8. Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Jaxon
T he ice is mine. I skate, shoot, score. It's what I do. The crowd roars, but the sound fades to a buzz in my ears. One thought cuts through the noise—Holly. She's here somewhere, lost in the sea of cheering fans. Well, maybe not lost. I know she’s either in the broadcast booth or waiting in the hall near the lockers for post-game interviews.
"Jax! Hell of a game!" Cameron slaps my shoulder as we glide off the ice, but my eyes scan the hall, hunting for her.
"Thanks, man," I grunt, not really feeling it. It's like my body's here, celebrating with the guys, but my mind's stuck on Holly.
"Earth to Jaxon," Deacon waves his hand in front of my face, and I blink him back into focus.
"Sorry, what?"
"Never seen you this distracted after a win," he says, eyebrows raised. "You good?"
"Fine," I lie, pushing past him toward the locker room. It’s not their attention I want. It's hers.
I strip down, letting the steam from the shower fill the air, muscles relaxing, but my gut twisted up tight. I throw on jeans and a tee, not bothering with anything else. The others are joking around, but I don't hear them. I'm listening for her laugh. It doesn't come.
Finally, she walks in, clipboard clutched like a shield. Her smile doesn't reach those big blue eyes. Something's eating at her, and it's gnawing holes into me too.
"Hey, Hol," I say, trying to keep it light. "What did you think of the game?"
"It was great, Jax." Her voice is flat, and she doesn’t meet my gaze. "Good job out there."
"Thanks," I say, but it sounds hollow. We're both playing a part, pretending everything's cool when it's not.
"Something on your mind?" I ask, stepping closer. She shrugs, a small move that screams louder than any words.
"Nothing important," she says, but her eyes flick away. Liar.
"Come on, Hol. Spit it out."
"It's nothing, Jax. Really."
But I see it—the way her fingers twist together, the little crease between her brows. It's something alright. And it's killing me not knowing what. She’s been pulling away from us. Subtly, little by little, we’re losing her. And it fucking terrifies me.
"Talk to me," I urge, voice soft. This isn't just casual anymore, not for me. Maybe not for her, either.
"Let's just forget it," she says, forcing a smile. But it's like putting a band-aid on a bullet wound.
"Can't do that," I tell her, honestly. "Whatever it is, it's messing with you. And that messes with me."
She looks up finally, and there's a storm in those eyes. Fear, worry, a whole hurricane of emotions she's trying so damn hard to hide.
"Jax, I—" she starts, but the laughter and chatter from the guys cut her off.
"Later," she says with a finality that feels like a door slamming shut.
"Later," I agree, but I know we won't leave it at that. Not when she's got that look in her eyes—the one that says she's drowning in open water.
I watch her walk away, the weight in my chest pulling me down like an anchor. Whatever's got Holly spooked, we'll face it together. I'll make sure of it.
I pull out my phone, thumb hovering over the screen as I watch Holly disappear around the corner. Her troubled expression is etched into my mind, a puzzle begging to be solved. She might not want to talk now, but I’ll make sure she knows she's got someone by her side.
Once she’s out of sight, urgency makes my fingers move faster than usual. Deacon and Cameron look at me, eyebrows raised with unspoken questions. Without missing a beat, I dial the hotel where we're all staying, requesting a private dinner be set up in our suite.
Holly may be guarding her thoughts, but I know she's fighting a battle alone. If she won't open up, then I'll have to show her I'm serious about being there for her. This isn’t a fling. It’s not just another game. She’s the goal. And it’s time she sees that.
When we get back to the hotel, Holly tries to head off to her own room, but I refuse to let that happen.
"Hol, wait up," I call, catching her by the arm. She looks at me, a mix of confusion and resignation in her eyes.
"Jax, I'm tired. Can we just do this another time?" she asks, but I shake my head.
"Nope. Tonight," I insist, steering her towards the suite I share with Deacon and Cameron. She resists for a moment but then falls into step beside me, clearly too weary to argue.
When we step inside, her eyes widen at the sight of the romantic dinner set up for us. Soft candlelight flickers, casting a warm glow over the table. It's simple but heartfelt—a gesture meant to show her I care.
"Jax, what is this?" Her voice is barely above a whisper, and I see her eyes welling up with unshed tears.
"You don’t have to tell me what’s wrong, Holly. Not if you’re not ready. But I can see something is bothering you. I can feel you trying to pull away and I just…I need you to know we’re here. You're not alone," I say, feeling a bit nervous now. "I might not know what’s going on, but I’m—we’re here for you. Always."
For a moment, she just stands there, speechless. I worry I’ve overstepped, but then she throws her arms around my neck, hugging me tightly. The breath I didn't know I was holding rushes out in relief as I wrap my arms around her.
"Thank you," she murmurs against my shoulder. "You have no idea how much this means to me."
I pull back just enough to look into her eyes. "You don't have to go through this alone, Holly. Whatever it is, we'll face it together."
