Chapter 19 - Jackson
twelve
JACKSON
Iknow Adam is under a lot of stress right now. He’s had a huge shakeup in his personal life, so much so it’s affected all of us, too. I know the rate at which my wedding has come about is hard for him to grasp especially while he is fighting his own demons on love.
But I need him. I need my best friend. And if I need to talk about my future wife, even if it his sister, I need him to put that to the side and be there for me.
He pulls up alongside my truck, down by the field. I told him to meet me here once my team’s practice ended. He jumps out of his truck carrying two cups of coffee, handing one over to me.
“You spike those?”
“Do I need to?” he asks in a gruff tone.
“A little booze never hurt anyone.”
And with that he pulls a small bottle of whiskey from his back pocket, hands me his cup, and opens the whiskey. “Pop the top and let me fill ‘em up.”
“I knew you had it in you, bro.” I chuckle as I put the coffees on the hood of my truck, take the top off and watch him pour some in. Then I raise my brow as he pours a double shot into his own.
“That bad, huh?” I ask quietly.
He just shrugs. “One step forward and two back. Not sure how we’re going to get past it.
” He takes a big gulp, making a face as the whiskey no doubt burns his throat on the way down.
Then nods at me. “What’d you do to my sister?
You must have fucked up; I know it’s the only reason you’d have me out here right now. ”
I grin. “Now come on, why’s it always gotta be my fault? You know she’s difficult.”
He barks a laugh. “She’s a Casanova, of course she’s difficult. But you chose that level of difficulty and now you have to deal with it. So come on. Out with it.”
I’m not sure how to start so I just blurt it out. “I think she’s having second thoughts.”
Adam chokes on his coffee. “The fuck! Warn a guy, Gage.”
“I just did. I’m warning you; I think she’s having second thoughts about getting married and I need you to convince me she’s not.”
He just stares at me.
“I’m not ok, bro. Convince me.” I shout at him in a clipped tone.
He sighs, leaning back against the truck, kicking his leg out in front of him and crossing it over the other at the ankle. Still holding his coffee in one hand, the other clenches at the back of his neck. He sighs again. Loudly.
Fucking take your time asshole, meanwhile, I’m dying a slow death over here.
“Just spit it out, Knight. If you know something, you better tell me.” I’m getting angry. I don’t like feeling vulnerable and that’s what happening here.
He shoots me a side eye then looks back out onto the football field we grew up on. The field where it all started for him and I. For Francesca and me. The joining of our families.
“I don’t know anything, so relax. I don’t think she’s second guessing you, Jackson. She’s been in love with you since we were kids.”
“Bu—”
He cuts me off. “I think the wedding is freaking her out. You guys haven’t had a problem in the past year, and you’ve been living together. If anything was going to break her, it’d be that.” He gives a smug grin.
“What’s that mean?”
“Bro, you’re a pig.”
I scoff. “Am not. Our dorm was shit because of you, not me.”
He rolls his eyes. I do, too because I know I’m full of shit. Adam is a control freak. Neat freak. Clean freak. All the freaks. “Fine, maybe it was me.” I relent.
“Mmhmm.”
I drink down half my coffee then fill it again with more whiskey. Fuck it, my day of practice with the team is over. And this conversation is giving me hives.
“Adam, I’m laying myself bare here. What the fuck is going on? She’s not herself. She’s not sleeping well, snippy answers, she’s not her usual loving--.”
“Nope, I don’t want to hear about that, Gage.” He’s giving me a murderous eye and holds one hand up.
“I’m just saying, she’s not the same. And I’m trying very hard to make things easier for her. I was joking around with her at the venue, trying to get her to lighten up—”
He bursts out laughing. “Oh man, please tell me you didn’t tell her to lighten up!” He’s still laughing.
“What? Yes, I did! She’s taking this day so seriously; I’ve never seen her like this, not even when she was helping me with my image and all that shit that went down with Tony and Nick, she’s crazed.”
“Definitely don’t call her crazy.”
“I didn’t say crazy. I said crazed. And this IS supposed to be fun. This is a day for us to show our love for each other and our families. It should be a giant party where I get to show off my woman!”
He turns towards me and claps me on the shoulder.
“Then tell her that. Tell her what you just told me, minus the crazy. Talk to her, walk it out with her. You guys really pushed this date, and I get the logistics behind it, but she may be doubting her ability to pull it off. And if I know my sister, the last thing she’ll want to do is disappoint anyone, especially you, if something doesn’t go right. ”
“If it was going to stress her out like this, I wouldn’t have agreed to it.”
“I know.” He watches me for a moment. “If it had to be anyone, I’m glad it’s you.”
His words make my heart skip a beat. I know Adam like the back of my hand, and that sentence is him passing her to me.
I also know it was probably one of the toughest thoughts he has given voice to.
Adam has the belief that he, alone, needs to take care of his family.
But he doesn’t have to do it alone. Not then, and especially not now.
Not when he needs us more than anything right now.
I reach out and grab him into a hug. “Thanks, man, that means the world to hear.”
“You guys are down to the final stretch here, don’t let the excitement be drowned out by expectation. Go.” He gives me a slight nudge. “Talk to her.”
“I should tell you the same thing.”
He drops his head, shaking it slightly. “We’ll figure it out, but right now, it’s a rocky road. And honestly, I’m scared as fuck.”
“You going to be ok for the wedding? I don’t want you, or her, feeling uncomfortable.”
He waves me off. “Don’t worry, we won’t make a scene.” He smirks.
“I mean, if you need to bang it out, I’ve already scoped out a couple closets. They’re in the back of the place by the kitchen.”
He punches my arm. “Don’t tell me that. If you and my sister disappear, I’ll send a few of Tom’s buddies to bust you for indecent exposure. I don’t care if it’s your wedding day or not!”