Текст книги "Beautiful Misery"

Автор книги: Chandin Whitten

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Текущая страница: 11 (всего у книги 18 страниц)

17

Gage

“You know I play football, right?” I asked Gabe as he tossed the football back to me.

He nodded. “Yeah. My Uncle Jase likes football. We watch it a lot.”

“What would you say if I told you I could get you tickets to one of my games?” I watched as his eye lit up. His smile took over his face.

“Could I bring my mommy? I don’t think she would let me go by myself, I’m only five.” This kid was hilarious.

“Of course. You could bring your Uncle Jase, too, if you wanted. I will make sure you get to meet my team and you can even come into the locker room. Only the really cool kids get to do that.”

“No, I don’t think I want Uncle Jase to come. Just me and mommy.” Gabe smiled at me then looked at his mom.

She had Londyn in her lap, playing in the sand. Seeing Londyn with another woman who wasn’t Cobie or Jenna had my heart skipping. It shouldn’t feel right, but it did. Keeping my eyes on Annie I asked, “Your mom, does she hate most guys or just me?”

Gabe took a minute to think then said, “She hates Tristan. I think my mommy likes you, though.”

I knew it. This little kid was my way in to his mom. My plan was working perfect. “I don’t think so, buddy.” I was hoping he was right, but not getting ahead of myself.

“Gabe, come here. Mommy has to leave.”

Dropping the football in the sand, Gabe ran to his mom. “Gage told me we could go to his game!”

Just the mention of my name and Annie stiffened. “Well wasn’t that nice of him. But, we can’t baby. Mommy works on the weekends.”

I scooped the football up and walked over to Annie, Gabe, and Londyn. “Then you’re in luck. My game is on Monday.”

Annie’s dark blue eyes met mine. She didn’t look happy. “I probably have to work that Monday.” She dropped her eyes back to her son. “Why don’t you ask Uncle Jase to go, I bet he would love it.”

Gabe’s smile fell from his face. It looked like he could cry. “Why can’t you just miss work? I really want you to go, mommy.”

Annie sighed. “I’ll see what I can do buddy.”

“If you were scheduled to work, consider yourself approved to take off. ” I ruffled Gabe’s hair as I walked passed hi m to pick up Londyn.

“Um…thanks?” It sounded more like a question than an actually thank you but I ’ll take it.

“The game is on the fourteenth. Starts at seven thirty. I will have my car pick you up at your house. I ’ll get you a hotel room for the night. My car will bring you home Tuesday afternoon.”

“I am perfectly capable of driving there and back. It’s only a couple hours. We don ’t need to stay at some hotel when we have a house that I pay for.” She tossed a towel into her beach bag and pulled her sunglasses down, covering her eyes.

“I don’t want you driving that late at night, Annie. Think of your son and how tired you will be while trying to drive. Just accept my offer and make your son happy. ”

“Humph. Gabe, you’re so lucky I love you as much as I do. Fine. What time should I expect your car? And, by car you mean something normal like a Honda Civic and not some giant limo, right? ” She looked cute when she was aggitated.

Gabe high fived me and I laughed. “See, how hard was that? ”

Annie rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. “What kind of car, Gage?”

“I will make sure it’s nothing too flashy. No pink streched Hummer ’s, okay? ” This girl was hell bent on making things difficult.

“Whatever.” Annie scoffed. She bent down and kissed Gage on the cheek. “Love you buddy. Be good for Uncle Jase and remember what mommy said about Tristan. I will see you in the morning. ”

“I know. Stay away from Tristan. Love you mommy. ”

Annie came over to me and rubbed Londyn ’s cheek. “Bye sweet girl. Maybe we can play again, another day.” Londyn giggled and reached out for her. “Sorry, sweetie, I have to go to work.” Grabbing her tiny hands, Annie kissed them before turning and trekking her way back through the sand.

“OK, little man. I also have to go to work. I will see you in a few days though, okay?”

Gabe nodded. “I will talk mommy into getting me one of your jerseys so you can see me at the game. ” Little did he know during a game I couldn’t see anyone in the stadium. I smiled and said, “I will get you one and I will sign it for you. I will give it to your mommy to give to you. ”

“Maybe you could get her one, too. ” Gabe raised his eyebrows, looking hopeful.

“Do you think she would wear it?”

Shrugging he answered, “Probably. She always complains about not having clothes to wear. Now I won ’t have to listen to her complain.”

“Ok. Then I will get a jersey for her, also. I ’ll see you in a few days, buddy.”

“Bye, Gage.”

Walking back to were Jenna was sitting in the sand with Evie I had a smile on my face.

“She’s cute,” Jenna said bluntly.

Setting Londyn down beside Evie I watched the two small girls dig into the sand. “She is. I like her, but she won’t give me the time of day.” I shouldn’t care. But, I did. I was attracted to her.

