Their New Beginning (Oh Captain, My Captain 5)
“Chicken nuggets.”
“Of course,” Jax smiles and heads to the nearest restaurant.
We spend the afternoon together. Jax buys anything Reed looks at or even touches. I swear Brooke is going to yell at Jax tomorrow when she sees the guitar to go with drum set. Let’s not forget the amp, too.
The three of us go back to the house, so Jax can rest a little bit before the game. I still worry about his shoulder, but he seems fine. Moreover, he keeps touching me: a brush against my neck, rubbing against my ass or his hand a little too high up on my side, close to my breast. If Reed weren’t here, I would have had sex in the car with him and wouldn’t care who saw us.
Reed and I watch cartoons while Jax lounges in the bed, taking a nap. I can’t think of a better day. It’s great and makes me thankful that Jax and I are still together. I would miss Reed, Ashton, and Brooke. They’re a part of our lives.
Jax jogs down the stairs in his light colored suit, ready to head to the game. We all head out to the car and drive to the rink. I have another surprise, but this is for Reed more than Jax.
“Where are we going?” Reed looks confused as we head down toward the glass sections, right behind the players’ bench.
“Well, we always sit up high. How about we sit behind Uncle Jax’s bench?”
“Yes!” Reed goes bolting for the glass, and it takes me a second to catch up. That kid is quick.
When the Gamblers come out, Jax sees him and waves with a big smile. Even Ashton sees him and waves.
“Do you think Uncle Jax will score tonight? What about Dad?” Reed is bouncing with excitement.
“I hope they both score.” I try to play fair, but even with Jax’s week off, he’s still three points ahead of Ashton.
When the guys go to center ice for the face off, I can see Jax’s mouth running, and Ashton shaking his head. I can only image what Jax’s saying at that moment. Reed is a ball of bouncing hyper-ness. He can barely sit still. He yells for his dad and Jax. I smile. My favorite part is that every time the lines change, Jax winks at Reed. No matter what.
Yes, Jax’s going to be a great dad.
At the end of the second period, it’s still scoreless. Reed had a whole thing of nachos, but I refused to give him soda. It’s water only. The kid isn’t going to be able to sleep tonight, let alone be able to eat dinner with us.
We watch on the edge of our seats as the midway through the third period, Jax finally scores. Reed is jumping all around. I have to give credit to Ashton. He tries so hard to score, but nothing hits the back of the net.
The game ends one to zero.
“Dad didn’t score, huh?”
“Um, no, and let’s not mention it at dinner either, okay?”
“Okay.”
I take Reed’s hand and we head out to the Mustang to wait for the guys. He’s still talking about his day and the game. I wish I knew where this kid gets his energy. I should have taken a nap.
When Jax comes out, Reed goes racing
to him and leaps into this arm. Jax catches him with ease. Ashton steps out a moment later.
“Hi, Dad.” Jax hands Reed off to him. “You didn’t score, but I’m not going to tell anyone.”
Jax busts out laughing, and I hide my smile behind my hands as Ashton shakes his head.
“Thanks, little man. I’m sure no one will ever know.” He looks at Jax. “I don’t have much time.”
“Let’s go.”
We all pile into the Mustang and head to a small diner near Ashton’s hotel where the team is staying. It’s a great time with the guys. Reed talks about his guitar, and Ashton’s sure Brooke will kill Jax later. The guys talk about hockey, while Reed and I color the pictures in the coloring book the hostess gave him.
Jax drops Reed and me off at my car. Reed says his goodbyes to Ashton, and it’s sweet how they are together. Jax takes Ashton to the hotel as we head back to our house.
Reed takes a bath and puts on his pajamas. We are on the couch when Jax comes in. He smiles at me and head up to the bedroom to change. After changing, Jax comes back downstairs and sits next to Reed.