Chapter 33 Jackson
Jackson
After last night’s shit show, I gave the boys the weekend off. We have one more regular season game before standings come out. Then we move to two-a-day practices to prepare for the semi-rounds of finals.
Francesca left me alone last night. She knew I was already in a mood all week and after last night’s game, no one wanted to be around me.
I need to make it up to her now though. I sent a text to everyone, telling them to bring their favorite drink and be ready to gorge themselves at my house for dinner.
I still haven’t spoken to Tony again. He did send over the contract, but I haven’t brought myself to open the email yet.
For tonight, I just want to forget. I want to go back to how it was. I want the fun, the love, I want Chess.
Late in the afternoon, they start filing through my door.
I was starting the barbecue after marinating steaks all afternoon, while everyone began placing salads and sides in my fridge outside.
When Chess walks in, she’s fidgety. I don’t want that hesitation between us, so I grab her around her waist and pull her close.
“I’m sorry I’ve been a dick all week, baby girl. ”
She pulls from me. “Yes, you have been. What’s going on? I thought we agreed to be open about everything with each other.”
I sigh and drop my hands to her waist, securing her to me.
I don’t want her to run. And I fear that’s where this is heading.
I don’t want to tell her. Not tonight anyway.
I don’t want what we’re doing to end. “I just had a bad week with the boys. Jameson and I had a heart to heart, it’s all figured out now.
” I’m not exactly lying; I’m just not telling things in chronological order.
She soothes her hands across my shoulders and then cups my face, kissing me lightly. “I’m sorry about the game last night. It was rough to watch you so upset.”
I shrug. “Can’t win them all”. I hear everyone re-enter the house, so I move away from her.
I know she wants to talk with Adam, break it to him about our relationship so he’s not in the dark.
But he’s been so fucking broody all week, too.
It’s got to be about Chelsea even though he’s not talking to me about it.
“Hey bro, how you doing?” Adam walks around the corner just as I step away from Chess. We clap hands and do the back pat thing.
“Beer?” I grab one from the fridge, quickly pop the top and hand it to him before he can answer me.
“So, can we talk about the elephant in the room?” Billy asks as he walks in.
My heart stutters. I won’t lie. I’m nervous about what’s going to come out of Bill's mouth. He’s a loose cannon and you never know what he’s going to say.
And if this is about me and Chess, I’m less nervous for me and more nervous for her.
She doesn’t want to hurt her brother. I don’t either, but her heart couldn’t handle it.
“Billy,” Tommy warns. It doesn’t go unnoticed to me that Farrah steps closer to Tommy when his voice drops.
He puts his hands up, innocently. “I mean, I think it’s about time we’re all on the same page, right?”
Fuck, Billy. Why can’t you just leave well enough alone. I catch eyes with Chess and she’s slowly shaking her head at Billy again.
“Chessy? You look pale. You feeling ok?” he smirks.
“Billy, don't be an asshole,” Britt says.
Adam looks confused while the rest of us are silently giving each other ‘what the fuck’ eyes.
I hate this. I don’t want Adam feeling left out.
He hates that more than anything. He’s been the protector and always someone we went to first. If there was a problem?
Go to Adam. If you needed advice? Go to Adam.
Got a secret? Heard a rumor? Go to Adam.
He expects that from all of us and what Chess and I are doing is wrong.
Even though we’re adults, it doesn’t feel right keeping the best thing that has ever happened to me, a secret from my best friend.
“I mean, last night’s game, amiright?” He nudges me with his elbow, and I let out a breath.
“Go fuck yourself,” I say.
He laughs. “I have to say Jackson, that was the poorest excuse of a game coached by you in like, forever!”
I know he’s just trying to lighten the mood a bit, but instead he’s getting under my skin. And just when I thought I could push this out of my mind tonight.
“Good luck getting a college spot now.” He starts throwing punches, ducking and weaving. He’s acting like a fool to make us laugh.
“You’re an asshole.”
“At least you’re still pretty. Your girlfriend looks like she’ll stick around. And you have a big dick,” he says and Adam groans.
“Billy!” Chess exclaims.
“Calm down Chessy, I know that’s important to women. It’s okay to talk about it.”
“We’re not talking about it,” Britt replies as she moves closer to Chess. She’s like a guard dog.
Bobby laughs clearly trying to break the tension as well. This is getting weird, even for us. “Billy’s right. It is important, isn’t that what you tell me, baby?” He tries to climb all over Britt but she’s not having it.
“Why are you two always talking about your dicks? Is there something you need to tell us?”
The guys laugh. “It’s a thing. We can’t help it. Like cavemen, always banging on our chest.”
“Women are more mature. They don’t walk around feeling each other up to find out who’s bigger.”
