Chapter 24
Jackson
As I pull into the parking lot of the school, my phone rings. I see the name flash across the screen and sigh.
“Morning Tony, I was wondering how long it would take you to call.”
“Gage! What the fuck! You’re all over the news! What happened to keeping a steady profile?”
“Relax, Tony, that guy had it fucking coming. Accosted me at the bar and was talking shit about Chess. All I did was defend myself.”
“The video does not show it happening that way, Jackson. This is going to disrupt everything you’re trying to do for yourself. Who is this guy, anyway?”
“It’s fine. Chess will handle it.”
“Don’t be stupid, Gage. Seems Chess is the reason you’re in this mess,” Tony grumbles across the line.
My blood pressure rises just hearing Tony blame Chess. I get my breathing underway before replying to Tony, but then I see the cop car pull into the parking lot and I just know.
“Tony, I gotta go.” I end the call before he has a chance to say anything else, especially about Francesca. I see Tom and Chess get out and begin walking towards them, calling out to my assistant coaches, “I’ll be right back. Keep the boys in play.”
Seeing Chess makes my dick twitch. Remembering her last night, moaning my name, writhing beneath my hands that explored every bit of her that I’ve been dreaming about for years.
That tattoo. Fuck.
“Morning, Officer. Francesca.”
I get a smug look in return from Tom, and a heated plea to keep quiet from Chess.
Tom speaks first. Chess’ heated look turns to worry, but then she hardens her shoulders and stands tall.
“Hey Gage. Listen, I don’t want to do this in front of your boys, but I need you to come down to the station.”
I nod knowingly. “I was waiting for you to be honest. Well maybe not you …” I look to Chess and she seemingly stands taller under my scrutiny.
“This is good news. Nick is trying to defame you more than he actually wants to file for compensation. By coming to a neighboring district instead of where it happened, he’s showing his hand.”
“Ok yeah. Makes sense. I already spoke with Tony, and he expected this too.”
“We’ll put a statement out. Tony’s should mirror ours.”
Tom turns. “I’ll meet you down there. Sissy, you riding with Gage, I’m assuming?”
Our eyes meet. “Yes, I’m going with him.”
I ask for her to give me a minute so that I can warn my coaches that I need to cut out early. I jog back over to the team, where I am met with their concerned looks. I put my hands up.
“Just a little misunderstanding, fellas.” I try to assuage them.
“We saw the video coach. You clocked that guy!”
I shake my head, knowing this is exactly why I’m probably never leaving high school coaching.
“Guys, it was wrong for me to hit him.”
“It looked like he was saying some shi—stuff to you.”
“Yeah, he was talking a big game that he couldn’t back up. I still shouldn’t have hit him though.”
“Was he talking about your girl? That’s the only reason I’d lash out. No one talks about Layla.”
I eye Jameson. This kid gets me. More than he knows.
“Yeah actually. And even though I was defending her, it still wasn’t right to put my hands on him,” I sigh. “Now I have to go handle it. You guys finish up with coach and take tomorrow off.”
They all grunt out good lucks and ‘see yas’ and I walk back to meet Chess and Tom.
Her eyes meet mine and I’m the first to speak. “I know I screwed up Chess. I’m sorry I’ve set us back from all your hard work to make me look good.”
She pauses, with a look that says she wants to say something other than scolding me. “Well yeah, it set us back, but I think we can spin this. People saw him approach you first, right?”
“Yeah, I was at the bar. There were a few people standing around. Not sure they heard the beginning…” I trail off, “but they damn sure heard the end.”
She’s nodding as we climb into my truck. I turn the engine over and pull out, with Tom right behind us. “Okay, I think if we get a statement out right away, that will help. I mean, the video looks bad, but he charges at you too, so we can spin self-defense.”
I chuckle. “There was no self-defense there, Chessy. I was never in danger.”
“Your arrogance will not help here Jacks-off.”
I raise a brow. “Oh? We’re back to nicknames again, huh? Well then, my tasty chestnut, let me just say that you seemed to enjoy my arrogance last night.”
She rolls her eyes.
“All three times,” I smirk and she swats at my shoulder. She’s grinning though.
“Jackson, stop. You can’t say those things. This is supposed to be fake.”
“You faked nothing last night.”
“Jackson."
“The way your pussy clenched my cock?” I shake my head. “Nope. No faking that.”
Images of me thrusting slowly into her, dragging back over her clit, rush to the forefront of my mind. Her breathy ‘yes’ when I asked, ‘Do you like that?’
I see her clench her thighs together in the passenger seat and I know she’s reliving the same thoughts that I am.
She clears her throat. “You’re safe here Jackson.
Your town has put you so high on that pedestal, you may never come down.
And to rescue a Casanova?” she rolls her eyes.
“Even better. So, there will be no fallout here. In the real world, though, that may take a little more play on our part, but I don’t think it’s going to be a complete loss. ”
“What about us? Any fallout?” My pulse quickens at the question that falls from my mouth. Before I even think about why I’m concerned, she stammers. “How do I… so… uh…”
“It’s a yes or no Chess. Not asking for a book report.”
“You read?” She cocks a brow and pouts her lips; she thinks she’s so funny. If I wasn’t driving right now, I’d be all over those lips.
“I mean, I prefer the movies, but if you want to share one of those porn books you read, I’m all for it.”
“Jesus! Can you be serious just once?” She yells at me.
“I was pretty serious last night. Don’t think it gets more serious.”
“We’re crossing so many lines. I’m not sure I know what’s real and what’s pretend anymore,” she whispers.
“I don’t want to pretend anymore. I thought I made that clear, Francesca.”
