“And the trophies cover the room how many times?”
Jace followed Colt’s gaze to the ledge surrounding the room, stacked with trophies. Winning banners hung from the rafters.
“Three, but they’re also lining the halls.”
“You have a workout gym with equipment in here too, right?”
“Yes, and meeting rooms, locker rooms, a store, and a set of offices. Those are over there,” Jace pointed to the darkened glass windows in the corner.
“Man, I’m proud of you,” Colt said, genuine awe touching his smile as he stared up at Jace. “And that’s the sound room where they watch you just nod and magically know what to do next.”
“You watched that ESPN special pretty closely,” Jace said, taking a seat next to Colt.
“That wasn’t the first time I saw the fierce silent nod thing you do. You did that same move in something I watched maybe four years ago…” Colt said, laying his palm on Jace’s thigh, giving a gentle squeeze.
“Right. On the first Sports Illustrated special.” Jace took Colt’s hand, threading their fingers together. Nothing felt as good as knowing Colt had been watching him so closely for all these years.
“I researched it all, and I got everything I could find. I never stopped loving you. Not ever.” The sincerity was evident in his tone even before his grip tightened on Jace’s hand, and Colt brought his knuckles to his lips. “Not even when you showed up at the hospital with your hair cut.”
That made Jace chuckle. “Stop. You didn’t like it long.”
“I loved it long. Especially when you came out of the ocean, and let it air dry. Your hair has a natural wave. You’re sexy, Montgomery,” Colt said, leaning forward with his lips puckered.
“Jace, are you here?”
Jace was in the process of leaning in to take that kiss when he got nothing but air. Colt darted away, his back going ramrod straight as he fixed his clothes and ran his fingers over his hair.
“I should’ve gotten a haircut,” Colt muttered when an unruly strand fell back down on his forehead.
“You look fine,” Jace said, getting to his feet. “Mom, we’re in here.” Jace took off in her direction, meeting his mother in the opening of the room. He leaned in, giving her a tight hug and a quick peck on the cheek.
“I’m sorry I’m late. Traffic was terrible.”
“We just got here too.” He turned back to see Colt slowly coming toward them…without his cane. Colt kept his face passive, devoid of any pain he had to be experiencing. In that minute, pride filled Jace. He’d made all the right decisions in taking Colt back with all the fretting his guy had done, the way he’d worried about pleasing Jace’s mother. “Mom, you remember Colt. Colt, this is my mom, Mary.”
“Colt Michaels, you haven’t changed at all,” she said, going straight to him.
“I think I’ve changed quite a bit,” he said, a flash of insecurity crossing his features before he looked down the length of his body.
“Jace told me about your injuries. Are you supposed to be up like this?” Her uncertain gaze followed Colt’s movements, a look of deep concern marred her brow as she took in Colt’s slow pace. She started to shake her head as she looked back at Jace, worry evident in her expression.
Jace agreed with his mom’s unspoken assessment and stepped closer to Colt’s side, taking his arm even when he fought the extra help. “Mom, he’s overdoing.”
“Sit down, please, Colt,” she said, and luckily Colt seemed to listen, leaning heavily on Jace as they walked back to the bleachers. His mom took a seat opposite of him, next to Colt.
“Mom, we’ve got something to tell you,” Jace started, but Colt cut him off with a squeeze to his hand. Then Colt and his mom spoke at the same time.
“I have to apologize to you…”
“I put two and two…”
They both stopped speaking, waiting on the other.
“I’m sorry. Go ahead.” Colt’s eyes softened, and he nodded, encouraging her to go first. When she did, her smile held so much patience and love. His mom was his rock, always there for Jace no matter what.
“When I saw you on that news conference you held in Hawaii, I knew then that you were the reason Jace had come home from college so broken all those years ago.” Both the words and his mother’s serious tone were news to Jace. She’d never given him any indication she’d pieced together the two events.
“Mom…” Jace started, unsure where she was headed, but she held up her hand, a total mother move to silence him, and it did.
