Quirking one eyebrow I bounced my eyes between my friends. “What are y’all up to?”

“Nothing. Get ready. The car will be here soon.” Leigha shoved me into the bathroom.

“Car’s here, mommy.” Gage yelled from the living room.

“Okay, I’m coming buddy.” Grabbing our suitcases I walked into the living room. “Ready?”

Gabe smiled, looking a little better than he did earlier. “Yeah. Bye Aunt Le. Bye Aunt Lydia.” Gabe hugged both woman before opening the front door.

“See you two tomorrow,” I sulked.

Leigha smacked my butt. “Go have fun and get crazy. It’s football, baby!”

Twirling my hand around sarcasticly, I muttered, “Woohoo.”

There was an older, pudgy man waiting at the car. “Good afternoon, Ms. Holland, Mr. Holland. My name is Pat, I will be your driver today.” He took our bags and opened the door. “Mr. Tucker requested a booster seat, will that be okay with you ma’am?

He did put some thought into this. “Yes, thank you.” Sliding into the back seat I helped get Gabe buckled up then clicked myself in.

Once our bags were stowed, Pat took his spot in the drivers seat. Handing me two bags he said, “These are for you Ms. Holland.”

Taking the bags I smiled. “Oh. Um, okay. Thanks.” Looking at the bags I saw Gabe’s name written on one and my name on the other. I sat Gabe’s bag in his lap. “You go first.”

Ripping the tissue paper off the top he pulled out a grey and black jersey. “Look mom! He didn’t forget!” He was so excited. Holding it up Gabe said, “He’s number seven, mommy.” He turned the jersey around so I could see the number on the back. It wasn’t the number that surprised me, it was what was over the number that had me smiling.

Tucker’s Boy

Something so simple. “What does it say mommy?”

“Tucker’s Boy.” I pointed to his signature on the side of the sleeve. “Look he signed it for you, also.”

“Wow! That is so cool! Now everyone will know Gage is my friend.” Gabe looked estatic. Even when he was playing the guitar he didn’t look this happy. Turning his glowing face to me, he asked, “What did you get, mommy?”

Turning my attention to my bag I saw a card sticking out of the top. I read it out loud to Gabe.

Annie & Gabe,

Sorry the jersey’s were late. They took longer than I expected. Wear them and enjoy them.

Pat will be taking you to an early dinner before the game. It has all been paid for so go crazy. Pat also has your tickets for the game. Hope you like the seats. Gabe, yell loud so I can hear you. I will see you later, buddy.

Love, Gage

“I knew he wouldn’t forget. I really, really like him mommy.”

This could end bad. I didn’t want Gabe getting too attached then Gage breaking his heart. But, I didn’t want to tell Gabe he couldn’t be friends with Gage, either, Gage is the first guy besides Jase that he has really clung to.

“Are you going to see what Gage got you, mommy?” Shaking my head, I sat the card beside me. I removed the tissue paper and found a Saints jersey of my own. Pulling it out I really hoped he hadn’t went through the trouble of putting something special on the back of mine. I didn’t want people assuming anything was between Gage and I. “What does your’s say?”

Turning it around to look at the back I wanted to scream.

Tucker’s Girl

No way in hell was I going to wear this. 

18

Annie

I wore it. All it took was one look from Gabe and I was a goner. How had such a small human claimed so much control over me, I’ll never know.

“That’s the lady from the beach. The one Gage was talking to after you left.” Gabe pointed down the aisle are tickets had us sitting in. We were on the fifty yard line, right behind the Saints bench, two rows up. I had to give Gage credit, our seats were badass.

“Maybe that’s his girlfriend.”

Gabe scrunched his face. “No, I don’t think so. He likes you. He told me.”

Of course he did. “Hmm. You know you’re the only man for mommy. I don’t like Gage like he likes me.”

“Not even if he makes you dinner and puts the toilet seat down?”

I looked down at my green eyed boy and pursed my lips. “Not even then. Lets get our seats and wait for the game to start.”

As we walked down the aisle, the girl Gabe had said was at the beach stood and gave us a big smile. When we reached her she held her hand out, “Hi, I’m Jenna. Gage’s best friend.”              She was cute and seemed nice. Maybe this wouldn’t be too bad.

“Hi. I’m Annie” I shook her hand then pointed to my son who was watching the players on the field in awe. “That is my son, Gabe.”

Gabe didn’t take his eyes off the field. He waved his hand around as his hello. Jenna grabbed my shoulders and spun me around. “You’ve got to be shitting me?”

