“Morning Chessy, hi Britt.” He walks in and I stand to give him a quick hug.
“Coffee?”
“No, I already stopped at Farrah’s.” His eyes flare at the end and he pauses a single second too long, enough to make me wonder if he stopped at Farrah’s coffee shop, or her home. He continues quickly, “I’m afraid I’m not here for fun. Francesca, Nick filed charges against Jackson. I need him to come down to the station.”
“What! No, it didn’t happen in this town. Can he do that?”
“It’s usually jurisdiction specific, but because this didn’t happen in this county, our DA may dismiss the charges. Nick isn’t very knowledgeable if he thinks he’s going to press charges here for a crime that happened out of county. He could always refile in the correct one, but it would look bad for him. It would look like he was just out to defame Jackson instead of actually looking for compensation for the assault.”
“Why would he do that? Why come all the way here to press charges?” Britt asks.
“Just what Tom said. Nick is looking to cause trouble. And it proves that he was only there to stir shit up last night. If he was seriously hurt, he would have called the cops right there and then.” I turn to Tom. “What time did he file?”
“He just left the station about an hour ago. I saw him there; heard the disruption he was causing. I approached my sergeant; told him I’d deliver the paperwork and get Gage to come down willingly.”
“See? This fight happened last night at nine! Why wait twelve hours later before filing?”
“Tom, why did you come here first? Jackson is at the field practicing.”
He gives me a knowing look, then says, “Just figured you should be the one to know since you’re his PR rep. I’ll go meet him at the field.”
“I’m coming with you,” I say as I run to my room, quickly throwing on some jeans and a t-shirt and sneakers.
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.
