Page 10

Chapter Ten

JACKSON

S pirits were high in the locker room. We didn’t just win our first game against the Vancouver Vikings, we conquered them. Chad got his first playoff shutout, which earned him the puck of the game.

Our next game is in two days, so tonight we’re celebrating at Triana again. Everyone loves the atmosphere, and sure, I didn’t have the best experience last time, but I’m choosing to give the place a second chance.

Chad invited Jane and Izzie to come. I thought for sure Izzie would decline. But she surprised me by tagging along, and she’s now sitting across from me, sandwiched between two of my oldest friends, Frederico Tavares, a forward for the Miami Stars Futbol Club, and Grayson Knight, the Miami Mavericks QB. Both are easy on the eye and popular with the ladies, and I find myself somewhat bothered that they’re giving Izzie far too much attention.

Caroline, who’s sitting next to me, touches my arm. “How’s your jaw, Jacks?”

“What?” I turn her, surprised by her question.

“Your jaw. That Viking thug got you good.”

I shrug. “I can’t feel a thing.”

“That’s surprising, since it’s swollen and already turning purple,” Izzie pipes up.

I didn’t know she was paying attention to me. I’m weirdly pleased.

“He most likely isn’t lying,” Grayson chimes in, sporting a smirk. “Darcy can take a beating.”

I groan. “Don’t remind me of that incident.”

“What incident?” Caroline asks. “I want to know.”

“It’s nothing.” I glare at my friend.

Grayson laughs. “Don’t give me that look. You’re the one who mentioned the incident .”

“That’s not fair,” Caroline whines. “You can’t tease me with juicy gossip about your past and not follow through.”

“I didn’t realize I was teasing you.” I take a large sip of my beer to avoid being rude to her.

Caroline’s a bit spoiled, and not great company, but I endure her from time to time for Chad’s sake.

“It happened when Darcy and Knight were visiting me in London,” Frederico chimes in. “I had just signed a contract with Arsenal, and we were out celebrating.”

“For fuck’s sake.” I pinch the bridge of my nose.

“We went pub crawling and bumped into a group of Manchester United fans. They recognized me and started being assholes. There were six of them against us three. Jackson didn’t care that we were outnumbered.” Frederico shakes his head and smiles. “Good times.”

“But what happened?” Caroline asks.

“I ended up with a broken nose and a concussion.” I take another sip of my beer, and my eyes connect with Izzie’s. She’s frowning, and I want to know why. “Do you have a comment, Izzie?”

She winces as if she’s surprised that I put her on the spot. “No comment.” She pushes her chair back and stands up.

Maybe it’s the alcohol making my tongue lose, but I ask, “Where are you going?”

“Why do you know want to know? Are you my daddy now?”

My brows arch, and my thoughts go straight to the gutter.

“Damn, I wish I was her daddy,” Frederico says once she’s out of earshot.

I guess I’m not the only one who turned her comment into something dirty.

“I don’t think she meant the double entendre,” I grumble.

“I don’t know… she probably did,” Caroline interjects.

I’m glad that Jane and Chad are not sitting close to us and don’t hear her malicious comment.

From the corner of my eye, I see Wickham leave the table as well. I couldn’t stop him from coming to Triana, but I was glad he sat far away from me. I follow him with my eyes and see him disappear into the hallway that leads to the restrooms. Knowing him, I doubt he needs to pee. I bet he’s going after Izzie.

I shouldn’t care. Izzie isn’t a na?ve eighteen-year-old girl. She doesn’t need my protection. I try to pay attention to what Frederico and Grayson are saying, but my mind is elsewhere. I last in my chair for a couple minutes before I go after Izzie.

* * *

IZZIE

My face is flushed. I can’t believe Jackson asked me point blank if I had a comment about his story. I usually would have, but I made the mistake of picturing Jackson fighting some hooligans and got all hot and bothered. I never had a thing for brutish men before, but the issue with Jackson is that he doesn’t act like he’d go all savage on someone’s ass. He’s proper and cold, and even when he was upset with me, he suppressed his anger. After witnessing him play, I know what he’s capable of. I suppose it’s the combination of cold and explosive that’s making my head spin.

Splashing cold water on my face helps a little, but I’m still out of sorts when I walk out of the restroom. I planned to head to the bar and say hello to Manuel, but I bump into Gavin.

“Hey.” I smile.

“Hi, there. Fancy seeing you here,” he replies cheekily.

“We didn’t have a chance to talk much tonight, did we?”

He shoves his hands in his pockets. “No. Darcy and his friends have hogged all your time.”

“Well… you’re sitting a bit far from me.”

“Only because you’re right across from Darcy. I give him a wide berth whenever possible.”

“That makes sense.”

He tilts his head. “Does it? Sometimes I think I’m the only one who’s able to see his true colors.”

I am curious why Gavin dislikes Jackson so much. If Jackson’s going to be a part of Jane’s life thanks to his friendship to Chad, I need to know the reason.

“I’m going to the bar to get a drink. Come and we’ll chat.”

“You’re on, but I’m buying.”

I shake my head. I doubt Manuel will charge me. “Sure.”

We’re halfway to the bar when Jackson appears out of nowhere and blocks our path. “I see you couldn’t stay away from Izzie for very long.” He looks at Gavin—well, not looks, glowers.

“What’s your problem, Darcy?” Gavin asks.

“You’re my problem,” he grits out. “You need to stay away from the Bennet sisters.”

“Excuse me?” I butt in.

Jackson turns to me. “Trust me on this.”

My brows shoot to the heavens. “Trust you? I don’t even know you. Who do you think you are to dictate who I socialize with?”

He narrows his eyes, and a muscle in his jaw ticks. “Fine. Ask him about the 2015 Junior Championship.”

“You’re such a jackass, Darcy.”

Manuel walks over. “Is everything okay here?”

“Yes, everything’s fine,” Gavin replies. “We’ll catch up later, Izzie. I’d better not piss off the captain, or I might get benched.”

Gavin walks away, and I’m fucking mad. I turn to Jackson. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

“You don’t know Wickham like I do. Trust me, I did you a favor.”

My jaw drops. “You know what, Jackson? Why don’t you stick your favor up where the sun don’t shine.”

His nostrils flare. “Fine. I won’t interfere again. If you want to socialize with the likes of Wickham, who am I stop you? But be warned, whoever joins with pigs eats bran.”

He spins on his heels and walks back to our table.

“Joder. Este tío es un cabrón,” Manuel pipes up.

“Yes, he’s a bastard all right.”

“He’s best friends with Jane’s fiancé, sí?”

“Unfortunately.”

Manuel touches my shoulder. “Forget about him. Come to the bar and I’ll make you a drink.”

“Thanks. I was on my way to you when Mr. Jackass showed up.”

Manuel chuckles. “Mr. Jackass. That’s a great name for him. Come on, I’ll make your favorite cocktail.”

“Espresso martini?” I smile.

“Por supuesto.”

I follow Manuel to the bar, but as much as I want to forget the interaction with Jackson, I can’t. That infuriating man got under my skin. And what is up between him and Wickham? I have to find out.