Jackson's Girl: Being His Duology

by Charlie R. Love

  “I just want to keep you safe. Can’t you see that?”

  I nodded, and leaning up, I kissed his stubbly jaw. He didn’t this morning. “I do. Thank you for protecting me.”

  “I’ll always protect you.”

  “I know.”

  We stayed like that for the rest of our twenty-minute break. It seemed, Jackson didn’t want to go back in. I was the same.

  I held onto him extra tight when he led us back inside. Grant saw us approached and stood up, letting me have the seat.

  Jackson deposited me there and leaned down to kiss me, long and hard.

  I kissed him back, sighing into his lips. I was sure everyone was staring at us. And I was sure Jackson was kissing me to let everyone know I was his. His crazy way of protecting me.

  “Hurry back to me,” I said.

  “I will.” He turned to Grant. “You’ll keep an eye on her?”

  “Of course,” Grant answered, moving in closer to me.

  I grabbed ahold of Grant’s hand.

  Jackson followed the movement with his eyes but didn’t say anything. Giving me one last lingering look, he turned and walked away.

  “Are you sure you want to see this?” Grant asked.

  I shrugged. “I’ve seen Jackson in a fight before.”

  “Yes, but not like this. There are no rules here, no ref.”

  I breathed in deeply. “I can do this.”

  And I believed everything would be fine. I just couldn’t see how anyone could hurt Jackson.

  He was invincible.

  22

  Past: Emily

  I could feel the excitement of the crowd, practically coming off of them in waves. They were all bloodthirsty, wanting to see either Jude or Jackson draw blood.

  Aiden hadn’t been seen since Jackson brought me back, and Grant told me he was getting the fight ready.

  I hadn’t seen Jude yet, but I knew he had arrived since most of the crowd went wild when they heard Jude and Jackson were in the same building.

  Grant nudged me, directing my attention up ahead. I looked up and saw Jude’s football buddies along with Beth taking up residence in the far corner. Beth had noticed me before I noticed her, her eyes on me, something vicious in those dark green eyes of hers.

  “Just stick close to me,” Grant said. “I don’t like the way his friends have been watching you.”

  Now that he mentioned it, I noticed Jude’s friends had been watching me as well. I didn’t even know their names. Looking away, I squeezed Grant’s hand tightly, gladded he was with me. A few minutes later, a distressed looking Aiden came to us. He gently pulled me out of my seat. “Come on, Emily. You go where I go, remember?”

  I nodded. “Yes.”

  I was gladded Aiden came back for us. Though it was short-lived, when Aiden directed us into a small room in the back of the building, and I found two rather large men I have never seen before standing by the door, along with Jackson and… Jude.

  I let go of Grant’s hand and made my way to Jackson, feeling Jude’s eyes on me the whole way.

  Jackson opened his arms for me, and I walked in, burrowing myself as far into him as I could.

  The tension was noticeably thick in the air, more so now that I was in the room. Jackson’s body was tense, going into high alert.

  “Are you okay?” Jackson whispered to me, making sure no one else could hear.

  I nodded though I wasn’t sure. Jackson was right. I shouldn’t have come tonight. Violence scared me. And I couldn’t imagine I would enjoy seeing someone getting the shit beat out of them, even if that person was Jude.

  I turned and allowed him to wrapped his arms around me from behind so that I was facing the room. With Jackson by my side, I felt brave.

  I looked at Jude, heads on, and he wasn’t shy. I knew he wouldn’t be the first to look away.

  His lips curved upwards in a self-satisfied smirk, emitting a growl from Jackson. He made a move toward Jude, trying to place me behind him, when Aiden spoke up.

  “Save it for the fight, Jackson.”

  Jackson was silent for a second before he relaxed against me. “You’re right. Let’s get on with this so I can take my girl home.”

  Aiden nodded and shot a smile my way. “Alright. You’ve both done this before. You know how this goes. I only have two rules. One, no weapons. If I see either of you using anything other than your fist, you’ll be forced to leave, and I won’t allow you to come back.” Aiden was looking at Jude as he said it. “And I have a long and unforgiving memory. Number two, when the other guy is down, and I called the end to the fight, you stop fighting. You don’t come back for more. I don’t care what anyone says, I’m not into hiding a dead body. So keep this fight as clean as you’re able.”

