Thanks to Ricky for editing. Hope you enjoy.
*****
We drive over to Alex's the next morning, drop off his truck and grab his hockey gear. Alex drives his own truck but I go with Callen. I sit in the back wearing a goofy ear-to-ear grin, asking him questions. I am talking his ear off about anything that comes to mind. We idle in Alex's driveway while he goes about locking up his truck and house. Throwing his gear in the back, he jumps into the front seat of the cab. As we reverse out of the driveway, Callen punches Alex in the arm.
"Ow, what the fuck was that for?"
"What the hell did you do to my brother last night? Don't try to deny it. I heard the both of you and today he's wearing that stupid, goofy, fucking grin - and he has not shut up once."
Alex looks at me and I smile the biggest, cutest smile I can at him.
"Damn, he is cute as hell though, don't ya think? Look, don't worry. I'll try to find his 'off button' later." He's reassuring my brother he'll fix me.
"Make sure you do."
I giggle, causing Alex to suggestively smile at me. As we pull into the rink, my brother punches Alex again.
"I just got that, Asshole."
Alex and I crack up laughing with Callen eventually joining in, while shaking his head.
After what occurred at the bar yesterday, the locker room is quiet. One-by-one, each player enquires how Jase is feeling before they leave. He smiles and says, "OK" or "Good, thanks." It's nice to know he has the whole team behind him. It makes me a little more comfortable about me and Alex announcing our relationship, whenever that happens.
We get creamed. The game is an absolute shambles.
It all started when I was checked into the boards hard enough to have the wind knocked out me and be carried off the ice. When the next line change came, Alex and Callen followed that asshole down to where Dom was waiting and ready. The three of them gave him a bit of a tune up. That move by the three musketeers resulted in a power play. It all went downhill from there. But it was one game I was happy to lose. That fucker really hurt me. I'm almost sure I have a cracked rib or two.
The team goes to Alex's after the game, like last week. I walk into his place like a broken-down rodeo cowboy. Alex helps me into his room and through a door on the other side which is an en-suite bathroom. He runs a bath for me, putting in some muscle relaxer for athletes.
"Get undressed, sweetheart!"
He helps me get off my shirt. Then looks me over, turns me around and checks my back.
''When you're ready, get in the tub. I'll bring you some fresh boxers." He pulls me to him and kisses the side of my head while hugging me. "Relax in there for a while. It should soothe your achy bones."
About half an hour later, Callen comes in with a towel and fresh boxers. I have all but fallen asleep. Whatever he put in the bath water really works. Stepping out of the tub and into the towel Callen is holding, I feel refreshed, totally relaxed and in less pain.
"Jeez, Tracy, that bruise is bad. You're going to be sore for a couple of weeks."
I laugh, then wince. "Ow! Not as sore as he is, after you lot finished with him."
Callen shrugs and smiles. "Get dressed and come join the fun. I love you, Bud."
"I love you to, brother."
Putting myself back together is a mission and a half. I've certainly worked up a sweat. Walking out into the open kitchen/lounge/entertainment area, everyone stands, clapping and yelling funny sentiments at me. "Assholes!" I yell out, laughing with them. Alex takes me by the arm and steers me over to the Euchre table.
"Any of you want to give up your seat for our invalid?" I give him a filthy look.
Tom stands. "Yeah, I will! These bastards are cheatin' and I can't work out how." He clomps off.
"Here, sit down and I'll bring you a drink. Don't move from here! If you need anything ask Jase here next to ya. You'll get whatever he needs won't you?"
"Of course I will." Jase turns to me. "You look like you're in a bit of pain there."
"Nah! It's much better after the bath. I don't know what Alex put in the bath water, but it certainly does the job."
Dom deals the cards for the next round. Alex sits a bottle water down next to me, with a wink and meanders off. We're all laughing and joking, having a good time playing cards in our own world. I can see Alex from where I sit and notice he's moved the orchid so it is on display in the kitchen. I hear one of the girls admire the orchid to him. He smiles and says, "Someone really special gave it to me." When she wanders off, he smiles in my direction, which I return while playing my next card.
Sasha and three of her cronies bulldoze their way into the room from the hallway.
''Ugh!" I lean toward Jase and gesture toward the ladies - I use the term loosely. "You want to do something for me? Find their broom sticks and put em' in the fire pit." The table all laughs.
She looks toward the sound, then makes her way over to our table.
"Where's Callen?" She's bossy, as usual.
"um... who's turn is it?" I ignore her.
"It's Ric's," says Jase.
Sasha storms off in a huff. Naturally, we all chuckle - Stupid cow! The card game continues. When the food is ready, the boys bring their plates back to the table including one for me; we keep playing.
"Thanks for getting injured Trace! Alex never lets us eat at this table." Dom is smiling.
"Glad my pain can help ya, buddy."
Sasha storms back through the house, passing us playing cards. She's all worked up.
"Goodnight, Sasha!" That's Ric, calling to her. She stops, makes a squealing noise, pulls her purse to her body and stomps out the door. Again, we all have a laugh at her expense. We aren't what you'd call gentlemen.
It is almost nine o'clock when Callen rouses me to go home. I walk very gingerly out to the truck with Alex helping to support me. He gets me into the cab, gives me a kiss and shuts the door, while asking me to call him. I nod and smile, letting him know I will.
When we arrive home, it's my brother who helps me up the stairs and into bed.
"Night, Cal. I love you."
"See you in the morning, Bud. I love you too."
<>-<>-<>
Monday morning, I go to the hospital to get some x-rays just to make sure everything is ok. I had cracked a couple of ribs. The doctor tells me I can't work, play or practice for hockey for the next two weeks! Then I need to come back for a clearance. That night, when I tell Callen the results, the Guardian rears its ugly head. The first thing he does is ring Alex to let him know, in case I try to get anything passed him. Stupid fun police.
Since I can't work, the next two weeks creep by at a snail's pace. I clean up around the workshop and make some knickknacks for the church fair. Sometimes I meet Jase for coffee after his run. I go to Alex's in the afternoons to make his dinner, and then his lunch for the next day. I do all the housework at home, as well as at Alex's. The rewards for my efforts are phenomenal. We snuggle on the couch watching television, take showers together and fool around in bed. We are becoming a lot closer and intimate since my time is more flexible. Life is good.
<>-<>-<>
"Yes! I am," I state firmly to Callen.
"You're not."
I hear the front door open, then Alex walking up the stairs. I can tell it's him by his unique footsteps.
"I can hear you two all the way down the driveway. What's going on?"
"This one thinks he's playing hockey tonight." Callen throws an arm in my direction.
"Well, I am."
