CHAPTER 4

JACKSON

I waited for Emma in the living room, dressed in a clean pair of shorts and the same shirt from before. I liked wearing workout shorts around the apartment but there was always a chance of running into a fan. I might not be a star player on the team, but I was recognized sometimes.

If I wasn’t, the mere mention of the team usually got me where I wanted to go.

I heard her door close and Emma walked out, her hair hanging down her back, wearing a soft green dress and sandals. Her face was natural and beautiful. I never noticed that her brown eyes had hints of gold in them before.

“Where are we going?” she asked on the way to the truck.

“Well, I could take you anywhere in Nashville, but I had a little dive that I love to eat at. You up for hot chicken?”

“Hot chicken?”

“It beats the shit out of any chicken you can get back home. Trust me,” I said opening the passenger door of the truck for her as she slid in. She smelled like cherries and I felt a spark inside that I pushed away. Not good.

I walked around to my side and we headed into Nashville. Emma’s eyes widened as we drove along the main strip. I felt the same way when I first moved here, and I grinned as I pointed out a few places.

“I can’t believe I’m actually here,” Emma said softly.

Hot Chicken Shack was a little hole in the wall with just a few tables. I grinned as I parked and hopped out as Emma opened her own door.

I watched her get out, taking in her breasts and toned legs as she slipped her purse over her body. Fuck, she was sexy and off limits. Her brother was my best friend and would murder me for the thoughts I was having about her.

I held the restaurant’s door open for her and we walked to the counter to order, with Emma choosing the mild chicken. I paid and headed over to my usual table in the corner. Emma looked around as she sipped her iced tea and I watched her closely.

Why the fuck did I agree to let this woman live with me again?

“Like it?” I asked as I thought back to the fried chicken her family used to always order in. This was going to wipe any memory of that.

“It’s a total dive, but that’s not always a bad thing. I might be impressed.”

I sensed some of the sarcasm that I remembered and grinned.

“You’ll never think about Pip’s Chicken again. I guarantee it,” I teased.

“That remains to be seen,” Emma replied loftily as she heard the clerk call out a number.

I made a show of setting her plate in front of her. As I was sliding into my seat, she was looking at the chicken layered on the roll with pickles and raised an eyebrow as I leaned back. She lifted the sandwich to her full lips and took a bite. I grinned and raised my hands in the air as her eyes rolled back in her head as she chewed slowly.

“Told ya!” I said as she swallowed and smiled.

“It’s good. I’ll give you that.”

“Are you Jackson Cooper?” a little voice asked.

“I am. What’s your name, young man?” I asked the boy as he took the hat from his head that boasted my team’s name.

“I’m A.J., sir,” He twirled the hat in his hand as he pressed his lips together nervously. “You’re my favorite player. Can you sign my hat for me?”

“Sure thing, buddy.”

I grabbed the offered hat as a woman rushed up.

“I hope my son isn’t bothering you.”

“No, not at all. I love kids.”

I hurried to the counter and brought back a thick, black marker before I signed the bill of the cap with a flourish. I loved the attention from fans, but the kids touched my heart the most. They were impressionable and looked up to us as some kind of heroes.

I didn’t mind the female fans either, but I preferred this situation with Emma present. I was sure she knew about my reputation since I hadn’t changed all that much from high school, but I didn’t want to flaunt that.

I chatted with the boy and his appreciative mother for a few moments before she dragged her son away.

I went back to my sandwich and took a big bite as Emma shook her head and laughed. “Here I thought the awkward boy from back home didn’t make it. I’m impressed.”

“Oh, I made it and I am in no way awkward. I’ll bring you along to practice one day and show you what a big boy I am,” I shot back.

She blushed and picked up her sandwich in a hurry. I smirked and was glad to get the last word with this one.

I let my thoughts wander as I continued to eat, imagining things that I shouldn’t. Emma was an innocent girl when I was living in Chattanooga, but I wondered if that was the case now.

My cock hardened as I forced those thoughts away. I reminded myself who the fuck she was and tried to focus on dinner as we ate in an awkward silence. I was pissed at myself for letting my attraction to Emma get the best of me because this was my best friend’s kid sister. She was off limits in ways that no other woman ever had been.