Dump and Chase (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 1)

When I see the tears flooding his eyes, I have to look away.

“If it’s my fault, I’m sorry. Truly, I am. But if this is you being a pigheaded little fuck because it’s easy, get it together.”

“Dad, I love you, and I don’t blame you or even hold resentment for you,” I say to him, and I don’t. My mom did what she did, and my dad had issues all those years ago. It all worked out in the end, but I’m still cautious. “I just don’t want to hurt like she did. Nothing is worth that.”

He throws his hands toward our home. “Yeah, it can suck. It can hurt, and it can knock you on your ass. But when it’s right, when it’s true, you get all that. A partner, someone who loves you even when you feel worthless. Kids who idolize you, and a pretty fucking great life.”

Once more, I have to look away to keep my own emotions in check.

“You are the best thing that ever happened to me, Aiden James. Hands down, the best thing. I will never love anyone the way I love you, but you need to grow the fuck up.”

He gets out of the car, and I heave a big sigh. “I love you, Dad. I do. I don’t blame you for what happened.”

He shakes his head. “Show me that with your actions. Do better.”

I swallow hard.

“And while I’m at it, don’t be a dumbass. Wear a fucking condom.”

“Kill me now,” I mutter, but apparently my overbearing father is not done.

“Also, apologize to her.”

“Who? She who must not be named?” I ask incredulously. “She wasn’t very nice to me either, and I don’t hear her apologizing.”

“Yes, be a man and apologize for how you spoke to her.” Just as he goes to close the car door, he shoots me a dark look. “And don’t use cute little Harry Potter terms to try to ease my anger. I’m pissed at you, even if I can still see you fighting hippogriffs at six years old. You’re a great guy, Aiden, but grow up.”

He then slams the door hard, and I just sit there as I watch him go into the house.

The house he turned into a home for us.

Because he loved my mom and me more than anything in this world.

It all seems so inconceivable. I just don’t understand what he wants from me. But above that, how in the hell am I supposed to apologize to Shelli?

Chapter Eleven

Aiden

As I drive to Mom’s wine bar, Brooks House, my dad’s words play over and over again in my head. I hate when he is mad at me. My mom always says I have that first-child syndrome, where I aim to please everyone. For the longest time, I didn’t agree with her, but it’s moments like these when I feel she may be right. I don’t want my dad to be mad, and if I’m honest, I don’t like how things went down with Shelli either. I don’t like how any of it went down. The sex, I liked that a lot, but I don’t like that I didn’t know who I was sleeping with. And I sure as hell don’t like that I may have hurt Shelli’s feelings.

As much as people want to believe I don’t care, I do. I don’t like hurting people; it’s not my jam. Which is why I keep feelings an arm’s length away. Things go bad when you actually start caring about someone. I’ve always had a soft spot for Shelli Adler, so it’s easy to see why this is a fucking shitshow. Our lives are too intertwined, and I don’t want her to hate me. Though, I think that ship has sailed, and she’s the captain of it.

When my phone rings, I pull it out of my pocket. My brows shoot up when I see it’s my brother, Asher.

“About time, I’ve only called nine times in the last week.”

My brother’s deep chuckle fills the car when the Bluetooth connects. “I knew why you were calling, and since you used to ignore me when our sisters would drive me crazy, I figured I’d hit ya with the same treatment.”

“Rude,” I accuse, and he laughs. “You know they’re insane.”

“I know, dude. I don’t get how Mom and Dad had such amazing, civil, handsome sons and then those two.”

“Emery set fire to Stella’s makeup.”

Asher doesn’t even laugh. “Dude, I watched her pick up a TV and toss it at Stella. That’s when she had to start going to therapy. She’s still going, right?”

“Yeah, but I don’t think it’s doing anything.”

“Because the cure is getting her away from Stella. Those two are insane. They hate each other but love each other at the same time. It’s some weird, sister shit. I don’t get it.”

I grin as I turn off the highway. “I don’t either, but it is what it is.”