Power Forward (Chicago Thunder, #4)

by Jodi Oliver

We’ll talk about it, then that’s it. It’s in the past, and it has to stay there.” “I like the sound of that.” “And I need you to talk to me. I know you lied to me earlier, telling me you were fine when you weren’t. I want to help you, Hayden. I want to be there to support you in every way, but it means you need to be honest with me. Please don’t hide your pain from me.” He scrunches up his face in a grimace. “I’m sorry. It’s like a reflex.” “Don’t be sorry, just be honest with me.”

“Can I help you with anything now?” I lower my head, and my breath ghosts over his lips as I say quietly, “I have an amazing waterfall shower. Will heat help?” He smirks. “Is that an invitation, Jax?” “It can be.” I wink and press my lips to his in a fleeting kiss.

👀

I can see the hesitancy in his eyes, but they’re also full of want. I curve my hand around his waist and pull him closer. “So, how about it? Can I care for you?” He answers by kissing me again and whispering, “Lead the way.”

“You’re covered,” I whisper, referring to the tattoos that cover almost his entire body. “Will you tell me about them?” He swallows hard, his eyes darting to a spot over my shoulder before focusing back on me. “I started to get them as a way to silence my brain when it got too much. A way to escape, I guess.”

🥺

It breaks my heart knowing that there was a possibility I could’ve lost him. Sure, he wasn’t mine then and hasn’t been mine for a long time, but knowing there was a chance he could have been successful. That I wouldn’t have gotten the chance to hold him again, to smell him, to kiss him… I choke out a sob into his mouth and rest my forehead against his, tightening my arms around him. “I know I’ve said this before, but I’m so fucking glad you’re here, Cas. I…” My voice cracks, and Hayden presses his mouth to mine again. “I’m here, and I’ll be here until you tell me otherwise,” he whispers against my lips.

Water clings to his eyelashes as he watches me rub my hands over his thighs to his knees. The scars from his surgeries are healed, but it causes another wave of… something to rush through me. Guilt? Fear? Pity? I don’t know, but all I know is I will do anything I can to ensure he doesn’t suffer. If it means carrying him up and down my goddamn stairs, I’ll do it. I’ll do anything.

“I hear you’ve got some of my hockey cards,” he murmurs. I laugh softly, hands skimming his ribs. “Who told you that?” “Your son.” I snort. Of course Ryan told him. “The little shit. I told him to keep that a secret.” He lifts his head to look at me with one eyebrow raised. “You wanna know a secret?” “Yeah,” I croak. “I have yours too. I keep them in my office.” “You do?” He kisses one corner of my mouth, then the other. “Yeah. It’s always been you, Jax.” And I know, right there and then, while we exchange tired kisses and gentle strokes of hands over skin, that it’s always been Hayden for me too.

I have already cried so much over these boys.

“Also… we’re playing in Los Angeles next week…” His hand inches higher as his words trail off, and my cock doesn’t fail to notice. “We’re staying the night before heading down to San Jose.” “What are you thinking?” I ask huskily. “Maybe you could come stay the night.” I beam. “You want me to be your booty call, Wilde?” “Fuck off.” He laughs. “We’re limited on what we can do while the kids are here, but fuck, Cas. I want to get my hands on you so bad.”

“I think we both need a minute, but are you ready to be welcomed into chaos?” My grin almost splits my face in two. “I’m more than ready.”

“What is that?” Elliot points to a dish with slight disgust. I follow the direction of his hand, then swallow down my laughter. “Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows.” His eyes widen. “With marshmallows?” “You’ve never had it before?” “No!” He practically lies on top of the counter and takes a deep inhale. “It smells fucking awesome, though. Like my teeth are gonna fall out.” “Whose teeth are falling out?” Blaine appears with a beer in hand. “Mine when I eat that.” Elliot points to the casserole. “Have you ever had sweet potatoes with marshmallows?” “Uhh, no? Who would put marshmallows with potatoes?” “It’s a holiday classic, you dingus.” I grin at the twins’ puzzled faces.

Elliot. You are everything to me.