“No! I don’t, actually. I think this is going to be a good thing. He’s going to see what I’ve known for years.”
“And what’s that?”
“He likes you.”
I scoff at her, but she cuts me off. “No, really. I think he’s got it in his head that because you’re Adam's little sister, you’re off limits. And maybe when we were young, I would run with that idea, but we’re all grown adults now. Why hold back on something that makes us happy?”
That’s just it. He makes me happy, but can I make him happy? Happy enough to stay? And if I make him happy, can my brothers be happy for us?
Chapter 10
Jackson
After another sleepless night, I’m up early and heading to the field. It’s Sunday and there’s no practice, but I always like to run the field, it clears my head. I’m still reeling from last night. Officially announcing our fake relationship should have felt like a weight off my shoulders but all it did was weigh me down further.
I want Francesca. I’ve always wanted Chess but have had to put up this front because she was my best friend's little sister. My two other good friends’ little sister. The family that took me in, their youngest daughter. What kind of guy would I be to defile her? To break her heart when I left? Because that’s always what I planned to do—leave. I just never thought I’d be back here, planning to do it all over again.
As a kid, I couldn’t wait to get out of this town. I wanted to make something of myself, and football was the way to do it. I wanted to do more and be more for my mom. She struggled to raise me when my father took off. Always working two jobs. If it wasn’t for the Casanovas basically adding me to their roster of kids, I wouldn’t have stood a chance.
I love the game and playing it with my best friend was the greatest feeling in the world. Having Chess at the games, cheering us on, it made me proud. I worked hard to be good for her, even though she neverknew it. But I had to play the part back then. Pretend I didn’t notice her. Pretend she didn’t make me feel a certain way.
Pretend I wasn’t half in love with my best friend's little sister.
Not that I understood what love meant then. I didn’t know it meant I got to be vulnerable or could show my soft side. I didn’t know that I could speak my fears out loud to someone who wouldn’t laugh at me and would listen instead. I didn’t know it was what I was already doing when I would spend quiet nights over at the Casanova’s house in the backyard with Francesca. I just knew she made me feel good.
When I was drafted, I left and never looked back.I would go months without seeing Adam, but we would text and stay up to date. Every so often he’d drop a hint of what Chess was doing, but I never asked. When he told me she was working at Goldman PR, I was able to stalk her online, but I still got very little information. By then, I had a terrible stigma attached to my name and she probably wouldn’t want to talk to me, anyway.I see how she’s cautious around me, trying to process all the stories she’s heard.
After seeing today’s press release, I need to get out and run. I knew as soon as the picture went up, it would go viral, and we’d be knee deep in this scenario. I also needed to clear things up with Adam. Make sure all is good around my little world here. Turning left off our road, Holly Lane, I follow main street down until I get to Eve Drive and take it to the end. It’s a cul-de-sac that Adam is renovating new homes on. Exactly like I thought, Adam is here already walking around the place, making sure timelines are being met.
I jump out of my truck and head inside, knocking on the door and calling out his name.
“Yo! Adam!”
“Back here, man.”
I head through a room with nothing but beams in it and find Adam up on a ladder. “Did you sleep here last night?” I laugh.
He groans and comes down off the ladder. “I should have. Maybe then this shit would be getting done on time. I’m already a week behind on this one home, and the entire cul-de-sac is about four weeks back. I can’t get all my materials and I’ve been running to neighboring towns all week.” He looks stressed, as he grabs his coffee and takes a big gulp.
“Sorry man. If there’s anything I can do to help, just let Billy know,” I smirk as he rolls his eyes.
“Christ, please keep my brother away from here. I’ve got him working on the reno over on Gum Drop. He does good work, once you tame him and get him to focus, but Jesus, getting him there requires an act from God.” He leans against the wall. “Where are you heading so early? Practice already?”
“Nah, just me, going for a run. Listen, I wanted to talk to you about last night.”
I trail off as Adam watches me. I talk again, but he cuts me off. “I’m sorry bro, I reacted badly, and it has nothing to do with you. It caught me by surprise and honestly, I’m just not in the mood to see any lovey dovey crap. Even if it is fake, but especially with you and my sister,” he shudders but laughs—which is a good sign—though hearing the word fake makes me uneasy, and I need to analyze just why it does so.
I wave him off. “Its fine. I’ve heard your warning loud and clear for years.” I didn’t like it then and I don’t like it now. “It’s just that I noticed how upset the thought of us together made you and I figured it’s because you don’t think I’m good enough for her, even as a fake fling.”
“Gage. Are you getting sensitive with me?” He pokes at me, and I punch his arm.
“Maybe I am! I just don’t want you mad at me,” I pout a little. “I thought what we had was special.” I reach out to touch his arm, and he punchesmethis time.
“You’re fucking strange,” he laughs.
“Twenty years later and you’re just realizing this?”
“I always knew you wanted me.” I shrug and he laughs again. “We’re good man. Just be careful with her.” He gets serious and gives me a stern look. “I warned you she had a crush on you way back when we were kids, and I’m not saying she still does, but girls…” He shakes his head. “I don’t fucking get it.”