16. Overthinking
SIXTEEN
OVERTHINKING
JACKSON
The idea that Gigi thinks Parker and Dawson are involved in the attacks and the smuggling ring is ridiculous.
We’re talking about guys I played football with, chased girls with—friends who grew up together in our hometown. They’re not hardened criminals like Lorenzo Ybarra. Then again, after tracking him for the past year, I’ve come to realize that a smuggling ring needs people from all walks of life, including everyday individuals like the CEO at the Yacht Club and local police officers.
Dammit, I refuse to let Gigi make me question everything. It’s bad enough she watches their every move as we all start packing up for the night.
While the women chat, say their goodbyes, and plan their next get-together, Parker’s phone rings again as he gathers Kelsea’s things to take to his car. He’s been glued to that device almost non-stop throughout the day.
“You’ve been pretty popular today, Parker,” I note casually. I’m not ready to admit that maybe Gigi has a point.
“He met a spring break chick last week while we were on patrol at the Arts in the Park Spring Festival,” Dawson fills us in. “Now she’s been blowing up his phone all week.”
Parker pauses and runs a hand behind his neck. “She wants to meet tonight since she’s leaving Love Beach in the morning, but I have to take Kelsea home and?—”
“Is she cute and sexy?” Dawson cuts in with a sly smile spreading across his face.
“Yeah, though I admit my judgment might be off. It’s been a while since I’ve been with anyone. You all know the dry spell I’ve been in since Kelsea moved in with me.”
“Go out then. The boys and I will help Kelsea get home and stay with her until you return, even if it’s in the morning,” Dawson winks. “Gotta seize the moment, man.”
“I don’t know. It’s not easy getting her settled at night with all her medication and stuff.”
“But Kelsea can walk me through it, can’t she?” Dawson asks just as the women quiet down and everyone becomes aware of the conversation.
“Walk you through what?” Gigi inquires sharply, not missing a beat.
“Parker’s got a hot date tonight.” I slap him on the back like a proud dad saying, “Atta boy!”
Kelsea raises an eyebrow. “Really? You haven’t mentioned anything about her to me. That’s great, though.”
“Because I wasn’t planning on meeting her. I have to get you home and settled.”
Dawson jumps in, “But I offered to take you home. Of course, as usual, every time I offer to help, this dickhead locks you up and won’t let me near you.”
“Is that true, Park? He offered, yet you keep us apart on purpose?”
With everyone listening now, Parker’s face turns red. “I’m only trying to protect you. Look at everything you’ve been through.”
“But what if this woman is the one for you, while I’m the one keeping you from happiness?” Kelsea shoots a glance at Dawson. “Don’t we all deserve to be happy, Park?”
Parker’s phone buzzes again, but he still hesitates.
“Go on, dude. Take the girl out and have a great time,” I urge. “Dawson will be fine. If he needs anything, he can reach out to me or any of us—because that’s what friends do, right? They help each other in times of need.” There’s an extra layer of meaning in my words, influenced by the ideas Gigi planted in my head.
If Parker or Dawson had been really struggling over these past few years, surely they’d have reached out to us. Maybe we should have stepped in more often—something we could start doing now. But resorting to smuggling? That’s still a leap I can hardly wrap my head around.
Parker gives in. Kelsea brightens as if happy at the prospect of a night away from him, and before long, we all make our way back to the parking lot. Once Parker gets Kelsea comfortably settled in the passenger seat, Gigi pulls her into a protective hug, her arms tightly wrapped around the petite woman’s neck.
“Make sure you’ve got Jackson’s and Belle’s numbers saved on your phone, okay? Ugh, why haven’t I gotten a new phone yet? Reach out to one of them if needed tonight,” she reminds, ending the embrace with a sharp glare directed at Dawson.
“Jesus, Gigi, what do you think I’m gonna do? Attack her or something? The boys will be with us,” Dawson snaps. Then, with his usual flair for comedy, he winks and adds, “But I’ll attack her next time I have her alone.”
I’m certain he’s making a joke, but I can see Gigi’s face go pale, not amused at all. I pull her back to me by the arm and we wait until everyone has left. Parker drives off in Dawson’s old truck while the boys pile into Parker’s van.
“Get ready, Kelsea. The boys and I promise to pull every trick in the book to make sure you laugh and have a fantastic time tonight,” Dawson declares.
