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 smalloffice. 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 aredating. 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.”
