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Chapter Twenty-Eight

Jackson

We end up losing to Edmonton. Coach isn’t pleased, but if I’m being honest, it will take a lot more than a loss in regulation to ruin my mood right now. We threw our normal routines out the window today, and maybe that’s why we didn’t get the win.

The guys ended up staying for lunch, and I didn’t get my preferred nap time. I wasn’t expecting them to be there when we got home from the airport. Yeah, I kinda went off on them yesterday, but I know they have a good heart. Sometimes it’s easy in life to get wrapped up in other things that we often forget those around us. I’m not going to hold it against them, but what they did for Hayden means a lot.

And I know Hayden was really touched by it too.

Then when my mom came to pick up the kids for the night, she threw an exaggerated wink over her shoulder before she closed the door. It means Hayden and I have the night to ourselves.

I’ve been eager to get home since the game ended. I was first to wrap up my post-game cooldown and the first to hit the showers. But as I finish doing the buttons on my shirt, there’s one thing I need to do before I disappear for the night.

“Hey, guys,” I say, getting their attention. “I just wanted to say thank you for what you did earlier. I know it meant a lot to Hayden. He hasn’t had it easy since he retired, and seeing you turn up for him, knowing you’re in his corner…” I look at them one by one, flashing them a grateful smile. “Thank you.”

“Aw, it’s okay!” Elliot bounds over in his boxer briefs and one sock. He wraps his arms around me in a tight hug before releasing me. “I’m sorry we were such ding-dongs. Will he be coming for Christmas dinner? Jacob said he’s making this big cake.” His eyes go comically wide. “Gonna be so good.”

I chuckle. “Thanks, bud, but I think we’re going to have a quiet Christmas this year. But how about New Year’s?” I glance to Peyton for confirmation as he’s hosting this year’s New Year’s Eve party.

“Yeah, just don’t think you can get away with sneaking off to my bathroom again without us noticing, eh.” He smirks.

I grin and flip him off. “Like you give a damn.”

“Truth, dude.” He shrugs. “But seriously, you’re always welcome. Whether I’m hosting a party or not.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

We chatter among ourselves and finish getting dressed, and I promise Blaine I’ll speak with Hayden about creating a group chat with all of us.

By the time I’m walking through my front door, I’m greeted by the warmth from the fire and the smell of my favorite chicken pesto alfredo. Hanging my coat in the closet, I’m about to call out to Hayden when I round the corner to the living room and find him asleep on the couch. His lips are slightly parted, and the sound of his soft snores make me smile. I walk over to him quietly and perch on the edge of the couch. Lifting my hand, I trace over his cheek with my fingertip, then along his cheekbone before moving down to the corner of his mouth. The feel of his day-old stubble scratches my skin, and the prickly sensation sends a shiver down my spine.

There’s no stress lines or tension in his features. He looks so peaceful. Fully relaxed.

It’s wild how someone’s brain can play tricks on them like his does. How can someone so incredible as Hayden, who has the biggest fucking heart, feel like they’re not worthy enough?

My eyes burn, and I have to squeeze them closed to stop the tears from falling.

The love I have for this man is monumental. It exceeds the love I used to have for him. My heart is so fucking full of him it feels like it could burst from my chest. I’ll show him every day how much he is loved.

And I will prove to him every day that he is worthy and that he is enough.

Hayden’s eyes flicker open. He glances around, almost disorientated, before taking his glasses from where they were resting on his chest and slipping them back on.

“Sorry, I wasn’t supposed to fall asleep. When did you get home? ”

“Just now,” I say quietly, leaning forward to take his lips in a gentle kiss. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

He kisses me back, all tired and pliant. “Mmm,” he murmurs without taking his mouth off mine. “I made you pasta. It’s in the oven to keep warm.”

“Thank you. Why don’t you get into bed, and I’ll join you once I’ve eaten?”

“I might take a shower, then I’ll wait for you in bed.” He sucks my bottom lip into his mouth, and I groan. He trails his hand down my chest before resting at the juncture of my thighs. My cock begins to thicken in my pants as he skims his fingers over me teasingly. “We’ve gotta make the most of having the night to ourselves. Not having to worry about being quiet and waking any kids up.”

“I like the sound of that.”

He sits up and gives my quad a squeeze.

“Good. Eat up because you’re going to need your energy.”

After exchanging another heated kiss, he heads upstairs while I head into the kitchen. The pasta is still warm from being kept in the oven, and I try not to eat too fast. I don’t want to give myself indigestion, but I’m so eager to go upstairs and get my hands on him again. The sound of my en suite shower is like a new type of foreplay. Here’s me, rinsing my dish and drinking a glass of water while the man I love is upstairs, getting himself ready so I can explore his delectable body with my mouth before burying my dick deep inside of him.