She nods, tears spilling over and streaming down her cheeks. And then, to my surprise, she leans in and gives me a sweet, lingering kiss. It's gentle and tender, filled with all the emotions she's been holding back.
When we finally pull apart, she gives me a small, watery smile. "You’re amazing, Jax. I don’t know what I did to deserve you."
I smile back, brushing a tear from her cheek. "We’re in this together, remember? Now, let’s sit down and enjoy this dinner. And whenever you're ready, I'm here to listen."
She nods again, a little more at ease now. We sit down at the table, and I can see the walls she’s built around herself starting to crumble. It might take time, but we’ll get through this. Together.
I clear the last of the dishes, the clink of cutlery a sharp contrast to the silence that's settled over us. The guys are lounging on the couches, but it's like we're all holding our breaths, waiting for something to snap. Cameron's gaze flits between Holly and me, his green eyes sharp with concern he doesn't voice. Deacon leans back, arms crossed, the shadow in his gray eyes saying that he hears the unspoken questions loud and clear.
She’s here with us, but she’s not. She barely touched her meal, and while she’s answering our questions, she’s not really having a conversation with us. I fucking hate it.
"Okay, what's next?" I ask, trying to sound casual as I toss a crumpled napkin into the trash. "Movie? Game?"
"Actually, I think I'm gonna turn in," Holly says, standing up too fast. Her voice is steady, but her eyes dart away, not meeting mine.
Deacon cocks an eyebrow, but remains silent. Cameron's lips press into a thin line before he nods slowly, giving her an out if she needs it. But I can't let it go, not when every instinct screams that she's not okay. That we’re not okay. I need us to be okay.
"Hey, Hol, got a sec?" I say, touching her elbow lightly. She freezes, then nods, a small frown creasing her forehead.
We step into the quiet hallway, away from the others. It's just us now, and even the air feels heavy.
"Jax, I’m fine," she insists, but her smile is too tight. It doesn't reach those big blue eyes.
"Come on, Hol. You think I can't tell when something's eating at you?" I keep my voice low, trying to break through to her.
She sighs, a lock of blond hair falling into her face. She pushes it back, frustration clear in the way her fingers tremble.
"Jaxon, it’s just been a long day. Let's not do this now."
But I need to know she's all right. I need to see that spark back in her eyes. "Talk to me. Please."
Her gaze flicks to the side, then back to me. She's fighting an internal battle, and damn it, I want to fight it with her. But she has to let me in first.
"Everything's just...complicated." Her voice is barely above a whisper, and I strain to catch her words.
"Life's complicated," I agree, stepping closer. "But we can figure it out together, right?"
"Right," she echoes, but there's a tremor in her voice that tells me her storm isn't passing anytime soon.
"Whatever it is, Holly, you're not alone." I mean every word, and I hope she can see that. “Please, please don’t walk away from this.”
She nods, finally meeting my gaze dead-on. There's a raw honesty there that clenches my heart.
The door creaks open. Cameron's tall frame fills the space, his piercing green eyes flicking from Holly to me. Deacon's right behind him, the dark waves of hair a little tousled, like he's run his hands through it one too many times. There's no missing the worry creasing their brows.
"Everything okay?" Cam's voice is soft but cuts through the tension.
Holly bites her lip but doesn’t say anything. I nod at the guys, silently asking for backup. They get it. They always do.
"Let's sit down," Deacon suggests and it's not an order. It’s more like a lifeline thrown into choppy waters.
We sink onto the couches. Holly's between me and Cameron, her legs curled under her. Deacon perches on the armrest beside me, close but not crowding us.
"Talk to us, Hol." Deacon’s gray eyes lock on hers. Gentle. Steady.
She looks at each of us and hesitates. "It's just...what we have, it's not normal. People won’t understand. And my job—" She swallows hard.
"You're worried about the backlash?" Cam's hand finds hers, his grip firm.
"Among other things." Holly's voice is a mere thread.
"Hey." I reach out, tucking a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear. "We knew this wasn't going to be easy, right?"
"Right," she echoes, and there it is again, that tremor from before.
"But we're in this together," Cam squeezes her hand.
"Whatever happens, we deal with it as a team." My words are a promise. An anchor.
"A team," she whispers, and the worry in her expression seems to relax a little.
"As a team," we affirm together.
Her blue eyes meet mine, and something unspoken passes between us. Relief. Gratitude. Trust. It's a start. We've got her back, and that's what counts.
The warmth from Holly's skin calls to me, and I can't resist any longer. My fingers trail a line of fire down her arm, feeling the goosebumps that rise in their wake. "This is real," I murmur against her ear, my breath hot. "We want this, Holly. We're ready for whatever comes. It’s not going to be easy, and we’ll likely need to hide it from most of the people in our lives, but I don’t fucking care. Not if it lets me be with you."
She shivers. Her eyes catch mine, and there's a storm brewing in those deep blue depths—a storm of need, of fear, of longing.
"Jax…" Her voice cracks, and that’s all the permission I need.