Maybe I was wrong. “Excuse me?” Turning around I looked at her.

She shook her head and tossed her hands in the air. “I told that ass not to put Tucker’s Girl on your jersey. I figured that would freak you out and scare you away. He likes you, a lot. I don’t want him ruining it before anything happens, ya know?”

I stood there. That’s all I could do. My mouth wide open. Gabe yanked on my arm. “Look mommy, I see Gage. I see him! He’s throwing the football.”

Jenna knelt down to Gabe’s level. “Do you know what position he plays?”

Gabe smiled and nodded fast. “Yep. He’s the quarterback.”

“He’s not just any quarterback. He’s the best quarterback. He used to play football with my husband when they were in college.”

Gage took that moment to look up in the stadium seating and wave. He said something to the few guys who were standing around him, who then all turned and looked in our direction. This made Gabe’s already large smile grow even bigger. I was beginning to think his cheeks were going to split from his smile. I had never seen my baby so happy. And, I had Gage to thank for that. As much as I hated to admit it, he made my little boy happy. Happier than I had ever seen him.

“Hey buddy, do you want anything to eat or drink before the game starts? I’m sure things will get crazy once the game is going on.”

Gabe shook his head and watched the football sailing through the air. “No thanks, mommy.”

“Today shouldn’t be too bad since it’s a pre-season game. It’s the regular season or the playoff games that can get a little crazy.” Jenna sat back down in her seat.

Taking a seat next to her, I asked, “Does your husband still play?”

Her eyes sparkled and she grinned. “He does. He plays for the San Diego Chargers. Normally, I would be with him, but Larkin and I agreed I needed to be here for awhile. Just to make sure everything with Gage was okay. He has been through a lot in the last year.” Her eyes showed sadness as she flashed them to Gage.

“He told me about his wife. I feel horrible for him. I know how he feels. I was in his shoes when Gabe was born.” I glanced at Gabe to make sure he wasn’t listening. He had never asked and I have never told him exactly why his dad isn’t around.

Jenna looked perplexed. “Gage told me you were a single parent. Do you mind me asking, how?”

Keeping my focus on Gabe I answered, “His father was killed when I was five months pregnant. He and a few guys we went to high school with were in a band. After a show one night they all decided it would be wise to get high before driving home. Derek was in the car with two of his best friends when they crashed. Derek was killed instantly.”

Jenna sat with her hand hovering over her mouth. “I am so sorry. But, can I say one thing. Gage likes you. If you’re not ready, don’t play with him. He has been hurt too many times. Talk to him. Maybe tell him you just want to be friends. I don’t want to see him get hurt, again, by another girl.”

Sighing, I looked at her. “I like him, more than I want to admit. But, I don’t know how to move forward. Derek is the only man I know. I haven’t even been on a date since he died. Then, one night, I literally run into Gage. I was instantly attracted to him. Watching him and Gabe the other day on the beach made me realize how much Gabe is missing out on by not having a father. That’s not fair to my son. I wish I could tell you how I felt. I wish I knew, myself. I have all these feelings going through my head that haven’t been there in six years. I was seventeen when I lost the person I thought I was going to marry.”

Jenna offered me a sad smile. “I completely understand. My past is fucked up too. I just ask that you tell Gage what you just told me. I think you both could use a friend, and who knows, maybe something special will come from it.”

I think I like her.

“Mommy, I have to pee.” Gabe stood in front of me doing the famous ‘potty dance’. Leave it to my child.

“Okay, let’s go. I think I saw bathrooms on our way in.” Grabbing Gabe’s hand I shuffled us through the crowds of people who were starting to fill the stadium. Thankfully there wasn’t a line at the bathroom. We got back to our seats just in time for kick-off.

Holy shit! Why wasn’t I warned as to how loud football can be? My ears were ringing and my head was pounding. Gabe was loving it. That made my pain worth it.

“Ruuuun Gage!” Gabe was screaming beside me, standing on his seat.

The lady behind him chuckled. “He is too cute.”

Turning my head to see her, I said, “Thank you. He loves football.” The energy in the stadium was consuming. It sucked you in. You couldn’t be here and not scream. The giants, who Jenna described as defensive lineman, were charging at Gage. I jumped to my feet, chewing my nails. I yelled, “Don’t touch him! You’re going to hurt him!” Yep, that was me. I know next to nothing about the sport. Safe bet, Gabe knows more than me.