15. Jax
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
JAX
It’s two days before Christmas and my body is struggling from the daily grind, which sucks since we’re only at the three-month mark of the season.
Physical therapy and rest are helping, but I feel like a ping-pong ball playing between home and away games.
Having games every other day barely gives us time to recover.
We have a schedule freeze for the holidays starting tomorrow, but thankfully, Coach took pity and gave us today off since we had a game last night.
Technically, we’re still working on our day off, but it’s my favorite kind of work.
Today we’re handing out gifts to the kids at one of the local children’s hospitals.
Our community relations department takes care of buying the gifts, but myself and a couple of the other guys also buy gift cards on our own dime and give them to the families and nurses who are working.
I love trying to bring some sort of joy to the families and patients at the hospital during this difficult time in their lives.
My day has started off with waking up an hour earlier to get the gift cards I bought ready.
Once those were finished, I did a quick workout at the gym.
Now I’m showered and dressed, so I race out of my building and drive myself to the hospital.
Once I park in the garage, I walk to the main entrance to meet with the other players and our mascot, Ashe.
We shoot the shit until everyone arrives, and then we’re given a briefing by the hospital coordinator.
Our group of twelve players will be separated into four teams of three.
Each team will hit a floor at separate times.
Our community relations team will keep us running on time.
“Who wants to dress up as Santa Claus?” the hospital coordinator asks, and all of us raise our hands. She laughs and points to Beau. “I saw your hand go up first, so here you go, Santa.” She hands him the Santa Claus costume, and we all clap.
We help Beau get the costume on, and the ribbing of how ridiculous he looks instantaneously takes effect. He takes it like a champ and lets all comments bounce right off of him.
By the time we’re debriefed and have taken photos with the hospital staff, it’s an hour later.
We spend the next three hours meeting the kids and their families.
It’s hard not to get choked up seeing some of these children going through such hardships.
I’m in awe of these families holding it together with their mental strength.
After we’re done, we leave and go to one of the local restaurants for a late lunch.
Because there’s so many of us, lunch takes about two hours.
After we’ve all finished lunch, it’s time to go to O’Shea’s and set up for our meet and greet autograph session.
The community relations department did a great job advertising this, and a line is already forming outside around the building.
We’re instructed to park in a lot that’s a couple blocks away so security can escort us through the back door of O’Shea’s.
Once everyone’s arrived, we go together as a group.
I’ve never walked into O’Shea’s through their service entrance before, so this feels like a new, secret adventure.
Keegan is at the door waiting for us. When we’re all in and he’s locked the back door, he leads us through the kitchen until we exit through the swinging doors to the bar.
It’s a bustle of activity as staff move tables and chairs to form an assembly line for autographs.
All hands are on deck, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many staff members working at O’Shea’s.
I look around for Kiley, and I can’t help but smile when I spot her by the front windows, wiping down more tabletops.
A red and green elf hat is sitting on top of her head with her hair styled half up, half down.
She’s wearing a long-sleeve, green O’Shea’s Pub shirt with tight fitting black jeans that remind me of the night in St. Louis, except these have holes cut out at the knees.
She must feel my gaze on her because she looks up at me, and when she does, her smile hits me in places it shouldn’t.
I swallow hard and tell myself I’m just overreacting since I haven’t gotten laid in eight months.
I would react this way to any gorgeous woman who smiled at me like that.
Wouldn’t I?
“Lads! You’re here sooner than we anticipated.” Killian greets us and proceeds to give each and every one of us a hug. “You can go wait in the private room if you want. We’re setting up food and drinks for you there.”
I watch the guys make a beeline for the room, but I stay back. “Can we help with anything?” I ask because I feel bad that the staff are doing everything and we’re just standing around.
“Nope, we’re almost done, but thanks for offering.”
“The place looks great, Killian,” I comment while checking out the décor. The pub is always decorated for the holidays, and this year is no exception.
“Aye, thanks.” He looks around, pride filling his eyes.
“That is the missus’s department, and she makes it fun for the staff to help and participate.
” He leans in close, a twinkle in his eye.
“This year, the staff strategically placed mistletoe around the bar, and they’ve been calling people out, offering them a free shot of whiskey if they publicly kiss. ”
I chuckle. “A free shot? Are you guys out of whiskey yet?”
