Chapter 35: Game Time

A hand wrapped around my arm and tingles spread through my body. "Baby girl, it's time to get up and shower. We are going to head to the game." I stretch and slowly open my eyes to see Jackson's face. He smiled and immediately a blush covers my face. "Come on sleepy head we have sandwiches to eat and a boy coming home." I nodded and got up. Jackson followed me to the bedroom and watched as I dropped the blanket and stepped into the shower. "You going to watch or join me?"

Jackson shot off the bed and discarded his boxers. "I don't know if my wolf will calm himself and I think I should go home to shower. I'll be back though." Jackson said before turning around and running back to grab his boxers. The feeling when he left made my heart drop, but I pushed away the feeling and hopped in the shower.

When I was done I dressed in shorts and a tank top. Then went upstairs to clean the room, but it was already straightened up and the broken couch replaced with a new one. "How in the hell did he do that?" I said more to myself then to anyone in particular. I went down to the kitchen and pulled out five sandwiches. The front door opened and Gavin's voice rang out. "Mom?" I came around the corner to see him drop his booking. "Well you have been busy what happened to the couch?"

I shrugged and he made a face. "Ew! Okay sandwiches?" I pointed to the counter and he grumbled before opening his. "It has the wrong kind of cheese." I took off the cheddar and pulled oit the provolone from the fridge. "Your Dad picked them up, but I can fix it." He nodded and watched me. The back door opened and Jackson walked in. "What's wrong with the sandwiches?" I shook my head and Gavin glanced over. "Wrong cheese, but they smell good. Mom was just swapping the cheese." He nodded and ruffled Gavin's hair. "Sorry bud I'll do better next time." He pulled out of Jackson's reach, causing Jackson's smile to receded.

And I handed him the sandwich. We ate in silenece. "You ready for this game?" Gavin shrugged. "The guys don't really like me here. They think I'm to much of a pretty boy. And Mike is cruising a line. Calling me Mountain boy." Jackson groweled. "It's fine dad. I have a plan." Gavin smiled and I shook my head. "A plan or a scheme?" His smirk grew into a smile. "You know me to well Mom." I huffed and added jalapeños to the other part of my sandwich.

"So I botched the sandwiches, tell me your plan?" Jackson said as he slid his eyes toward our son. "Nah. You'll see." I swallowed before speaking. "Gavin never shares his schemes... You just kind of have to watch the results. Which has gotten him into trouble before." I said as I looked between the two. Gavin got up and put his plate in the sink before he gave me a hug. "Promise it's not to bad Mom." He laughed and I shook my head as I kissed his cheek. "Go on. I know you have to get back to the gym. We'll be there in a bit."

"You aren't going to drive me?" Gavin asked as he looked between us. "I'm gonna drive your Mom to the game. We can follow you." He looked at me questioning. as he mind linked me. "You sure?" I nodded and he kissed me again before rushing out. "See you guys there." He said as he grabbed his bag and I grabbed a water as he opened the door and tossed it to him. "Thanks Mom." He smiled before closing the door again.

"You two have such a good relationship." Jackson said as he tossed the last bit of bread into his paper. "Yeah well I have known him a bit longer." I smiled and Jackson stood, grabbing his paper and crinkled it up in his hands. "Yeah. I know." He tossed it and didn't glance at me as he walked out the front door leaving me to follow.

"You okay?" I asked as I climbed into the car and he closed the door with a tight nod. He took off down the road and stopped only as we reached a parking spot. Quietly I opened the door and Jackson grabbed my wrist. "I get the doors. Let me at least do that." I closed the door and waited for him to get out and open the car door for me. I climbed put and he closed it hard enough to rock the car. As we walked he grew more aggravated.

We entered the gym and immediately spotted Gavin number ten. I smiled and climbed the bleachers. "He looks good." I nodded and watched Gavin dribble the ball and pass it before the coach yelled for a team meeting. Three women walked up the bleachers in suits and heels. They sat right behind us and whispered about how homely I was and what a man could possibly see. I ignored them, but Jackson's eyes flashed as I mind linked him. "Relax there ate always uppity mom's.

A female voice broke out and we both turned. The brunette Woman in the middle wore a pink skirt and matching jacket. Her face heavily coated with makeup. "Well your sir are very handsome. Would you like to come sit with us?" She placed her hand on Jackson's shoulder and he moved away eyeing me. I glared, but held my tongue to wait for his reply. "No thank you. I am here with my Wife." I glared at him as he smiled and shook my head. "Wife?" The blonde asked as she looked around the gym. "Well where is she?" The third lady asked as I huffed. "Right here genius." I said under my breath.

