.”

  “I’ve always been right here.”

  “Yeah, but remember, I didn’t know what or who I was waiting for,” he says, his lips curving, and I smile. “But I know now, and you aren’t ever going anywhere.”

  “I’m not?”

  “Nope,” he says confidently, his eyes dark. “I’m sorry. Please forgive me—”

  “It’s in the past. We have a future to look forward to, apparently.”

  He grins. “Not apparently. For sure.”

  I cover his hands with mine, and at the same time, we both move in, our lips pressing together. The room erupts with noise, but I’m in my own world with only Aiden by my side.

  My favorite place to be.

  When he pulls back, I open my eyes to find him gazing down at me with such love in his eyes. “I know it took me forever to say it, but I swear, Shelli, I’ll spend every waking moment telling you.”

  A tear rolls down my cheek.

  “You will?”

  “Yes, because I love you, Shelli. I love you so damn much.” Those words have my world spinning. I’ve wanted them for so long. “I should have told you when you said it to me in the truck the other day. I wanted to, but I was so scared of losing you. I almost did, and now you can’t stop me from saying it.” He runs his nose along mine, his eyes beautiful and full of all things perfect. “I do, Shelli. I love you.”

  I gaze up at him, almost speechless. But I’ve been saying I love Aiden Brooks my whole life.

  So naturally, as if I’m only taking my next breath, I say, “I love you more, Aiden Brooks.”