He scoffs. “Never!” He gives me a look as if I’ve insulted him, and it makes me laugh even harder. “They don’t do it to everyone who stands under the mistletoe, and you can’t win a shot more than once.”
“Ah, smart rule,” I answer.
“It’s been a lot of fun.” He gets serious for a moment and leans in so others can’t hear our conversation. “I received your wire transfer today, and I just have to say thank you, Jax. It means the world to me. You really didn’t have to do this.”
I clasp his shoulder and squeeze. “I know I didn’t, but I wanted to. Besides, Kiley is really saving my ass by watching Chloe. You don’t know what a relief it is for me to know she’ll be in good hands while I’m away.”
After Kiley’s visit to the condo, Chloe seemed more at ease with the idea of Kiley watching her. Gretchen admitted that Kiley was nice but kept stating that she found it weird that I never mentioned how pretty Kiley was. Her insinuating that I only hired Kiley for her looks pissed me off.
“Chloe is in good hands for sure. Speaking about Kiley…” We both look her way as she approaches us.
“Merry Christmas, Jax,” she greets, and I think I see her cheeks flush.
“Merry Christmas, Kiley.” I subconsciously take a step forward to kiss her on her cheek but stop myself. What in the heck are you doing, Jax? I try to cover my awkwardness by making a joke. “Are you ready to report for duty soon?”
“Yes, sir!” She salutes, and I can’t help but chuckle at the grin she gives me.
“Where’s my buddy, Zander, at?” I inquire, curious as to where the little guy is.
“He’s home with my mom. It would’ve been too distracting with him here.”
“No, it wouldn't,” her dad mumbles, and I smirk as she rolls her eyes at him.
“Is he excited for Christmas?”
“He’s always excited for Christmas, especially when my dad starts giving him gifts three days before.” She places her hands on her hips and looks at her dad with an exasperated expression. “This one spoils him rotten.”
Killian just shrugs. “I’m supposed to, he’s my grandson. Speaking about Christmas…” he turns to me and changes the subject. “Jax, what are you doing for the holidays?”
“Connor O’Riley always has an ugly sweater party for the team on Christmas Eve, so I’ll go to that, but nothing on Christmas Day.”
“What do you mean, nothing?” Killian asks.
I shrug. “Meaning I don’t do anything if Chloe isn’t in town. I usually wait for her, so this year, we will celebrate Christmas on the 26th.”
“You will spend Christmas at my house,” Killian announces, and I watch Kiley’s eyes go wide while looking at her dad.
“I couldn’t impose, Killian.”
“You’re not imposing, Jax. We have a big Christmas brunch and have more than enough food.” I start to object, but he interrupts me. “I won’t take no for an answer.”
I chuckle, knowing that I have no choice in the matter. “Alright, I’ll be there… if that’s okay with Kiley?”
“Oh no, you don’t get to leave the decision in my hands again. Besides, it isn’t my house, so not for me to decide.” She gives me a mischievous smile and walks away.
Don’t watch her walk away, Jax! Focus on Killian, I rapidly repeat numerous times in my brain.
“What time should I be there, Killian?”
“Eleven a.m. should be fine, and do not bring anything but yourself.”
Fat chance that will happen. My mother always taught me that if you’re invited to someone’s house, you bring them something as a thank you.
“Hey everyone!” Rebecca calls out loudly to get everyone’s attention. “Can you please take a seat so we can debrief about today’s event? Doors open in thirty minutes, and we want to make sure we’re all on the same page.”
She asks Kiley to go get the rest of the players from the private room and any other staff out of the kitchen and offices to join us. Kiley obliges, and once everyone is gathered, Rebecca begins the debrief.
Four hours later and the bar is still packed with patrons from the meet and greet along with the crowd who takes advantage of the Wednesday night specials. The foot traffic has been non-stop, and I’m ecstatic to see that the food and drinks are flowing more than usual.
Most of the guys have stuck around and are enjoying themselves.
Some have retreated to the private room, while others are still out mingling with fans.
I’ve always preferred to make myself available to the fans.
I enjoy getting to know the ones who are kind and respectful and have a real passion for the game.