Which he’d done already this year.
I thought it was something special to watch him run back interceptions and score, but his running back a kickoff was even more exhilarating.
And he was about to do just that.
Sterling and Rye had taken their babies back and now both girls were down for their naps closer to where Mr. Mac was sitting. He enjoyed watching the games and cheering on his son, but spending his time with the kids really made him happy. He and Ms. Myra and Mama Giselle had their little corner where they loved on the kids. The mamas always tried to help but they were quickly shooed away.
My eyes went back to the field and I watched as Anthony shook out his body as if he were working the tension out of his limbs. How he trained and recovered showed the dedication he had for his craft and from one athlete to another I was in awe of how much he went through to ensure he was in peak performance. His stamina alone was impressive, on and off the field, because he would run those balls upwards of ninety yardsat full speed and not need supplemental oxygen afterward. It made my lil’ serving and fast-twitch power moves look like some bullshit in comparison. When I told him that I quickly got cursed out because Anthony wasn’t about to let anyone talk shit about me. Even me.
“You got this, Bam.” My fingers were clasped together both of my pointer fingers extended and resting against my nose as I watched his spot on the field through the window instead of the zoomed in version that was being shown on the giant screen almost directly in front of us. I wanted to see who was coming for him and the wider view of the entire field made me feel slightly more in control.
As an athlete, I understood the inherent risk in any sport but damn it was rough watching the beating his body took.
“He’s gone be fine, Little One, stop ya worryin’.”
I glanced back at Uncle Silas nodding, because I knew he was right. But still,freak plays happened all the time. I loved how he showed up for Anthony and Antwan every week and even made it to most of their away games. Their relationship was complicated because of Jill’s interference, but with her being locked up and their dad being on the run, he’d stepped up for them even more than he had before.
“I know, Unc, I just get worried.”
“Faith is what he needs from you. That’s all. Y’all call it vibes or whatever but it’s nothing butju. The link y’all have that he can feel. Don’t be nervous, just believe,chére. And watch that boy run it back just for you.”
Uncle Silas winked, and his eyes turned grayer than brown. It was something to be said about the people they created in New Orleans because everybody looked different but also related at once.
“I hear you, Unc. And I know he’s going to take it to the house. Just watch.”
I shook off the nerves I was feeling and turned back to the game with a smile on my face, knowing that he was about to prove me right.
The punter for the opposite team kicked the ball off and despite the way I should’ve been relaxed since they already had a decent lead, I wasn’t going to sit down until he was back on the sidelines. The ball was in the air and I was holding my breath until Bam caught it cleanly. He didn’t raise his hands for a fair catch so I had my abs clenched as I watched the ball land in his arms. He immediately shook a defender that I hadn’t even realized he knew was there, running to the sidelines while the rest of the special teams players hustled to block for him.
“C’mon, baby, run that shit all the way back.”
He hesitated letting his blockers get set up and then stutter-stepped the kicker who had been bearing down on him. The kicker went sailing into the sidelines taking out one of his own coaches as Bam continued to run. I could see them trying to bottleneck him and get him out of bounds when he crossed the fifty, but he hollered something out and everybody fell into formation running directly in front of those trying to tackle Bam interfering just enough so that they didn’t get a flag. It was well-orchestrated chaos and by the time he crossed the twenty, he only had Chris, who was the backup running back, keeping stride with him. The rest of the defenders had long since given up and now both of my hands were in the air as I jumped for joy.
By the time he crossed the white line into the end zone the entire suite was up on its feet, the noise we were causing rivaled the people cheering in front of us. Bam took the ball and let it spin on the ground before the sound technician started playing bounce music. Bam started to jig and the other players gathered around to cheer him on because only he, Antwan and Jacoby could actually do it and not look a fool.
I put my eyes on the celebration that was being televised on the big screen and I saw them taking a view of our suite before panning back down to the field. Because so many of us were friends, they kept a cameraman ready to gauge our reactions on defense and offense throughout the game. When they switched back to Bam, he was looking at the camera and the boom caught his words before they cut the sound.
“I felt that, baby. I love you!” He then signed an ASL A, P and 2 before he threw up the sign forI love you. Uncaring if he could see me or not, I returned the gesture and saw it was being broadcast on the screen. It was wild how the media would latch on to any story they could just to feel like they knew something more about a couple than they really did. A few months ago, Anthony wasn’t good enough for me. They said he had too much to prove to be worried about a girlfriend or love and that his focus should be getting out of his brother’s shadow. But he proved everyone wrong. He’d only been in Antwan’s shadow in their eyes and he was a man who could clearly multitask. The way he loved me, looked out for me and protected me while also excelling at work was testament to his being able to focus on everything he loved. Despite what we did for a living, we were just two people who fell in love and that’s how we lived our day-to-day lives.
I didn’t sit down until after the extra point was kicked because the adrenaline was too great. When I turned Uncle Silas was sitting in his seat with his glass of this specific Scottish whiskey he liked to drink with a knowing smile on his face.
“What?” I was suddenly bashful, not because of the display of affection because nothing would’ve stopped that. Silas was just looking at me as though he could see my soul. Or at the very least, see my emotions. I was sure every pore on my body was oozing with love for Anthony right now and I didn’t feel any embarrassment over it.
“Nothin’, little one. You and Knuck gone do just fine.” He raised his glass and I felt something wash over me with his words. Peace? Contentment? I don’t know but it was something that gave me chills but not in a bad way. It was as though his approval had been sent out into the universe and it was nodding back its agreement.
“Thank you. There’s nobody else in this world for me but him.”
“He knows. And I’m sure he shows in every way he can that the feelin’ is more than mutual. But if he’s not, come tell Uncle Silas and I’ll get him together.” Silas grinned and I just knew he was breaking hearts all over theBoot.
I leaned down and gave him a kiss on the cheek, which made his eyes wide. I couldn’t blame him for his surprise because I wasn’t big on affection with a lot of people. Dealing with Anthony had me seeing that just because my parents were trash didn’t mean I had to be standoffish with everyone. And even though Silas had never been my personal hero, he had been to the man I love so he would always get the utmost respect in my eyes.
“Thanks, Unc. I’m about to grab a bottle to celebrate. You need me to get anything for you while I’m up?”
He blinked slowly then smiled again before settling in his seat. “No, little one. What you’re already doing is more than enough. That boy is makin’ his dreams come true and he wouldn’t be as happy as he is if it weren’t for you.”
That was high praise, but I needed him to understand that he was just as responsible for Anthony being the way he was as Antwan. “I’m just loving the man you helped raise him to be. So if anyone is owed gratitude, it’s you. So thank you, Silas. You and Antwan raised a damn good man.”
He raised his glass again with a smile, “I’ll damn sure drink to that,cheré.”
