Page 9

Chapter Nine

Ford

Ford let himself into the house from the garage, seeing several lights on which he hadn’t expected. The one over the sink like usual, because Jax always left it on for him so he wouldn’t be blind dazzled coming in from the garage. There was something else illuminating the rest of the house from deeper inside.

After turning off the kitchen light, Ford followed the soft glow into the living room, seeing a large Christmas tree and decorations arranged around the room. It all looked amazing and totally unexpected.

He stepped forward to look at the brightly colored balls and lights on the tree, and it reminded him of a carnival, or maybe Times Square, with all the bright colors glowing around him. It was beautiful.

The scene was reminiscent of Christmases when Ford was a small child and the family went to the beach house in the Hamptons. It was what all the moneyed people in his parents’ circle of friends did, and the huge tree in the middle of the atrium was always exciting to see.

The servants decorated it with a different theme every year, and Ford was always filled with excited anticipation to see what the theme was for that year. He’d had no preconcieved notion of what they’d choose, so it was always a wonderful surprise.

As he stood in front of the tree and admired the simple beauty, it occurred to him maybe the theme was a new beginning. There was popcorn garland and tinsel that reflected the colored lights that made the whole thing glow.

Ford could see them adding to the decorations over the years with sentimental ornaments. It would be a wonderful homage to the year behind them and the hope of the year ahead.

A soft snore caught his attention. He found Jax and Cade snuggled on the sectional, obviously having tried to wait up for him, but failing. He checked his watch to see it was just after four, and he couldn’t blame them, especially with Jax having the noon game.

He slipped off his jacket and tie, tossing them over the end of the couch. He knelt down next to the sectional and pushed Cade’s dark brown hair off his face as he laid resting atop Jackson. He kissed his cheek before he moved up to Jax. He kissed his ear and tugged the earlobe with his teeth.

“Hmph. Wh… Huh?” Jax’s eyes sprung open. His smile was a welcome sight.

“I can leave you two here if you’d like.” Ford sifted his fingers through Jax’s short hair.

He didn’t expect Cade’s eyes to pop open. “Oh, Bix. How was the party?”

Ford laughed quietly. “It was pretty wild. There was some stripping and then Cleveland got in the mix, though I’m not sure how. I was afraid the cops would raid the place.”

He was surprised when Cade and Jax sat up, both obviously clear-eyed. “We, uh, we’ve had enough to do with the police for one day, thank you very much,” Cade said.

Ford’s eyes met Jax’s, who pulled him onto the sectional. “We have a few things to tell you.”

Cade glanced at the clock before he placed his hand on the side of Jax’s face. “I’ll explain things to Ford. You’re not going to get much sleep as it is. Go to bed. We’ll come up in a little while.” Surprisingly, Jax kissed both of them and walked upstairs without an argument.

“You want some herbal tea or maybe cookies and milk? Miss Winnie baked today.” Cade hopped up from the sectional and turned to take Ford’s hand.

“Is this something that can wait until tomorrow, or do I need something stronger than milk to drink?”

Cade glanced around for a minute before he pulled Ford up with him. “Name your poison, Bix.” Ford didn’t have a good feeling about the news coming his way.

An hour and two scotches later, Ford was stunned at the explanation Cade had given him regarding why there were five young men sleeping in recliners in Jax’s media room, in addition to Ashton. He was grateful they were all legal, but what they’d do with all of them was a mystery.

“What time do we have to be at the stadium?” Ford asked. The man was dead on his feet, but to help his lovers, he was going to show up at the stadium if it killed him.

“Jax mentioned a bus or something picking them up at nine to go to the park so they could meet some of the players before the game, so I’ll go with them. You can sleep. You don’t have to come to the stadium, Bix. I’ll handle it all,” Cade promised.

Ford thought for a moment before he grinned. “How long will your friends be with us?”

Cade started ringing his hands, which unnerved Ford, so he stopped him. “I’m not criticizing or judging. I’m just trying to make plans, okay?”

