He jumps up on the bench and starts taking his gear out of the bag. Together, we get him ready. I’m not the greatest person for this, but luckily, Reed knows more than I do. We walk down the tunnel to the ice where the Gamblers are doing a shoot-out.
I take his hand as I struggle, and finally, lift him up to sit on the boards. We watch the team try their best to get past the goalie. Jax, as always, goes last and makes it. Reed claps loudly through his gloves. Jax looks over confused before a bright smile appears. His dark eyes are shining as he skates over.
“What is this?”
“Hi, Uncle Jax,” Reed smiles.
“Reed, what are you doing here?” He hugs him.
“Go ahead, Reed, tell him,” I egg him on.
“Right. Aunt Avery says we’re on date five,” he announces proudly just like we practiced. “And look, I got a new jersey.” Reed points to the back. I had one for Reed and one for me made special with Jax’s number on them.
“The Godson.”
“That’s me.” He laughs. “Aunt Avery show yours.”
I pull my hair over as Jax reads the words: Mrs. Godwin. “I like that a lot. But, I’m confused on why it’s date five.”
“Godwin!” Coach yells for Jax and he skates away.
Reed and I finish watching practice and finally, it’s over. Jax comes back over, as excited as Reed is.
“Now, explain to me what’s going on.”
“You really don’t remember?” I shake my head. Of all the dates, I thought he would remember that one.
“I’m sorry, Avery. I don’t.”
“I was working a shift at the hospital and I couldn’t come to your afternoon game. So, you thought we would have dinner that night. Ashton was on the team back then, but he got hurt in the game. You had to watch Reed while Brooke was with Ashton.”
Jax’s mouth drops as he realizes that day. “I brought Reed to your apartment, and three of us had a date.”
“I don’t remember,” Reed pops into the conversation.
“Reed, you were only two. You were still little,” I explain to him. “So, I thought for today, Reed comes and stays the night with us. You two can play on the ice for a little bit, then we’ll go grab some lunch. After that, Reed and I will watch you and Ashton play tonight. Ashton can have dinner with us before he heads off to Alabama.” I smile at Jax. “So, what do you say, Uncle Jax?”
He grins. “Come on, Reed. Let me show you how I’m beating your dad in points.” He picks him up and sits him on the ice.
I lean against the bench and watch Jax and Reed laughing, joking, and hitting the puck around. It makes me think of that night when he knocked on my door with Reed in his arms. For a second, I thought Reed was his, and he was trying to tell me. He hadn’t told me about Ashton, Brooke, or Reed until that night. I never knew why, but that night, I saw a different side of Jax. Any time Reed made a sound, he was trying to figure out was wrong with him or if he needed something. It was sweet to watch.
Just like now.
“Please explain to me why my son is wearing a Gambler’s jersey.”
I turn to see Ashton dressed for practice. “Because he loves his Uncle Jax,” I laugh.
Ashton groans as I yell for the guys. I didn’t realize time had gotten away from us. Reed waves and skates over.
“Reed, tell your dad what you learned today,” Jax smiles.
“Oh, right.” Reed looks up at Ashton. “Uncle Jax’s slap shot is better.”
I can’t help the snort that comes out when Ashton cuts Jax’s a mean look. Jax laughs at him. I swear they’re just like brothers.
“All right, let’s go, boys.” I try to keep everyone moving as the Bears begin to take the ice. Reed hugs his dad, and we head down the tunnel. Jax jumps in the locker room shower as I change Reed, and then we head off to grab some food. I leave my car at the rink because I can pick it up after the game.
“What are we going to eat, Reed?” Jax asks.