  This part was directed at Jackson, though Aiden was smiling as he said it, so I wasn’t sure if he was joking or not.

  “Alright. Let’s get to it. Emily, you’re with me.”

  I nodded and turned in Jackson’s arms. “Hurry up and finish this. I want to spend tonight in your arms, in your bed. Deal?” I held out my pinkie.

  Jackson stared at it, a soft smile tugging at his lips. “Deal.” He hooked his pinkie with mine.

  “I love you.”

  He leaned down and kissed me quickly. “I love you.”

  I watched as he walked out the door with Jude, followed by the two big men. I was sure they were there to keep everything under control.

  “You thought of everything,” I said to Aiden when he walked over to me.

  “Well, when you’re doing something like this, you have to think of everything. Plan out everything and prepare for the worst.”

  “Why do you do it?”

  He smiled. “I was bored.”

  I looked at him. Then I threw my head back and laughed. “You, Aiden Montgomery, are too brilliant for your own good.”

  The excitement in the crowd was even more palpable than before when Aiden escorted me out. He brought Grant and me back to the betting table.

  “Stay,” Aiden said before he walked to the makeshift circle where both Jude and Jackson stood, facing each other. The two large men from before were standing behind them, outside the circle.

  “I wished Aiden had thought to put a mat in there or something,” I muttered.

  Grant smiled. “That would be too easy on Jude.”

  “It’s not Jude I’m worried about.”

  He tapped the tip of my nose with his finger affectionately. “Have more faith.”

  I wanted to. I wanted to believe Jackson wouldn’t get hurt. But the thought of his black eye from before… I couldn’t help but worry that even though Jude wouldn’t be able to defeat him, he might still be able to get in a good punch or two.

  I held onto Grant’s hand tightly for support. He pulled me in until I was closed to his body. On the other side of the room, I saw Beth.

  Did she place down any bets? And who would she place them down on? Jude or Jackson?

  Shaking my head, I looked back to Grant just as the crowd got rowdier. Aiden walked over to the middle of the circle and holding up his hand, the room quieted.

  “Hello,” he said with a charming smile. The crowd went wild at his greeting, and I swore I heard someone sigh his name. Aiden was charming, and he was beautiful. A lethal combination. “Are you ready?” he asked. The crowd cheered. “What’s that? I can’t hear you. Are you ready!”

  The crowd went savage, so much so, I cringed and moved in closer to Grant. “Alright, alright, you motherfucking bloodthirsty fuckers! I heard ya! Let’s get this started!” Everyone clapped as Aiden turned to the fighters. “Remember the rules. On my mark, you can go.”

  Aiden moved out of the circle and the far corner where he stepped on something to make him at least a foot and half taller than the crowd. He looked around until he met my eyes and motioned for Grant and me to come to him.

  Grant led us over there, making sure no one touches me as we weaved through the crowd. I could feel everyone eyes
on me, especially anxious amber ones, but I didn’t look for Jackson. I focused on taking one step at a time until we finally reached Aiden.

  He bent down and whispered in my ears, “You can stand up here with me and watch the fight, or if it’s too much, you can stand next to Grant.”

  That sounded appealing. Not having to watch the fight. But I knew I would drive myself crazy if I didn’t watch Jackson and made sure he was okay.

  I raised my hand out for Aiden to help me up. He smiled, a satisfied smile as if he knew I was going to pick the first option all along.

  It was a step ladder Aiden was standing on. And he let me stand on the top one, while he stood one down from me. Even so, he was still taller than me by half a foot.

  He laughed when he got me up there and patted my head affectionately. I stuck my tongue out at him.

  “Yo, Aiden, if you’re done flirting with my girl, I would like to get this fight done and over with so I can go home with her,” Jackson joked.