Her head whips to me. I feel her eyes on me and I can only take quick glances as I pull up to the station. She doesn’t answer me, and we sit for a moment before I see Tom pull up next to us. He gives us a nod and points to the building as he walks towards the front door.
I put my hand out, palm up on the console between us, waiting for her to take it.
She does and looks at me. “I’ll be right here with you. Come on, Gage,” she says, giving my hand a squeeze, then drops it just as fast as she opens the door and gets out.
Fuck. Why do I feel like I fucked up worse by speaking my mind?
We make our way up the front steps, seeing Tom waiting for us with the door open. We follow him to the back of the station and into a small office. It’s not an interrogation room, thank God, but I am greeted by the chief of police.
He stands, puts his hand out, and shakes mine. “Chief Hunter,” I greet him.
“Mr. Gage, pleasure to see you again, even under these circumstances.” He turns to Chess and gives a nod. “Francesca, good to see you too. How’s your father?”
She smiles, eyes connecting briefly with mine. This is good news she’s trying to relay to me. At least I hope so anyway.
“He’s good, enjoying his ‘half retirement’,” she says and grins. “But Adam still keeps him on payroll for his ideas.” They both chuckle. Tom is still standing quietly at the side of the room.
“Good to hear. Your father likes to keep busy,” Chief Hunter says. He takes a seat and motions for us to do the same. “So, Jackson, I heard and saw what happened last night. I was also just briefed on what Nick Goldman is claiming. I’d like to hear your side now, please.”
I clear my throat, glancing at Francesca. “Nick approached me last night while at the PR event. He had a few…” I glance at Chess again, clearing my throat, “not so nice things to say, so I corrected him on it.”
Chief Hunter raises a brow, waiting for me to continue.
“I swung first. I know it was wrong, but I felt I needed to remind him of the proper way to speak about a woman.”
The chief cuts in. “What was he saying that was so harsh? Certainly, something that didn’t warrant the punches he received.”
“I don’t really want to repeat what was said, as it was about Francesca.”
She straightens in her seat, Tom stands taller, and the Chief doesn’t move.
“I need to know all the details, so I know how to handle this. I don’t want this to become a thing, especially here in our quiet town of Christmas, but Mr. Goldman is pushing the issue and there is clear footage of you attacking him.”
“If we could get different videos of the incident, I’m sure you’d see he earned every hit he got.”
The chief has a tight smile. “Jackson, I know you and Francesca are dating. I also know that Nick Goldman is her ex-boyfriend. A jealous little spat doesn’t earn you the right to hit him like you did.”
Chess cuts in. “I’m sorry. I feel like this is my fault.
I didn’t know Nick was going to be there last night.
I specifically asked for a guest list to make sure of it.
I don’t know how he found out, but I believe he was there with the intention of setting Jackson up.
” She looks down, then takes a breath. “Nick and I worked together at Goldman PR. He had a hand in me being fired and has since texted me a few times about it.” She looks guiltily at me.
Why didn’t she tell me? “He cheated on me during our relationship and has continued to rub it in my face,” she says all this quickly, like she’s embarrassed to repeat it.
“Jackson is the sweetest man, so whatever Nick said to provoke Jackson, it must have been pretty bad. I honestly don’t know and don’t think I want to know.
It’s enough for me to know that Jackson was sticking up for me. It’s more than Nick ever did.”
The room grows quiet. I’m staring at her and she’s refusing to look at me. Tom has his fists clenched, but he’s staring at the floor.
The chief speaks. “I’m sorry to hear all that Francesca, but I am glad Jackson spoke up for you.
” He leans back in his chair, tapping his pen on the desk.
“Off the record, of course, but Mr. Goldman does not seem like a stand-up citizen. He came in here ranting and raving and causing a scene. But he had no medical reports and still stunk like booze. If he was so hurt last night, the police should have been called at the time of the incident. I believe you when you say you think he came with the intention of causing trouble. But to circle back, the video is pretty damning.”
Silence. Then, “I’m going to bury his complaint.
I’ll sign off that it didn’t happen in our jurisdiction, therefore we have no right to oversee it.
” Chess and I both sit up straighter, but Chief Hunter puts his hand up.
“It doesn’t mean he won’t go to the press with it, or that he still won’t go back to the cops where the event was held. ”
Chess speaks. “I’m aware of that. As Jackson's PR rep, I figured Nick would do just that. We’re prepared to release a statement regarding Jackson's involvement and hopefully this will settle down in a few days’ time.”
The chief stands and we follow suit. Tom comes around and leads Chess out, but the Chief grabs my arm, holding me back for a moment.
“Son, I don’t know what was said, but that woman is the kindest one I know. Her family loves you and you don’t need me to tell you they’re a staple here and are everything this town encompasses.”
When I go to speak, he keeps going. “I also know you are not all the press has said you are, and if she’s with you, she knows that, too.
When I transferred to this department, you had not yet moved back.
I heard stories, but I only believe what I see.
Hearsay means nothing, as we’re taught in the academy,” he chuckles, “and I see how you are with the kids at the school. I see your heart on that field and I see the good man you don’t yet know you are.
Chess sees it. Let her show you.” He claps my back.
“Now get out of here, I want no more trouble from you.”
I clear my throat, my mind spinning, trying to keep hold of everything he said to me.
“Thanks, Sir.” I catch up with Chess and Tom.
“What’d he say?” Chess asks.
“Nothing, just a little warning to not show up here again.” I give her a smile, but I know she doesn’t believe me.
I don’t believe me.
Good man? I may have been good when I was young, but that was so long ago. I don’t know that Jackson anymore. I want to know him, but after last night, I’m just the same old fly off the handle Gage. And I now have Chess wrapped up in this mess, too.
Does Chess really want to deal with this part of me?