Page 63 of Subtracting the Heart

“So, how long are you going to stay in the States,” Jax asked Sela.

Ford turned his way and smiled. “I’m trying to talk her into moving back. I want her to move to Chicago. She and Carlotta are going to Long Island to see Neil and Alicia, which I advised against, but I want her to fly back with us from Europe. We can go to Paris and help her pack up everything and have it shipped over and the two of them can fly back with us. Don’t you think it’s a good idea, love?”

Jax looked out on the dance floor to see Cade on his knees dancing with Carlotta who had the brightest smile on her face. “I can see two hearts that would definitely be broken if you don’t move back. He needs someone to play with,” he teased, pointing to Cade.

Sela giggled and held up her glass of champagne. “I’ll be in touch while you’re over and see what I can organize. I have an offer from a gallery here in New York to show my work, and I’ve had offers here in the States to do some magazine work, but I’ve always declined it. Let’s see how this visit with Neil and Alicia goes. I don’t want Carlie not to have grandparents, but if our parents haven’t changed, I don’t want her to have anything to do with them.” Jax could tell she was serious.

“Okay, how about this. You come back to Chicago with us in the morning so we can appear in Court to finalize Cade’s adoption, then we’ll fly back with you and go to see your folks. If it’s awful, then you fly back to Europe with us, and we’ll have our honeymoon and then pick you two up in Paris before we all come back. It would be so great to have the two of you with us. I know Branford has missed you, Sela.” Jax knew there would be details to work out, but he was sure it was what Ford wanted.”

He glanced at Ford, noticing his face was pale. “Or maybe we, uh…” Jax backpedaled.

Ford clutched his hand. “No, I need to face them for the last time, maybe. I’m not going to live a lie, and I’m not going to hide who I am. For my own sake, I need to deal with them once and for always. If you and Kincade will be there with me, then I know I’ll be fine, and we’ll be there for Sela in case they start any shit. I’ll change flights and make reservations for you, sis. You’ll come, right?”

Jax was nodding fiercely behind Ford until his sister finally acquiesced. “Yes, we’ll come. I’ve missed you so much, Branny. So many times, I wanted to call you,” Sela said. Jax kissed Ford’shand and left him with his sister to catch up. He slid out onto the dance floor and scooped up Carlotta.

“How about a dance with Uncle Jax?”

The little brunette turned to Cade and giggled. “Okay, Uncle Lucky.” The girl gave Jax a big smile.

Jax laughed. “Don’t listen to him. He’s silly. Now, let’s get Cyrus to play the chicken dance. Do you know how to do the chicken dance?” The little girl, who laughed heartily as she shook her head that no, she didn’t know the chicken dance.

“Oh, you can’t be a member of my family and not know how to do the chicken dance,” Jax’s dramatic statement made Carlotta and Cade laugh. He led her over to the booth and the cute Filipino guy who worked at the club.

“Cyrus, my good man, can you cue up the chicken dance for my niece? It seems I have a thing or two to teach her.”

“You betcha, Jax,” Cyrus searched on his computer, finally finding the music.

“Okay, everybody, let’s do thechicken dance,” Cyrus announced over the speaker as the rousing polka-like music began playing. Jax showed Carlotta how to do the moves and then how to dance arm in arm in a circle. Everyone got up and joined them, and the photographer was busily snapping photos. When he looked at the photographer, he noticed it wasn’t the guy they’d hired, it was Sela.

He was looking forward to seeing the photos. He’d seen her work online when Cade found her website, and she was fantastic at her craft. It would be a day to remember, for certain.

“Both of you at the same time.” Cade led both of them into their suite. Jax could tell he was a little intoxicated, but he looked so damn cute.

“I distinctly remember you telling us not to listen to you if you ever wanted to double down, chére. We’re not about to take advantage of you, you little tease.”

“No, Kincade, I have a request. Will you help me get ready for Jackson? I’d like to have both of you make love to me, but I’ll need some prep for his monster cock.” Ford glanced at Jax’s crotch and then laughed along with Cade.

Jax stared at his husband. “How drunk are you?”

“Just a little buzzed, but I want to do it, Jackson. We’re married, love. I want both of my new husbands to make love to me, especially since Rina and Sela cockblocked us last night.” Ford took both of their hands and squeezed.

“Well, okay, but it’s not… I mean, I love sucking your cock, baby. That’s…” Jax was giving Ford an out. He might be swept up in the excitement around the wedding and might regret it. Jax didn’t want that memory to taint their wedding night.

“No. Go to the bar and have a drink while Ford and I discuss this. Give us an hour, okay, Lucky?” Cade was insistent.

Of course, Jax couldn’t say no, so he nodded before pecking Cade then Ford on their cheeks. He left the two of them to their preparations, which seemed like some secret ritual to him because he’d never bothered to ask what it entailed when Cade slipped off. He took the elevator down to the lobby and went to the bar, taking a seat at the end next to a bowl of peanuts.

“Good evening. What can I get you?” The bartender was dressed in traditional bartender garb—black slacks, white shirt, black tie, and black vest. He was about forty if Jax was judging right, though a handsome man. Jax noticed a wedding ring when he placed a fancy cocktail napkin in front of him and offered a nice smile.

“I’ll have a bourbon neat and a glass of ice water, please.” Jax reached into the breast pocket of his tuxedo to find his wallet, which he pulled out.

“Oh, Cajun, these are on me. I’m a huge fan, sir. How’s the leg? That kid shoulda been suspended for spearing. I had a C-note on that game.” The guy snickered.

Jax pulled out a hundred and placed it on the bar. “Well, the League didn’t see it that way, but it sure felt like the little fuck had it in for me. Did you win or lose?”

“Oh, I cleaned up. Won a grand on Chicago. Took the wife out for a magnificent time on New Year’s and still put a little in the bank. You in town for a function? Nice tux.” The man went about fixing Jax’s order.

When he placed them on the bar and smiled at Jax, he knew he had to be honest. “Actually, I got married today. I’m doin’ the new groom thing to give him time to get ready.” Jax waited to see the man’s reaction.

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