“I’m looking forward to it. Bye Gigi,” she calls out with a giggle, waving from the window as they leave the parking lot.
“You’re overthinking those scars, G. There’s no way it’s them,” I say as I head to my truck.
“And you’re not thinking enough,” she fires back.
I grit my teeth, frustrated by her reckless instincts—even as I care about her deeply. The ride back to my place is quiet, which gives me time to process the day. Once home, I hate how she locks herself in the guest bathroom and showers before we can really talk.
I can’t let things go unresolved until morning, so I wait until she finishes and has settled into the guest bedroom for a while. Just as I’m about to knock on her door, eager to coax her into my bed for a talk—and more—my phone buzzes. It’s my commander.
“Ybarra is on the move,” his voice comes through with urgent clarity. “Our task force monitoring him picked up chatter via satellite. He’s scheduled to meet his buyers at a new location south of Love Beach sometime before tomorrow night. You’re to leave immediately to set up capture and coordinate with the team already en route. More details will follow.”
“Yes, sir.” My heart races as the familiar adrenaline surges through me. I grab my go bag and double-check that I have everything I need.
But what about Gigi? I know full well that if this mission wraps up by tomorrow, the task force will shuttle me away to Central America without warning or a proper goodbye. I call Davis to make some arrangements before approaching her, then I knock on her door.
“G? Are you awake? I have to leave.”
The door parts enough, revealing her wet hair and a face that’s no longer angry but upset. “Leave? Where? When?”
“Now. The mission’s heating up.”
“Then I’m coming with,” she insists, flinging the door wide open. I catch a glimpse of the T-shirt she’s wearing and wonder if there’s nothing beneath it, but I can’t afford a distraction.
“No way. This is the final push, and it’s far too dangerous for you. You need to stay here. Do you understand?” I give her a stern, icy look that means business. “Davis has arranged for an officer to watch over you all night, and a fresh shift will take over in the morning.”
I start down the hallway toward the garage, but then I hear her footsteps rushing after me. I turn just in time to catch her as she wraps her arms around me, ankles crossed behind my back.
“Jackson… what if it’s too dangerous for you? ” She whispers into my ear, and I can hear a crack in her voice.
“Don’t worry about me. No matter what happens, I’ll always find my way back to you. That’s a promise.” I gently place her on the kitchen island and cup her face in my hands. “Listen closely—I have to go. I hate we fought over our friends. You have every right to trust your instincts, even if I don’t completely agree. Don’t ever lose sight of that, okay?”
She nods, a tear glistening at the corner of her eye. “Are you sure I can’t come? I could hide in the truck or?—”
I kiss her to hush her. “I’d be in too much trouble if I brought you along. This is a classified mission, darlin’. Trust me, you’ve already done more than enough to help push this investigation forward. Now let me do my job and see it through.”
“I need you, Jackson, so don’t you even think about not coming back, do you hear me, soldier?” She kisses me, with more than her usual intensity, as if pouring her strength into me. I do the same back, because without me to protect her, she’ll be in the hands of an officer who only sees her as his obligation, nothing more. She’ll need to be strong, too. With any luck, her attacker is with Ybarra, though, which eases my mind, because he should be getting set to meet with his buyers, according to my intel.
I lift her off the counter and carry her to my bed. “I want you to sleep here naked. While I’m fighting to complete this mission, I’ll have the vision of you keeping the light on for me and my bed warm.”
“Yes. I’ll be waiting here,” she says, stripping off the t-shirt, revealing her beautiful, bare skin just for me.
I moan as I slowly pull the covers over her, taking in every inch of her, noting every new tan line she got today. I kiss her skin, pausing to breathe in her scent at the apex of her thighs. It’s so tempting when she whimpers and arches her back, silently pleading for more, but I resist and continue up her body, teasing each nipple with my tongue. Finally, I tuck the covers under her chin and kiss her lips repeatedly. I’m tempted for a quick moment of passion, but I know I must fucking leave.
“I’ll see you soon, darlin’.” I tear myself away from her and exit the house as quickly as possible.
Driving my truck to the rendezvous point where a helicopter awaits, I think about her lying in my bed. “I’ll be back,” I whisper as a promise. My command wants me to re-enlist, but I have different plans now.
By the time I reach the helicopter, I’ve managed to compartmentalize my thoughts. On the way, I read through the briefing, concentrating on the mission as if my life depends on it. Because I have to return to Gigi in one piece, no matter what.