Dump and Chase: Nashville Assassins: Next Generation Read online

  “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