CHAPTER 18

JACKSON

The trip to Oakland was one of the longest that I’d endured playing for any team. I was glad for the win but wanted to get home to see if Emma came back to the apartment. She wasn’t returning my calls or messages, but I had hopes that she missed me as well.

On the drive from the stadium, I stopped to get some hot chicken to bring back. I knew that she loved it and wanted to surprise her and romance her back into my life. She’d only been gone for a few days when I left and maybe got over everything. After I got the chicken, I jogged into a store to buy some chocolates before I went home. I was tired and sore but hopeful that Emma was there.

I unlocked the door and set everything down on the coffee table.

“Em,” I called out as I walked through the small apartment and into her room. My face fell as I looked around, seeing everything that made this her space gone. Emma moved out while I was in Oakland, taking advantage of the empty apartment. I felt disappointment surge through me as I leaned against the wall.

Greg was going to fucking kill me for this. I had to go screw everything up and make her leave and it was going to affect everything.

I walked back into the living room and felt my stomach growl as the smell of the food filled the room. I hadn’t eaten a lot on the road and that weakened me with the game and exercise, so I dropped down to eat as I thought about my next approach.

I assumed she was staying with Bella. I had dropped Nick off there a few times and didn’t know the apartment number, but he could tell me. If she wasn’t going to come to me, I’d go to her. I needed to talk to Emma and make things right. I’d initially chosen Greg over her to do the right thing, but being without her was too much to take. I needed Emma in my arms and my life. I realized that Greg was just going to have to accept that.

I sent Nick a text to ask what Bella’s apartment number was and broke down what was going on. I didn’t think that he’d agree with my plan to get her back with his earlier advice, but Nick admitted that he’d never seen me care about a woman the way I cared about Emma. Maybe it was worth a shot to make it work with her and let Greg adjust. Nick teased me that I hadn’t slept with any women since she moved here, and I admitted that he was right. That urge was gone. I just wanted Emma in my bed.

I knew that she might be at the other apartment studying, and went to her favorite local Thai place. I ordered a variety of food for her and Bella, tipping them heavily when I asked the driver to take over the wine and chocolate for me along with the food. I didn’t want to take it over since I wasn’t sure how she was feeling right now but this would get my point across. The young guy agreed, smiling as he took the bag that I offered him. The girls behind the counter were giggling as I turned to leave, hoping that this worked. I missed her and needed to have Emma in my life.

I found a note from Emma on the counter later that night. It was a thank you for helping her out. It sounded like it had been written by a casual friend who I put up for a few nights. This wasn’t what she would have said to me before I ended things with her and I read the words over and over. I’d already written her a note, apologizing for what I’d done. I said that I missed her and needed to talk to her. That envelope was in the same bag as the wine and chocolates and I hoped she contacted me.

I’d always lived for football. Always. Girls were just a bonus and there were plenty who came along with the sport. I’d sleep with them, usually just the once, and move on. I was always looking forward to the upcoming game and my future.

A few of them claimed to have fallen for me, but I didn’t believe them. I also didn’t care because nothing was going to get in the way of my goals.

I thought I met my goals when the Trojans signed me. I struck gold with the deal, still being close to my family and friends back home. They could come and see me play every so often and even if I wasn’t a starter, I was still part of the team. I made it. I just wanted more now and had new goals.

I returned home and watched some ESPN as I listened for my phone. I swore that I’d never be this guy. Girls didn’t matter like football did and it was easy for me to see that before now.

Emma shifted my whole world the moment she moved in. Once I gave into my feelings and attraction and kissed her, it was all over. I knew that I didn’t want any other woman from that point on and I was going to win her back.

I woke up in the morning on the couch. The phone had been quiet all night, and I rubbed my eyes. I was due at the gym and stood on shaky legs, feeling the muscles pull in my back from the way I slept.

“Fuck,” I muttered as I went back to change into some workout clothes. I needed to see the trainer and get my back worked on before this turned into a week or more of pain. I headed out of the apartment and drove to the gym where I met up with the guys, downing some water in the car before I walked inside.

Nick looked at me curiously as I walked in. I shook my head and he gave me an understanding look. I tried, and I wasn’t done yet, not by a long shot. We worked out, talking casually through the room before I headed back to the trainer to get her to work on my sore muscle. Being a player got me certain perks and Tabatha smiled as I tapped on her door.

“Hey, you. Great game this last weekend. What can I do for you?”

“I slept on my back wrong last night. I’ll buy you a coffee if you check it out for me.” I winked playfully as Tab hurried over, telling me to get on the table.

“You don’t have to do that.”

I felt her pushing on the spot I described, letting out a grunt as she pushed down slightly. “You slept horrible. Do you have a couch of nails or something?”

“My couch is fine. It’s just not meant to sleep on, but I fell asleep watching something,” I defended myself and she laughed and started to rub my back. It felt great, and I closed my eyes as she eased the stiff muscle for me, thinking about Emma.

There was a time when I flirted with Tab. She was pretty with dark eyes and hair. Now I wasn’t even tempted, and I reminded myself I was both stupid and cursed. There was a good chance that I’d never get Emma back.

I left feeling much better and headed out to my car. I noticed that some of the guys were chatting by the cars and I paused as Joe’s voice carried over to me.

“They don’t have a two-bedroom place yet, but they are having a party this coming weekend. It’s after the game. I’m going to be there and tap that ass since she seems to be single.”

Joe grinned at someone before his eyes flicked over to me, nodding his head.

“How did it go with Tabatha?”

“She was checking something for me. What’s this about a party?” I asked as Nick walked over to us.

“It seems that Emma is staying with Bella. They’re having some people over,” he said.

I realized nobody knew that we’d once shared an apartment. Since I wanted to avoid her being the subject of any gossip, I sure as fuck wasn’t going to mention that now. I felt something feral inside as I looked at Joe, hating the idea of any of these guys at Bella’s place.

“You’re friends with her from back when, right? Didn’t she tell you about it?”

I shook my head, hating the satisfaction that passed across his face. I stood still as Joe went to his sport car and headed to the mansion that he bought recently.

“Jackson?”

I looked at Nick as the others headed to their cars.

“He’s just trying to get a rise out of you. They are having people over, but it’s no biggie. I think it was Bella’s idea.”

“Fuck that,” I muttered as I walked to my car. I drove to Bella’s apartment and parked, then I saw that Emma’s car was parked there. I wanted to throw her over my shoulder like a caveman and take her back to my apartment, keeping her there for the rest of my life. I’d seen Joe at the bar with women and there was something creepy about him. I’d never seen anything illegal or even dangerous so far, but I didn’t want Emma alone with him.

I got out of my car and walked to her door, knocking hard as I tried to breathe evenly. I was losing it here.

I looked down at the floor as the door opened. I blinked and saw Emma staring up at me.

“Jackson?” she said in a confused voice, seemingly surprised that I was here.

“Emma,” I said softly, taking her in slowly as I stepped up to her. She looked beautiful but tired, and I sensed that she’d been crying. All the words that I wanted to say to her left my mind as I pushed my way inside and cupped her face.

“Emma,” I kicked the door closed, barely listening as I claimed her mouth with mine. It was hot and rough but felt like everything to me. She moaned against me as I kissed her over and over, tasting her sweet lips. She hesitated before sliding her arms around my neck and pulling herself up against me, her tongue meeting mine as I deepened the kiss.

“Are you alone?” I asked. She nodded against me, her skin hot. I kissed her again, moving us to a couch and pulling her down over me. Emma slipped her jean-clad thighs over mine. I was hard as fuck and she rocked against me as we kissed, our tongues dancing furiously together.