"Her?" The woman said as she placed a finger on Jackson's back. "Yes her and do you mind we would like to watch our so play." He barked and the women retracted slightly. "Well no wonder he's with her. He apparently likes dirty." Jackson turned and I grabbed his hand. "Leave it, she will get what's coming to her." He nodded, but still sat tensed at my side.

The players came out one by one, and as they entered number five tripped and another slid accross the court leaving a huge black mark. Number one tried to stand but kept slipping and falling "What is wrong with your boy May?" One of the women asked as I smiled. I turned and looked at the women. "Let me guess that your son is Mike?" She smiled down at me and nodded. "Yes he's the best player on the team." She smiled as I eyed Jackson. "You mean was." He said as we turned to see Gavin run out with no hiccups.

"Oh he's just getting started." During the game no one passed to Gavin, and I could feel his irritation. The coach yelled for a time out and Mike gulped the water. "Oh no." I glanced to see Gavin smirking as Mike guzzled it. "What?" Asked Jackson. I mindlinked him. "Watch our son smile wider as those kids drink." He froze and turned his head slightly towards me. "He didn't do anything to it right?" I sent him a laugh. "Oh he most certainly did something." I said through the link.

As the game went on Mike and his boys seemed to react slower, by the half time they where holding their stomachs. All three could barely run , and then Maike forced loudly and liquid poop leaked down his leg. Then the other two started yelling, as everyone in the stands laughed and snapped pictures. Coach dragged them to the locker room. and the three women behind us shuffled down the bleachers. Gavin smiled as the coach sent out new players. Second half Gavin shined and made the winning shot. He winked at me as his team mates lifted him up.

"Clever boy." Jackson smirked and I smacked his arm. "We will see how clever he is." He nodded knowing the team would be in big trouble and if he was caught he'd probably be kicked from the team. I nervously shook my leg as he entered the locker room and Jackson placed his hand on my leg. "Don't look guilty." We walked to the hallway and could hear his coach yelling as the boys who had gotten sick where lead out in the hallway and their mother's escorted them out. The team followed shortly and we waited for Gavin to emerge.

"Relax Paisley." Jackson said as he pulled me in for a hug. my muscles relaxed and Gavin came out. "Close one?" Jackson asked and he nodded before we all walked out. Gavin got in my car and headed for the house as we rushed behind him and climbed into Jackson's car. We followed him home. "Are you going to punish him?" Jackson asked as we pulled into the driveway. I shook my head and he grabbed my hand. "How did you do this alone?"

I shrugged and took a deep breath. "One day at a time." Jackson released me and I got out not waiting for him to get out. I rushed inside and found Gavin in his bedroom already showered. "Gavin you have to stop with the shenanigans. It's going to get you kicked out." He nodded and I sat down next to him. "I get they are mean and you could swipe then off the board in one hit. But you can not let people get to you. You and I know you are an amazing boy Gavin. Smart, athletic, and sweet. Don't let others dictate who you become."

I stood and kissed his head. "Mom how do you just ignore them? It makes my wolf itch just thinking of them." I shrug and lean against the door frame. "I guess I ran a lot." He smiled and shook his head. I closed the door and walked up to the third floor and tossed myself on the couch. The door from the balcony opened and I groaned, but as I sat up I saw Jackson standing there with a small candle lit dinner. "Care to join me?"

I smiled and made my way to the balcony. and he closed the door. "I remember you liked burgers so he moved a plate over and I laughed. "A burger and fried mam." He waved his hand over the table and I took a set. "Why thank you kind sir." He pushed my chair in and sat across from me with a huge smile. "How is Gavin?" Jackson asked as I took a bite. "He's Gavin. So he's probably ignored my request to ignore and rise above and is planning another move." Jackson smirked as I took a sip of water. "He certainly is a Truth."

I nodded and scrunched my eyebrows. "He is." My mind went to wander as Jackson's hand covered mine. "If you want I'll talk to him in the morning." I shrugged and he slipped his hand away. "Paisley I..." I shook my head. "Jackson I know you are trying, and you are doing a good job. You don't have to ask me permission to speak to our son." He nodded and looked out over the water. "Why do you not wear feathers anymore?" I shrugged and looked at Jackson as the fire whipped in the wind. The light danced on his face.

"At first it was because I couldn't afford it, and then it was more the memory of who I was and who I needed to be. Everytime I tried to put them in I just thought of you taking them out." I shrugged and looked away his gaze to intense. "I liked them." He said as he slid a box over to me. I opened the long black box and gasped. There where a bunch of white and teal feathers. Off to the right there was an orange one. "I got them a while ago for you. I'd hoped you'd wear them one day."