  I blushed scarlet as the whole crowd laughed. I ducked my head. Though I did peek my eyes at Jackson after a moment and found his amused eyes on me. At least he wasn’t upset.

  I smiled and blew him a kiss, and he pretended to catch it, putting the kiss in his pocket.

  Jude’s laugh brought me back to where we were, not that I could have forgotten, but for a brief moment, my worries disappeared.

  But now it was back, multiplied tenfold with the way Jude’s eyes looked then. He just seemed off, and I wasn’t sure why.

  “You act as if you’ll be able to go home with her tonight. By the time I’m done with you, you’ll be spending a week in the hospital.”

  “You’re all talk, Mathews, but we both know you’ll never win.”

  Jude shook his head in an almost condescending way, turning those cold eyes my way. I moved closer to Aiden and grabbed a fistful of his shirt.

  Aiden felt tensed.

  “How about when this is over, Little Bird, I take you home with me instead. As my trophy?”

  I shook my head, suddenly angry. “Not likely. Jackson’s going to kick your ass.” The whole crowd cheered at that, and Jackson smiled.

  Aiden was laughing beside me. “You heard the lady. She wants to see Jude get his ass kicked. Let's give it to her then. Gentlemen, if you would please ready yourself, on my count.”

  I pulled Aiden to me when he started the countdown. “Three… Two… One!”

  Jude circled around Jackson, looking for a vulnerable spot to attack, but Jackson was skilled. He didn’t have one. He stood there, feet brace, muscle tensed, arms ready for when Jude comes at him.

  I knew he wouldn’t be the first one to attack.

  Still, just the anticipation of it got my nerves on edge.

  Jude ran out of patience because with a shout, he ran toward Jackson. The big guy would have tackled Jackson to the ground, had he not moved out the way.

  Jackson kept his eyes on Jude, while he bounced on the heels of his foot, a smile on his face.

  He was enjoying this, I realized. He loved the thrill of it, he loved taunting his opponent, especially when his opponent happened to be Jude Mathews.

  “Does Jackson always do that?” I asked Aiden.

  “Do what?”

  “Taunt them.”

  Aiden laughed. “He’s arrogant. Though he’s earned the right to be. He likes fighting. Sometimes, I think he needs it.” Aiden turned to me, his expression solemn. “I don’t know how much he told you about his family, but fighting works as an outlet for him. His dad… they don’t get along. And at first, getting into these fights was just him rebelling. You know, his uptight surgeon dad couldn’t handle the fact that Jackson would portray anything less than the perfect son. Coming home with blood and bruises pissed his dad off like no other.”

  “I didn’t know that,” I said quietly. “He’s so close-lipped about his family. I know he doesn’t get along with his dad.” I shrugged, though I didn’t know what more to say.

  Aiden nodded. “Now, I think he fights because he enjoys the rush. The thrill.” Aiden looked at me and smiled. “Although he hasn’t been looking for a fight in a while.”

  I didn’t say anything. I was sure I was the source for distracting Jackson. He once told me he fought because of the thrill, but with me, he found something better than fighting. I was sure that was still true.

  But the fact that he fought because of his dad surprised me.

  Because of how fast and how far we’ve fallen for each other, it still surprised me to realize we hadn’t dated for very long.

  But I was sure, given enough time, he would reveal all his secrets to me. Just as I would to him.

  And that scared me the most.

  We both turned when the sound of flesh hitting flesh rang out clearly in the room. I clasped my hand over my lips when I found it was Jackson who had taken the hit, blood coming out from his cut lips.

  The crowd went wild at the first sight of blood, and I almost vomit.

  “Oh, my God.”

  I grabbed ahold of Aiden’s hand, trying to look over him and make sure Jackson was okay.

  “Don’t worry, Emily. He usually likes to do this, to trick the other guy into thinking they have the upper hand.”

  “You mean he purposely let Jude hit him?” I practically screamed.

  “It’s okay.”

  I looked down at Grant, who was frowning, though he didn’t seem as worried as me. When he felt my gaze on him, he looked up and gave me a reassuring smile.

  I didn’t feel reassured.