"Let us show you," Cameron interjects, his voice like velvet smoothed over steel. He shifts, pulling Holly into his lap with an ease that speaks of his strength. She gasps, a sound swallowed by the room we've made our sanctuary.
"Cam," she whispers, but there’s no protest there, just surprise edged with desire.
"Shh." I lean forward, lips traveling over the length of her neck, tasting the salt of her skin, the pulse throbbing beneath the surface. I'm drowning in the scent of her, the feel of her.
Cameron's hands are deft as they slip under her shirt, lifting the fabric over her head in one smooth motion. The sight of her, vulnerable and flushed, strikes something primitive inside me.
"Beautiful," Deacon says, his voice barely audible. His hands join the dance, fingers brushing against the clasp of her bra until it falls away.
I can't wait another second. My mouth finds her, drawing a nipple into the heat, hearing her sharp intake of breath, feeling her body arch into the twin sensations as Deacon mirrors my actions on her other side.
"Is this okay?" I whisper against her skin, even as my body screams for more.
"Yes," she breathes out, surrendering to the moment, to us.
"Good," I say, and I'm lost in the taste, the touch, the pure, unadulterated Holly.
Cameron's fingers move deftly, undoing the button of Holly's pants with a soft sound. I can't take my eyes off her. Everything else fades away. It's just us in this hotel room, our private world where nothing else matters but the here and now.
"Jax, help me," Deacon says, his voice low and urgent.
I snap back into action. Together, we slide the fabric down her legs, revealing more of Holly's skin inch by tantalizing inch. Her pants join the rest of the discarded clothing on the floor, a small testament to the urgency building between us.
"God, you're perfect," I murmur as I look at her, laid bare for us. The sight of her, so open and trusting, sends a jolt straight to my core.
Deacon gives me a nod, and I know what he wants me to do. I lower my head, the scent of her arousal filling my senses. It's intoxicating, a heady mix of need and Holly. I let out a groan that vibrates against her as I press my mouth to her, tasting her for the first time. She's sweet, she's heat, she's everything.
"Jaxon," Holly's voice is a breathy moan that urges me on.
"Relax, Hol," Cameron's voice is steady, grounding. "We've got you."
I glance up, and there's Cameron, watching me with a heated gaze as he holds Holly close. His large hands cup her breasts, thumbs brushing over her nipples in a rhythm that has her grinding back against him.
"More," she gasps, and I'm only too happy to comply.
Deacon slides his fingers under my chin, guiding my head just so. His other hand disappears between Holly's thighs, and I feel him push his fingers inside her, moving with a practiced ease that makes her body jolt in pleasure.
"Ah!" Holly's cry fills the room, a raw sound of pure ecstasy.
"Like that?" Deacon asks, his voice dark with lust.
"Perfect. Don't stop," she pleads, her hips bucking against us, seeking more.
"Never," I promise, diving back into her warmth, determined to draw every last shiver from her body with my tongue, my lips, my everything. We're in this together, all of us, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Desire pulses through the room—our breaths, our bodies, all mingling in a symphony of need. I worship her with my mouth, each lap against her slick folds an affirmation of how much she means to us.
"God, Holly," I murmur against her, feeling her quiver. My words are half-lost in the wetness, but she hears them. She always does.
Cameron's husky voice breaks through the fog of lust. "You're incredible." He rolls her nipple between his fingers, drawing a sharp gasp from her lips.
"Beautiful," Deacon adds, his gray eyes locked on where I’m feasting on her. His hand moves, fingers sliding deep and curling inside Holly, coaxing another cry from her throat.
"Jax... Cam... Deacon..." she chants our names like a prayer, her hands fisting in the sheets.
I pull back just enough to watch her face contort with pleasure. Cameron's hands are relentless, teasing and twisting, pushing her closer to the edge. Deacon's fingers dance inside her, finding that sweet spot that makes her back arch off the bed.
"Come for us, Holly," I growl, diving back in to suck on her clit.
"Ah—yes!" Her body tenses, and then she's shattering, coming apart under our hands and mouths. But we don't stop. We can't. Not when she's glowing like this, not when every moan is music to our ears.
"Again," Cameron commands softly, his lips at her ear. "Let go."
Deacon's fingers quicken their pace, and I double my efforts, desperate to taste every drop of her release.
"Jaxon..." Her voice is shaky, reaching for me even as wave after wave crashes over her.
"We’ve got you, Holly," I assure her, and I mean it. In this moment, with her surrounded by us, by love, nothing else matters.
"Mine," Deacon states, his thumb circling her clit in tandem with my tongue.
"Ours," Cameron corrects, and we all nod because it's true. She's ours, and we're hers.
"Yours," she whispers, her eyes meeting mine before fluttering closed as another orgasm rips through her.
We worship her body with reverence, with need. Our words, our lips, our fingers, our cocks—we use them all to show her just how special she is. And when she smiles, sated and content, we know we've done it right. Because Holly, our Holly, shines the brightest when she's loved. And we have so much love to give.