I know Adam knows Jackson is a good guy which leads me to believe that his outrage over our relationship has nothing to do with Jackson and me being together, but more to do with him thinking Jackson will leave him now, for me. Chelsea left him and I think that’s what he’s focused on. I still don’t know what happened between him and Chelsea. I know they’ve been in touch as Adam has been extremely upset. She won’t reach out to me, despite my attempts to reach out to her, she won’t respond.
The dinner at Jacksons’ was a shit show. A downright gold medal of a horror night. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt Adam. I didn’t want to keep secrets. I got caught up in playing the part for Jackson, to get him noticed and in the excitement of being in a new relationship. I was selfish and should have been looking out for everyone else.
“Chess, don’t pull away from me. I’m sorry for how it all went down, Adam can hate me, but I want you and I don’t want to pretend anymore. I won’t apologize for it.”
I brought the mess that is Goldman PR to Jacksons’ front door. Thank God Nick didn’t push any lawsuits. After Chief Hunter contacted him and told him his district wouldn’t entertain it, he also let Nick know his timing for making a claim was up and that it would look bad for him if he continued to go after Jackson. I’m still wondering why Nick went radio silent on this whole episode.
Tony and I both worked out a press release saying charges were not being brought on Jackson and in turn, pushed for the press to focus on the team’s future state title.
It worked.
After the Comets won their last regular season game, standings were released putting them in first place. We knew they would be, even with the one loss. The schedule for semifinal games was printed and the press descended on our small town. Between the playoffs and the Almost Christmas festival, the town has been chaotic.
Then Ava Belinsky came on the scene again and it made sense why Nick had been quiet. He was planning. Why she thought she could show up to one of Jackson's closed practices and make a scene is beyond me. Nick knows how the coaches work once standings come out. No one is allowed to watch them practice. That includes family. And girlfriends. I’ve been banished from the field, even as the PR rep for Jackson.
Ava got what she wanted though, the attention of the press. I know Nick was behind it. She got to stand in front of all the cameras this time, and not just on my ex-boyfriends’ lap, and degrade me once again, by spouting off how I ‘stole’ clients from her, how inept I was at my job and that in the end, I would only bring embarrassment to Jackson and our town when I let them down by smearing the names of all involved.
I didn’t respond. I couldn’t. It was her word against mine and I was the one who had the word ‘fired’ written on their resume.
But our town showed up for us. They love the idea of Gage defending a Casanova. So, all was forgiven as far as the fighting went. And they went back to focusing on their love for Coach Gage.
I spent my days with my mom making final arrangements for the festival. It was really going to be one of the best yet. Adam's construction company was busy turning the town into a winter wonderland.The different stations looked like actual rooms in a house. Different kitchens were built and placed down main street, each with a different cookie theme to be baked inside the makeshift walls.
Living rooms and family rooms were enacted displaying hallmark romance movie scenes, twinkling white lights and gifts. Full dining rooms were built to showcase the different restaurants in town. There would be limited menus for each restaurant to show off their most popular dishes.
And the trees. Evergreen trees ten feet tall and up, were everywhere you could see. Each one decorated with a different theme… Victorian, kids play, candy and snowflakes and of course, football trees were placed down main street with wrapped gift boxes underneath each one.
I was exhausted from all the work it took to get this together, but I was excited for it. The smiles on everyone’s faces tomorrow would be priceless. And the kids deserved it. The main floats would showcase Jackson and his team. The kids would all get to ride on it and then it would end with them at the front of the grandstand while they announce Jackson as the Grand Marshall and King of the Winter Wonderland, along with his queen.
Me.
Jackson hasn’t been himself all week. It has to be because of the fight with Adam as I know their strained relationship is weighing on him. I enter my home and collapse on the couch exhausted from today and already tired from what will happen tomorrow. This whole process has been great for his image, even with the bumps and bruises along the way.
I’ve already gotten a ton of feedback that I can’t wait to tell him all about. I also have a huge surprise after hearing back from the Texas State coach. We haven’t had time for me to really sit and go over everything for him, but I know doors are opening, one in particular and I see great things coming for him.
I don’t know how I feel about it yet although I am excited for him, it still hurts me knowing we started out on this journey all so he could leave anyway. It makes me question his true feelings. I know they’re strong, and not only physical, and I do believe we have found in each other what we want in a partner. But how can he still want to leave thesefeelings behind? If after my surprise, he still wants to leave, then well, I just have to accept it and be happy that I was able to help him reach is goal again.
It's what we first agreed to, after all.
I smile as I pull out my phone re-reading our text exchange from earlier today, and anxiously awaiting him to walk in my front door.
Me: How's the eye, Coach Gage?
Jackson: purple and swollen, like my dick. I need you
My heart rate increases as I read his dirty sext
Me: you’re so filthy
Jackson: you love it
Me: I do. how’s practice going?
Jackson: Are you trying to steal my plays again Miss Casanova?
I smile. He’s in a playful mood today, which is good. I was hoping the rift between him and Adam would not press down on him while preparing for the finals.
Me: I would never dream of doing such a thing. (angel emoji) I simply wanted to know when you would be finished
