Page 177 of Check & Chase
My phone buzzes as I pull into her parking lot. Jackson, his name lighting up my screen. I hesitate, thumb hovering over the decline button. Whatever he wants, it can wait.
But something stops me. After tonight’s game and what happened, I should at least check if he’s okay.
“Jackson?” I answer, keeping the engine running.
“Mitchell,” he says, his voice surprisingly friendly for someone whose team just lost. “Hell of a series, man.”
“Thanks. You guys played great.”
“Just wanted to say I appreciate what Tyler did tonight. Stepping between Rodriguez and me.”
“He’s a good guy. Always has been, despite everything that happened before.”
“Yeah, well, it confirms what I’ve been thinking about you too.” He pauses. “You’re different than I expected. Better.”
The unexpected compliment catches me off guard. “Thanks, Jackson. That means a lot, coming from you.”
“You heading to see my sister now?”
I glance at the apartment building. “Yeah, if that’s okay with you.”
He laughs. “Doesn’t matter if it’s okay with me. It’s Emma’s life. But for what it’s worth, I approve. You two make sense together.”
I take a deep breath, seizing the opportunity. “Actually, Jackson, there’s something I wanted to ask you.”
“What’s up?”
“I know this might seem old-fashioned, but I want to ask Emma to marry me.” The words rush out before I can second-guess them. “And I’d like your blessing.”
There’s a long pause. “Why are you asking me? Shouldn’t you be talking to our mom?”
“With all due respect, Jackson, you’re the closest thing to a father figure she’s got. You’ve been looking out for her since your dad passed away. She respects your opinion more than anyone’s.”
Another pause, longer this time. “You’re serious about this?”
“I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.”
“And what about the distance? You in Pinewood, her in Hartford? Rival teams and all that?”
“We’ll figure it out. I’ve been talking to my agent about options when my contract’s up next year. Including signing with the Wolves.”
“Shit, Mitchell. You’d give up the Bears for her?”
“In a heartbeat.”
He whistles low. “Damn. You really do love her.”
“More than anything. So, do I have your blessing?”
“You don’t need it. But yeah, you have it. Just don’t rush her, okay? And if you ever hurt her again—”
“I know. You’ll end me.”
“Damn right I will,” he agrees, but I can hear the smile in his voice. “Good luck, Mitchell. And congratulations on the Finals.”
After we hang up, I sit in the car for a moment, processing what just happened. Jackson Anderson, who once threatened to break my legs for dating his sister, just gave me his blessing to marry her.
Then I text Emma.
