Page 22 of Subtracting the Heart

Cade smiled. “Their jeans are in the dryer. They want to look respectable today, and they don’t have any other clothes. Do you have extra razors and toothbrushes? I was about to go to the drug store for them.”

Ford sighed. “Upstairs in the hallway is a closet with lots of extra things because Winnie doesn’t believe we can shop for ourselves. Take them up there and let them choose. There are three full baths in this place, besides ours. Let them get cleaned up.

“What was the doorbell?” Ford jumped the line to make his own coffee.

Cade pointed to a stack of jerseys and hats. “Jax sent them some game gear. Anyway, are you… You don’t have to come with us. Stay here and sleep.

“I can sleep all day tomorrow. Today’s Christmas Eve. I like it a lot better than Christmas Day.” Ford didn’t elaborate.

It was no surprise that Cade would question him. “Why?”

There were truths that needed to be told, for certain, but it wasn’t the time. Ford pulled a pad and paper from the junk drawer in the kitchen and wrote a note.

He handed it to Cade with a smile. “I’ll share, I promise, but we have to get through right now. So?”

Thankfully, the hot little brunet nodded and let things go. There was plenty of time to explore Ford’s childhood and his fucked-up family. He’d rather do it in the doldrums of January. He loved Christmas and was looking forward to spending it with those he adored, for the first time in at least a hundred years—or so it felt. It had been a long time.

“Wow!” There was a collective gasp as the boys were shown the guest box Jax had reserved at the stadium for them after the young men got a tour of the stadium and a trip to the sidelines to watch the team warming up. Ford was impressed as well. He’d never had the opportunity to see Jax in action like that before.

They’d met several of the players who were gracious, and when Jax came through the line, he signed each of the shirts the boys were wearing, including the new one Cade wore. He didn’t sign Ford’s shirt. He kissed him on the lips for anyone to see which made his heart beat faster.

“After the game, I’ve got something waiting at home for you guys. Have a great time and cheer. I need as much encouragement as I can get.” Jax didn’t seem like the Ragin’ Cajun at all.

The boys ate like wolverines. Ford guessed he’d had the same voracious appetite at eighteen, but he didn’t remember it. The only thing left on the buffet was fruit, which Cade filled up on with a wink Ford’s way. He didn’t hesitate to grab a bowl and dive into some berries and a bagel. He knew it would only enhance his love life in the long run.

After everyone had their fill, they took seats at the tables in the front of the box to watch both teams warm up on the field and sidelines. When the boys spotted Jax, they clapped and yelled for him just as the snow started to fall.

“This is so cool. I love watching the winter games when it gets close to playoffs. They get vicious.” Ford gushed to Cade, bothof them getting caught up in the excitement of the game and the holiday spirit.

“There are seats outside if anyone wants to watch from out there. We have blankets.” An attendant appeared and pulled out a stack of blankets.

Cade walked over to the young woman and thanked her, telling her, “you’ve done more than enough.”

She smiled. “Jackson Delacroix helped me get my son into a special school for kids with autism. When I heard this was his friends-and-family day, I volunteered to work for the party. I’ll be back at the end of the quarter with more food. Have a great time,” she told them.

Ford didn’t even have to think about it. He held up his arm and when Cade snuck under it and buried his head into Ford’s chest, he just held him tightly. Jackson Delacroix was a remarkable man, and he was theirs.

Ford and Cade walked out onto the terrace area of the box and stood at the rail while the anthem was played. He was happy to see the six boys had followed them out and had their hands over their hearts and their hats off their heads as a sign of respect. They all cheered when it was over and the honor guard marched off the field.

The home team had been introduced earlier, and they’d all shouted so loudly they’d be hoarse the rest of the day. Ford saw Jax looking up toward them and pointing after he’d settled on the sidelines.

He turned Cade to see him, and they both blew him a kiss. Then, the six young men with them did the same, which madeJax laugh down on the field. He waved back to them and turned his focus to the game.

Jax was in the center of the field as the co-captain for the coin toss. The visitors got the call, and they chose to receive, which meant the defense would take the field first. It was Jax’s favorite play; scare the shit out of the offense and stop them dead in the water. If it worked, the Chicago team had earned the wildcard berth. If not, the New Year’s game was just for the fun of it.

The music blaring over the speakers was a surprise. It was Guns N’ Roses,Welcome to the Jungle, and it was the chorus which was heavy on guitar riffs, complementing the moment perfectly. Ford hadn’t thought of the band in quite a while, and he laughed to himself. Jax had to really dig for some of those songs.

As the defensive line stalked out to the field looking menacing, Ford’s heart skipped a beat when Jax looked toward the box and kissed his fingers before he pointed up to them. It was the acknowledgment Ford had always wanted from the man, and the fact it wasn’t just for him but for Cade as well made him happier than he’d ever been in his life. It was nearly the perfect day.

It felt link nearly the perfect day until a left offensive guard lowered his head and took Jax’s legs out from under him in the second quarter. When the crowd went silent, Cade and the boys raced to the rail and watched as the coaches and trainers, followed closely by the doctor, took to the field. All Ford could see was Jax writhing in pain.

Ford held Cade’s hand. “This isn’t good.” Cade nodded in agreement. No, it wasn’t good at all.

Chapter Ten

Cade

Cade had taken the boys home after the game was over. Chicago had won in overtime and was headed to the postseason, though he wondered how well they’d do without Jackson on the line.

---