10. Jax
CHAPTER TEN
JAX
Idon’t get to see Kiley again for almost two weeks due to our schedules not aligning while I’m home and the team going on its first big road trip.
We hit up some cities on the West Coast, including a couple in Canada.
My parents and Chloe flew in to see me at the game in Calgary, and I became concerned with the bags underneath her eyes.
She looked like she hadn’t been sleeping.
It also looked like she had lost weight.
She seemed like she was faking being happy, and I never saw her smile reach her eyes.
Gretchen and Chloe both reassured me that things have gotten better with the bullying, but now I question whether Chloe’s telling us the truth.
We have a day off before we leave for another road trip, so I head to O’Shea’s to talk to Kiley about what transpired the night of the bachelorette party.
She’s haunting my dreams, and every time I have a naughty thought about her, I feel guilty for thinking that way about Killian’s daughter.
The man would probably ban me from his bar if anything happened between us.
The only cure for this is to find someone else to occupy my thoughts, but since I’ve been so busy with team meetings, games and watching tape, I’ve not had the time to find a new friend with benefits.
I might have to start picking up puck bunnies at the hotel bar again when we’re away, which doesn’t sound as appealing as it used to.
I walk into the bar and the first person I see is Kiley.
She’s wiping down some of the high tops.
She looks up and a blush stains her cheeks.
I chuckle softly, loving the fact that as soon as she sees me, she’s remembering that night as well.
It occurred to me that maybe she wouldn’t remember due to the copious amounts of alcohol she consumed, but that blush confirms she remembers.
“Hey stranger, long time no see. I was wondering when I was going to see you.”
“Hey Jax, how’ve you been?” She asks with a tentative smile. That’s way better than the scowl I used to always get.
“Doing great. We had a successful road trip out West. Only lost two of the six games, so I can’t complain. I got to see my daughter in Calgary, which was awesome.”
Her smile widens. “How is Chloe?”
I decide to tell her the truth to see if she has any insight since she’s a teacher. “You know, I don’t think she’s doing that great.”
She frowns in concern. “I’m really sorry to hear that. Is it because she misses you or school?”
“I know she misses me, but I don’t think that’s the problem. I think she’s still dealing with bullying but not telling us the extent of how bad it is.”
“What kind of bullying is she dealing with?”
“Where I come from is much smaller than Chicago, so everyone knows who I am. It’s hard for her to know who her real friends are and who aren’t.” I rub the back of my neck in frustration. “We’re also dealing with people commenting on her looks.”
“What do you mean, commenting on her looks?” Anger flashes in Kiley’s expression, and her reaction does something to me. “She seems like a beautiful girl, both inside and out.”
“Thank you for saying that, and I agree, but I’m biased. They make her the butt of their fat jokes.” I shake my head in sadness for my daughter. “It’s so ludicrous to me.”
“Middle school is the worst. That’s why I don’t teach it. I can’t deal with these kids and their mean behavior, which a lot of them learn from their parents.” She sighs and shakes her head. “I’m really sorry to hear that she’s going through this. Has the school been able to do anything about it?”
“Nothing really, which is frustrating. The kids are smart and say things when the teachers aren’t around.
My ex-wife has had in-person meetings with the principal, and I joined in on a conference call, but so far they’ve told Chloe to sit closer to the teachers at the front of her classes and promised they will try to look out and listen for unfavorable behavior.
I just don’t know what disciplinary actions can be done if they don’t hear things being said. ”
She winces and gives me a sympathetic look.
“We can preach all day long about being kind to each other, but certain kids are going to deliberately ignore us and be mean just for attention from their peers, or worse, if they aren’t getting attention at home, they will do it for their parents’ attention. ”
I nod. “One of the bullies is supposed to be my daughter’s best friend, but she’s the one who makes the fat comments.
Her mother and my ex-wife are also best friends.
When Chloe’s mom finally approached the other mom about it, she refused to believe that her daughter would treat Chloe in such a way.
She accused Chloe of lying and being overdramatic.
It’s become a mess. I’m really just hoping it dies down.
The problem is all these kids will be going to high school together. “
“Have you thought about changing schools?”
