Coming Home

Chapter 23

Picture on the side is Cain and Asher. They're so cute!

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After the whole thing with Tyson, I kind of stayed away from new guys. I hung out with Cayden and Kasper and the other guys that I had met through them. I knew I was safe with them because both Cayden and Kasper made it clear that they’d kill anyone who tried to hurt me or the boys. It feels good to know that, even though I can take care of myself, I have people looking out for me.

The week following the Tyson incident, I hardly saw Cayden. Midterms were coming up for him, plus the last game of the season had the team practicing twice as much. It got to the point that the only reason that Cayden saw his sons that week was because I’d keep them awake until he got home late at night and was able to tuck them in. Cain was getting better; the medicine was working wonders. I managed to keep the boys apart enough that Asher didn’t get sick, which I was grateful for.  I was still trying to figure things out with Cayden and debating with myself on whether or not to take the plunge. He kept dropping hints that he wanted to get back together, but he never said anything outright, knowing I was still wary about it. I didn’t see him with any other girls and Kasper told me that he turns them all away, so that was a little reassuring.

The day before Cayden’s last football game of the season, the boys and I took a trip to the mall. During the brief moments that I had been able to talk to Cayden, I could tell he was upset over the fact that this would be his last game until next year. I decided to do something for the game that I knew would put a smile on his face and hopefully get him to smile. Cayden had a jersey in his closet that he said all the players had. It was identical to the one that he wore on the field. He explained it was the one that the players gave to their girlfriends or wives. It was a moral support thing and I could tell by the look in his eyes that he wanted me to wear it, but he’d never ask, and I didn’t offer because I didn’t want anything to be read further into it.

When I took the boys to the mall, I grabbed the jersey out of Cayden’s closet and took it with me. There was a store in the mall that did personalized jerseys and I wanted to get one for each of the boys. I could just picture the look on Cayden’s face when he saw his sons in jerseys that were identical to his. The guy at the store said it would take a couple days, but when I offered to pay him extra, he said he could have them both done by the next day. All I would have to do is pick them up. We left the store and got some lunch before going back home.

“Hey. Wake up baby girl,” Cayden said softly as he gently shook me awake.

I lifted my head groggily, trying to get a bearing on my surroundings.

“What time is it?” I asked as I carefully shifted on the couch, trying not to wake the boys up.

“Three. Practice ran later since it’s the last one,” he answered, gently picking Asher off my lap before settling on the couch next to me.

“Do you have class tomorrow?” I asked, worried about the late hour.

“Not until two. I have English for an hour and then I’m due on the field. You’re going to be there, right?” he asked, suddenly sounding unsure.

“Of course we are. I’m going to get something to drink. Will you put them to bed?” I asked, gently lifting Cain off my lap and settling him onto the couch beside me.

“Yeah, I was planning on it anyway,” Cayden said, standing up from the couch.

I leaned over to kiss my sons on their foreheads before walking into the kitchen. I take out the stuff for hot chocolate and make two cups, knowing Cayden will want one too. With Thanksgiving coming up in a week, the weather was getting cold and cups of hot chocolate did wonders to keep me warm. As it was, I was already dressed in my flannel pajama pants, camisole, and my jacket. My fur lined slippers were on my feet and I was still shivering from the cold. Once the drinks were made, I picked them up and walked to the living room, where Cayden was sitting on the couch.