Chapter 62 ~The Setup~
(Fiona's POV)
I stopped in my tracks, my ears perked up with interest. “What happened the day Dakota and Xander kissed?”
Jackson looked like he was conflicted about whether or not to tell me. He walked up to me, his stride slow. “Actually, it's a long story, but I'll make it brief.”
I stared at him, anxiety tearing through me. I had a feeling this was not going to be good… but I managed to stay silent and wait for him to speak.
“The first day I saw you at the breakfast table, I told Nova that,” he took a deep breath. “That I liked you.”
Okay… how did I not notice this?
I've seen him staring at me a couple of times, he'd checked up on me while I was still living in Nightfang… heck, he was the one who drove me home the day I was stranded, but somehow it never occurred to me.
“Jackson, I don't know what to say..”
I truly didn't.
“I know, just let me finish speaking,” he spoke softly, like he was hurting. “I knew… I know that you have a mate, Xander, but I guess, I just… Nova told me you guys were not serious.”
I almost laughed. Really?
I kept quiet, listening to him.
He continued. “She said that he wanted to sign a mating contract with her and when she refused, he opted for you to make her jealous.”
This time, I did laugh. I laughed because maybe she was right.
“She said you were a nobody at school, a nerd… she said other things, but I'm not sure I can say them. Well, as stupid as it sounds, I did like you… very much, actually. I thought you deserved better.” He took a deep breath. “I thought you deserved me.”
“Jackson…” I zoned out. I barely knew him. When did all of this happen?
“I confided in Nova and she said she’ll help me. I didn't know that she'd involve Dakota in the plan.”
“What plan?” Suspense was killing me.
He looked like he was struggling to force out the words. “Nova knew about Xander's problems on the hockey team and she knew that the first person he'd call would be Dakota. We planned that Dakota would kiss Xander and probably seduce him, thereby getting him away from you… but you walked in on them.”
My heart broke even more. “Jackson, how could you? That was low… very low.”
“That's not all.” This time, he was shaking.
There's more? Honestly, I had a bad feeling… I steadied myself.
“When you and Xander were quarreling, and I drove you to your parents, it was also our plan. Nova and I planned that I'd drug you and take advantage of you.”
“What!” I yelled.
“...but I just couldn't bring myself to go through with it. That was why I didn't insist on dropping you in your driveway. I wasn't sure what would happen if I spent another minute with you.” He was crying now.
A thick lump formed in my throat. So it was their plan all along and I kept on blaming Xander for it.
Now he was in police custody because of my stupidity.
I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat, willing myself not to cry.
I still couldn't say anything. Thankfully, Edgar walked out of his room and went past us down the stairs.
Nova walked out almost immediately.
I could tell that she was eavesdropping.
She walked towards Jackson and glared at him. “You're such a betrayer. I wish I never had you as my brother.”
I could hear Edgar turn on the car's ignition outside. I needed to leave before he drove off.
I threw one last glance at the two. Nova and Jackson. “You both sicken me.” I meant it.
I ignored the hurt look on Jackson's face and Nova's scowl and ran down the stairs to meet Edgar and Yara.
I met up with them just as he was about to drive off. I muttered an apology and went to the backseat.
“Fiona,” Yara looked at me worriedly. “Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost.”
“I'll be okay.” I said simply, not wanting to give her the gory details I'd just heard.
I bent my head on my lap, sobbing quietly. All I could think of during the drive was how much of a horrible person I was to not notice Xander hurting.
Yara quietly comforted me during the drive.
We finally arrived at the station. Edgar talked with them for a while and finally, Xander walked out.
I saw him walking out with the shadow of a limp. He wore a torn singlet and had a purple eye.
We embraced tightly for such a long time that I almost felt my ribs crack.
I caressed his face and swollen eyes. “Xander, what happened there?”
Only Xander Theon Grayson would smirk in such a situation, and he did. “Let's just say the older inmates have no appreciation for devilishly handsome faces.”
I shoved him playfully.
“Is it because of the arrest that you look so distraught?” He must have noticed my dismay. I was still reeling from Jackson's confession.
I wouldn't tell him… he was just coming out of police custody. We wouldn't want another case of attempted murder on our hands.
“I'm so sorry for everything that happened. I didn't know Dakota set you up and I've put us through hell.”
He looked so confused. “Oh… she set me up?”
I chuckled lightly. Xander was always an oblivious one. “All that doesn't matter. What matters is that you've forgiven me, right?”
He grinned. “Of course, matter of fact, I'll prove it.”
He leaned in and kissed me fully on my lips. His hands wrapped around my waist.
I couldn't control the butterflies that were threatening to rupture my belly and escape.
I returned his kiss, digging in with my tongue to taste the sweetness of his mouth. He moaned sensually in my mouth, and a cold shiver ran through my body.
His hands were digging lower into my dress… a cough startled us away from each other.
Yara scratched her neck. “Can you save this for later guys… we're kind of surrounded by cops… and Edgar.”
I looked around to see that most people were staring at us. I turned red instantly.
Xander on the other hand, was unbothered. “They could learn one or two things.”
I laughed, burying my face in his chest.
“So, we're good, but what about your dad? That man terrifies me.” Xander spoke abruptly.
I turned to see Edgar approaching us. “So does yours… and as for my dad, I'll handle him.”
Edgar looked far from pleased. With a strong frown, he walked past us. “Car!”
We all scurried after him to go to the car.
The drive was filled with heavy, awkward silence.
I could see Edgar gripping the steering wheel tightly.
Suddenly, he screeched the car to a stop. “Alexander, why didn't you tell him you were kicked out of NorthVale's hockey team?”
My jaw slackened. How did he know?
He didn't wait for Xander to respond. His voice boomed. “You're changing schools. I can see that you seem distracted. I should have put you in a school with people of our type from the beginning. It was my mistake.”