Dump and Chase: Nashville Assassins: Next Generation Read online

  “I’m not, but it is what it is.”

  “Shelli, call him.”

  “No. I put it all out there, and he just stared at me.”

  She lets out a long breath. “Shelli, you’ve been telling me since the rip that he’s skittish and is terrified of commitment. What did you think was going to happen?”

  I close my eyes. “I was hoping, by now, he had figured out we have a great thing and he loves me.”

  “Oh honey, I wanted that too. But maybe he isn’t ready to accept it. He’s been single his whole life until you.”

  “Which means I should be enough. He settled down for me, yet he won’t admit it.”

  “Shelli, you’re more than enough, and I honestly think he knows that. I saw the way he looked at you, and I saw how he wanted to rip Nico’s head off. He’s scared.”

  I hate that word. I hate that he feels like that. “Which is fine, but haven’t I done enough to make him comfortable?”

  “Shelli, this isn’t you. It’s him.”

  “So, what do I do?”

  “Call him.”

  “No way. The puck is in his zone.” I know that’s my pride talking, but I refuse. I’ve done everything thus far; it’s all on him now.

  She snorts. “So corny.”

  I can’t even smile. I just feel empty. I hate not talking to him. I hate that he allowed Nico to come between us once more. I never even loved that guy. I’ve only ever loved Aiden, and I don’t understand how he doesn’t realize that.

  “In other news, my mom is dead set on us getting married before the baby comes.”

  I roll my eyes. “She’s insane.”

  “Right? But she’s happy. She told me she was proud of me last night.”

  I smile. “You’re going to be an awesome mom, Am.”

  “And you’re gonna be the best aunt.”

  “Damn right. That baby is gonna be spoiled rotten.”

  Amelia laughs. “Between the Adlers, the Justices, and the Moons, I’d say so.”

  “For real, and the baby will be super loved.”

  “So loved,” she agrees just as the flight attendant stops beside me.

  “Ms. Adler, there is an issue with takeoff.”

  I scrunch up my face. “Am, let me call you back.” I hang up and then stand. “What’s wrong?”

  “There is a gentleman outside who says he needs to speak to you, but he isn’t on the manifest, so I can’t let him on.”

  “Huh?” I ask, and then I walk past her to the entrance of the plane.

  When I look down the stairs, I see Aiden standing at the bottom. His bag is hanging on his shoulder, and he’s wearing a nice blue suit that hugs every inch of him. His hair is down, tucked behind his ears, but all I see are those gray eyes that are swimming in despair.

  “They won’t let me on.”

  I shrug, crossing my arms. “I didn’t think you were coming.”

  “I am,” he says, sending my heart into a frenzy.

  “Why?”

  “’Cause I want to be with you. I want to watch you get this part, Shelli. I fucked up. I should have called you last night, but you dropped a hell of a bomb on me and I didn’t really recover. Still not sure what I am doing.”

  I bite my lip before looking at the pilot, who has come out of the cockpit to stand beside me. “Can you add Aiden Brooks back on to the manifest, please?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He then turns to Aiden. “Can I see your ID, sir?”

  With his eyes on me, Aiden pulls out his wallet and hands over his ID.

  “You’re good to go.”

  Aiden takes his ID back and then heads up the stairs as he tucks that and his wallet into his pocket. When he stops before me, two steps down so our eyes are on the same level, I find I’m holding my breath. He reaches out, snaking his arm around my waist before pulling me closer, our noses almost touching.

  “I’m sorry about yesterday.” I bring my lip between my teeth as he speaks. “It isn’t fair to you, but I was overwhelmed and I was jealous. So jealous.” He leans his head into mine, and I take in a deep breath. “I don’t want to lose you.”

  “Then stop acting like an idiot.”

  He smiles. “Noted.” He opens his eyes to meet mine. “I couldn’t sleep last night. I was a wreck. I swear, Shelli, I feel something great for you. I may not know what love is, but I feel something.”

  I roll my eyes. “You know what love is, Aiden.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Because I’ve seen you with your family, with mine. You’re being stubborn, but as long as you want me—”

  “Shelli, I need you,” he says softly, and then he kisses my bottom lip. “I feel like I’m fucking up left and right, and damn it, you deserve better. Someone who knows what they’re feeling and what they want—”

  “I want you.” I move my fingers down his jaw, and I watch as his lashes kiss his cheeks.

  “I never wanted to be wanted by anyone—until now.”

  That’s all I need to know.

  Because by the way he’s looking at me, he’s there.

  He just doesn’t realize it yet.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  AIDEN

  “GOOD THING you have your own plane.”

  Shelli looks over her shoulder at me as she opens one of the guitars that a friend of hers brought over for her to take back to Nashville. Apparently, she leaves guitars everywhere. “I didn’t expect to see her today, and of course, I totally forgot she had these.”

  Shelli is still in her dress from the audition. It’s a dark green satin ballgown that is floor-length but with a completely open back. The front has a high neck with straps that wrap around her neck and are studded with stones. She wore her hair down in wide curls, and her makeup is dramatic and stunning. I didn’t know I liked her eyes with winged eyeliner as much as I do until now.

  She was absolutely mesmerizing at her audition. She sang “All that Jazz,” but a slow, haunting piano version we’ve been working on for weeks. We weren’t sure if we should do it on the piano or guitar, but I’m happy she went with piano. It was different and classy in my opinion. Everyone else came dressed in their best Chicago attire and singing the songs the way they would be in the show, but I think Shelli stood out. I think she sparkled, and I was pretty fucking proud to be in the audience, knowing she was all mine.

  And to think, I almost blew it. I don’t know what it is about Nico Merryweather, but he is a thorn in my side. I don’t like the way he looks at Shelli, and I sure as shit don’t like how he thinks she wants him. I hate how insecure he makes me—in myself and in her. I know she doesn’t want to be with him, yet I get these irrational thoughts in my head that make me want to rip him limb from limb. I refuse to allow him to come between us. I’m not saying I’m completely confident in us, but I’m opening my eyes. I don’t want to lose her, and I wasn’t lying when I said I felt something for her. I do. I feel it deep in my chest, but I’m afraid that it isn’t the love she feels for me. I’m worried that I don’t know how to feel that.

  She moves her hair off her shoulder and gathers it on the other side. She’s crouched down on the floor, her dress pooling around her as she wipes off her guitar and pulls it out of the case. “I bought both of these after my first standing ovation in Frozen.”

  She stands as she brings the guitar to her stomach, strumming her fingers along the strings. As she tunes it, I lift the other case and put it on the coffee table before opening it. “Why didn’t you bring them home?”

  “I totally forgot about them. I brought them over to Essie’s house for a party, and I got trashed. Forgot them.”

  I lift the Echo acoustic up to my chest and strum it. “Well, since you don’t want to care for them, I’ll be happy to take them home with me.”

  “Please, I love these guitars. Aww, she had them tuned for me. She’s so sweet.”

  I nod. “This one needs to be cleaned.”

  “Yeah,” she says, and she then grabs a rag off the