Chapter 16

Jon was in his office, trying to make sense of a typically convoluted email from his younger brother, Matt, when his cell buzzed, vibrating slowly across the desk. He grabbed the distraction gratefully. Sometimes his brother just seemed to be talking another language, though maybe it was just that he was distracted anyway. Distracted by thoughts of Jay. Thoughts of Billie, too, if he were honest. He’d been desperately trying to keep busy today, because he just wanted to head up to Philly to see the kid, but he didn’t want to bust in on him and Billie. This time, he wanted her……well, not her permission, exactly, but he certainly wanted her to know he was coming. He wanted - needed - to talk to her about their situation.

The phone display didn’t enlighten him much, just showing a Philadelphia area code, so although he was hoping it was Billie, he kept his greeting to his usual terse single-word answer.

“Hello?”

“Umm…..I’m looking for……..Deke?” Sitting in Jay’s apartment, Billie was no longer certain she’d guessed right. The tense, snapping voice didn’t sound like Jon.

“Billie.” He said softly, dropping the ‘telephone’ voice instantly.

“Jon.” She could hear it now. Could hear the tiny hint of gravel she remembered under the light tone of his voice. “I wasn’t sure.”

“Well, I figured it maybe wasn’t a great idea to leave my own name.” He explained. Hell, he’d been leaving his cell number - the one only family and a very few friends had - so he wasn’t about to let some anonymous nurse know whose number it was.

“I guess.”

“How’s he doing?” Jon asked, hungry for news.

“He’s good.” Billie said instantly, smiling in the empty apartment. Knowing Jon would hear it in her voice. “He should be getting out of there tomorrow.” A soft chuckle. “Not sure how pleased he’ll be, though.”

“Huh? Why wouldn’t he be pleased to get out?” As he said it, though, Jon’s mind processed Billie’s chuckle, and he continued before she spoke. “Lemme guess………he’s found a cute little nurse?”

“Yep. And it seems like he’s inherited his father’s……..uhh……skills regarding the female of the species.”

Jon chuckled. After all these years, one thing he couldn’t deny was that he had an above average understanding of the female brain - and other parts of their anatomy - than most men. Kinda nice to know it was genetic.

“So - I was thinking of coming up to Philly to see him later.” Jon said, glancing at his watch and seeing that he could just about make it there for the last hour or so of visiting time. “Is that okay with you?”

“Sure.” Billie said instantly, then hesitated. “But…….well, won’t people think it’s weird, you visiting him so much?”

Jon considered that for a few moments, then he replied slowly.

“I don’t think so, no. I mean, I’ve always stayed pretty involved with the team, and with Jay being the youngest player, it kinda makes sense I’d take an interest, don’t you think?”

“I guess.” Billie could see his logic, and she really didn’t want to prevent him seeing Jay. That way only led to lawsuits and a full-on media circus.

“I also wanted to see you.” Jon continued. “We need to talk, Billie.”

“I know.” She sighed. “But we can’t talk at the hospital.”

“Nope. Where you staying?”

“Jay’s apartment. It’s………” She paused. “Okay, I don’t really know where it is. I wasn’t paying much attention when Nick drove me.”

Nick? Jon thought instantly. He knew Nick. More specifically, he knew his reputation. And Billie was still a very attractive woman. Suppressing a caveman response, he tamped down on his irritation. Dammit all, but she wasn’t his to protect.

“I can check Jay’s address from his Soul file.” Jon said, not mentioning the fact that the file still rested under his blotter. “How about I drop by after I’ve seen him? We could talk in peace then.”

“Umm……sure. Because nobody’ll think it’s weird you just stopping by here.”

“Stopping by to check on the mother of one of my players?” Jon asked innocently. “When I’ve just been to visit him in hospital and he expressed concern about his mom? What’s weird about that?”

Billie snorted softly. “You’ve never changed, have you?”

“Nope.”

Sighing, Billie gave in. They did, after all, badly need to talk.

“Okay. I’ll be here.”

“Great. And……..” Jon’s voice softened perceptibly. “Thanks, Billie.”

“I’ll see ya later.” She said. “Bye.”

