Chapter 12
Francesca
Our first official outing as a couple went well. People acknowledged us and were genuinely happy to see us together. I got questions about how Adam feels about it, which made me nervous because if the town sees it, then it could definitely be an issue.
I’m scrolling through the pictures on my phone.
I took a few this week of Jackson with his team, of him at the Roasted Chestnut—the coffee/bakery shop in town that parents of our good friend, Farrah owns, and of him helping my mom plan out the festival.
If it helps promote him and the town, why not?
The flirting is still there. I have to believe it’s because he’s keeping up this charade even when we aren’t in public.
It’s hard enough lying and switching back and forth between two different personas.
At least this is what I’m telling myself.
I cannot allow myself to fall down the rabbit hole and believe Jackson actually likes me, despite what his sister says.
I’m able to use some of my old PR contacts to find out if anyone of importance is going to be near us. I also check to see if there are any events happening that we can go to, ones that I can use to get Jackson into the public eye again.
His agent does well with those types of things, still sending him email invites to a lot of the sports world royalty events.
However, there’s something about Tony I don’t like, and I can’t exactly put my finger on it.
As his agent, when Jackson was getting into trouble, he should have put out a statement.
Whether or not Jackson wanted to, it’s his duty to protect Jackson, currently and in the future.
Even though it was an injury, and not his antics, as being the reason he left the NFL, those antics are hurting him now. They should have been cleared up.
My phone dings with a text, and I quickly grab it, hoping it’s Jackson. Damn, why am I hoping for this? I need to get my emotions under wraps.
I’m quickly disappointed and really need to analyze that feeling when I see it’s Nick.
Nick: You move quick! Nice to see you’re back with your boy toy. He’ll surely improve your image after being fired.
This guy! What a douche. He even used the laughing with tears out of his eyes emoji.
And boy toy? What the hell does that even mean?
He knows Jackson has been a family friend since way back, but that we haven’t talked in a long while.
His jealousy is showing. Honestly, he’s probably afraid that me being with Gage will not only make us look good but make him look bad, if Lily’s conversation is anything to go by.
Me: Why are you texting me?
Nick: Just wanted to check in on my second fav girl. After you left so quickly, we didn’t get to discuss how things could have played out.
Played out? What is he talking about? Lily said he was bragging; I wonder what his angle was going to be? Have Gage try to win me? Would Nick have dumped me, making it out that I was cheating on him? A threesome? Oh god, I just threw up in my mouth.
Me: What the hell are you talking about? We have nothing to discuss. You and your first fav girl, Ava, I can assume, screwed me over. I’m over it. Move on.
Nick: Oh, Frankie, we can’t move on. Not when you’re still involved in PR and we’ll be seeing each other at all the functions. You’re working hard to get Gage back on the map. Just seems a little timely is all. I wanted to make sure you were good, you know, that you are thinking clearly.
I cringe at his nickname. I hated when he called me Frankie. Yes, I was named after my dad, but that’s why the nickname Chess started, so I wouldn’t be put into a tomboy classification. And what the hell is he saying, timely? What does he know?
Me: I’m not dignifying that comment with a response, nor am I entertaining this conversation any longer. Lose my number.
Nick: tsk tsk. So spicy. I’ll see you soon, Frankie
I’m boiling mad right now that he had the audacity to text me. After how we left things, he seemed upset. He was telling my brothers to apologize to me, but he never reached out on his own. Now he does, and he’s being a prick about it. I feel like a fool. I should have seen that he was using me.
I grab my list of events and my phone and push away from my desk, disgusted that asshole still has my number.
My phone dings again with a text and when I look, it’s Britt.
Britt: Do you see what I see?
I furrow my brows, wondering what she’s talking about, and then an image comes through.
It’s a picture of Jackson and I from the night we broke the news to our family about our fake relationship.
It was early in the night, and we’re standing by his BBQ.
I had just brought out the plate of steaks to him and took up residence next to him while he grilled.
I remember our exchange. It was quick and cute.
He had leaned down and whispered in my ear how wifely duties looked good on me.
I laughed and said we went from girlfriend to wife pretty quickly.
He gave me a wink and asked, ’Do you think fifteen years is quick?
’ This must be when Britt snapped the picture because he’s looking at me with eyes that say he just found out a big secret and I’m looking at him in awe.
I had to push down the feelings that ran through me after hearing him say that.
It is a cute picture of us. Something I would consider posting to bump our profile more.
I save it to my camera roll on my phone for later.