“I honestly don’t know. They’re all eighteen. They have nowhere to go, and nobody who cares about them. With the shelter closed now? I don’t…” When Cade broke down, Ford knew it was time for bed.

“Come on, sweetheart. We need to get to bed. We’ll talk more tomorrow,” he stated as he turned off lights, including the tree. He closed the screen on the fireplace and then he wrapped his arm around Cade’s shoulders to guide him upstairs to their bed.

He just wanted to sleep with the two men he loved. The morning would bring its own realities, but Ford just wanted to feel their skin and hear their breaths. He’d missed it all day long.

Soft kisses on Ford’s neck were like a starter’s pistol to his cock. He opened his eyes to see it was Jax with a huge grin on his face. “I’m sorry to wake you, baby, but I wanted to tell you to sleep in. Cade can bring the boys to the game, and we’ll all be back here tonight. I love you so much. I’ll be thinking about you.” Jax kissed his chest over his heart, which made Ford’s heart beat double-time.

Ford sat up in their bed, noticing Kincade was missing. He rubbed his eyes and smiled as he took Jax’s face in his hands. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else, Jackson, and you know that. I haven’t missed a home game this season except for the one when you gave our family tickets to Mitch Ross. I love you. I’ll be there with bells on.” Ford kissed the big man’s lips chastely because he hadn’t brushed his teeth yet.

“Thanks, babe. When you get to the player’s entrance, ask Troy to call Tony. He’s got it all set up for the group. I’ll see all y’all about ten. I can’t wait,” Jax told him, a happy grin lighting up his handsome face.

After another kiss, Jax hurried out of the room and down the stairs, leaving Ford to do his morning business. Pure adrenalin was the only thing fueling him because he was bone-tired. He was determined to make it through the day just fine. It wasn’t the first time he’d only slept a few hours and then carried on a full-day’s work.

While he was in the shower, Ford heard the familiar bong of the doorbell, smiling as he rinsed off the bodywash and shampoo. The chime had been Jax’s choice, and Ford had agreed easily because it always made him smile.

It was funny, the things on which the big man chose to offer his opinion. The doorbell and the media room were the only things Jax had distinct opinions about, but the rest of it? He didn’t seem to care at all.

Ford hurriedly dried off from his shower, having decided not to shave. He dressed in jeans, a Chicago sweatshirt of Jax’s, and his trainers, heading downstairs to see five young men standing in the kitchen in their underwear.

He slid in behind them, seeing Ashton sitting at the table with a cup of coffee as Cade tried to make coffee orders as they were spouted. They had a one-cup-at-a-time coffeemaker, so Ford stepped forward. “Gentlemen, I’m Ford Thomas. How about you have a seat and give us a minute.”

Thankfully, they did as he asked. He approached Cade and smiled. “Why are there five teenagers in our kitchen in their underwear? Is this a new trend, because I’m all for it as long as you get into some of those cute little briefs I know you own.” His whispering made Cade giggle.

Cade smiled. “Their jeans are in the dryer. They want to look respectable today, and they don’t have any other clothes. Do you have extra razors and toothbrushes? I was about to go to the drug store for them.”

Ford sighed. “Upstairs in the hallway is a closet with lots of extra things because Winnie doesn’t believe we can shop for ourselves. Take them up there and let them choose. There are three full baths in this place, besides ours. Let them get cleaned up.

“What was the doorbell?” Ford jumped the line to make his own coffee.

Cade pointed to a stack of jerseys and hats. “Jax sent them some game gear. Anyway, are you… You don’t have to come with us. Stay here and sleep.

“I can sleep all day tomorrow. Today’s Christmas Eve. I like it a lot better than Christmas Day.” Ford didn’t elaborate.

It was no surprise that Cade would question him. “Why?”

There were truths that needed to be told, for certain, but it wasn’t the time. Ford pulled a pad and paper from the junk drawer in the kitchen and wrote a note.

He handed it to Cade with a smile. “I’ll share, I promise, but we have to get through right now. So?”

