Chapter 35 Taevin #2
Jax tugs at my knit hat covering my head and then pulls me against his chest, attempting to wrap me in his warmth.
With my face pressed against his chest, he explains, “This is our only weekend off before Thanksgiving so the group decided to bring Friendsgiving to us in case you weren’t feeling up to leaving the house.
But I can tell them we just want a quiet night in.
I know you’re exhausted, and if I’m being honest, I don’t want to share you with anyone. ”
I run my hand along his chest, loving the way my ring looks back on my finger. “I’m not sure how much energy I have to host, but it would be nice to see everyone.”
“Are you sure?” he asks, his voice laced with worry. “You were just telling me how exhausted you were. And your stomach.”
“Yeah, I’m sure. I have no clue what we’re going to eat though. Maybe we can order some pizzas?”
Jax pulls me impossibly closer against his warm chest when I let out another shiver. “The ladies have been cooking all afternoon while the guys came over to set up the trees. Let’s get you inside by the fire and then I’ll help them carry everything in.”
Once I’m settled into my favorite chair by the fire with my reheated cup of hot cocoa, Jax helps everyone inside.
I feel bad that I’m not feeling up to greeting everyone the way I’d like, but after they hang up their jackets and take off their shoes, they make their way toward me and I don’t even try to bite back my tired smile.
“Hey, girlie! How are you feeling?” Kenna asks, bending down to give me a hug.
“At the moment? Cold. But also extremely grateful for you all coming over here and preparing everything,” I tell her.
Scarlett steps up next and bends to embrace me. “It’s our pleasure. We’re just glad you’re able to be here and that we found a day that worked for everyone’s schedules.”
With that, Walker comes bouncing over with a reserved Gemma by her side. Her shyness is something Scar and Bennett told me is really only around me. Jax has said she’s a little firecracker around everyone else, so I’ve made it my mission to get her to loosen up around me.
“Hey, sis. I can’t wait to spend the night with you while the boys are away next week,” Walker says, sitting on the arm of my chair and squeezing me to her chest.
“I’m looking forward to one of your breakfast smoothies. I’ve tried and failed multiple times attempting to recreate the one you made me last week,” I admit, wincing when I think of how badly the last one turned out.
The door opens again, and when I look to see who else is joining us, I’m surprised as hell to see Enzo Calvetti in our home.
I mean, Jackson told me that the two of them hashed out their differences about a week ago after they lost one of their games, but I didn’t think their reconciliation meant he’d be joining us for Friendsgiving.
When I feel Walker stiffen beside me, I look up at her and see I’m not the only one shocked to see Calvetti.
“What’s he doing here?” she whisper-hisses.
I shrug my shoulders. “I’m just as surprised as you are.”
“I highly doubt that,” she mutters.
Biting the inside of my cheek so I don’t laugh, I murmur, “I guess he and Jax must’ve kissed and made up.”
Enzo looks over the room and when his gaze lands on Walker, he puts his hands in his pockets and lifts his chin at her.
“Oh, fuck no! Is he for real?” Walker stands abruptly and storms into the kitchen.
While I’m not entirely up to speed on what’s happening there, I do know the two of them were both on Ballroom Battles, the competition show Walker was a professional dancer for this spring and Enzo was her celebrity partner.
They made it to the finals and were the runner-ups, but there was heavy speculation that the two were doing the tango on and offstage, if you know what I mean.
At one of our sleepovers while the guys were on the road, I asked Walker about it, and she brushed it off, saying her agent told her to lean into the speculation for more votes.
What she didn’t realize is the two of them sold it maybe a little too well .
. . So much so that her brothers were apparently ready to hop on a plane to LA to confront Enzo about his ten-year age gap with their “baby sister.”
Whatever did or didn’t happen is none of my business unless Walker wants to confide in me, and I’ve reminded her that I’m here for her if and when she needs me. Last week she mentioned she’s been seeing someone new, so I guess we shall see.
I’m pulled from my thoughts when Gemma shyly waves at me.
“Hey, Gems! It’s so good to see you.”
“Hey, Taevin. You too!”
Jax mentioned Bennett has been giving Gemma guitar lessons for the past year and that she was a talented songwriter, though she kept it under wraps.
I don’t want to overstep, but I think she’d get a kick out of seeing the home studio Jax built for me so I wave her closer and murmur, “I hear you like to play the piano and guitar. Can I show you something?”
Her cheeks heat but she nods her head in reply. I lift from my chair, albeit slow as hell, and hold my hand out for her.
She helps me down the stairs into the basement, and when I turn the lights on in the music studio, Gemma lets out a gasp that makes me internally squeal in delight.
I trudge along, showing her around the space and pointing out different equipment, loving the opportunity to take her under my wing, even if only for a moment. I’m suddenly the most creatively energized I’ve been in months, and I’d love nothing more than to hole up in the studio with her for hours.
“If you have some time during your winter break next month, we could record something if you’re up for it.”
“Oh my gosh, are you serious?!” Gemma squeals. I don’t even try to stop the smile that mirrors hers.