I shiver and have to give my dick a squeeze to calm myself down.

When it’s time to head upstairs, I make sure to turn off the lights and that the fire is out, then stop by the family bathroom to brush my teeth.

My room is lit by the small novelty lamp I keep in here for whenever the kids need to sleep with me. It projects a million stars onto the ceiling, creating a galaxy that is relaxing to watch.

“This is romantic,” I tease, but I like it. It sets a different tone to my bedside lamp.

Hayden’s propped up against my headboard, bare chest on show while the sheet covers his waist. His dark blond hair is still damp, making it look almost brunet.

But his gray eyes sparkle brightly from behind his glasses.

“I thought it was cute. I never would have put you down to be an astrophile.”

“I can’t say that I am, but it works when I need it.”

He hums, bobbing his head in understanding.

Standing at the foot of the bed, I don’t take my eyes off him as I flick open the clasp of my belt and pull it off in one smooth swoop.

His eyes turn heavy-lidded, lips parting slightly.

I undo my cuff links, then release each button one by one, slowly revealing my chest. I stop when I reach the top of my abs, earning a groan from Hayden.

Smirking, I drop my hands to the button of my pants. The imprint of my hardening cock is evident, but I don’t remove them, choosing to leave them unzipped and open. Tugging my shirt out the back, I continue my ministrations, parting the two halves once all the buttons are done to show off my naked chest.

“Take it off,” he demands .

Without a word, I slip the shirt off my shoulders and drop it onto the floor.

“Now, the pants.” His voice comes out like gravel. “Take it all off, Jax. Let me see you.”

Keeping my eyes locked on him, I push my pants down, kicking them off once they reach my ankles. I tug off my socks next, then hook my thumbs into the waistband of my boxers. My hard cock slaps against my abs when I pull them down, and the hitch in Hayden’s breath has me grinning wickedly.

I climb into the bed next to him, hand splaying on his stomach as I lean over to capture his mouth in a slow but heated kiss. He tastes like toothpaste and something so distinctly him, and I moan when he slides his tongue into my mouth.

His fingers circle and flick over my nipple, and my cock is an iron bar against his warm thigh.

“Lie on your side,” I murmur.

With one final kiss, he rolls over so his back is to me, bending his outer leg at the knee. I take one of the pillows from behind me and place it under his knee, and the position exposes his hole perfectly. Retrieving the lube, I cover his mouth with mine as I begin to work him open with my fingers.

I’m dripping with precome by the time I roll on the condom and shift so my chest is pressed up against his back and wrap my arms around him. He angles his head, allowing me access to his mouth. I slowly thrust inside, swallowing down his moan.

Our kisses are tender and unhurried. My thrusts are slow and deep. He reaches back with one arm to hold the back of my head, keeping me close.

“I love you, Jax,” he whispers between pleasured groans.

“Love you always, Cas.”

And this is how I want to spend the rest of my nights, wrapped up in him.

“Daddy!” Isabela shouts as she runs down the hallway. She throws her bag on the floor, then collides with my legs. I reach down to scoop her up, blowing a big raspberry on her neck. She erupts into giggles, trying to push me away.

“Hey, Dad. Where’s Hayden?” Ryan asks.

“He’s upstairs, bud. He’ll be down shortly.” I put Isabela down on her feet again. “Why don’t you take your bags upstairs, then I’ll make us some pancakes.”

Their eyes go wide. “We get pancakes?”

“Yeah, but only if you take your bags upstairs.”

The promise of pancakes is always a winner. They collect their bags from the hardwood floor and run up the stairs.

Mom lingers on the other side of the kitchen island, watching me with a look in her eyes that I haven’t seen in a while.

“You okay?” I ask.

“Yeah, I’m fine, sweetie. I’m just happy to see you happy again.”

“Double the happy in that sentence,” I chuckle.

She picks up the dish towel and swats me with it. “I mean it. This warrants the double happy. It’s been hard seeing you struggle. Okay, maybe ‘struggle’ is the wrong word because you’re doing a fantastic job with those kids and your career, but it’s been at the expense of you losing a bit of you, and that’s been hard to see.”

I swallow thickly. She’s not wrong there. I lost myself along the way, trying to be the best version of me as dad and the best on the ice. And since Hayden’s slid back into my life, I’m starting to breathe a little easier.

“I love him, Mom.”

