Overprotected

by Lulu Pratt

  I looked into his face, seeing how serious he was as he spoke. I saw the warning in his eyes as well as the hope that I could bring it all back.

  “Yes, sir,” I replied as I waited for him to dismiss me. When I walked out, Joe was dressed and watching me closely. “What the hell do you want?”

  “Is he finally getting rid of you?” Joe sneered.

  I stepped up to him with a dark look on my face. I didn’t say anything, telling myself to let this go, and Joe chuckled.

  I started to move closer to him but instead, I pushed away from the wall and went to change. I had bigger things to deal with tonight.

  CHAPTER 25

  EMMA

  I washed off my make-up and dressed in the clothes I’d worn here before I went to wait for Jackson. I saw the way that he played tonight, and it killed me to know I had everything to do with that. If he wasn’t with me, Greg would not have caught us. Everything would be fine right now, but it wasn’t. The damage was done.

  Jackson was the last to leave, and I stepped up to him, searching his face for any clue as to what was going on inside his head. His eyes were dark with worry.

  “I’m still on the team but he’s pissed. I need to turn this around, but first we have to find out where Greg is.”

  I nodded and we headed to the parking lot. I climbed into Jackson’s passenger seat before he closed the door for me. I slumped against the seat and played everything back all over again as he got in and started the engine.

  “He’s going to be there, isn’t he?” I said.

  “He will. He’s going to fight this every step of the way, Em. What do you want to do?”

  “I’m going to tell him to let me grow up. It’s long overdue, and this needs to be settled. I wasn’t lying when I said that I’ve loved you for years.” I saw Jackson look over at me. “Did you think that I was going to end this over what happened today?”

  “It seems to me like the easiest choice to make,” he said.

  I shook my head.

  “It’s the worst one,” I leaned closer and kissed him softly, feeling his body relax with the contact. We headed back to his apartment, expecting the worst.

  Greg was pacing back and forth in front of the building. Jackson parked and we got out, slowly walking up to him. He glared daggers at Jackson.

  “I want you to pack everything and then we’re going to Bella’s to get the rest of your stuff. You’re coming home with me, Emma. I won’t let him treat you this way.”

  “Treat me what way? Good? Like an adult?” I demanded. Jackson reached for my arm as I started to walk to Greg. “This isn’t one of your one-night stands from high school or college, Greg. This is real.” My voice was firm as he looked at me in disbelief.

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” he sneered.

  “I am not a kid. Fuck you for making me feel that way. I want to see what the world has to offer.” I saw anger flash through his eyes. I never cursed in front of my family, but it was necessary now.

  “Jackson made you this way, didn’t he? What the fuck was I thinking having you stay here? I thought he would honor our friendship, not fuck my sister.”

  I blanched at his words as they hit me in a gut, knowing they weren’t even true.

  Jackson unlocked the apartment door and shoved us inside since the argument was starting to attract attention.

  “Greg, I fought my feelings for Em, but we gave in. We gave in. I didn’t coerce her or make her be with me… she wanted it, too. It’s so much more than I’ve ever had with anyone else.”

  Rage crossed Greg’s face.

  “Son of a bitch. You slept with her? What fucking diseases have you given her?”

  “We’re not like that. We have a real relationship and we talk about everything. We’re both being careful, and I haven’t been with anyone else for a long time. This is everything I’ve ever wanted,” I screamed. Jackson pulled me back. “He’s going to take care of me. He’s protective to a fault sometimes and while it drives me insane, I know that he cares about me. I know that he loves me.” Greg winced as I kept going. “We’ve all been so close for so long. Are you going to end a lifelong friendship over this or give us your blessing? We would both miss you in our lives.”

  Those words seemed to hit him hard and Greg turned away to drop to the couch. “You would do that?”

  “No, you would. You are. You want to rush me out of here like nothing ever happened and pretend that you never knew this. I won’t let that happen. Let me go,” I demanded. “I love him, Greg.”

  Jackson watched us closely as silence filled the room.

  “Do you love her?” Greg asked as he stared accusingly at him for a moment. There was no warmth in his gaze and I shivered.

  Jackson nodded.

  “I do. I am going to keep her safe, just like you would. She’s my everything,” Jackson assured him as Greg looked at me.

  I let out the breath that I’d been holding for a while. There was a part of me that was glad he knew now, particularly when he let out a sigh.

  “Take care of her.”

  I knew how hard the words were for Greg to say and I gazed at him in wonder.

  “Really?” I whispered, but he nodded.

  “How long has this been going on?” Greg asked.

  “Just a few weeks. We fought it as long as we could and even after that, we fought it. This is scary for all of us, Greg. I just don’t want to lose you over it.”

  Greg stared at me incredulously.

  “That sounds so grown up coming from you, Emma. Maybe you aren’t a little girl anymore.”

  “I’m an adult, but we can’t have a relationship based on respect and love unless you understand that I am a grown up and in charge of my life.”

  “I’m going to get some sleep. I need to head home tomorrow,” Greg told us, standing up to run a hand through his hair. “How did the game go?”

