“Are we almost there?”
His fiancé was absolutely gorgeous in a soft, pale yellow off-the-shoulder sweater and white skinny jeans. Several of his former teammates heartily congratulated him on finding such a beautiful Southern Belle. Because she was born and bred in a relatively secluded area in Atlanta, he knew she felt out of place, not ever being subjected to this kind of media and fan frenzy before. Their life in Atlanta was quiet and serene compared to this. His decision to plant roots in the Southern state was a good one.
“Almost, baby. You’re doing great.”
As they came to a private hallway that led to the premium VIP seating that included in-suite catering, Jessica stopped in her tracks.
“Katie? Katie Parker?”
A pretty girl with long brown hair was walking opposite them amid an entourage of guys in cowboy boots.
“Jessica?”
“Oh my god, it is you!”
Tim watched as Jessica approached the woman and hugged her. She reached for him and clutched his hand, pulling him closer to introduce him to the mystery woman.
“This is Tim, my fiancé. They’re retiring his jersey tonight.”
Tim was about to offer his hand to shake hers and was taken aback when the woman hugged him instead.
“I heard about this. Gosh, Tim, it’s an honor to meet you. I can’t believe what you did for Jessica and her daughter Julia.”
As if sensing Tim’s confusion, Jessica chimed in. “Tim, this is Katie Parker. We went to high school together, can you believe it?” The girls giggled.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Katie. What brings you all the way out here to California? Are you a diehard 49ers fan? Or god forbid, a Chicago fan?”
Katie laughed. “I like football, but I’m here supporting my fiancé, Clay Watkins. You know, Georgia Clay? The country music singer? I’ve been tagging along on his tour, and he’s singing the National Anthem tonight.”
“Wow! That’s incredible!” Jessica replied excitedly.
“Very cool. I’m a huge fan of his music,” Tim chimed in.
“Well, we’re fans of yours too, Tim. Maybe we could stop by your suite during the second half? I know Clay would love to meet you and see Jessica again.”
“Absolutely.” Tim grasped Jessica’s hand and felt her lean into him.
“Awesome. We’ll see you later then.” The two women hugged once more.
As Jessica and Tim entered the expansive red carpet suite with premier seating and their own bartender, he watched her timidly approach the railing and gasp at the massive crowd spread out before them. The natural grass field was pristine, the familiar 49ers logo displayed in the end zone. The red seats and matching fans in all their red and gold paraphernalia were an overwhelming sight. It had been a very long time since Tim had been on his home turf; the enormity of what he was once a part of catching him off guard.
“Do you need anything, Tim? Can I get you something to eat or drink?”
Jessica was looking at him with big blue eyes. He loved it that she had not left his side for even a moment during his reunion with Stu and the team. It had been an emotional scene in the locker room an hour before with grown ass men hugging and crying.
“I’m good baby. How about you? You want a cocktail or some chicken wings? You didn’t eat much at dinner.”
He watched as her face paled.
“Can we sit? I need to talk to you.”
Curious, Tim sat in the leather seat she patted, closest to the railing, out of earshot from the bartender and bodyguard.
“What is it?”
“I’m pregnant, Tim.”
He couldn’t have heard her correctly. “What?”
