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.

I watched as the two boys walked off, hand in hand. From behind they could pass as father and son. That stung a little. That also had my heart fluttering. I wasn’t sure which was worse.

Pat opened the car door. We were at The Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans. This wasn’t no Holiday Inn. Gage spent a lot for us to stay here. “Mr. Tucker apologizes for not waiting outside but it’s a little difficult for him to be in public. I was told to tell you to go to the second floor and he will be waiting.” Pat handed our bags to the concierge. “Have a wonderful night, Ms. Holland. I will see you tomorrow afternoon.”

Picking up a sleeping Gabe I said, “Thank you, Pat. I hope you have a great night.”

The doorman opened the door and I was in awe. I felt like royalty. There were golden columns lining the walkway with giant crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. This was the rich and famous lifestyle I would never have.

I wanted to walk around and take it all in, but carrying a sleeping fifty pound boy didn’t make that very plausible. Instead, I made my way to the elevator and hit the second floor. Stepping off the elevator I looked around for Gage. The hall was empty.

Just as I found a chair to sit down Gage rounded the corner. “There you are. Oh, is little man asleep?”

“Yes. He fell asleep right after we left the game.”

Gage reached for him. “Here, let me take him.” I wasn’t going to complain. The kid was heavy and I was tired.

Walking down the hall in semi comfortable silence I was about to tell him thank you for the tickets when a gorgeous red head came bounding up to us. “Oh my God, you’re Gage Tucker!”

Gage looked down at the girl. “That’s me.”

“There’s a party in my room tonight. Want to add to the fun?” The red head asked. Her sugar sweet voice making me sick.

I tried to hide my mix of gagging and laughing, but I failed. Gage winked at me before saying to the girl, “I’m trying to get my boy in bed. So, if you would excuse us.” Side stepping the girl we walked two doors down and Gage slid in his keycard, unlocking the door.

I opened the door for him. I thought the lobby was swanky. Shit, that had nothing on the room itself. There was a large couch and loveseat positioned in the middle of the room facing a large flat screen television mounted on the wall. Against the wall was a desk, looking out the window. Opposite the desk was a six person dining table, mini fridge, and coffee bar. There were two doors beside the coffee bar, both open letting me see it was a bedroom and what could be maybe a conference room or office. There was a short hall that ended in the master suite.

“You didn’t have to get a two bedroom. Gabe and I could have shared a bed.”

Gage stopped, watching me. “This is my suite. You and Gabe will be in there” -he pointed to the room on the left- “and I will be in there.” He pointed down the hall.

“Oh.” We would be sharing a hotel room? Not what I expected.

“Don’t worry. I will be a total gentleman. You and Gabe even have your own bathroom. You won’t see me unless you want to. I’m going to lay him in bed.”