🏈 𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒯𝓌𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓎-𝒯𝒽𝓇𝑒𝑒: 𝒟𝒶𝒹𝒹𝓎'𝓈 𝐵𝒶𝒸𝓀 𝑜𝓃 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝐹𝒾𝑒𝓁𝒹 🏟️🍼

Amari sighed, rubbing his temples as he glanced at the messages from his teammates.

📲 Group Chat: 'Wolves Football 🏈🔥'

🏈 Malik: Yo, Cap... You good?

🏈 Jaden: Coach has been asking about you.

🏈 Kai: Fr bro, you ghosting us or what?

🏈 Coach Rivers: Amari. We need to talk.

He knew he had been slacking. Between working at the frozen yogurt shop and being Lucas' daddy, football had taken a backseat. And as captain, that wasn't okay.

Amari looked down at Lucas, who was sitting on the floor of his room, coloring with his plushies lined up around him. His oversized paci was in his mouth, and his sippy cup sat beside him, half-empty.

Lucas had been so happy lately. He had been feeling safe. Amari had been so focused on making sure his little boy was okay that he forgot—he was still Amari Choi, football captain.

But now, he had to step up.

🏈 "You hafta go, Daddy?"

Lucas' lip wobbled as he clutched his lion plushie. He sat on Amari's bed, watching as Amari changed into his football gear.

Amari knelt in front of him, holding both of Lucas' small hands. "Yeah, baby... Daddy's gotta practice. I been slackin' too much."

Lucas sniffled. "But... but I wuv you..."

Amari's heart melted. He kissed Lucas' forehead, rubbing his knuckles against Lucas' cheek. "I love you, tiny. So, so much. But Daddy's also captain, remember?"

Lucas sucked on his paci and nodded slowly. "Uh-huh..."

Amari smiled. "Tell ya what. Be my good boy today, and after practice, Daddy will bring you a treat from work. Sound good, baby?"

Lucas' eyes lit up. "Choc'late froggy?"

Amari chuckled. "Yeah, baby. Chocolate froggy."

Lucas wiggled happily, hugging his lion stuffie. "O'tay, Daddy! Be good fo' you!!"

Amari kissed his forehead again. "That's my boy."

🏟️ Back on The Field

Amari jogged onto the field, and immediately, Coach Rivers spotted him.

"Choi!"

Amari winced. Yeah... I'm in trouble.

Coach put his hands on his hips. "Where the hell you been, son?"

Amari sighed. "I know, Coach. I—"

"Save it." Coach cut him off. "I don't care what's been going on in your personal life, but you're captain, Amari. You don't get to just disappear."

Amari nodded. "I know. I won't let it happen again."

Coach studied him for a moment before sighing. "Get in position. We need to see if you can still keep up."

Amari grinned. "Try me, Coach."

As soon as practice started, he was back. The rush, the adrenaline, the feeling of control—it was good.

But even as he ran drills, made plays, and led his team, one thought stayed in his mind.

His baby boy was waiting for him.

And he couldn't wait to see him. 💙🏈🍼