“But it’s different for you guys, you can clearly see your assets. Guys aren’t so obvious unless we’re really obvious, if you get my drift,” Billy winks. “So, we have to talk about it. I can’t just whip it out. I’d get arrested, and I’m too pretty to go to jail.”
Chess is laughing. “I guess you have a point.”
Britt turns and squeezes Chess’ boobs. “Hm, you’re right. Her assets definitely feel the same way they look.”
“Jesus,” I breathe out, my eyes locked on Francesca’s. Britt still hasn’t dropped her hands from Chess’ tits. Chess is grinning at me.
Adam smirks and drops his head, shaking it at their antics.
“Can you do that again?” I ask.
“Oh my God, Gage! Those are our sisters!” Adam yells.
“And I’m weirdly turned on. Is it wrong? Is that wrong, Adam?” I push, sounding desperate but laughing along with it.
Adam scoffs.
“It’s because you’re a sex maniac,” Chess says.
Getting lost in the lightheartedness, I laugh and grab Chess, tickling her. She squeals as Adam slams his hand down on the countertop. I look up and something flashes across Adam's face.
Recognition.
Adam says slowly, “Yeah, Gage… you’re a sex maniac.” All eyes turn to him. “So, how’s the dry spell going?”
Everyone freezes.
I clear my throat and laugh it off. Cough again.
I got nothing.
“Tell me what’s going on.” His voice is rising, he never waivers from watching me. “Tell me about fake dating my sister, Gage.”
“Adam, maybe we should let him confess his undying love.”
“Billy,” Adam warns.
“Just saying Adam, let’s think about this for a minute,” Billy taunts. I know he’s trying to diffuse the situation with his sarcasm and no good humor, but he must know we’re way past that by now.
“Billy,” I say this time, with a deeper warning.
“I mean, he’s one step up from that last douchebag.”
“Billy, shut the fuck up!” Adam roars.
I open my mouth, but no sound comes out. Adam puts up a hand.
“Tell me how I stop by here for coffee early in the morning and she’s already here,” Adam asks, spitting out the word she. Chess flinches and I can feel her hurt.
He laughs, crazily. “I see it now!” He rubs his hand over his face and stares right at me. “Tell me you’ve been fucking my sister behind my back, and everyone knows it but me!”
He glances around the room, and no one is saying a word.
Chess steps towards him. “Adam, I’m so sorry. It just happened…”
The hit comes as a shock. I didn’t even see him move towards me before I was laid out on the floor.
Chess and Britt both scream and Farrah moves to them, while Billy and Bobby try to move Adam away from me.
Tommy is at my side dragging me backwards across the floor, opposite to where they’re holding Adam back.
“What the fuck!” I say, my eye is immediately swelling. I feel my face pulsing.
I hear Adam's voice. “You’re fucking my little sister, asshole? I trusted you! I trusted her with you.” He sounds like he’s trying to come at me again, I hear scuffling across the kitchen, but I’m kind of seeing double. Fuck, how hard did he hit me?
“Adam! Stop!” Chess cries.
“Adam. Jesus. Let me speak!” I finally get the words out.
“I can’t believe you.” He’s seething. “You took advantage of her. I tried to bring her home, to live in peace with all of us, and you moved right in on her. Picked up where you left off, right? She left this town because of you once before. Then you lie to my face about it. You’re a coward.”
He pauses.
“How long?” he asks.
You can hear a pin drop.
“How. Long.” More silence. Then realization dawns on him.
“Oh my God, you planned this? Make up some fake bullshit story to get her to feel bad for you, get her to agree to be your girlfriend, then you lie to my face about it. From the day you saw me moving her in, you thought you could step right in! You promised me—”
Chess steps in and cuts him off. “Adam.” She’s crying. “Please don’t do this. Don’t be mad at him.”
“Who am I supposed to be mad at?”
“Don’t be mad at anyone. Adam, please. We’re all adults. I’m an adult. You can’t baby me anymore.”
He scoffs. “Adult. Right. Because you’ve made some great adult decisions in your life.”
Chess recoils as if he just slapped her.
“I know what you think of me, Adam. I know you’re disappointed in how things went down. I’m disappointed in how things happened. But I won’t apologize for it.” Now her voice is getting louder.
“I didn’t say that.”
Billy steps in. “Why don’t we chill for tonight and talk it out tomorrow?” He puts his hand on Adam's shoulder, but Adam just shrugs it off violently.
Adam points at Chess. “You lied to me.” Then he turns and points at me. “And you stabbed me in the back.” He pushes past me and Chess calls after him.
“You’re missing the real issue here, Adam. Are you mad we didn’t tell you or are you mad you think you’re being replaced?”
“Replaced?” He spits the word. “You don’t replace family, Francesca.”
“No. You don’t. You accept them. You build upon family.”
They hold their stares for a long minute. Then Adam stomps out of my house, down the steps and a few seconds later I hear his truck start and tires squeal away.