33. Kiley
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
KILEY
It’s been a whirlwind since we landed in Boston.
Patrick booked us an early morning flight out of Chicago so we could have three full days here before departing on Saturday.
He seemed disappointed that we weren’t staying until Sunday, but we have to be back for Chloe due to Jax having a game Sunday afternoon and school starting back up on Monday.
Patrick picked us up from the airport and took us straight to the Children’s Museum for Zander to explore.
We stayed there for a couple of hours, but Zander was struggling because of waking up earlier than normal to catch our flight.
We went back to the hotel so Zander and I could take a nap before we met Patrick for dinner.
Our hotel had an indoor pool, so we ended the evening with a swim.
I thought for sure I was going to pass out and sleep deeply with how active we were, but I found myself staring up at the ceiling, thinking about my life.
It’s been difficult trying to act happy in front of Zander when all I can think about is Jax and how I let him break my heart.
I was grateful for the couple of hours on the plane because I let the computer entertain Zander while my mind zoned out.
Once Zander went to bed, all I could think about is Jax and how I should’ve done things differently to protect myself.
But worst of all, I miss him. I miss our talks, his lingering looks, his laughter and I miss his touch.
I want to regret every single intimate moment I had with him, but I don’t.
If anything, this has taught me that I can’t handle a friends-with-benefits relationship.
The next guy I bring around Zander has got to want to be with me for the right reasons and has to see us as his future.
I can’t even fathom being with someone new.
I can now slightly understand Jax’s anti-relationship stance.
I can’t even imagine going through this twice like he has.
Maybe I’ll just stay single for the rest of my life.
Even though I can’t help myself, I’ve kept tabs on the team while they’ve been out on the road. Chloe sent me photos from tonight’s game, and one of them was a closeup of Jax on the Jumbotron after he scored a goal. He doesn’t look happy, and I wonder if he’s suffering as much as I am.
Serves him right.
Despite being on a current losing streak, the team will most likely make the playoffs, which means my employment as his nanny has been extended by at least a couple of weeks, maybe even more if they make it to the second round and beyond.
I wish I knew someone who could take my place, but I was paid to be Chloe’s nanny until the season is over.
I will fulfill my obligation no matter how broken my heart is.
The weather was unusually warm by Boston standards the next day, and I asked Patrick if we could spend as much time outdoors as possible before the sun went down.
He changed our itinerary for mostly outdoor activities, with our first stop being one of the world’s oldest naval vessels.
Zander was beyond excited to be on a “big pirate ship” even though we kept telling him it wasn’t.
After touring the boat, we hit up the museum and then headed to the Boston Public Gardens.
“Hey, what do you think about meeting my family tonight for dinner?” Patrick asks while he pushes Zander on the swing. “They’re dying to meet little man.”
I plaster a smile on my face, but am freaking out on the inside. I knew this might be a possibility while we were here, but for some reason, I wasn’t expecting it to be on our second day.
“Would it be at a restaurant or at their home?” I ask, praying it’s not the latter.
Patrick thinks for a moment. “What do you think would be best for Zander?”
“A restaurant,” I answer because if for some reason dinner is uncomfortable, I can feign sickness and go back to the hotel.
“Great.” He stops pushing Zander, pulls out his phone and starts texting. “Does seven work or is that too late for Z?”
“How about 6:30?” I offer.
“That should work,” he responds, and continues texting.
“Will it just be your parents?” I ask because I have a sinking suspicion it won’t be.
He gives me a sheepish grin while putting his phone away. “My brother and his family want to come too. Is that okay? I know that might be a lot, but it’s the only night that works for everyone while you’re here.”
I feel guilty saying no, despite feeling overwhelmed, so instead I reply, “Sure, that’s fine.”
After the park, we grab some lunch. Even though Zander usually doesn’t take afternoon naps anymore due to school, I ask Patrick to drop us off at the hotel for him to nap.
My head is pounding with a headache, and I really want some alone time.