  I kept my eyes on Jackson, as he got back to his feet, spit out blood, and smiled.

  He moved so fast, I didn’t even see it coming, and then he had Jude in a headlock. Jude didn’t stay there long though, as he kept hitting Jackson on his abdomen until he let go.

  The two boys eyed one and another, and Jude ran toward Jackson, fist held high. But Jackson moved back out of the way at the last moment, and when Jude wasn’t prepared, came at him, punching him not once, not twice, but three times on his face, until he fell back into the crowd.

  No one helped him up.

  “Come on, Jude. Kick his ass!” Someone yelled from the crowd. I turned my eyes their way and found Jude’s friends there, all looking anxious.

  But they weren’t anxious for their friends. They were anxious about the bet money they had placed down, I realized, as their eyes portrayed more anger than worry.

  Jude got up and made his way back to the circle.

  And he looked angry.

  Jackson, on the other hand, looked smug.

  This was the boy I’d seen in the hallway before we ever even said hello.

  The confident one. The boy who feared nothing and no one. The boy that stole my heart with his amber eyes and mischievous smile.

  I had forgotten that boy even existed the more time I spent with him. He was still confident, still cocky, still sure of himself.

  But he didn’t have nothing to fear anymore.

  I hadn’t realized that determined look in his eyes – the one that told the world to fuck off – had disappeared until I found them in his eyes once again.

  And I smile at that, even though it made me selfish.

  Selfish because I suddenly realized Jackson had something to fear. He feared he would lose me. And that made me pretty damn happy because I was afraid to lose him as well. It only seemed fair that he was the same way.

  As weak as I had made myself to him, I had also become Jackson Wright’s biggest weakness.

  I pulled myself out of my thoughts when the crowd cheered because Jackson got in another punch.

  Jude moved forward, and the two boys stayed locked on each other. Jude got in a good punch to Jackson’s jaw, but Jackson didn’t let that slow him down.

  He came at Jude and punched him on the face that nearly had the other boy off his feet.

  Jude was getting frustrated.

  And sloppy.

  With a scream, he came at Jackson. He
swung.

  And missed.

  He swung a second time, and a third.

  And he missed those times too.

  The fourth time he swung, Jackson dodged it and moved behind him, then with a stealthy kick to the back, he sent Jude flying, falling just outside the circle of students.

  “Hey, no touching the fighter!” Aiden yelled when someone in the crowd pulled at Jude’s hair and told him to get up.

  The boy moved back with both hands raised when he found one of the big man walking toward him. Aiden looked back at me and winked. “I think it’s time we finish this fight.”

  But Jude didn’t stay down.

  He got to his feet, though he looked as if he was going to fall back down at any moment. The boys were back to circling each other, until Jude got close, but Jackson didn’t let him get in a good punch this time.

  He pulled his arm back, and with a yelled, clipped Jude right on the nose.

  He fell down on the dirty cement floor and didn’t get back up.

  There was blood gushing out of his nose, and I stared, unable to look away.

  Somewhere nearby, a loud horn blew. I screamed and ducked down, still a little unnerved from watching the fight.

  Grant helped me down from the step ladder. “It’s okay, Emily. That’s just Aiden blowing the horn to end the fight.”

  I straightened and looked over to where I had heard it blow, and sure enough, Aiden was there. I hadn’t realized he left my side until then. He gave the horn to one of the big men nearby and walked to the circle. Without saying anything, he walked to Jackson and raised his hand up.

  The crowd went wild, though I did hear protests from some people.

  A team of medic came by and picked up Jude. I was sure they were taking him to the hospital. Those medics were also bribed into not saying anything.

  It was admiral, really, the planning Aiden put through for just one night. Though this one night probably funded him more than enough to live off of for the next handful of months.

  I stayed by Grant’s side, waiting somewhat impatiently for Jackson to get to me. He didn’t let me wait long.

  As soon as Aiden declared a winner, Jackson walked away from the circle, pushing people out the way, even those who wanted to congratulate him on winning – probably because they had money placed on him – and before I knew it, he was right there in front of me.