“Absolutely,” I assure her.
“I’d seriously love that,” she replies, and I clap in excitement at the prospect of working with her.
Once we get back upstairs, it’s as if the main level has been transformed.
A second table has appeared out of nowhere and is set with dinnerware matching our dining room set.
The entire kitchen island is overflowing with food and appetizers, complete with a turkey cooked to perfection in the center.
I gasp. “You guys, this is amazing!”
Jax rounds the table he was setting and pulls me into his arms. “Scar had the idea to host a Friendsgiving last season and we decided to make it a tradition.”
Scar chimes in, “This year we wanted to bring it to you so you didn’t have to worry about traveling. This way, if you get tired you can lay down in your own bed.”
“You’re so sweet. Thank you for including me.” I can’t help but look around the kitchen and living room, taking in all of our friends—and Enzo Calvetti—together under our roof.
The doorbell rings again, and Gunner shouts, “Can I get it, Cap?”
“Sure, Champ,” Bennett replies, shifting to see who’s at the door.
In walks Alexa with two huge men I’m not sure I’ve met yet.
Jax guides me toward them and introduces us.
“Hey guys. I’m pretty sure she needs no introduction, but this is my wife, Taevin Gray.
Taevin, this is Nathan Connelly, he’s the major pain in my ass I’ve told you about,” Jax says, gesturing to the younger one, who mouths fuck you to him before holding his hand out for me to shake.
I do, and Nathan says, “Pleasure to meet you. I’m, unfortunately, one of your husband’s teammates. And, let’s be honest, if anyone’s a pain in the other’s ass, it’s definitely you.”
“Aw, thanks for talking me up in front of my girl, Nathaniel.” Jax flutters his eyelashes like he’s flattered before a mask of indifference takes over. “Now take it back or you’re on dish duty.”
Connelly shakes his head. “Sorry, Jaxy.”
The two do some weird bro-slap-hug thing before Nathan saunters off to stand beside Gemma at the fireplace. Even from here I can see her cheeks heat the moment she sees him.
Interesting.
Turning my attention back to the entryway, I watch as Jax gives Alexa a hug before he slaps the other guy on the shoulder and then, wearing one of the biggest smiles I think I’ve ever seen on him, he introduces us. “Tae, this is Brody Meyer. He’s the—”
He’s cut off when Alexa chides in a mocking tone, “The quarterback of the Voyagers, one of the greatest of all time. Yeah, yeah, we all know.” She rolls her eyes before a salacious smile slowly spreads across her face.
“I’m pretty sure you’ve seen him referenced as Dakota’s douche canoe big brother in our group chat. ”
I snap my fingers together, playing along. “Ah, that’s where I know him from. He’s Mr. Too Cool for Interviews, right?”
Brody barks out a husky chuckle, causing the smile lines around his mouth and eyes to wrinkle in a way I’m not sure has ever been so wildly attractive.
He looks like Scott Eastwood, ruggedly handsome and a little dangerous.
All of that paired with his six-and-a-half-feet frame is definitely the reason why Alexa is doing a horrible job of hiding the eye-fucking she’s giving him right now.
When he meets her eyes, her ogling quickly turns into a scowl.
Oh, the tension! I’m sensing an enemies-to-lovers plot, and I’m here for it.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Gray. Or should I say Mrs. Wilson?” Brody asks.
The question causes me to laugh because up until now, even all those years ago when we were first married, we never discussed whether or not I’d change my last name.
And while I’ve built my career being Taevin Gray, I can’t imagine starting a family with Jackson and not sharing a last name.
Jax cuts in, moving to wrap me in his arms once more. “We’ll have to wait and see.”
A snort comes from the front door, followed by a voice I know all too well. “Jackson Gray. That’d be a great stripper name.”
My heart nearly explodes out of my chest when I catch a glimpse of Ryan’s pink hair as she walks through the front door and shuts it behind her.
I fly out of Jax’s arms and into hers. “What are you doing here?” I ask, unable to believe she’s really here.
“Heard there was going to be a house full of hot athletes,” Ryan says as if her reasoning weren’t obvious.
“Mostly married,” Jax admonishes.
“I’m kidding, hockey boy. I’m actually here because your monthly bag of dicks should be arriving today, according to my confirmation email.”
“Oh my god, his what? Please don’t tell me I heard you wrong,” Alexa squeals, overjoyed by this new development.
“You heard me right,” Ryan assures, winking at Alexa once I’ve stepped out of her arms.
Keeping a hold on my shoulders, Ryan openly looks me over, detailing all of the ways I’ve changed since she last saw me. I can’t imagine what she must be thinking. “In all seriousness, your hubby flew me out here so I could go to your next chemo session with you since he’ll be on the road.”
My eyes water from his thoughtful gesture, and without my permission those pesky songbirds take flight once again. Before I even realize what I’m doing, I’m moving back across the entryway into his arms. Right where I belong.
As I look around the space, a sense of ease I haven’t felt in far too long sinks in. This feels right. Being here, in our home, surrounded by our friends who have become our chosen family is everything I never knew I needed.