22. Jax
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
JAX
By the time I wake up later that morning, the house is dead silent.
I look at the clock to see it is way past the time Kiley leaves with the kids.
I must’ve been in a deep sleep to not have heard at least Zander running around.
That or Kiley bribed him with some sugar to stay silent because that kid would definitely win a staring contest if it meant he got a sugary treat.
I grab my phone from its charger on my nightstand to see if I have any texts from Kiley. The only messages are from Chloe asking if I was alive and Harry, wondering if I want to meet up for lunch since Coach gave us the day off to rest.
I text Chloe back first, apologizing that I missed her and then tell Harry yes for lunch.
I put my phone aside and stare up at the ceiling.
I know I didn’t handle myself very well with Kiley and she’s probably mad at me.
I wasn’t thinking straight after that mind-blowing orgasm.
Not only was I surprised at my reaction, but I was also embarrassed that I came in my pants like an adolescent boy.
Instead of kicking her out, I should’ve made a joke about it so we could’ve laughed together.
I owe her an apology for my rude behavior.
“Shit,” I mutter, wondering how I can make this up to her besides giving her more incredible orgasms, which are definitely in our forecast for this evening.
That is until I realize I won’t be seeing her tonight.
Since it’s Friday and I don’t have a game until tomorrow, I normally pick Chloe up from school, and Kiley and Zander go home.
I don’t want to wait until then to apologize, so I decide to test the waters out first by grabbing my phone and sending her a text.
Jax: I’m so sorry I didn’t wake up to help with breakfast and say good morning to everyone. Looks like you wore me out last night. Speaking of last night, I want to apologize for my rudeness. I was just embarrassed by my teenage reaction to the best dry humping sessions I’ve ever had in my life.
I must’ve deleted and re-typed my message three times before finally sending it.
I know she won’t answer me right away since she’s teaching, so I toss the phone on my bed and decide to get up to get dressed for my workout.
I rub my hands over my face, feeling flustered.
Why am I so worried about how she’s feeling after last night?
I’ve made the rules crystal clear. I shouldn’t even be worrying about her reaction to my text.
This is just casual sex. I don’t need to explain myself.
With that mental pep talk, I get dressed and leave the house.
Keeping myself busy made the day go by faster, and soon I found myself pulling up to Chloe’s school. I’m sitting in the car rider line when Kiley finally returns my message.
Kiley: Hey! Sorry for the delayed response.
Yes, I did have to bribe Zander with a stop at the donut shop before school in order to get him to stay quiet.
Worked like a charm if you didn’t wake up.
Hope you got some good sleep. I appreciate the apology and can relate as I too felt like a teenager with how wet my pants were when I left your room.
I groan and feel myself harden against my jeans at the memories from last night. I start to respond when the door is jerked open and Chloe throws her backpack in.
“Dad! Guess what?”
I quickly adjust myself and lock my phone screen. “What?”
She hops into the car and shuts the door. “I got a role in the play!”
My eyes widen in surprise. “Chloe, that’s amazing! Congratulations, honey.” I lean over the center console to give her a hug. “What’s the part?”
“One of the evil stepsisters. Muah-ha-ha.” Chloe’s giggle after her evil laugh makes me chuckle. “I also got invited to one of my new friend’s birthday party. She plays the other evil stepsister, and her name is Mischa.”
“Sweet,” I tell her while navigating the car line traffic. “When’s the birthday party?”
She pulls out an invitation from her backpack. “February 13th.”
I frown. “I was going to take you away that weekend.”
“Can we go another weekend?”
“I don’t think so; you leave to go home that Monday for your mid-winter break.”
She pouts. “Please, Dad. I really want to go to this birthday party.”
I haven’t seen my child this happy in a long time. I swallow my own selfishness of wanting to go on a trip with her and smile. “Sure, Chlo. I will re-schedule it.”
“Thanks, Dad!” She leans over and kisses me on the cheek. “This has been the best day ever.”
“Well, let’s make it an even greater night. Shopping and dinner?” I suggest, and she squeals in excitement.
“Can we go into the makeup store? I need new foundation.” She pulls down the passenger visor and checks her appearance in the mirror.
“Foundation? Since when do you wear foundation?” I ask, giving her a quick glance before sliding my gaze back to the road.
“Since seventh grade, Dad,” she huffs with an eye roll.
“So just last year?”
“Yes.”
“Hmpf. I don’t know how I feel about this.” I don’t know why I hadn’t realized she wore foundation already. I knew she wore mascara, but foundation? Gosh, my baby grew up quickly.
She narrows her eyes at me. “You know I also get my period, right?”
“Aw, Chlo, come on,” I whine, wishing I could cover my ears right now.
She bursts out laughing at my uncomfortable reaction.
I really didn’t want to know this, but I guess if she’s living with me, these are things I need to be aware of.
“No, I didn’t realize that either.” I do the math in my head and realize I haven’t bought her any feminine products since she’s moved in.
“Do we need to go to the store to get you anything?”
“No, Kiley made sure I am well-stocked.”
Bless that woman for dealing with that for me.
“Speaking about Kiley, can we get her flowers or something as a thank you? She helped me prepare for my audition, and I don’t know if I would’ve gotten the part without her help.”
My chest warms at my daughter’s thoughtful gesture. “Of course we can. We can get her a bouquet from you and me.”
Chloe gives me a confused look. “Why do you need to get her one?”