“Bye.” Jon echoed, sliding his phone shut with a smile. Damn, but they always fell for the humble and sincere shit. Hell, it’d been working on his wife for twenty some years.

Grinning contentedly, he glanced at his watch again and grimaced. Hopefully he hadn’t fucked up. Hopefully Tina could stay with the boys tonight, at least until whenever he got home. Rising from the comfort of his leather swivel chair, he headed for the kitchen to check. Five minutes later the grin was back as Tina had confirmed she had nowhere else to be, so she could stay as long as necessary.

As quickly as he could, but without making his haste too obvious, Jon got ready and headed for Philly. He’d called his driver as soon as Tina said she’d stay, and he’d made the time to say goodnight to each of his sons. Each of his youngest three sons anyway. With that done, he was now heading to see his eldest.

Reaching the hospital, Jon felt brave enough to ride the elevator to Jay’s floor, striding down the hallway toward his son’s room with his hands thrust into his jeans pockets. As he reached the room, a young, very pretty redheaded nurse was just leaving, her face pink with embarrassment. Or maybe something else, he thought suddenly, remembering Billie’s words.

Hearing voices inside, he gave the door a cursory knock as he entered, recognising the voice of Mike Brown.

“This players only, or can anybody join in?” He asked as he entered the room, grinning.

“Boss!” Jay’s face showed embarrassment at his boss’s visit. And pleasure. “I didn’t expect to see you here again.”

“I was kinda passing by and thought I’d drop in.” Jon lied quickly. “Mike.”

“Hey boss.” The player made to stand from the room’s only chair, but Jon waved him to sit.

“Nah, you’re okay, Mike. I been sitting around all day.”

Mike sat again, but he was cursing inwardly. So far his intentions to tell Jay about Nick’s apparent interest in Billie had been halted by the initial small talk, followed by the admittedly very enjoyable interruption of the young nurse, Kadie. Now, just when he was building up to it again, in walked the boss. Typical.

“I hear you’re getting out tomorrow?” Jon said, wondering just how nobody had seen the similarity between them. God knew, since he’d found out he could see tiny flashes of himself in Jay, even more than in any of his other children. But maybe that was just because Jay was a grown man, while the other boys hadn’t even reached their teens.

“Yeah. Doc said I’m fine to get out of here.” His face fell. “I’ve not to play - or even practise - for another four weeks, though.”

His tone of voice made it very clear what he thought of that, and gave every indication that he intended trying to shorten that timescale. Jon winced at the idea of him taking another hit before he was fully recovered, turning to Mike with a stern frown.

“Well, you heard him, Mike. Four weeks. So don’t listen to any of his shit about being fine before that.”

As Mike laughed, Jay gave a pitiful groan. Damn, but he’d not thought that through, mentioning the doctor’s instructions in front of the guy who was currently assisting Coach. His face flushed in embarrassment as the boss continued.

“Anyway, from what I hear this hospital may offer some private aftercare.” His eyes twinkled with mischief as he looked at his son. “So I’m sure you’ll be well taken care of.”

Jay blushed. Wasn’t like he’d never thought about it, especially with Kadie, but just how likely was it that a girl with her looks would be willing to get with him? Not that he thought he was dog-ugly, but dammit………nineteen years old and still a virgin? She’d think there was something wrong with him. Fortunately, neither the boss nor Mike noticed his discomfited expression, just continuing to chat about football and anything else they could think of, until the boss glanced at his watch and rolled his eyes.

“Shit. I gotta go.” Visiting hours were almost over anyway. “Jay - take care, and I’ll see you soon, ‘kay? Mike…….” Jon offered a hand to shake, then stepped closer to the bed and shook hands with Jay, just wishing that he could put his arms around his son and give him a hug, but knowing it just couldn’t be.

He left the hospital and climbed back into the car, the driver moving off instantly, already knowing their destination. On the short ride to Jay’s apartment, Jon laid his head back on the seat, closing his eyes as he thought. Squaring things away with Billie was priority number one, closely followed by breaking the news to Dorothea. After that, well, he guessed he - they - needed to tell Jay the truth. But first was Billie, and convincing her he was right.