Me: I see some good-looking meat
Britt: Don’t talk about my brother’s meat
Me: LOL like I don’t hear about Bobby’s meat all the time.
Britt: He’s not your brother!
Me: Fine. Fine. What do you see, oh wise one?
Britt: I see two love birds that don’t want to give up their secret… just yet.
Me: You should write romance novels, ya know that?
Britt: *girl shrug emoji* I’d have a good basis for my first story
Me: Well, thank you for the pic. I just got a nasty text from Nick the dick, but yours cheered me up.
My phone immediately starts ringing. “Please tell me you told him to jump off a cliff?!”
“Ugh, he’s such an ass. He was going on about falling back on my boy toy and that he looks forward to seeing us at PR functions.
Ahhh! I didn’t even think he’d be at the same events as us.
Now I have to be very picky about where I take Jackson.
I don’t want this backfiring on us. I can already see the headlines if Nick gets ahold of this. ”
“Don’t let him get to you. He’s just jealous he lost you. You should have left him a long time ago.”
Don’t I know it.
“It’s just hard. I feel like I’m starting over and leaning on my family to do so. I just don’t want to bring Jackson down with me.”
“Listen babe, my brother knows what he’s doing. And if he doesn’t, he always lands on his feet. Even if it takes him some time. You guys are going to be fine.”
You guys. I like how that sounds, like we’re linked together. I take a breath and let it out.
Calm down Francesca, it’s a business deal, don’t get ahead of yourself.
“I want to go out. What are you doing?”
“Oooh!! Yes! Let’s go dancing! I’ll text everyone and see who can go! Give me an hour and I’ll come over.”
“Alright girl, see you then.”
I end the call, and I lean against my counter.
Yes, a night out is what I need. Blow off some steam.
Get my mind off Nick… and Jackson. Well, our arrangement anyway.
Let loose and have fun. It’s just business.
And though you should never mix business with pleasure, I know my lines have always been a little blurred.
An hour later, I hear Britt walk through my door. She’s with Farrah and they’ve got a bottle of fireball and shot glasses in hand.
“Oh man, are we pre-gaming?” I laugh. “Aren’t we a little too old for that now?”
I give Farrah a hug. “It’s so good to see you!
I was at the bakery earlier this week, but you weren’t there.
Tom tells me he sees you for his coffee before the beginning of every shift.
Says he can’t start one without it!” Farrah’s parents own the Roasted Chestnut and since they’ve gotten older, Farrah has stepped up and became the pseudo-owner, as much as time allows her.
She also runs the Pre-K here in town, Kandy Kane Kids, so being a part of both keeps her pretty busy.
“Yes, Tom is my best customer!” She smiles and continues, “my class has been getting their float ready for the festival, so my parents have been in the shop more during the day. Once Almost Christmas is over, I’m sure you’ll be seeing me there more often.”
I nod as I pour the shots over ice and shake them up to get them cold. “I haven’t heard from my brothers. Where is everyone?” I ask Britt, as she was the one to round everyone up.
“They already took off for the bar.”
I look at her with wide eyes. “I thought we were going together?”
She has a sly look on her face. “I thought we needed to make an entrance, so I told them we’d meet them there.”
I narrow my eyes at her. “What are you up to?”
Farrah is laughing openly now. “Oh Chess, some things never change!”
“What do you mean?”
“Britt is still playing matchmaker with you and Jackson! I love it!”
“Uh, if you haven’t noticed, we’re already together.” I do the quote thing with my fingers around the word together.
Farrah winks at me, “I have seen the pics, girl, and you guys look hot together. I’m just saying I see Britt's handiwork in trying to maintain the atmosphere.” They high five each other.
“Guys, it’s a business deal. That’s it. So, whatever you two are in on, I don’t want any part of it. I want to go out tonight, hang with my girls, hang with the guys, and have fun. We haven’t been out together in years.”
The last time we were all out together was when Jackson came home in between camp and the beginning of his rookie season.
It was probably the last time he was able to go out without being recognized or accosted for the team he played for.
We had a great night until some older girls I recognized that graduated with my brother and Jackson came over and crashed our table.
That was the end of my enjoyable night trying to get Jackson to notice me.
Of course, with my brother the cock blocker there, it wouldn’t have gotten very far, anyway.
“We’ll have a great time; don’t you worry your pretty little face about it,” she grabs my cheeks and scrunches them up, and lays a kiss on my lips. We all laugh.
“You’re right, some things never change!”