Thankfully, the hot little brunet nodded and let things go. There was plenty of time to explore Ford’s childhood and his fucked-up family. He’d rather do it in the doldrums of January. He loved Christmas and was looking forward to spending it with those he adored, for the first time in at least a hundred years—or so it felt. It had been a long time.

“Wow!” There was a collective gasp as the boys were shown the guest box Jax had reserved at the stadium for them after the young men got a tour of the stadium and a trip to the sidelines to watch the team warming up. Ford was impressed as well. He’d never had the opportunity to see Jax in action like that before.

They’d met several of the players who were gracious, and when Jax came through the line, he signed each of the shirts the boys were wearing, including the new one Cade wore. He didn’t sign Ford’s shirt. He kissed him on the lips for anyone to see which made his heart beat faster.

“After the game, I’ve got something waiting at home for you guys. Have a great time and cheer. I need as much encouragement as I can get.” Jax didn’t seem like the Ragin’ Cajun at all.

The boys ate like wolverines. Ford guessed he’d had the same voracious appetite at eighteen, but he didn’t remember it. The only thing left on the buffet was fruit, which Cade filled up on with a wink Ford’s way. He didn’t hesitate to grab a bowl and dive into some berries and a bagel. He knew it would only enhance his love life in the long run.

After everyone had their fill, they took seats at the tables in the front of the box to watch both teams warm up on the field and sidelines. When the boys spotted Jax, they clapped and yelled for him just as the snow started to fall.

“This is so cool. I love watching the winter games when it gets close to playoffs. They get vicious.” Ford gushed to Cade, both of them getting caught up in the excitement of the game and the holiday spirit.

“There are seats outside if anyone wants to watch from out there. We have blankets.” An attendant appeared and pulled out a stack of blankets.

Cade walked over to the young woman and thanked her, telling her, “you’ve done more than enough.”

She smiled. “Jackson Delacroix helped me get my son into a special school for kids with autism. When I heard this was his friends-and-family day, I volunteered to work for the party. I’ll be back at the end of the quarter with more food. Have a great time,” she told them.

Ford didn’t even have to think about it. He held up his arm and when Cade snuck under it and buried his head into Ford’s chest, he just held him tightly. Jackson Delacroix was a remarkable man, and he was theirs.

Ford and Cade walked out onto the terrace area of the box and stood at the rail while the anthem was played. He was happy to see the six boys had followed them out and had their hands over their hearts and their hats off their heads as a sign of respect. They all cheered when it was over and the honor guard marched off the field.

The home team had been introduced earlier, and they’d all shouted so loudly they’d be hoarse the rest of the day. Ford saw Jax looking up toward them and pointing after he’d settled on the sidelines.

He turned Cade to see him, and they both blew him a kiss. Then, the six young men with them did the same, which made Jax laugh down on the field. He waved back to them and turned his focus to the game.

Jax was in the center of the field as the co-captain for the coin toss. The visitors got the call, and they chose to receive, which meant the defense would take the field first. It was Jax’s favorite play; scare the shit out of the offense and stop them dead in the water. If it worked, the Chicago team had earned the wildcard berth. If not, the New Year’s game was just for the fun of it.

The music blaring over the speakers was a surprise. It was Guns N’ Roses, Welcome to the Jungle , and it was the chorus which was heavy on guitar riffs, complementing the moment perfectly. Ford hadn’t thought of the band in quite a while, and he laughed to himself. Jax had to really dig for some of those songs.

As the defensive line stalked out to the field looking menacing, Ford’s heart skipped a beat when Jax looked toward the box and kissed his fingers before he pointed up to them. It was the acknowledgment Ford had always wanted from the man, and the fact it wasn’t just for him but for Cade as well made him happier than he’d ever been in his life. It was nearly the perfect day.

It felt link nearly the perfect day until a left offensive guard lowered his head and took Jax’s legs out from under him in the second quarter. When the crowd went silent, Cade and the boys raced to the rail and watched as the coaches and trainers, followed closely by the doctor, took to the field. All Ford could see was Jax writhing in pain.

Ford held Cade’s hand. “This isn’t good.” Cade nodded in agreement. No, it wasn’t good at all.