  “Shitty. We won, but it wasn’t due to my awful play. I need to improve or else,” Jackson said. “My mind wasn’t in the game. I can fix that… now.”

  Greg hugged me closely, telling me to be careful before he clapped Jackson on the back. He walked slowly to the extra bedroom, closing the door behind him before I fell against Jackson. “He’s okay with us.”

  “I almost think that he’s going to come out and tell me to fuck off.”

  Jackson wrapped an arm around me and stroked my shoulder. “I can’t believe you said all that to him, Em.”

  “I knew that it would make him listen. I know how to get a point across but the only time I want to use that word again is when we’re in bed.” I whispered the last words, and he chuckled.

  “That won’t be happening tonight. I want the place quiet until he’s gone but I do want you to spend the night with me. I’ve missed you,” he said, and I smiled as he kissed my hair. “I want things to go back to normal.”

  I texted Bella things were fine and that I’d be staying here. I followed Jackson through the dark living room to his bedroom, watching as he undressed to boxers.

  “Don’t. I’m not doing shit with him across the hall,” I heard the warning in his voice and smiled ruefully as I changed out of my shirt to one of his, slipping off my pants before I crawled under the covers.

  “I do want you back here, sleeping with me every night. I want to give this a real go, Em.”

  I kissed him as he looked at me, melting against him. “I’d love to.”

  We all woke up early and went to breakfast together, which was when Jackson saw the side of his car.

  “Motherfucker,” he muttered as Greg and I moved to see the driver’s side, clearly keyed overnight.

  “Same guy as the headlight?” Greg asked.

  Jackson nodded, his mouth set in a firm line.

  “Let’s go handle it,” Greg said. “What’s his problem?”

  “I can’t. I prefer to stay on the team. Let’s just go get some food.”

  We talked over breakfast — the upcoming hol
idays and the plans that my parents were making. Greg told us that he’d let us handle telling them ourselves, laughing when he said that Mom would probably approve. She always loved Jackson.

  Greg gathered his stuff when we got back to the apartment and headed home. Jackson decided to deal with his car later.

  I longed for this to stop with Joe, but I knew how headstrong Jackson could be.

  The following day at the stadium, Joe approached me once Jackson was out of sight.

  “I heard how much your brother went off the other night, Em. I suppose it’s over between you and your lover boy?” I shot him a look, and he chuckled. “Everyone knew. Everyone also knows that he was just using you for a fuck. Jackson doesn’t take women seriously, you know. He fucks them and leaves, no matter how much it takes to get it from them. Maybe he should use that aggression on the field.”

  “What are you suggesting?” I asked him, horrified at what I thought he was hinting at.

  “He’s talked a few into it or forced them. Whatever you want to call it. Jackson has the girls scared to tell on him, so he’ll keep his job here. Politics,” Joe waved his hand in the air.

  “I seem to recall you hitting on me in such a way, Joe. Don’t you? Jackson had to stop you. From what I’ve heard and experienced, you’re the aggressive one.” I knew that I had something on him and he sneered.

  Steering him to talk about himself was almost too easy.

  “The girls want it. They want a football player fuckboy and I give it to them. I know what they want more than they do.”

  “I didn’t want you.”

  “Yes, you did. Your eyes made it clear that you wanted my cock, even though you were fighting it. I would have worn you down eventually.”

  “I didn’t want you. I have never wanted you.”

  “That’s what the girls always say afterwards.”

  “How many girls?”

  “Who cares? They get a ride on my cock and afterwards they change their stories. It’s their word against mine. I’m untouchable.”

  “I think the women would disagree.”

  “Gossip. Those girls make too much shit up,” Joe said.

  “I’ve heard it from a lot of girls.”

  “So what? No one can prove anything and it’s just a case of he said, she said.”

  “Actually, it’s more like he said, she said, and she said, and she said.”

  “Whatever, no one has any proof. As I said, I know what they want more than they do. I know you wanted me that night and your lover boy’s poorly timed entrance only makes me want you even more as I was denied what I wanted.”

  “Not if you were the last man on Earth…”

  “Seriously, once Jackson is bored of you, I’ll make you mine… for the night.”

  “You get up to a lot at night, don’t you?”

  “There are no security cameras at Jackson’s place, I checked, and no one saw me. Nothing a body shop couldn’t fix.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “You aren’t that bright, are you? Of course the keying can be fixed.”

  “Actually, I am bright. I didn’t just admit to damaging someone’s property. You just admitted to it. Neither Jackson nor I told anyone. Not even Bella or Nick. How could you know about that? You could have only known if you did it.”

  Joe blanched a little.

  I noticed Coach walking down the hall.

  “Sir? May I have a word with you?” I called out.

  I strode forward as Coach gave us a curious look, asking to speak to him in his office. I told him about Joe’s confession about the keying, as well as what happened to myself and to several other women. I said that some would be also willing to come forward. I showed him my phone. I’d recorded it all and suspected that the team would back me up.

  I left his office with him and found Joe standing outside looking angry.

  “Emma?”

  Jackson appeared around the corner to see me with Joe and Coach standing near us.