“She seemed good with Londyn. Was that her little boy?” Jenna asked.

“Do we have to do this? I don’t want to play twenty questions. I like her and I shouldn’t. Five months, Jenna. That ’s it, but there is something about her that keeps drawi n g me to her like bess to honey .”

“Why shouldn’t you? Gage, look at me. ” Jenna put her hand on my arm, and I looked at her. “ She would want you to be happy. There is no time frame for mourning. You can still miss her and be sad. That doesn’t mean you have to pause your life for a certain amount of time. ”

I guess we were going to do this. Much to my disapproval. “I do miss her, everyday. But, there is something about Annie that makes the pain a little less. I ’m still trying to figure out what’s going on with her and her son. I know that today, spending time with Gabe, I felt the best I have in months. It felt right, like I was exactly where I was supposed to be. ”

Jenna had tears forming in the corners of her eyes. “Maybe, that’s because you arewhere you’resupposed to be. Watching you today, I saw the old Gage. I haven’t seen him in a long time. I loved seeing you smile and laugh.”

“This afternoon I was happy. Playing football with Gabe felt natural. Seeing Annie holding Londyn seemed like it should be an everyday thing.” I brought my eyes to my eight month old daughter. She was the spitting image of her mom. “’I asked them to the preseason game on Monday.”

“Well, are they going?” Jenna asked, excitedly.

“Yep. I’m having a car pick them up and drive them home. I’m also having her stay the night in New Orleans.”

Raising an eyebrow she asked, “With you?”

I shook my head. “No. I don’t even have a place there. I have just been staying at The Roosevelt when I need to. I’ll get them a suite for the night.”

Jenna slowly nodded. “Just take it slow, okay. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“I’m not looking for a relationship, Jenna. Hell, I would take her being my friend. I married Cobie, that’s it for me.”

“Don’t use her either, Gage. I know what you become when you’re hurting. I’m not a blithering idiot. I know exactly what you did a few years ago. It’s my fault. I should have never said yes when you asked me to marry you. I was in love with Larkin. Deep down I always knew we would never get married. But, you sacrificed so much. I didn’t want to let you down. Then, I did. I chose Larkin. You shut me out, and drank like a fish, screwing anything that would drop her panties and spread her legs. Don’t go back to that.”

I knew my reputation as a man whore had gotten out. I didn’t know Jenna had blamed herself. I was waiting for the sting in my chest to come. Nothing. Not even a dull ache. I loved Jenna, always would, but I had moved on. “It wasn’t your fault. I knew you would chose him. I fooled myself into thinking that you were in love with me. And, for a little while I actually thought we would be a family. All it took was the look on your face when you saw Larkin holding Evie to know how wrong I had been. I wanted you to be happy and I knew that wasn’t with me. It hurt, I won’t lie. I handled it wrong. But, if I hadn’t then Londyn wouldn’t be here.” I curled a piece of her hair around my finger. “Cobie and I only wanted one night. It turned into so much more and I am so thankful for that. If it weren’t for Londyn,”– I sighed and shut my eyes– “If it wasn’t for her I don’t even want to think about the kind of person I would be today. She saved me. She changed me.”

Jenna rested her head on my shoulder. “Our pasts aren’t pretty, but that’s what makes us who we are today.”

She was right. I couldn’t change my past. Even if I could I wouldn’t want to. I couldn’t keep living in the ‘coulda, woulda shoulda’s’. I had to move on from the past. But that meant moving on from Cobie. I still wasn’t sure if I was ready for that. Cobie gave me the greastest blessing in life and my life saver. I opened my eyes to look at Londyn. She had a mouth full of sand, giggling. She made my past worth every bit of hurt and anger I went through. She was worth more than anything. I would spend the rest of my life making sure she knew how much she meant to me. To her mom. To us.

Annie

What the hell did I agree to? Groaning, I opened my closet. What would one wear to a football game that she didn’t want to be at? Sweatpants and an old ratty tee shirt?

“I thought you didn’t care about this ‘stupid’ game?” Leigha asked from my bed

“I don’t.”

“Then why are you so worried about what you’re going to wear?”

“I’m not. Just trying to decided between my Van Halen shirt or my Pink Floyd shirt.” I held both shirts up and watched as my best friend wrinkled her nose. Lydia was sitting beside Leigha and shook her head.

“You are trying way too hard. If I didn’t know any better I would think someone in this room has a crush.” Lydia laughed.

“I don’t know why I am friends with you two.” I tossed the shirts at both the girls as they laughed.

Leigha caught the old shirt and held it up to her. She said mockingly, “My name is Annie. Look at me, everybody. I like making my life as difficult as possible and denying my lady bits of anything fun.”

“You two are fired. I am going to hire new best friends. Go home.”