She nods knowingly. “I know. And you know what? Those two didn’t stop talking about him all night. They were asking me questions I didn’t know the answers to, but I learned he’s six foot two and he’s thirty-nine years old. He was born in Maine but grew up in Nova Scotia and played for Boston for twelve years and was known as one of the most amazing power forwards of his generation.”

“Wow, you did your research,” I smirk, and her eyes sparkle.

“I did, but I don’t want to learn about him from Google. I want to learn about him from him . You better bring him at Christmas, Jackson, or I’ll be loading your plate with sprouts.”

“Gigi!” Ryan calls, saving me from replying when he skids into the kitchen. “Do you have the gift we got for Hayden?”

I’m unable to hide the surprise on my face, but it’s Hayden who echoes my thoughts. He’s being dragged into the room by Isabela.

“You got me a gift?” he asks.

“Yeah!” Ryan beams, a proud glint in his eye.

“Oh, yes.” Mom opens her bag and pulls out a small plastic bag. “Here it is.”

Ryan takes it carefully and hands it over to Hayden. Isabela lets go of his hand and starts jumping excitedly in front of him.

“Open it!” She giggles.

Hayden casts me an amused look, then opens the bag. He pulls out a coffee mug that has illustrations of Bluey and Bingo on it with tiny pink hearts. He examines it in his hands, turning it over, and then he looks inside. He sucks his bottom lip between his teeth, his eyebrows furrowing as he begins to blink rapidly. I walk over, wondering what could cause him to get upset, and then I see it. Written inside the rim of the cup are the words “Remember, I’m always here for you.”

Pride blooms in my chest. I look at my kids, and their faces are lit up with their bright smiles. There’s a chance they got it purely because it’s Bluey , but the words couldn’t have been more perfect for Hayden. We’re always going to be here for him, and I’ll make sure he remembers it.

“Do you like it?” Ryan asks.

Hayden nods, lips still pressed together. He lifts his head, eyes glassy behind his glasses. “I love it. I’m going to use it every day.”

They cheer, then engulf him in a hug. He crouches down, wrapping an arm around both of them. He squeezes his eyes shut as a tear falls down his cheek. A lump forms in my throat.

I’m very lucky to have the life I do, and there’s never a day that I take it for granted.

But this ?

Seeing the man I love embrace my kids with such love and affection. To know that their happiness is just as important as mine to him. It’s everything.

They are my entire world.

“I’m going to get going,” Mom says, her voice a little tighter than usual.

I round the island and bring her into a hug. “Thank you.”

“Anytime, sweetie.” She returns my hug and pats my back. She gives herself a small shake when she lets go. “Okay, kids, give Gigi a hug, and make sure you’re good for your dad and Hayden.”

Ryan and Isabela give her a hug goodbye, and then she steps up to Hayden. A smile spreads across his lips.

“Welcome to the Wilde family, sweetie, and let me warn you, we’re not called the Wildes for nothing.” She winks and pulls him in for a hug too.

Once my mom leaves, I whip up a batch of pancakes like I promised, and then I make Hayden a coffee in his new mug. He’s still smiling at it when we sit down in the living room to tell the kids about us.

“Okay, me and Hayden have something we want to tell you,” I begin, sitting on the other side of the sectional so I can face them. Isabela is sitting next to Hayden, trying to tug the sleeve of his sweatshirt up his arm.

“Are you boyfriends?” Ryan asks, then smiles coyly. “I was kinda hoping you were. Hayden’s really cool.”

My head snaps to Hayden. He looks as shocked as I am.

“Yeah, we’re boyfriends, and if it’s okay with you two, I’d like it if Hayden lived with us.”

“ Yes !” Isabela throws her arms up in the air in such a dramatic way I can’t help but start laughing. I turn to Ryan, waiting for his response.

“I’d really like that, Dad.” He tilts his head up to Hayden. “Will you stay? I promise not to use real pucks in the house again.”

“What?” I shriek.

Hayden holds his fist out to Ryan to bump. “That sounds like a deal to me.”

“Can we watch Bluey now?” Isabela asks. Before we can answer, she’s picked up the TV remote and loads up the streaming app.

“I guess so,” I chuckle.

With the kids occupied, I scoot across the cushion and press my shoulder into Hayden’s.

“Hi,” I whisper, dropping my gaze from his eyes to his lips.

“Hi.” His smile is gentle.

“Are you ready for this? It’s not always going to be fun. There’s going to be days where they test your patience and make a mess and nights where they knee you in the balls without a care in the world.”

He laughs softly, his eyes full of love. “Yeah, I am.”

I close the distance and press a kiss to his lips.

“I’m really glad you’re here, Cas.”

“Me too, Jax. I’m glad I’m here too.”