Chapter 13: Sidelines

Saturday morning dawned cool and clear, perfect soccer weather. Ti arrived early, scanning the small crowd of parents until he spotted the familiar broad shoulders standing apart from the chattering groups. Just like Z had said - Reece kept his distance, hands in his pockets as he watched the kids warm up.

"Little daddy," Ti greeted, coming to stand beside him. He caught the slight relaxation in Reece's stance at the name.

"You Made it," Reece acknowledged, eyes still on the field where Z was running drills with his teammates. But his shoulder brushed Ti's, deliberate in a way that made Ti's skin warm.

"I Wouldn't miss it." Ti followed Reece's gaze to Z, who'd spotted them and was waving enthusiastically. They both waved back, Ti grinning at the boy's excitement.

"He been talking about you coming all week," Reece said quietly. "To everyone. His teacher probably sick of hearing about it."

Something in Ti's chest squeezed tight. "That okay?"

Reece was quiet long enough that Ti glanced over, finding those dark eyes already on him. "Yeah," Reece finally said, voice rough. "It's okay."

Before Ti could respond, the coach called the kids in to start the game. They watched Z take his position, practically vibrating with energy.

"He good at this?" Ti asked, realizing he'd never actually seen the boy play before.

"He's Getting there." Pride crept into Reece's voice. "Better since he started focusing instead of just running wherever the ball goes."

Ti laughed. "Wonder where he gets that energy from."

"His mama," Reece said softly, then went still like he hadn't meant to say it. But after a moment he continued, "She used to run track. Couldn't ever sit still neither."

Ti stayed quiet, knowing how rare it was for Reece to mention her. On the field, Z made a good pass to his teammate, and they both cheered, the moment passing naturally into excitement over the play.

The game went on, parents calling encouragement from the sidelines. Ti noticed Reece never yelled like some of the other parents, but his low "good job, son" whenever Z did something well carried across the field just fine. The boy's head would always snap their way, grinning at his daddy's approval.

Halfway through, Z scored his first goal. He jumped up and down, pointing at them with both hands before his teammates swarmed him. Ti felt Reece's whole body go tense with pride beside him.

"That's your boy," Ti said softly, and Reece's hand found his for just a moment, squeezing once before letting go.

After the game ended (Z's team won 3-1), they waited while he said goodbye to his teammates. Some parents nodded at Reece, who returned the gestures with his usual reserve. But Ti noticed a few curious looks thrown their way, clearly wondering about his presence.

"Daddy! Ti! Did you see my goal?" Z came running up, grass-stained and glowing with victory.

"Saw every second," Reece assured him, that tender tone creeping in. "Good game, son."

"Ti, are you coming to Victory Pizza too?" Z asked, bouncing on his toes. "Daddy always takes me after we win!"

Ti glanced at Reece, who was watching him with something almost vulnerable in his eyes. "If your daddy's offering."

"Already told you about pushing it," Reece warned, but his voice was warm. To Z he added, "Go get your bag, wild child. Can't go nowhere with you looking like you been rolling in the field."

Once Z ran off, Reece turned to Ti. "You Don't gotta come if-"

"Want to," Ti cut him off, echoing their conversation from the diner. "Unless you don't want-"

"Told you I did," Reece finished their familiar exchange, eyes crinkling slightly at the corners.

When Z returned, they headed for their cars. "Follow me," Reece said quietly as they separated. "Ain't far."

Ti watched them pull away, Reece's black pickup familiar now in front of him. Something was shifting between them, slow but steady. Each invitation, each shared moment with Z, each time Reece let his walls down even slightly - it all meant something.

And Ti was starting to think he knew exactly what that something was