Chapter 3
Francesca
Jackson Gage. First-round draft pick. Rookie of the Year. Star NFL quarterback.
Until he wasn’t.
I’ll admit, I always had a little crush on him.
Okay—a big crush.
Okay, fine. I used to doodle my first name and his last name, hearts and flowers covering the margins of my notebooks.
He was my older brother’s best friend. I think it’s a written rule in the sibling handbook that the younger sister crushes on the older brother’s friends. It’s inevitable.
We just couldn’t act on it.
Not that Jackson ever would.
I was the annoying little sister who ran around with his annoying little sister.
We were the lowest of the low, according to my three brothers and Jackson.
But I followed his career in college right up until the night he was drafted.
It was exciting. Our families were together on Draft Day, and every holiday in between.
When Jackson won, it was like we all won.
He put our little town of Christmas on the map.
My oldest brother, Adam, was ecstatic. Having never been good enough to be called up himself, he walked it out with his bestie like it happened to him.
He was never jealous, just so damn proud.
And now he’s here, across the street. All six-foot three inches of him.
Same dark thick hair that is as unruly as he is.
Same chocolate brown eyes that feel like they can see right inside me.
He’s still just as gorgeous as he thinks he is, that ego of his shining outward, only now he’s more muscle, more dominant, more… man.
I never thought we’d all be back here again.
It’s like we went back in time, together again, in the same small town.
When I moved away for college and then right to the city to work as a PR rep after graduation, I didn’t follow any back home gossip.
I wanted to leave this part of my life behind and start new.
Not that it was bad, per se, but I was over it.
I wanted bigger and better, and I wanted more.
More fun, more friends, more opportunities.
.. more love… less Jackson. Those last two didn’t work out.
Actually, none of them worked out because here I am, back to square one.
Only this time, instead of living off my parents, I’m living off my brother.
“I think the movers got everything where you want it, and these are the last of the boxes. What else do you need?”
I collapse onto the couch in my new living room, care of House o’ Love Construction. “I’m all set. I’ll slowly unpack some boxes over the next few days, figure out a spot for everything.” Adam sits next to me and flings his sweaty hot legs over me. “Ugh! Gross! Get off me!”
He’s laughing. “Just trying to welcome you home.”
“Yeah, it’s like I never left.”
“So, not to bring up a sore subject, but have you heard from Chelsea?” Adam lets out his breath.
“What’s that look for?”
He shrugs. “I don’t know. We’re fine, I guess. Status quo, as usual.”
I frown. “You’re not happy anymore?” Chelsea and Adam have been on and off for years.
They met sophomore year in college, and she eventually followed him back to Christmas.
They don’t live together, but it’s not for lack of trying to get them to make the commitment on our part.
She just won’t make the jump and likes to up and leave at any sign of discontent.
And he works his ass off, not making any real time to devote to their relationship.
It really bothers me how they’ve wasted so much time.
When they’re good, they’re great. I’ve wanted a love like that since I can remember.
Watching our parents love each other unconditionally raised the bar in my eyes.
I see that Adam and Chelsea have that love, if they would just put the work in.
I’ve voiced it to both at separate times along the way, but I have no say in what choices they make.
If they could get on the same page, I know they’d rule the world together.
“Not that I’m not happy, but it’s the same old all the time. I work, she works. I work more. She gets mad and leaves to go to her sisters…” He pauses, looking down at the ground. “Where she has been for the last few weeks.”
“Weeks! You’re kidding? Adam, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize it was that bad again. God, she must know how it is to own your business? You’re on twenty-four hours a day.”
“She knows. It just wears on her when I can’t be everywhere all the time or have to cancel at the last minute.” He grabs his phone again, scrolls through the text messages, and throws it back down on the couch with a huff. “We were supposed to see each other tonight, but it didn’t work out.”
“I hate that she runs off like that without trying to work it out.” I see his jaw ticking; this is still an issue. “I see her point too; you need to make more time for her. Plan a date or be spontaneous! Just don’t let work consume you. It’s about balance, Adam. Dad always said that.”
He waves me off and sits up. “You doing okay? Like, really?” He’s clearly trying to avoid this conversation. I’ll let it slide, for now.
I shrug. “I don’t know. This is not where I pictured myself at twenty-six years old.”
I don’t want to think I failed. I don’t want to admit my big plan of moving to the city, making a name for myself, finding a husband has all been for naught. I latched onto the first guy who paid attention, who helped me forget.
Forget Jackson.
I was so used to my brothers being there for me, I accepted any attention without questioning loyalty. Nick helped me get the job, which at the time felt like we were going to be the king and queen of the PR field. I spent fourteen months with him, though the last nine were spent mainly alone.
Fool me once.
Nick made me secure and insecure all at the same time. And I gave him the power to do so.
“Are you going to tell me what happened yet? That douchebag of yours wouldn’t say a word, just kept telling me to tell you he’s ‘so sorry.’” He does the finger quotes and an exaggerated voice and, ‘he can’t live without you.’”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah well, seems he was never mine. He’s been living it up without me for a while now, so he should be used to being without me.”
My brother grows still and in a dark voice says, “He cheated on you? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“For this exact reason! Look at you, veins pulsing, and fists cocked. I don’t have bail money to get you out of a murder charge!” I laugh, but his face is still serious.
“I’ve got plenty of money. And I wouldn’t kill him, just fuck with him a little,” he smirks.
I shake my head. “Thanks, but no. He’s not worth it.”
“But what about your job, Chessy?” he asks resorting to my nickname when we were growing up. “I thought you loved it and loved being in the city.”
“I do. I did.” I drop my voice. “I got fired.” When his eyes bulge, I try to clarify.
“It was a huge misunderstanding, but they wouldn’t even let me defend myself,” I sigh, hate having to talk about this.
“And I think Nick had something to do with it.” It’s the first time I’m voicing this thought.
I know there was something more underhanded happening.
I just can’t figure out why. What would be his end game in making me look bad and getting me fired?
“That’s so fucked up! Get a lawyer, you can sue for wrongful termination. Let me pay for it. I’ve got a skilled attorney.”
“You can’t fix everything, Adam! And I don’t even know if I want that job.
Yes, I’m good at it. Yes, it pays a lot of money and has a ton of perks…
but I work all the time. You know that. You guys were always on my case about getting back home more.
It ran my life,” I shrug again. “So, I don’t know.
Maybe it’s meant to be that I’m back here. Rethink where I’m supposed to be.”
“Well, you’re welcome to stay here for as long as you need, you know that. We’re all happy you’re here. We miss you. You’re the only one not around. It’s not the same. We need you as the blocker between us and mom and dad.”
I laugh, “Yeah, mom needs another woman on her side, I’m sure.”
“She does,” he nods so seriously. “Speaking of, it’s Thursday, our weekly dinner at mom and dad's so be there at six.” I stand and nod and hug him. “Thanks Adam, I’ll see you later.” He gives me a squeeze, then heads towards the door.
“And lock your door. I don’t need to find Gage over here!” he laughs and closes it. A few moments later, I hear his big diesel truck start up as he pulls away.
“You and me both, brother,” I mutter. “I definitely don’t need to find Gage over here.”