Page 45 of Overprotected

How would I explain this to Greg and Jackson’s family if he were to be traded?

I got to Bella’s apartment around eleven. I spent equal time here and at Jackson’s now, though he didn’t call me that night. I decided to study a little before bed and call it a night since everything had been so exhausting.

Bella was in her room and I was reading when my phone vibrated. It was Jackson.

“Hi, I was hoping to hear from you,” I said as I dropped back against the couch.

“Hey, baby,” Jackson slurred a little and I frowned. He didn’t drink a lot.

“Are you home?” I asked, hoping that he didn’t drive anywhere.

“Yeah. I went out drinking with Nick after practice and he’s here now. I’m fine, Em. Coach talked to me today. He’s pissed and said not to pull that shit again or else I’m gone. Joe is the star and blamed me for everything,” I could hear the pain in his voice, and I bit my lip. “I know he’s going to push it with me. Joe’s going to try to make me come after him again because he wants me gone.”

“Why? You aren’t threatening to take his position on the team.” I was confused.

Jackson sighed. “It’s just guy stuff. I’m okay for now, apart from not practicing today while that asshole smirked the entire time. He’s going to keep at me. I’m going to get some sleep. I’ll call you tomorrow and maybe we’ll have lunch.”

We ended the call, and I felt disappointment surge through me. I wondered if I should step in and say something about the situation. I knew that Joe wasn’t a good man. I ran my hands through my hair as I looked around the small living room. I should be at the apartment with him, but I was giving us both some space.

I decided to plan another romantic dinner for the two of us as soon as possible, rekindling what we started. We needed to strengthen things so he’d have something good to think about. Joe was not going to leave this alone, and I suspected that he had it in for Jackson and possibly always had.

I fell asleep after trying to study, thinking too much about Jackson to get anything done. I turned off the light, dropped back to the pillow and I sighed slowly. I needed to move back to the apartment.

The week continued with school and work, and Jackson kept his attitude positive. I spent a little time with him, but we were almost always busy. It made me want to move in with him even more, but something made me hold back. I knew that we were both holding back a bit given that we weren’t telling our families anything but moving in was an option, wasn’t it? All this had to come out eventually, and I considered telling Greg myself. Then I imagined his anger, coming here immediately. It would be ugly, and I wasn’t ready for that yet.

We’d keep it like this for a little while longer. We could tell them over the holidays. I knew that Jackson cared about me with the way he treated me. It wasn’t a public display of affection every time we were seen together but behind closed doors, he made me feel beautiful and loved. He just didn’t say those words to me yet, and I held back as well. This was too complicated to rush along and if it was going to be forever like I wanted it to be, I needed to take it slowly.

I just kept on with my life. I loved school and work and felt like I was making some great friends. It was nice to report all this to my family though I felt a bit sad that I couldn’t mention Jackson apart from the fact that he was helping me out a lot. He was being great about it.

Greg was still telling both of us that he was going to visit soon, and I did welcome that idea. I wanted to see him but what I didn’t want was to hide what I had with Jackson from him. I didn’t want to hide my love for Jackson.

We all traveled to the next few games since it was considered safer for the girls. We didn’t go as far as we did at home games, but it was nice to be able to support the team and had a great time doing it. The cheerleaders were front and center and I was happy to see that Joe seemed to want to focus on the game and leave Jackson alone.

I also noticed that Jackson didn’t play at all and looked angry as he watched the victorious game. I sank in my seat and watched quietly, drawing back from the group. They were so happy about the win and while I was too, I was worried for Jackson. I was worried for his well-being and the way I noticed Joe smirking at him as he ran by.

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