TWENTY-SEVEN
SOPHIE
NOW
“I can’t believe you brought us here.”
Jax smiled, holding Ben on his shoulders.
We were in Miami for the Super Bowl tomorrow night. The Fort Worth Big Horns had been undefeated all season, and now they were playing against Jax’s former team, the Miami Sharks who had the home field advantage. I was definitely nervous about how tomorrow night would go.
The last thing I wanted was for Jax to get booed by fans who still believed he was a traitor for leaving Miami to play Fort Worth. Jax didn’t have the same apprehension I did about the game. He was calm, cool, and collected. Seeming unfazed about how the season turned out in general.
A lot had changed in the three months since Jax told me the truth. Evie did end up moving to Fort Worth, and she lived a few miles away from us. Ben adored her. He was so happy to have an aunt who spoiled him rotten. On top of my mom and Jax’s, they were both just as bad when it came to giving him everything he asked for.
To our surprise, Jax’s mom filed for divorce from his father. After he told her the truth about Evie, she didn’t think twice about it. They didn’t have a prenuptial agreement, so she was entitled to half of all their assets. She didn’t need it, though. She was born into a wealthy family.
Our relationship with his mother had done a complete one-eighty. What she didn’t do for Jax, she made up for with Ben. She was present in his life on the daily, taking turns with my mom to watch him for me now that I was back in the cave. It was my term for writing my next book.
They were a huge help. I was beyond grateful to have the support. I knew Jax appreciated it as well. His dynamic with both our moms was also different. Slowly but surely, they were forming a bond with each other.
“Dad, what is this place?”
“This is where your mom and I ran into each other the night we made you.”
“Oh…” Ben looked around the restaurant/bar. He made the most adorable expression, asking, “How did you make me?”
I chuckled. I couldn’t help it. “I knew that was coming. You fell right into that one, Daddy.”
Jax grinned, winking at me. “Well, son. Your mom has always had the sweetest p—”
“Jax!”
“What?” He teasingly smiled. “I was going to say personality. Mommy only has one thing on her mind.”
I playfully glared at him while Ben questioned, “What’s that?”
“She wants to give you a sibling.”
“Really?!” Ben gasped. “I want a brother!”
Jax walked out onto the balcony where there were tables set up for lunch.
Placing Ben in a chair, he countered, “Hopefully a baby sister.”
“Eww! I don’t want a sister. Girls are gross.”
“Girls are gross?” Jax looked over at me. “What have you been teaching our son?”
We sat down.
“To not be like his daddy.”
“But, Mom… I want to be just like Dad. One day, I’m going to be the G.O.A.T. Right, Dad?”
Ruffling Ben’s hair, he retorted, “I will happily pass the torch.”
“Speaking of passing the torch,” I added, using this opportunity to ask the burning question of the hour. “Any idea on when you plan to retire?”