“I’m very happy for you both. Jace is finally back to the young man he was. He’s happy again, even in such a dire situation,” his mom explained.
“Ms. Montgomery…’’
“I’m Mary, but call me Mom.” That hand that had hung mid-air reached behind Colt’s back, gently rubbing. Colt breathed deeply and gave Jace a look of utter relief. He looked lighter than he had in weeks, instantly more relaxed, but there was more that needed to be said.
“Mom, we were married in Hawaii,” Jace blurted the words he knew Colt had planned to say, but hadn’t. Colt must have been caught off guard by the immediate acceptance his mother gave.
“You were married?” She gasped, a hand going to her heart, a smile pulling at her cheeks. Her excitement grew as she repeated his words, something his mother always did to make sure she understood correctly. “Jace, you’re married?”
“I am, Mom. It was a sudden decision…” he explained.
“And I asked him to wait to tell you until we could tell you together,” Colt added, when his mother’s face crinkled. Tears welled in her eyes as she reached out, hugging Jace, then pulling Colt into their tight hug.
“I’m so happy for you two. I am. I want Jace happy. He’s such a good man. I just wish I had been there,” she said, the smile gone, wiping at her tears with her hands as she released them from her hold.
“We both hated how this all played out. Everything had to happen quickly, and there’s lots to explain, but it needed to happen so Jace could guide my care, not my father. It’s been important to me to ask you if we could have a real wedding here in Dallas, with you helping us plan, once I’m solidly back on my feet.” Colt squared his shoulders while gently taking Jace’s mother’s hand in his. Jace’s heart melted. Right then, he understood why Colt had insisted he be as independent as possible to meet his mom and say those kind words directly to her.
Tears rolled down her cheek while a smile lit up her face. “Oh, that would make me so happy.” The loving stare she gave lasted until she reached for her purse, digging out a small packet of tissue. “I’ve been saving money for a wedding.”
“Mom, I can pay for our wedding,” Jace and Colt said in unison.
Colt sat up straighter. “Mom, we don’t expect you to do that. Seriously, I can pay for our wedding. We just want you there, helping us the whole way,” Colt reinforced.
“I have two sons now.” Mary beamed.
Jace wasn’t sure the small packet of tissue was going to handle all the crying she was doing. He patted her leg, looking at Colt whose eyes reflected such pride. He got a wink as he rose to find something more substantial to help his mom dry those eyes.
Wedding Day
The late autumn breeze rustled the leaves of the large oak trees towering above the small venue inside the Dallas Arboretum. Colt stood at the end of the aisle, nervously fidgeting with the sleeve of his black Brioni tux. He couldn’t believe this day was finally here, the day he’d dreamed of since spring break 2003. Colt was about to remarry the man of his dreams in front of the small circle of their family and friends gathered there today.
He smiled to himself as he searched the crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of Jace in his tuxedo. Jace's mom had been adamant about them not seeing each other before their vows. She'd done more than her part in preparing for today. Her hopes were to make certain they experienced every part of the traditions of the old-fashioned marriage ceremony.
She had open
ly welcomed Colt into her family, something he'd never, ever experienced before in his life. They’d become close over the past few months. Ms. Montgomery, or Mom as she insisted he call her, had accepted him with open arms and made sure he felt like part of the family. She also pushed him just as hard as her son, never letting him quit his extensive rehab even during his lowest times. And the woman sat like a saint by his side through many of his AA meetings.
After giving up on spotting Jace, Colt scanned the crowd, taking in the joyful faces of those in attendance. Dr. Knox and his wife, along with Coach Atkins and his wife, sat right up front. Mitch sat behind them. Jace's coaches and Haley were all there, ready to witness this exchange of vows. Colt stood taller, honored to have such loyal friends surrounding him on this special day. Jace’s mother peeked in on him from around a white stone column where she stood waiting to escort her son down the aisle. She gave him a little wave, the day’s excitement clear on her face. He grinned then gave her a wink before she disappeared around the corner.