This seems to work for Patrick because he mentions going to his office to catch up on work.
We arrive back at the hotel, and Zander falls asleep pretty quickly.
I take some headache medicine and lay down, but my mind is wide awake with worry about meeting Patrick’s family.
I wish I had brought someone with me so I wouldn’t be meeting them alone.
Jax’s handsome face flashes through my brain.
Not him, heart. He’s the enemy! I hate to admit it, but Jax would’ve been the perfect person.
He’s so great with people. He can steer any conversation with that charming smile of his.
Stop thinking about him, brain!
After tossing and turning, I know I’m not going to fall asleep, so I tiptoe out of the bedroom and shut the door behind me. Patrick got us a one-bedroom suite, and it’s nice to have a barrier between the bedroom and living room so I can watch television without waking Zander.
I didn’t eat much at lunch because of my headache, so I decide to order room service. I peruse the menu, pick up the phone, and order some clam chowder with French fries. After I hang up, I switch on the television, turn the volume down and sit back on the couch to let my mind relax.
Fifteen minutes go by, and there’s a soft knock on my door.
I get up from the couch, walk to the door and don’t bother looking through the peephole since it should be room service with my food.
Instead, when I open the door, I’m greeted by the last person in the world I was expecting to see on the other side of the threshold.
“Jax!” I gasp out in shock. “What are you doing here?” I look him up and down, making sure I’m not hallucinating. He looks so damn hot in his black bomber jacket, dark indigo jeans and black shoes. He’s holding a vase containing a bouquet of red and pink roses. “Don’t you have a game tomorrow?”
“Yes, but we got today off and I promised Coach I would be back tomorrow by mid-morning. I flew in because I really need to talk to you.” His sexy smile is making my heart pound, and it takes every effort to concentrate on what he’s saying.
“You could’ve waited until Sunday to talk to me.” I shake my head, not understanding what is going on. “How did you even know where to find me?”
“Your brother told me your location.”
My eyes almost bulge out of my head. “Keegan told you?” My brother and I can see each other’s location via our phones, which I forgot about until last week when I confessed to him what happened between me and Jax.
He revealed he figured something was going on when it was evident my girl’s night was a lie when he looked up my location to see I was at Jax’s all night long.
It still shocks me to hear he would tell Jax my location after he said he wanted to beat his ass. “Why would he do that?”
“I guess he doesn’t hate me anymore after I asked him and your parents’ permission to properly date you.”
My heart jolts like it’s just been shocked by a defibrillator. “You did what?”
He looks over my shoulder and asks, “Can we discuss this inside your room?”
I grab the door handle and bring the door closer to my body. “No, because Zander is sleeping and you and me in a room alone together is never a good thing.”
He gives me a sexy smirk. “I happen to think it’s always a good thing.”
I point my finger at him. “No, stop that. I’m mad at you and I’m confused. I don’t understand how you do a complete one eighty in less than two weeks. You went from only wanting a physical relationship to asking my parents’ permission to date me?”
“I guess we’re doing this out here,” he mutters and then stares intensely into my eyes. “Kiley, I’m in love with you, and I don’t want to waste any more time not being officially together.”
My mouth drops open in complete shock.
“Um… excuse me, but did one of you order room service?”
We both turn to see a hotel employee carrying a tray with my food, standing awkwardly a couple feet away. Clearly, he just heard everything Jax just said.
“I did,” I answer.
Jax hands me the flowers and takes the tray from him. I sign for the meal with my free hand and open the door wider for Jax to come inside. I close the door behind him and put the flowers down. He follows by putting the tray of food on the dining room table.
He looks around the suite, his face registering surprise. “This is nice.”
“Thanks, Patrick booked it for us.”
He clamps his mouth shut and I see his jaw tick. “That was nice of him,” he admits in a low, deep murmur. His gaze drops down to my food before looking back up at me. “Do you want to eat first?”
“No, I want you to explain yourself.” I cross my arms over my chest, needing some clarity. “What has changed?”