“Oh, stop being such a party pooper. We are just trying to have a little fun with you.” Leigha commented.

Lydia climbed off my bed and walked over to my closet. “Here, we will help you find something so you don’t show up looking like some rockstar groupie from the era of bad fashion.” She started thumbing through my closet, pulling out different shirts and tossing them onto my bed. “You go get Gabe’s clothes packed and we will get you all taken care of. You only have an hour before the car is here.”

“Fine. But, I swear you two better not have me dressed like some cheap hoe. I will call Jase and make him go.”

“Would we ever do something like that?” Leigha asked innocently.

I rolled my eyes. “You heard me.” I marched out of my room and away from the tart twins.

Gabe was laying on the floor in the middle of his room coloring. “Hey, buddy. Are you excited for today?”

He didn’t look at me. Slightly lifting one shoulder he said, “Yeah, I guess.”

This was not my son. He had been so excited for the game. Now that it was here he was acting like he didn’t care if we went or not. I sat and crossed my legs out in front of me. “What’s going on? You were so exicted.”

He stopped coloring to look at me briefly then returned to his picture. “Gage said he would get me a jersey and sign it. I think he forgot about me.” The sadness on my sons face broke my heart. I’m sure to Gage, Gabe is just some little boy wanting a stupid jersey. But, to my son, Gage was like a living, breathing hero. He hadn’t stopped talking about him since that day on the beach. Sure, Gage was just being nice and inviting us to his game, but he shouldn’t have made a promise to my son then not followed through. I couldn’t tell my baby that though. So, I lied.

“He’s very busy, Gabe. You should be thankful that you get to go to his game, with or without his jersey.”

Gabe huffed and puffed before saying, “Is it time to go?”

“Almost. Is that what you want to wear?” I pointed to the clothes he had picked out this morning. For a five year old boy, the kid had syle. He had on black, grey, and maroon plaid shorts with a grey polo shirt. He looked like a mini Scott Disick. Obviously my son was a lot cuter, though.

He nodded. “Yeah. Is that okay, mommy?”

“Yes, sir. You look very handsome.”

Gabe laughed. “Thank you ma’am.”

I loved this kid. “I’m going to pack your bag for tonight. Anything special you want to take?”

“Don’t forget my underwear. You forgot them last time I stayed with Uncle Jase.”

Oops. “Sorry. Mommy has been a little distracted lately.”

“Yeah, I noticed. Want to talk about it?” What the hell? When did my son become a therapist?

“It’s grown up stuff, bud. Nothing fun.”

Gabe dropped his crayon and turned serious. “I am five years old. That is a whole hand. I think I can handle it, mom. I have learned a lot in my years. I’m getting smart in my old age.”

Seriously, kid? “Where did you learn to talk like that? Are you five or seventy five? You sound like a little old man?”

Rolling his eyes he answered, “Mom, I have been around for five years. You learn a lot when you listen to people who don’t know you are paying attention.”

Little shit. “Gabriel Derek Holland. You do not eaves drop. You know that.”

“I can’t help if people talk and I can hear them.” He did have a point.

“I wish you weren’t so smart.” I ruffled his hair and said, “You need to start cleaning up and make your bed.” Gabe grumbled but started putting his crayons back in the box.

After packing his bag I went back to my room to see what kind of mess my friends had created. Laying on my bed was a pair of white shorts with an off the shoulder sheer black shirt with subtle silver sparkles and a grey camisole. I was surprised. The outfit was cute and made me look like a mom and not a hooker. I was expecting more hooker, less mom.

Lydia handed my my suitcase.  “You’re all packed. Now get changed. Leave your hair down and go simple with your makeup.”

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.

Jenna stopped screaming a slew of profanities and looked at me. Her body was shaking from laughter. “You do know he will get hit, right?”

I shook my head. “No. I just thought he threw a ball to a guy who ran and would hopefully get across the line before the other giants tackled him.”

Jenna shut her eyes and slowly shook her head. “Oh, sweet baby Jesus.” She popped open her eyes and said, “I have a lot to teach you. Will you be my friend?”

I knew she was joking, but still, something inside me was jumping up and down. “Only if you promise not to make fun of me. This is actually my first football game, ever. I told you, Gabe’s dad was in a band.”

Holding her pinky out she said, “Pinky promise.”

And, just like that we were friends.

I am happy to report that the Saints won, thirty three to twelve. When the game was over Jenna said, “Follow me. Gage told me to bring you to the family room.”

“Family room?” I asked. I made sure Gabe was holding my hand tight as we weaved in and out of people.

“It’s where the family and friends of the players can wait for them to shower and change.” It was too loud and she probably wouldn’t hear me so instead of replying I just followed her. She stopped when we reached a large metal door. She typed in a code and opened the door.

