First and Ten

Chapter 10

                                                                 Jax

As I boarded the flight early Monday morning, I felt a tinge of excitement knowing that I would get to see Blair in a few short hours. I sat down in my seat and took out my wireless earbuds ready to tune everything out until I could fire up my laptop and get some work done once we reached cruising altitude.

"Someone is ready to get home," JB stated as he sat down beside me.

"It's always good to get home."

"Especially when you have a fine woman at home waiting."

"That definitely adds to it. I hope things aren't going to get too insane for her now that everybody knows we are dating."

"Blair is a lot stronger than even she knows. She can handle it as long as the kids are protected from it all. Bri and I have always ensured that Em was kept out of the spotlight as much as possible just as you have done for Leena. We can all be there to help Blair make sure Hadley Grace and Cowen are shielded as well."

JB and I both were deep into emails a little while later as I read one that I knew was going to cause a big problem. I tapped JB's arm to get his attention from his own work he was doing in an attempt to find a solution.

"What's up?" he asked.

"I just got some details about the Wildcats Care Benefit for this year. You and Bri up for helping me and, hopefully, Blair host it?"

"What do you mean hopefully?"

"In this email, my agent said something about another celebrity host, but I just countered telling him that we are the best choice because we actually call Nashville home."

"I'm sure Bri would be fine with it. Who is the other celebrity they were wanting?"

I saw the reply from my agent pop up before I could answer him and immediately let out a whispered "Fuck" when I read the contents.

"What's wrong?"

"He said they have already decided to have Camila Soraia co-host the benefit with me because she is the new "muse" of one of the record labels sponsoring the event."

"Camila Soraia as in your supermodel ex-girlfriend, Camila Soraia?"

"Yep," I replied as I shut my eyes and laid my head back against the seat.

"What are you going to do? You two ended things only because you weren't getting to see each other often. You will now see each other a lot planning this benefit."

"And because she is staying in Nashville for an extended period of time to work on some music videos and other projects at the record label. What the hell am I supposed to tell Blair? I'm trying to show her that I am not the man I used to be, and now, my supermodel ex is coming to town."

"You have to be honest with her, and I have to ask; do you still have feelings for Camila?"

"Not now that Blair is in my life."

"But you would if Blair wasn't in your life?"

"I don't think so."

"Well, you better figure it out, but don't you dare hurt Blair in the process."

"I don't want to hurt her. I'll deal with it."

I replied to my agent asking him to work on any alternatives for the benefit. Blair and I have just started to get serious, and this was the last thing I needed to happen. John Baptiste was right though. I had to be honest with her, so I decided I would tell her when I saw her for lunch before she found out from someone else.