Colt couldn’t help but notice his father hadn’t bothered to show up. Not that he’d been invited; they still had a lot to work out. Their relationship had been strained for a long time and was tested even more after his father’s heart attack had been captured and broadcasted live on TMZ. His father still blamed him for that one. Larry Michaels hated the fact he couldn’t control Colt any longer. To top it all off, he had also severely restricted his father’s cash flow. Putting him on an allowance probably burned his ass more than the fact his only son was marrying the hot blond cheerleader after all. Whatever, Colt wasn’t going to let his father’s antics ruin his and Jace’s big day. He’d waited far too long for this, ever since his senior vacation when he’d fallen to his knees in the sand and made his vow of someday to his Jace.
His heart fluttered in his chest as the small orchestra began to play, signaling time for the services to begin. Colt made his way down the aisle, taking his position to the right of the minister before turning to face the crowd as he waited for Jace’s entrance. Why was he so nervous? They'd done this before. They were technically already married. Jace was a sure bet. Right? Taking a deep breath, he straightened his spine and let his hands drop to his sides, trying to appear casual and relaxed. He resisted the urge to check the ring in his left pocket to make sure it was still there as he'd done at least one hundred times since placing it there.
Colt couldn’t contain his grin when Jace and his mother appeared at the end of the aisle. The music played softly in the background as Jace made his way closer and closer to him. Colt lost his breath when Jace looked up and their eyes locked. Jace held him with his gaze, his green eyes sparkling. Damn! His mister was gorgeous. His blond hair and tanned skin stood out against the black tuxedo he wore. The only thing keeping Colt from tackling Jace and helping him out of his expensive clothing was the fact his mother walked beside him. But later, when they were alone, he was definitely going to take advantage of his man. Anticipation would only make that moment better.
Jace helped his mother to her seat and gave her the single red rose he carried before he continued toward Colt. Jace easily reached for his hand, entwining their fingers together as he took his place next to him, exactly where he was always destined to be.
“You’re beautiful, Jace,” Colt whispered. His heart overflowed with love, pride, and devotion.
“So are you.” Jace smiled, squeezing his hand as he turned to face the minister. The movement jarred Colt, reminding him why they were there, and he turned a moment later, following Jace's lead.
When the minister stepped forward, the music stopped playing. His smile was genuine as he gave Colt a nod and began the ceremony. “Dearly beloved, we have gathered here today to celebrate love. It is with thoughtfulness and a deep realization of their love that Colton Michaels and Jace Montgomery have chosen to stand before you and make their declaration of matrimony.”
Jace turned to face Colt. Their ten-minute wedding ceremony lost its allure to the man standing before him. Colt took a small step forward, coming almost chest to chest with Jace, removing any distance between them and held tighter onto Jace's hand. Honestly, he never heard the words Jace spoke, but remembered watching his thick, full lips move with each word said. Colt had no real idea what he said either, except his prepared vows vanished and he spoke from his heart. The only way he knew he'd gotten it right was to see Jace tearing up. That sweet sentimental smile lighting his man’s face.
Colt lifted Jace’s hand, fumbling a little as he tried to slide the ring on Jace’s finger. The love he felt toward this man overwhelmed him. His emotions soared as he slid the ring on Jace's finger seconds before he reached up and kissed him. Not a small peck, but a deep, wrap-his-arms-around, slide-his-tongue-in kind of kiss. And Jace kissed him right back, no hesitation.
Based on the cheers, and Jace pulling slightly away from the kiss, Colt realized the ceremony might be done. The minister grinned from ear to ear as he patted each of them on the back.
"You're mine, cheer boy," Colt whispered.
"I have been for quite a while," Jace replied.
Knox Family Vacation
“They’re like teenage boys in grown men’s bodies,” Jace said, glancing over his shoulder toward Eva Knox, Mitch’s biological and Colt’s self-adopted mother. Jace stood at the counter, staring out the big windows overlooking the enormous backyard of the Knox family home.
