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CHAPTER NINETEEN

MASON

I wasn’t going to be able to hold the squad back any longer. They’d been texting all morning about coming to visit us, and at this point, it might do some good for Jett to see they’d have his back too. With a deep inhale, I focused on Jett lying in his hospital bed. “Hey, babe?” I climbed out of my comfy chair. “The guys want to come by and see us. Are you up for that?”

He peered at me. “Yeah, sure.” He rolled to his side, tucking his hands under his pillows. “What else have I got to do besides sit here and worry about my dad?”

I set my hand on his side. He was supposed to be resting. Was seeing his dad today really a good idea? “You know, maybe you should put off talking to your dad to another day.”

He rolled to his back, his gaze finding mine. “I don’t know how long he’s going to be here, and I don’t want to miss this chance.” He pursed his lips. “I’m feeling much better. I think I’ll be fine.”

Just like a hockey player to tough out an injury. But this had the potential to cause permanent problems for him. Yeah, I’d Googled a few things while we’d been here. “You know, we could tell him you aren’t up to seeing visitors and to come back tomorrow. ”

His brows knitted. “I’m not up to seeing visitors, yet you’re here. He’s going to know something’s up already.” He blew a breath out of his nose. “Let me do this today, Mason. I need to get it over with.”

“Okay.” Bending down, I kissed his hair. I wished there was some way I could do it for him, but there wasn’t. And maybe all the worrying he was doing was worse for his healing anyway. I sank into my recliner and texted the squad, letting them know they could see us now and what room we were in.

An hour later, laughing voices filtered in from the hallway, then the door swung open and Ace lumbered in, holding a plush teddy bear. “Hey, man, how are ya feeling?” He stepped to Jett’s bedside.

Archer, Tyler, and Myles piled in behind Ace, waving and greeting me with a hug, surrounding Jett’s bedside. Tyler held a vase of colorful flowers.

“Uh, better. What’s that for?” Jett pointed at the teddy bear.

“For you, of course.” With a glance at me, Ace handed it to Jett. “We figured when Mason is out at the next away games and you’re stuck here, you’d need something to cuddle up to at night.” He winked at him. “You can pretend it’s Mason, but no funny stuff.” He wagged his index finger at him.

Choking out a laugh, Jett said, “Right.” He twisted the bear and kissed it on the nose. “It does sort of resemble Mason.”

“Oh yeah?” Tonguing the inside of my cheek, I stood and swaggered to Ace. “It doesn’t have a black eye or a split lip though.”

“We thought about using a Sharpie on it.” Tyler stepped to me and grabbed my chin, inspecting my shiner. “Damn, dude. Did you ice this thing?”

Wrenching my chin from his grip, I said, “No time. Too much shit going on.” At least it had quit aching .

Myles strolled to the equipment on the wall behind the bed and touched a few of the knobs. “Cool shit.”

Pointing my thumb at Myles and focusing on Jett, I said, “Myles is going to school for biomedical engineering. Get him in a hospital and he turns into a huge geek.” I chuckled.

“Oh.” Jett glanced at Myles and tucked the teddy into his side by his hip.

“So, you two making it official after all this?” Tyler arched a brow at me.

“We are.” I lifted my chin and grabbed Jett’s hand, resting on his thigh. “Jett’s coming out to his dad first. His agent is working on all the shit with the team and the press.” My gaze shifted to Jett. There was so much to do. When would he be able to rest?

“So…” Myles tapped his finger on the bed rail. “What is the league going to do about your situation?”

Jett’s eyes widened. “I don’t know yet.” He looked around at each of the guys as they all focused on him. “I will make sure no one has to go through what I did ever again though.” He pressed his lips into a thin line. “None of us deserves to be treated like shit by our teammates or our organization because of who we love.”

Stepping to him, I wrapped an arm around his shoulders and side-hugged him. “You go, babe.” I hadn’t realized what a big deal this might turn out to be. Maybe we could make some changes in the league. There were sure to be others hiding their sexuality the way Jett was.

“Thanks, man.” Ace held out his fist. “You know we’ve got your back. If you need anything at all, we’re here for you.”

Jett bumped his fist against Ace’s. “I know. I’m not just doing this for Mason and me. I’m doing it for you all too.” A smile crept over his lips.

“That’s my baby.” I kissed his cheek.