The large room was buzzing with people. “Jenna, I didn’t think you would be here.” The tall, gorgeous blonde was looking Jenna up and down.

Jenna turned to ice. Her warm eyes where like stone. “Gage and Trent are my friends. Besides, I thought Trent tossed you to the trash, again.”

“Don’t be silly, darling. We both know Trent and I will end up together. Why stop the inevitable?”

Jenna was either choking on vomit or really despised this girl. I’m going with the latter. “We both know Trent will never marry you. Don’t kid yourself. He’s using you for one thing and since your so obviously willing to drop and bend for any man, why wouldn’t he keep you around for that?”

This was getting interesting. Gabe, thankfully, had made his way to the large snack table in the corner. I watched as Jenna and the girl I dubbed ‘football floozie’ went back and forth. I was waiting for someone to step in but both women were smiling at each other. To the general eye they looked like two friends catching up. They were anything but.

“Excuse me, is there a Gabe Holland in here?” A lady wearing a headset asked.

Gabe jumped up and down. “That’s me!”

The lady paraded her away across the room to my son. I was not about to let him go alone. “Excuse me. I’m his mom. Why do you need him?”

She held her finger up and closed her eyes, listening to her headset. “I know. Tell him to chill. I have the boy and his mom. We are on our way.”

“Sorry about that. Mr. Tucker has requested you and Gabe be brought to the media room.” She turned and started walking back to the door she had just came through before waiting for my approval.

Glancing at Jenna to make sure she hadn’t punched football floozie in the face, she smiled at me and waved. She must have known Gage had this planned.

“Now that we are out of that madness, hi, I’m Amy. I am one of the team assistants.”

Gabe and I both said hello as we followed her down a cinderblock hallway. I could see a room at the end that was filled with people and cameras. At the front of the room was a long table with a giant New Orleans Saints poster behind it.

“If you two don’t mind going right over there and taking a seat I will inform Mr. Tucker that you are here.” She pointed to a few chairs off to the side.

Who I’m assuming were the coaches were sitting at the table feilding questions from the reporters. Seemed intense. The constant flashing was giving my already pounding head a strobe migraine. It looked like we were in a nightclub.

There was a hand on my shoulder. My skin was burning. “How did you like the game?” Gage asked more to Gabe than me.

“I was screaming. Did you hear me?” Gabe asked, excited.

Gage gave a lopsided grin and said, “I sure did, buddy. Why do you think I played so good?”

“Mommy was yelling too.” Gabe ratted me out.

Gage took a seat beside Gabe and smirked. “She did?”

Gabe was kicking his feet back and forth. “Yes. She was worried you were going to get hurt. She was yelling at that defense who was trying to sack you.”

Sack? I thought it was a damn tackle. Geez, I really didn’t know anyting.

Gage put his arm on the back of Gabe’s chair, letting his fingers rub slightly on my arm. “Did you inform her that they were supposed to try and sack me?”

Shaking his head, he said, “Nope, but your friend Jenna told her. She’s pretty.”

Gage laughed. “She is. She is my very best friend. We have been friend since we were younger than you.”

“That’s a long time. I think you need a new best friend.” I was praying my son did not say I could be his new friend. I sighed in relief when he said, “I can be your new best friend. I’m the coolest kid my mom knows, huh mom?” I nodded.

“I am in luck. Jenna will be leaving soon and my best friend spot will be open. Good thing we met.”

“…And the star of tonights game, Gage Tucker.”

Camera’s turned in our direction as Gage ruffled Gabe’s hair and stood. The flashing comenced. It followed Gage all the way to the table at the front of the room.

“Mr. Tucker, after having a rough year, could you please tell us what had you playing so well tonight?” An older reporter asked.

Gage looked in our direction. “That’s easy. It’s all because of my best friend, Gabe.” He winked then turned his attention back to the reporters. “My offensive line held the other guys back, giving me freedom to play around and scan before just throwing the ball and hoping it landed in the right guys hands. I had a few runs, but we all know I am a passing kinda QB.”

Gabe was won over. To say that he loved Gage would be an understatment. My son was obsessed. My layers were slowly melting away and I was liking him more and more.

Gabe and I sat watching Gage answer question after question for thirty minutes. “I think that is enough for tonight.” Gage scooted his chair back and sauntered away from the table. It was hard not to watch. The guys looks demanded attention.

“Ready to see the locker room?”

Gabe jumped from his chair and grabbed Gage’s hand. “Yes!”

“I think I’ll stay here. I have no interest in seeing gym socks and jock straps.”

Gabe tilted his head. “Hey, there is towels and a few half naked womans pictures in there, as well.”

“My point exactly. No interest. Watch my son and don’t let him see anything dirty.” I kissed Gabe’s cheek and reminded him to stay with Gage.