Dump and Chase (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 1)

I hang up, and I’m tempted to fling my phone into the wall. Since it’s the only way for her to get ahold of me, I refrain. I let my head drop back, and I stare up at the ceiling. I’m going crazy not knowing what to do. I bring my phone up along with my head and dial another number. The only person I want to talk to other than Shelli.

Asher’s voice sounds excited to hear from me when he answers. “Hey.”

“Hey.” Silence. I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose. “I fucked up.”

“I figured. What happened?”

I explain the situation, and as if we hadn’t gotten into a huge fight, Asher listens and comments where he feels he should. I fall back into the couch, running my hand down my face. “I’m going crazy. What do I do?”

“You need to give her space, man. I know you don’t want to hear that, but you do.”

“I don’t think space is what we need. We need to talk this through.”

“But she isn’t seeing it that way. She’s hurt. You said things she’s been worried about since the jump.”

“But I didn’t mean them.”

“And I truly believe she knows that. But knowing her parents heard you say it, and then the whole team… Yeah, she’s gonna be pissed.”

I close my eyes. “You’re right.”

“I’m sorry, dude. That sucks.”

“I just want her back. I miss her. I want her here.” When he laughs softly, I roll my eyes. “Great to know my misery is hilarious to you.”

“I’m laughing because you’re so in love with her, yet you still can’t realize it.”

I sigh. “I get it. I’m fucked up—”

“You’re not, though, Pity Party Pete. I get that I’ve said it before, but if you were so fucked up, would you be where you are? You’re in a full-blown relationship, dude, and you love it. You love her. And I think when you tell her that, everything will fall into place.”

I shake my head. “Sure, but I know for a fact that she wouldn’t listen to me. She probably wouldn’t believe me. She’d probably think I was saying it to get her back. I should have said it when she said it this morning. I wanted to, but I didn’t.”

“Why?”

I shrug. “I honestly don’t know. The words were there. But I can’t say it now. She wants actions, not words. I know her.”

“Exactly, Aiden. You know her. So how do you get her back?”

“I have no clue, which is why I’m asking your ass!”

“You are really annoying, you know that?”

“Yeah, well, you’re a dick.”

“True. I’m sorry about that, by the way. Wasn’t my finest behavior.”

“Nope. Totally crybaby dick move.”

“You’re right, and I’m sorry.”

“It’s over and done with. Thanks for answering the phone.”

“For you? Always,” he says softly. “I do love your clueless ass.”

I want to smile, but I can’t. “Same here.”

“And if you think really hard, you’ll figure this out.”

When my alarm sounds, alerting me that someone is coming upstairs, I rush to the screen in the wall, praying it’s Shelli.

It’s my dad and Shea.

“Great, it’s Dad and Shea. Dad’s probably here to lecture me as Shea beats me with the bloody ends of my limbs.”

Asher laughs ruefully. “Sounds about right. I’m praying for you.”

“Appreciate it.”

“And don’t worry, dude. You’ll figure this out. Just like you’ll figure out that you’re head over heels in love with her.”

I swallow hard and shake my head. “I don’t need to figure that out. I know it. I think I always knew. I was scared to accept it because it meant she could hurt me. Yet here I am, not saying those words, and I’m empty. So, yeah, I’m winning at life over here.”

“Totally. But here is a bit of advice.”

“Am I going to like it?”

“Probably not,” he says honestly. “But Mom always told me you have to love like there is no such thing as a broken heart.”

I bring in my brows. “Pretty sure she got that from a song and didn’t take that advice at all.”

“Probably, but I like it.”

There is a knock at my door. “It terrifies me, but I gotta go. Talk to you later.”

“Stay alive,” he yells as I hang up and open my door.

Dad and Shea are huge men. I’m the same height, but I feel small under their gazes. “Hey.”

I move out of the way so they can come in. “We came to check on you,” Dad says as he walks in and sets a six-pack of beer on the table. He grabs two, handing them to Shea and me before opening the bottle of water I hadn’t seen in his hand. “To fucking up.”

I shut the door, and for some reason, I clink my bottle to theirs before taking a long pull of my beer. “You guys fucked up?”

Shea scoffs loudly. “Elli’s sister kissed me.”