He sits up now, quickly throwing his legs back to the ground and leans forward on his knees. “I know!” He yells and points at Jackson. “You defiledmy sister!”
“William John!” I chastise him, using his full name “Why would you?—”
“Now, now Chessy, I’m not mad. We all know what the term of endearment ‘baby girl’ means, and why a man uses it. Your reaction to those words gave yourself away.” He leans back on the couch once again placing his crossed legs on the table in front of him. “I knew it was only a matter of time. Jackson could never fake anything when you were around. So, I knew this little plan of his was a ticking time bomb... or…” he drifts off. I’m throwing daggers at Britt but she won’t look at me.
“Or…?” Jackson says.
“Or…” Billy draws it out. “This was your plan all along. Get my sister on your side, play on her heartstrings to help you, then slide in and seal the deal. Literally,” he winks. “I must say Gage, it’s quite clever, even for you,” he laughs. “I just didn’t know you had a death wish.” He grows serious and raises a brow.
“Death wish?”
“Yup,” he pops the p. “Adam is not going to be happy,” he tsks and takes another sip of his beer.
Everyone is quiet. Jesus, Billy is oblivious to anything but the women surrounding him, so if he noticed something, then I’m sure Adam did, too.
“The only thing that’s saving you is that Adam is so strung out on Chelsea right now, he’s in his own head. He’s not focused and you two are not on his radar. Though I don’t think that will last for long, right Jackie-boy? He’s always had some kind of weird sixth sense about you and our dear little sister.”
Britt speaks up. “So, what if there is something going on? They’re both adults and if they want to be together, that’s on them. Adam can’t control what they do. I for one think it’s a great idea.”
“You’re absolutely right Britt. And I like this scenario too. But the only thing wrong with that is that Adam believes he’s in charge. Alpha Asshole Adam, right? He believes he’s the know-it-all and if he didn’t figure this out first or is blindsided, it’s not going to be good.”
I still can’t say anything. I feel all eyes on me. Billy is right. I have always gone to Adam with everything. And if I didn’t, he still found out and tried to make it right. It’s what he was trying to do just last weekwasn’t it? When we talked in my kitchen before the homecoming game. How he warned me he knew Jackson so well and didn’t want anyone to get hurt.
If our new reality is in fact fake, looks like I won’t be alone in getting hurt. Adam will be right next to me.
Chapter 31
Jackson
Ihad just finished my run and was climbing into my truck when my phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, I see its Tony. I’ve been wanting to confront him on the contracts, but I didn’t know how to bring it up to him without offending him. He’s been with me since day one. I’ve trusted him over the years, especially when I was brand new and didn’t know any better. He was there to help me with the hard decisions.
As the years went on, and I left the NFL, I still attracted sponsors from my name alone. I went into hiding and still Tony kept my ads running and the checks coming in. I was grateful for the work he did and even though it wasn’t the amount I was receiving when I was active, it was more than enough to sustain me. So, I lived on less and pocketed the surplus for when I was old, and the sponsorships ran dry.
That’s why this conversation makes me uneasy. Chess didn’t have to say it to me, I had a feeling before she took a look. A gut feeling should always be trusted. I felt like something was a little off. Tony being a little too quick on the phone, or too quick to have me sign without reading.
And if I’m honest? While going back over the statement I had to write up for Chief Hunter on the night of the fight at the event, another strange thought crossed my mind. Chess asked Tony for a guest list of the events we were going to. Which means Tony was aware of where wewould be. Tony was the one who initiated the idea of a fake girlfriend for PR. Tony was also the one who told me about Chess being fired from Goldman PR. He’s had some quick comments about her, and I’ve brushed them off but now they have me second guessing his intentions.
I pick up the call before it rings out. “Hey Tony, what’s good?”
“Jackson! I have great news for you,” he says.
“Yeah? Hit me with it, what’s happening?”
“I got a call from Eastern State University last week. I didn’t want to call and get your hopes up, but we worked out a deal, Jackson! All you have to do is sign!”
My stomach drops. Didn’t I just have this thought? “What kind of deal?” I ask cautiously.
“They want you, man! A Division I College! They want you as head coach!”
I let my head fall back, a sigh of relief escapes my mouth and I smile. She did it. My first thought is that whatever magic Chess has, it worked. She got me cleaned up and noticed.
My second thought is… she did it. And how am I going to tell her?
“Gage? You there? This is great news! This is what you wanted! Looks like that girl was good for something after all,” he says and laughs.
I growl. “Shut the fuck up about her,” I snap.
He grows quiet and clears his throat “Sorry, bro. I-I didn’t mean anything by it. Just that her being your arm candy worked. The university wants you. They’ll let you finish out your time here, hopefully securing another state win, which will only add more coin to your pockets. But once that’s done you’ve got to pack up and get there ASAP. The assistant coaches will fill in until you’re there but then you’ll be head coach, Jackson.”
