Chapter 9: Lucky In Love

Cadence took a deep breath and turned her attention back to her friends who were talking about going shopping before the show so they could get new outfits. “I still have Elliott’s credit card,” Aurora said with a snide laugh.

“Why do you have Elliott’s credit card?” Cadence couldn’t help but ask.

Aurora’s face went slightly paler than normal. “Oh, well, he asked me to buy something, and I forgot to give it back.”

“Oh?” Once again, she was prying, but there was something about Roar’s tone that had her interest.

“Yeah, your birthday present. What better place than Vegas to pick out something special?” her friend admitted. “I told him I would get something for you from the both of us.” She seemed bitter again, likely thinking that now there was no “us.”

“Well, Aaron said I should go tonight, so I will,” Cadence explained, trying not to think about the fact that Elliott had never gotten her a birthday present before. The year before, he’d been dead on her birthday. She knew he was good at picking out presents, though, so she was slightly disappointed that Aurora had done the shopping, not that he had to get her anything at all.

“All right!” Ashley proclaimed, and Cadence thought she looked genuinely excited, which was odd since she would’ve thought Ashley would rather Cadence didn’t go. “Then let’s go hit the shops, and then we’ll have some dinner and head over to the show!”

“Actually, I am going to spend some time with Aaron before the show,” Cadence interjected. “If I’m going to be with you girls tonight, I want to spend some time with him today.”

“Man, you guys are just connected at the hip, aren’t you?” Ashley asked, trying to sound lighthearted, though Cadence thought she saw a hint of jealousy in the other woman’s eyes. She was hoping it was because Ashley and Jamie weren’t quite that close yet and not because Ashley still wished she were the one spending time with the Guardian Leader.

“Yep,” was about all Cadence had to say about that. “But I’ll meet up with you before the show.”

“Okay,” Aurora muttered, her eyes growing misty again. Cadence wanted to hurry up and get out of the room before her friend started crying. “You’re just so lucky to have a man who loves you so much... who always puts you first.”

There wasn’t much Cadence could say to that. Aurora was right—she was lucky. But Aaron was her fiancé, and Elliott hadn’t even been Aurora’s boyfriend. “I am very lucky,” Cadence replied with a nod, scooting to the edge of the seat in preparation to stand.

“I guess Aaron isn’t hung up on his ex-wife the way Elliott is,” Ashley said under her breath causing both of the other girls to turn and look at her.

“What do you mean?” Aurora asked before Cadence could get anything out at all.

“Nothing. It’s just... clearly, Elliott still has feelings for Brandon’s mom. He calls her all the time. He’s paying for her to go to college. And rehab. I think that’s probably the problem.” She seemed sure of herself, but she did give Aurora a sympathetic smile.

A wave of recognition washed over the redhead’s face. “That bitch!” she mumbled, her face growing ashen.

“Wait a minute!” Cadence exclaimed, trying not to get her dander up. “Okay, first of all, Elliott and Amanda were never married, so not his ex-wife. Secondly, of course he has to talk to her. She’s Brandon’s mom. What is he supposed to do? Forget the only parent his son has ever had and just make decisions on his own? I think we may be laying blame where it doesn’t belong here, and frankly, Roar, you know I love you, but... were you and Elliott even technically a couple?”

There it was—out of her mouth. She’d held it in for over an hour. Now, the question hung between them like a stale puff of smoke in front of the nickel slots in a casino. She didn’t even have a chance to address the fact that Aaron didn’t have an ex-wife....

“Of course they were a couple!” Ashley replied as Aurora simply stared at her friend, and boss, with her mouth open. “Why would you think otherwise?”

“Because—both of you said that’s not what this was,” Cadence replied, trying to keep her tone even, despite the fact that everyone’s emotions were high again. “When did that change?”

Aurora didn’t answer. Instead, she burst into tears again, and Cadence knew then that it hadn’t. Leaning down, Aurora rested her head on Ashley’s shoulder, and the blonde ran her hand through Aurora’s messy tresses.

“You know what? I think I should just go,” Cadence said, pulling herself to her feet. “I told you guys from the beginning I didn’t want to choose sides if something happened and this arrangement didn’t work out. I’m so sorry that you’re upset, Roar, and if there’s anything I can do, please let me know. Maybe you will feel better after some retail therapy.” She didn’t mention that she thought her friend should pay for that herself. She’d take care of that in a minute.

“Okay.” Aurora didn’t even look up from Ashley’s shoulder.

“We’ll see you later,” Ashley said, her eyes narrow, as she continued to stroke Aurora’s hair.

Cadence took that to mean that she was still expected to go to the strip show with them later. She only nodded and headed for the door.

Once out in the hallway, she paused and took some deep breaths. She’d had her share of problems with Aaron, that was for sure. If it hadn’t been for Elliott, they might still be running around in circles, trying to decide whether or not they were meant to be together, if it was too difficult, if they were only attracted to each other because of their positions, or if it was really true love. She had no doubt in her mind now that she loved that man more than anything in the world, and as she headed back to their room, she knew what she needed to do.

Using her keycard, which she’d finally located on the nightstand that morning, she unlocked the door and found him where she expected him to be, on the sofa in front of his laptop. But he closed it the second she walked in, flashing her that smile that made her heart melt as he stood with open arms. She moved straight to them, and enveloped in his embrace, the troubles down the hall seemed to melt away.