Page 80 of Power Forward

But the look of unconditional love shining in his eyes tells me he would do it all again without a shadow of a doubt.

He did it all for me.

“I… Will you help me pack later?”

“Yeah, I will. Let’s just lie here for a bit.” He tugs me closer and drops a kiss to the top of my head. “I just need to hold you for a while.”

Jackson wasn’t kidding when he said the plane was leaving early the next morning. The sun wasn’t even up by the time the plane powered down the runway, but it meant we landed in Chicago before lunch, giving Jackson plenty of time to rest ahead of his game tonight.

I’m still in shock that he didn’t think twice about the repercussions that it would have had on his career if something happened and he missed the game.

We ended up falling asleep yesterday, then lost track of time making out. By the time we got around to eating the lunch Zara had prepared, it was late afternoon. Jackson helped me pack up as much as I could. Mainly clothes and my medication, but I wasn’t too worried because if I did forget anything, I could buy it in Chicago.

“The kids are going to be so excited to see you,” Jackson says as we head down the I-90.

“Were they upset that I left?”

“I think they were confused at first, but then when theywalked in on me listening to the voice message, I explained that sometimes our minds can play mean tricks on us.” He gives me a quick glance before focusing back on the road. He reaches out to take my hand. “Ryan had picked up that sometimes you seemed sad, so I think he had an idea.”

My face falls. This is what I didn’t want to happen. I didn’t want to let the kids see me when my mood was low. I didn’t want to wear the mask around them because I’m so damn tired of wearing it.

“I’m sorry. I tried so hard to keep it from them.”

He shakes his head. “No, I don’t want to shield them from things. They need to learn that not everything in life is happy and great, and I’m trying to bring them up to know that it’s okay to talk about your feelings, to show your emotions, and the only way I can do that is if I do it myself. And I don’t want you to hide yourself to protect them, Cas. They love you—something they told me yesterday morning—and if there’s days where you feel lower than others, it’s okay to show that. They’ll probably smother you in cuddles and make you watchBluey, but trust me, it works.”

A warmth spreads through me, knowing that I’m accepted and welcome as I am. But there’s one important piece of information he just dropped that comes rushing to the front of my mind.

“Wait, what?” I gasp. “They said they love me?”

His face softens as he smiles. “Yeah, they do.”

I duck my chin as my eyes blur and cheeks ache from my smile.

“Fuck,” I say under my breath. “I… Fuck, Jax. They have no idea how much it means to me.”

He squeezes my hand.

“They know.” He winks.

When we pull up outside Jackson’s Lake View home, there are several cars parked outside. I glance over at him, and the confused expression on his face tells me this is unexpected.

“What’s up?” I ask.

“I’m just wondering why there’s some of the guys’ cars here. They should be at home because morning skate would’ve been over and done by now.”

We get out and begin unloading the car. The front door swings open, and Elliot stands there wearing the costume Jackson was wearing at Peyton’s Halloween party.

“Finally! I was starting to think you’d ditched us and decided to stay in California!” he calls out with a wave. “I mean, I wouldn’t blame you—they have Disneyland. Oh, I’d come help you, but I don’t have my shoes on. Plus, you look like you’ve got it all handled.”

“Don’t worry, El. You stand there and watch,” Jackson deadpans.

Elliot responds with a double thumbs-up.

I only have two cases and a few suit bags, so we manage between us. Once we’ve got all my luggage inside, I slip out of my coat and let out a relieved exhale.

“I need coffee, stat. And you need to nap for your game,” I tell Jackson, stepping up behind him and placing my hands on his hips. “Maybe we can nap together once your goalie’s gone back to his own house.”

“Okay, this is cute and all, but sexy nap time will have towait because I have a surprise,” Elliot interrupts. He puts his hands between us and tries to wedge us apart.

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