  Coach asked me if he could borrow the phone and I handed it to him, setting it up to play what I had, and he shot a dark look at Joe before walking away.

  “I want to see you in fifteen minutes, Joe,” said Coach.

  Joe glared at me and then at Jackson before pacing down the hall and out of sight.

  CHAPTER 26

  JACKSON

  Joe stomped past us with his bag in hand, silent as he left the stadium.

  “Jackson?” I turned to see Coach walking over to hand Emma her phone. “Let’s talk.”

  I stared at Emma, not sure what to expect. I followed him into his office. I knew that my agent had been trying to get a hold of me, but I needed to set things straight with Coach first.

  “I’ve heard rumors of your car being vandalized. We have cameras here for your safety. I heard what Joe did at your place and I think I understand the fight a bit more now. What was it about?”

  “A girl,” I replied.

  “That little firecracker out there?” I nodded with a smile. “She stood right up for you today, son. She didn’t care that Joe was there. She got it all on her phone for me to hear, though he’s been on a close watch since day one. She’s a smart one.”

  “Yeah, she is. One of the smartest people I know,” I agreed.

  “I’ve just suspended Joe for several games, and will recommend to the owner that he get fined. That’s just for the keying. As for the other issues, we are going to launch an investigation, and so will the league. I doubt he will be back any time soon.”

  “What about me?”

  “I need all hands on deck. Do you think that you can go out there and play to win? I’m going to need you now more than ever.”

  I looked curiously at him.

  “You’re staying. I see what pushed you into that and you’re a better man than Joe. You have promise and I’m going to make sure we renew your contract.”

  I breathed a sigh of relief and slumped back into the seat.

  “The other guys stand by you as well. A few have said things they’ve heard and seen and it all added up. One witnessed the way that he’s spoke to Emma in the past as well as bragging about what he did to your vehicle with the headlight.”

  I knew that Nick had a part in that and grinned. “Thank you, Coach. You won’t regret this.”

  “Good. Let’s dress down and get out to the field.”

  He got up and walked into the locker room. He called out to the other guys to be outside in ten minutes and I saw Nick grinning at me.

  “Thanks, man. He’s keeping me,” I said.

  Nick nodded, as the other guys gathered around. “Thanks to all you guys.”

  “We know who the better teammate is,” the backup quarterback said.

  “Let’s get out there.”

  We walked to the field together as I looked up at the stands to see Emma smiling. I got to stay here with her now. I smiled at her and she blew me a kiss.

  I kept walking, knowing that I still had to prove myself. This time, I knew that I could. We had a great practice.

  Later, we went to get Emma’s stuff from Bella’s apartment and grabbed some burgers on the way home. I looked at her as she sat on the couch, eating her sandwich.

  “You weren’t scared of Joe?” I asked

  “No. He’s just a guy, and I knew that we had enough on him. I spoke to Nick recently, and I just took the opportunity,” Emma said with a shrug. “There was so much talk about him around the girls’ locker room that I knew some of it had to be true. That and the fact that he came on so aggressive to me. That’s just who he is, and he can’t get away with it forever.”

  I shook my head, amazed at how this all turned out.

  “What’s his punishment?” Emma asked.

  “A fine and a suspension. I expect that there could be some criminal charges against him. And I get to stay here while you’re in school and we can live here together.”

  “Live together?” Emma asked. I gave her a crooked smile.


  “We started out that way and it worked well. Let’s try again,” I suggested.

  She smiled. “This is insane, you know.”

  “We have known each other for years, Em. It makes sense.”

  “I already got my stuff, so I suppose that means I already said yes.”

  I leaned over to kiss her, and she smiled.

  We finished our dinner and then made our way to bed where I stripped her and pushed her back on the bed, kissing her neck softly.

  “I love you,” I said before sucking her skin between my teeth, making her gasp. I was happy and looking forward to the future. After the long emotional day, I felt she was, too.

  We made a trip to Emma’s parents to break the news to them about us being together. I called it. Her mom was in tears from her happiness and her dad looked like annoyed for a few moments.

  “You’re like a son to us but…”

  I took a deep breath.

  “I know, sir. I want to focus on my football career and your daughter, both. I’ve been crazy about her for a few years now and I will cherish her. I swear that to you.” I gave him a serious look and then smiled at Emma.

  “Honey, we’ve known Jackson for so long. If we can trust anyone with our daughter, it would be him,” Emma’s mom said.

  “I knew that this would happen when you moved out. You’re a beautiful girl and you’ll attract attention everywhere you go. You’ll keep her safe, Jackson?” He looked at me and I nodded.

  “Always. It might drive her crazy sometimes how much I’ll protect her,” I grinned and Emma groaned. Greg came through the door and looked us over as he dropped his keys on the coffee table.

  “You’re still alive. That’s a good sign,” he remarked.

  “Greg, darling,” Emma’s mom said. “You boys have always been overprotective of Emma when she was going to grow up just fine.”

  “I was pretty angry myself, but I think they’re good together. He knows how great Em is,” Greg said.

  “You’re good?” Emma asked.