“What’re they doing now?” she asked as she placed a tray of prepared condiments on the counter beside where he worked then lifted on her toes to peer out the window at all the commotion going on in the swimming pool just feet away.
“Mitch just did a cannonball on top of Colt,” Jace explained. The laughter he’d hid while watching Mitch’s perfectly timed sneak attack bubbled out uncontrollably.
“That boy’s too big to be jumping on people,” Eva said, disapproval in her tone. “When alone, I’ll look out at that pool and think how big and empty it looks. But with Mitch, Colt, and all the grandkids out there now, it seems so small.”
“I love Mitch being here. He’s like a built-in babysitter. The kids love him so much,” Mitch’s sister Lori announced as she came into the room. After swiping a fresh carrot spear from the pile Jace had just sliced, she moved to the empty space on the other side of him, chomping on the stolen snack as she too stared out the window.
In the shallow end, Colt did his best at his own version of a sneak attack. He came up behind Mitch and did one of those skilled tactical maneuvers designed to bring a man to his knees. Mitch hadn’t seen it coming, and even if he had, Jace wasn’t certain he’d have been able to dodge the professional football player’s tackle. Colt grabbed Mitch around the chest then twisted and dunked Mitch straight into the water. That had Lori laughing out loud and Mrs. Knox doing a gasp of surprise.
“They’re very competitive. I’m sorry,” Jace immediately apologized while holding back his pride.
“I think Colt just made my life. I’m officially living by proxy,” Lori said, turning away from the window, leaning her butt against the edge of the counter. “Mitch was the worst little brother on the planet. Always had some practical joke up his sleeve.”
“Mitch was never good with time on his hands. He did torture Lori and the rest of his brothers and sisters. He was always so much bigger and more—”
Lori cut her mom off. “Devious, heinous, annoying, disruptive, ill-mannered. Pick any of those words, Mom. That was Mitch,” Lori supplied, giving Jace a confident, assured nod. He could totally see that in Mitch. He had a way of knowing the exact dig to give to get under someone’s skin, and man, did Colt always fall for that antagonism hook, line, and sinker.
“I was going to say more of a jokester,” Mrs. Knox added, frowning at her daughter.
“Colt truly feels like he’s part of this family,” Jace said, trying to explain Colt’s weird behavior anytime he got in a situation that included Mitch. Colt thrived under a large family dynamic, something neither h
e nor Colt had ever really been exposed to.
“You know the extremes Mitch will go to in order to mess with Colt? Mitch eats pretty healthy. The bacon thing is strictly to taunt Colt,” Lori said, facing Jace while reaching for a celery slice already cut and ready to toss in the salad Jace had forgotten all about. He started moving the blade in his hand, slicing cherry tomatoes. Dr. Knox was outside, just feet away, busy at the grill, preparing hot dogs and hamburgers to feed the large Knox clan spending a long weekend with their parents. “And Dad laughs…”
“Lori, stop, honey. He’s trying. That’s what’s important.”
“No, Mom. Jace needs to know this. You know that Colt calls my dad all the time because he’s worried about your protein intake. You know that, right?”
Jace stopped in mid-dice. His shoulders slumped as he looked over at Lori. “I can’t ever make him understand that I’m covered. I’m actually much healthier than he is. Vegan is just so outside what he’s willing to accept,” Jace said, irritation building.
This was the one thing he and Colt disagreed on, and Colt was trying so damn hard to be an attentive, caring husband that he wouldn’t give, even going so far as to track Jace’s daily protein. Colt was so focused on the value of being a carnivore he couldn’t get past himself to see Jace easily met the recommended daily allowances.
“No, listen, seriously.” Lori’s humor in the situation bubbled over, and she lifted a hand, giving herself a second as she bent over laughing. “Even Dad laughs every time Colt talks about you eating vegan, then in the next breath, makes fun of all the yogurt you keep in the refrigerator.”
The relief of someone finally getting what he dealt with every single day had Jace quietly staring between Lori and Eva. Their grins spoke very clearly of their amusement and made Jace’s own smile turn to laughter.
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