“As a thank you for taking excellent care of you so far,” I answer, and while that is half true, it also will be for acting like an ass last night. “People appreciate nice gestures, no matter how big or small they are.”
She nods. “Do you think we should get Zander something? Will he get jealous?”
“That’s sweet of you to think of him. What do you suggest we get him?”
She thinks for a moment. “Maybe a new puzzle set that the three of us can work on together.”
I’m so proud of my kid and her kind heart. I grip the steering wheel harder to refrain from ruffling her hair. “Great idea. You can pick one out for us to work on.”
“Cool,” she responds and fidgets with the radio while I drive us to the nearest mall.
After treating Chloe to the mall and her favorite Hibachi restaurant, we go to the grocery store to buy some necessities like ice cream and flowers for Kiley. Once we get home, we make sundaes together, and I help Chloe with her homework.
Now I’m lying in bed with the television on low as background noise. I’ve been debating whether or not I should text Kiley. I have zero reason other than the fact I enjoy talking to her. Friends text each other, I tell myself when I grab my phone and give in.
Jax: What are you doing right now?
I stare at my phone in anticipation, and those three little dots appear.
Kiley: Getting ready for my date.
I shoot up in bed and blink a couple of times as I re-read her message. Date? What the fuck? After what we did last night, she’s going on a date? And at this time of night?
My blood boils even though I have zero right to feel this way.
We never talked about being exclusive fuck buddies, and who am I to judge her when I’ve had multiple partners at once in the past?
But what bothers me the most is the thought of another man’s hands on her.
Not only is that a huge problem for me, but my reaction to the thought of it is as well.
She’s not yours, Jax, and you’ve made it clear she can’t be.
I feel my phone buzz in my hand and see that Kiley has sent another message.
Kiley: Meet my date, BOB…
A picture of a pink, dual rabbit vibrator appears.
I bark out a laugh and then cover my mouth in order to not wake Chloe. My laughter recedes, and I decide to call Kiley instead, wanting to hear that little minx’s voice.
“That seemed to have gotten your attention,” Kiley teases as soon as she picks up.
“Oh, I’m standing at attention, alright.” I look down at myself getting harder at the thought of Kiley using her toy on herself. “You’re playing dirty again.”
“I have a feeling you prefer it that way.”
“Don’t tempt me with a good time, Kiley. You know I’ll deliver.”
She chuckles softly and the sound of it goes straight to my dick.
If we were both alone in our respective houses, I would ask her to FaceTime me and show me how her date is satisfying her.
But since that isn’t happening, I try to get the dirty thoughts out of my head and have a normal, innocent, adult conversation.
“Did you and Zander have a good evening?”
“Yes, we had dinner with my parents and Keegan at the pub. What about you and Chloe?”
“She got a part in the spring musical, so I took her out to celebrate.”
“That was definitely worth celebrating. She sent me a text with the good news. I’m so proud of her.”
My chest tightens at hearing that Chloe reached out to her on her own accord. “Chloe says she couldn’t have done it without you.”
She scoffs. “That’s not true. She’s pretty talented.”
“I agree but thank you for helping her get ready for it.”
“You’re welcome. I’m just doing my job.”
“Well, you’re pretty fantastic at it.” I can only imagine how red Kiley’s face is right now with the compliment. “How are your parents? I haven’t heard from your dad in a while. I owe him a text.”
She chuckles. “Funny, he said the same thing about you. Everyone is fine. I’m going to relieve Keegan from work while he’s on vacation when you go on your mid-winter break.”
I frown, not liking the idea of her going back to work there at night. “Why do you have to do that? Who would watch Zander?”
“I don’t have to do it, but it saves my dad from hiring someone else, and besides, sometimes I miss the people there. My mom will watch Zander. It will only be a couple of nights while Keegan goes on vacation.” She tries to reassure me, but I still don’t like the idea.
“Nice to hear that Keegan goes on vacation, but do you ever take one?”
“I went to St. Louis a couple of months ago. Pretty sure I remember seeing you there,” she teases.
I chuckle. “That wasn’t a vacation.”
“Any night that I don’t have kid duties is a vacation.” She laughs and the whimsical melody of it makes me smile.
It makes sense she would feel that way, but Kiley deserves a real vacation. I make a mental note to figure out how I can make it happen.
An idea then occurs to me. “Have you used the gift card I got you for the spa yet?”
“Um, no,” she drawls out. “When would I have time to do that?”
I scowl. “Make an appointment during one of my days off. I’ll watch Zander.”
“Jax, that isn’t necessary.”
“Don’t argue with me, Kiley. Make the appointment, or I will make it for you.”
“Wow,” she starts, but then gets silent. “Okay.”
I smile. “Good girl.”
“You know, it's pretty damn sexy when you get demanding like that.” Her voice is husky, and I close my eyes, loving the fact that she’s telling me what she likes.
“I’ll remember that when I see you tomorrow after the game.”
“Hmm,” she purrs, and the sound only makes me harder. “It’s time for me to go, Jax. My date needs my attention.”
I sharply inhale and sneak my free hand under the covers to fist my erection. “You better go pay attention to your date,” I murmur in a low voice. “And Kiley?”
“Yes?”
“Think of me when you come.”
She’s silent for a second before saying, “Sweet dreams, Jax.”
We hang up the phone, and I imagine her doing just that.