“Chloe refuses, says she would rather stay where she has one or two friends versus starting over at a brand-new school where everyone knows who I am.”
“That’s a tough spot to be in. Chloe just needs to remember her worth and not believe the bad things these kids say to her. She needs to keep her confidence up.”
I scoff. “Yeah, well, her confidence is non-existent right now.”
“What kind of extracurricular activities does she do?”
“She’s on the volleyball team, but that’s about it.”
“Do you mind if I make a suggestion?”
“Not at all. I was hoping with your experience as a teacher you would give me some advice.”
She smiles. “I would try to find another hobby for her, maybe musical theater if she likes to sing?” I nod because Chloe is always singing something.
“Since you have to be on stage, theater really does a great job building kids' confidence, which will then lead to them hopefully being able to handle the bullying better.”
I think about it for a moment and grin, because I do think it’s something Chloe would excel at. “That’s a great idea. I’ll talk to my ex-wife and see if the school has a theater program for her to get into. Even if the school doesn’t, she can look into community theater.”
“Yes, community theater might even be better because then she can make friends outside of her school friend group, and they wouldn’t be part of the school drama.”
“Ah, yes! I didn’t even think about that.” Her idea is brilliant and fills me with hope for Chloe. “I really appreciate the advice. Thanks for listening.”
She’s looking at my mouth, and my gaze flickers from her smile to her throat bobbing in a gulp. “You’re welcome,” she says in a raspy voice.
Our eyes lock, and I realize I don’t want our conversation to end. “Sorry, I’ve been doing all the talking. Tell me how you’ve been doing?”
She clears her throat before responding. “Doing good. Just keeping busy with both of my jobs and being a mom.”
“How’s Zander?”
Her smile when I say his name lights up her entire face with joy. “He’s great. Thanks for asking.”
“Awesome.” I swallow, trying to think of something else to keep the conversation going. “What did you guys do for Halloween?”
“My apartment complex has a Halloween party on the bottom floor where we all chip in for candy. We also came here for a little bit as well.”
“What was he for Halloween?”
She pulls her phone from her back pocket of her jeans and shows me a photo. “We were a lifeguard and a shark.”
Kiley is dressed in one of those t-shirts that has a naked man’s chest on it, with red shorts that show off her shapely legs, flip-flops, a whistle and a hat that says “Lifeguard.” Zander is wearing a plush shark costume.
“You guys look amazing. Do you always dress up for Halloween together?”
“Yeah, it’s been our tradition since he was born,” she answers with a shrug. “What was Chloe?”
“She was a vampire, looking far too sexy for my liking.” It’s my turn to take out my phone and show her a photo.
“She looks great. Her makeup is on point.”
“Thanks, she did it herself.”
“Wow, maybe she should think of going into cosmetology.”
“Another great idea, Teach.” Her laughter is light and whimsical, filling my chest with warmth.
“Thanks, I try.” She picks up her rag and is about to say something but then stalls. “Um, would you like something to drink?”
“Yeah, I’ll take a pint.”
“No problem.” She turns around to walk to the bar, and my gaze slips to her backside.
The jeans she’s wearing today are looser compared to the ones she wore during the bachelorette party.
My dick hardens remembering not only what her ass looked like in those form fitting jeans, but also how good it felt when my hands gently grazed it.
Stop thinking about that night, I chide myself and look away.
“Where’s everybody?” I ask, looking around to see who else is here. It’s basically only us and Gina in the entire place.
“Dad is staying home tonight. He’s been working most nights and needed a break. Keegan’s watching Zander like usual.”
“So that’s where Zander is when you’re at work?” What about Zander’s dad and why isn’t he watching his kid?
She nods. “Keegan or my mom will watch him when I’m working the bar, and if both of them are unavailable, then sometimes my best friend, Audrey, will watch him for me.”
“Ah yes, I remember meeting Audrey.”
Her smile fades and she gets pensive. “Listen about that night,” she starts and takes a deep breath.
“Thank you for saving me from that guy. You didn’t have to do that, especially with the way I’ve treated you in the past.” She looks down at her fidgeting hands before continuing.
“I’m really sorry about my past behavior.
I’ve misjudged you and your character. You didn’t deserve my judgment, so I hope you accept my apology. ”