Page 3 of Greater than the Heart
“Babe, you went to the doctor today. Are you okay?” the big man asked, his eyebrow lifted.
Ford chuckled. “I’m healthy as a horse, Jackson. Why? Do I not seem to be in good health?” Cade was surprised at the bite in Ford’s voice, and based on the look on Jax’s face, he was caught off-guard too.
“I—Of course not, Branford. It’s just that you had a physical with the two of us six months ago for our insurance. You told Cade you were going to the doctor today, and we were concerned. Did something come up from your previous physical?” Jax asked.
“No!I’m perfectly fine. I had a sinus infection, but it’s gone. I just wanted to be sure it hadn’t settled into something worse. I have to go back next week for a stress test. It’s for my own self-assurance. I’ve felt some tightness in my chest lately when I work out with you two, and I just want to be cautious, okay?Don’t get all protective and ridiculous about it. It’s nothing,” Ford snapped, not looking either man in the eye.
Of course, his protestations had Cade’s radar on alert, but he wouldn’t challenge his husband. He trusted Ford. If it was something important, he was sure the man would tell them. They were a family after all.
Chapter Two
Jax
“Okay, Gary. You’re a month post-op, which means we can start to gently work the ACL. How’s the level of pain?” Jax asked. The young man was twenty-one and a Junior at Indiana State on a full ride for track and field.
Gary was a cross-country runner and had a mishap at the last meet of the year before summer break. The kid was pushed by another runner and fell over a log at The Ohio State University. The other runner was disqualified for poor sportsmanship and expelled from the school for ethics violations.
Jax had come up against jealous athletes over the years, and he believed Gary was fortunate because the guy could have done much more damage, based on the course as it was described to Jax. Unfortunately, the injury also had Gary in themaybecolumn for the qualifying meet to join the National Team. The kid wanted it, badly, but Jax didn’t want the boy to maim himself for life.
“I’ve been talking to the team therapists who say it’s time for me to get back out there, but I’m worried they’re too aggressive. They want me running again right now, and from what I’ve read, I shouldn’t even start jogging until at least three months out from surgery. It’s only been six weeks, but there’s a meet in September I was told to participate in. Hell, I don’t want to do any lasting damage, Cajun. The young man’s face showed worry, which was prudent.
“It’s way too soon for you to start running again, Gary. Tell me who these fuckers are who are trying to get you to run, and I’ll call ‘em. That’s just ridiculous. You’re still using ice to keep the swelling down in the evenings after being on it all day, right?” Jax’s voice carried a bite, though he wasn’t angry with the kid.
“Sure,” the boy replied, wringing his hands. Jax chuckled and reached out to still them.
“I’m sorry if I sounded pissed. I deplore when coaches push athletes too quickly after an injury. Are you still on pain meds?”Jax hoped he wasn’t. The twinge of pain would keep the young man from overdoing it.
“No. I only took them for the first week after surgery, then I switched to ibuprofen. I can’t have drugs in my system to stay in the NCAA. I didn’t like the feeling of being on the pills anyway. It’s a wonder I didn’t hurt myself because I thought I could do anything. Thank God, Colby was home,” the QB’s younger brother stated.
Jax chuckled, remembering his own turn with the pain pills after his broken leg. Yeah, they made him feel like he could fly, as well. Thank goodness, he had Cade and Ford to keep him safe. They didn’t let him brood, and they pushed him to get better when he needed the shove the most. He would always credit them with his recovery. They gave him the love and support he’d needed to succeed in everything.
Jax and Gary sat together for another half hour, plotting out a game plan to follow so the young man could achieve a complete recovery. It was the beginning of June, and they had about three months to work through the rehab before Gary went back to school. With a plan, the young man should be ready for the fall racing season.
“Let’s go get you set up with Megan. She’s the best post-op PT I’ve ever met. I’m glad you came to see us, Gary,” Jax told him as he led the young man to the tall brunette who was standing at the front desk, perusing the calendar.
“Megan Landing, this is Gary Napier. Here’s his file. I turn him over to your more than capable hands,” he told her with a smile.
The woman gave him a confident one in return and put a hand on Gary’s shoulder, leading him over to the therapy room. Megan was twenty-five and had been a member of the U.S. Volleyball Team, headed to the Olympics before she separated her shoulder in a climbing accident at Acadia National Park.
Megan missed the qualifying round for the Olympics due to her rehab, and with her injury, it was doubtful she’d be able to play to her full potential in the future. During her own rehab, she “found her calling,” as she’d told Jax when he’d interviewed her right after she’d graduated from UI-Carbondale. Jax hired her on the spot and was happy to have her as part of his team.
After he was sure the two of them were comfortable with each other, Jax went to his office and sat down behind his desk. With misty eyes, he scanned the top-notch facility he’d created, taking it all in once again. He knew without Cade and Ford that he’d never have been able to get it together.
“This space is perfect, Jackson. There is potential here, and I think with minimal effort, you’ll be able to make it into the facility of your dreams,” Ford told him.
It was two months after their honeymoon in Puglia, and Jax was still riding the high from the time the three of them had spent together, not even thinking about his next step other than the fact he wasn’t going to coach or coordinate anything in the NFL. His husbands were far too important to him, and he refused to do anything to discredit their importance in his life—such as hiding them. That was unacceptable.
“It’s big,” Jax responded as he looked at the abandoned discount store property in Bedford Park. It was about thirty minutes from the Greystone, but it was a perfect size for his dream facility.
Jax could see the possibilities, and with Cade’s organizational skills and continuing push for Jax to make decisions regarding the renovations, it was now exactly what he wanted it to be.
They’d added a lap pool, sauna, large fitness center, rooms for yoga and courts for handball, racquetball, or even basketball games, along with space for other specialized classes for the benefit of the members.
On the other side of the large building was a first-rate rehab facility, equipped with the necessities for the physical therapists to work out their clients and nurse them back to health. It was everything Jax had ever dreamed it could be, and with Ford and Cade’s support, he’d achieved one of his goals spectacularly.
His cell was in the charger on his desk, so he checked it to see a message from Cade, which always brought a smile to his face.
Sela’s back home so we’re having dinner together before she takes Carlie home. Is six too early? Luv u. C
