I got to the airport and boarded the plane. Things with Lizzy had gotten pretty tight there for a minute. I technically didn't lie about being at Sharon's house but I didn't confess I had a son. I needed to come clean about AJ but I had to do it at the right moment. I hated keeping this from her but I had other things to worry about. Speaking of AJ, I needed to make a call. I pulled out my phone and dialed Sharon.

"Hello?"

"Who told you to answer my phone?"

"I don't know what you are talking about?"

"Oh but I think you do. Let me tell you this, if you ever in your life put a finger on my phone you will regret the moment you did. You and I are strictly about the welfare of AJ. You and I have been officially over many moons ago. Try some bullshit like that again if you want and I will get custody of AJ and you will be homeless."

"How dare you threaten me Aries! I have been a pushover for long enough."

"You keep blaming me. You made the decision to not tell me I have a son."

"Would it had made a difference?"

"Yes. I would have taken care of my responsibility. We may have created him together but you took my responsibility away."

"I told you I was sorry."

"Yeah you keep saying that. I will send for AJ for Fan Day. I will put you all in a hotel."

"Why can't we just stay with you? I'm sure AJ would love that."

"I won't be there. I will be busy at the different team activities."

"Or is your girl coming and you don't want her to know."

"Look I'll send you the info. I gotta go."

I hung up and put my seatbelt on. The plane had started it's engines and we were ready for takoff. My phone dinged and I looked down to see it was Liz.

Got a modeling gig N Hawaii N 3 wks 4 a magazine. Nervous & x-cited.

U will do fine. Got all the makings of a model. Baby U rocked it last time.

Would u buy it? At least 1 mag?

Me, The whole newsstand.

Making me blush. Have safe trip, call me later, ❤️

Will do💋. Can't believe I'm using emoticons.

👏😘, bye, lol

I shook my head smiling. My baby was a trip and I couldn't wait to see her in the flesh and show her off in three weeks.

"I can't believe you are finally taking some time off. Have you ever taken more than a week in the past few years?"

"Lana I swear I need it. With the photo shoot happening next week, Aries Fan Day and then Sean's it was no way I could do it all and work."

"So you and Aries are finally a couple?"

"Yes. It's been two weeks since I've seen him in the flesh and boy can I tell you I'm feening."

"My boy must be that good. You can always have video chat sex or phone sex. "

"Sound like you have experience?" I said laughing.

"Corbin and I use to make a phone line sizzle."

"Oh my," I said giggling.

"What about Sean? You normally have that phone glued to your ear when you're not in surgery talking about everything under the sun."

"He's at training camp. Out of respect for Aries I've toned down my calls."

"Good for you that you got a man. I'm just surprised you didn't hook up with Sean. I always thought you two made the perfect couple."

"We are just friends Lana."

"I know but after seeing those pictures, you two burned up the page."

"You think so?"

"Most definitely."

"Thank you."

Lana's phone rang. "Dr. Alanna Roberts."

Alanna Roberts was a fellow physician with me. She worked for a huge foundation her family owned but her mother, Dr.Tasha Worthington-Roberts was the bomb. With her medical breakthroughs and pharmaceutical explorations her family were VIP's at University Hospital. They even had a wing named after them.

"I have a consult. I will talk to you later."

"Bye Lana."

I watched her get in the elevator and I walked to my office. I had a locum tenen doctor coming in to replace me while I was out so I needed to complete some paperwork.

Taking off my jacket, I slung it on the coatrack and sat down at my desk. I checked my computer and Sean had sent me three emails. They were of images he had been working on for two of his clients. I looked them over and typed back my opinion. As soon as I pressed send my phone rang.

"Whaaattssss up?" He said causing me to giggle.

"The images look good. You always had a talent for art. My houses always looked like upside down triangles and my stick people looked worst."

"Actually most of them did. I have no clue how you passed art."

"Hahaha, you got jokes."

I heard a knock on the door. "Come in."

There was a UPS man bringing in a huge box. I signed for it and looked on the label.

"What did you just send me?"

"Ah open it up and see."

I put the phone down and put it on speaker. I got a letter opener and sliced through the top. Another box was inside so I opened it up.

I started to laugh.

"A pound of strawberry twizzlers, dried cranberries, strawberry poptarts and white cheddar popcorn."

"Keep digging," he said.

I pulled out a huge beach bag. It had my name stitched across it. Inside were some Gucci sunshades along with the matching sandals and a bottle of deodorant. A sarong with a big floppy sunhat, and sunscreen were at the bottom.

"Wow, you didn't have to do all of this. This is everything I would have forgotten to bring."

"Well I didn't want you to burn up in Hawaii so I figured you could use the sunscreen. You are a snackaholic and I wanted to make sure you didn't pass out at the shoot from not eating. Please wear some extra deodorant the sun is scorching and people don't need a funky smelling person around them."

"I don't perspire, thank you very much."

"Girl your funk would make a grown man fall to his knees and cry. He would be praying for the Good Lord to just take him on up to glory to save him from the ratchet demonic odors you possess. Even holy water couldn't do it alone."

"You wrong Sean, I have never stunk that bad."

"Remember when we went camping?"

"That was different. You stunk too."

"Remember that skunk you killed," he said dying out laughing on the other end of the line.

"Sean Gipson you are going to hell with gasoline drawers on."

"Well get ready for the ride because I'm taking you with me sweetheart. We can enjoy it together."

"He was already dead Sean when we found him."

"That poor skunk was able to smell you a mile away and he just dropped dead when that first real woof of your funk hit him like a ton of bricks. Such animal cruelty. He even had his hand on his heart, poor thing. I should have reported you to the Wildlife and Fishery deputies." He was literally out of breathing cracking up laughing.

"Oooooow you lucky I can't slap you upside the head Sean Gipson."

"I thought you were a miracle worker. Dr. Elizabeth Johnson is a woman of many talents."

"I do have many talents. Keep talking noise and you will see. Trash talk if you want, you will be talking to a dial tone."

"Fine!"

"I do have to admit you always looking out for me." I was putting everything back in the bag.

"I try when you let me."

"What...ever."

"So my Fan Day is two days after Peanuthead, I mean Aries. So I was thinking I can get you a red-eye out of Atlanta to San Diego. The last flight leaves at nine pm where I can pick you up."

"What time does the event start?"

"Signing and pictures start at ten am, the interview sessions at one pm and the party at ten pm."

"Full day. Do I get to rest?"

"Of course. I can't have a pouty Drama Queen complaining."

"I'm not pouty."

"But most definitely a Drama Queen."

"True but my King will see to my needs so I'll be fine."

"Yes he will there's no doubt about that."

"How was practice?"

"Good. I can't tell you all my secrets you'll go back and tell Mr. Clean...I mean your boy."

"This is the second time on this call you have called him outside his name and the third time I will have to make up an excuse and go."

"I told you to bear with me. I got to get use to calling him by his government name. Who names their child Aeric Wilson? Aeric is not even a black person's name. I could hear his mama saying, "Aeric it's time for dinner," he said in a Judy Garland singalong voice. "I bet his friends were dying laughing saying he ain't real."

"Sean!"

"I'm trying. Oh by the way, the schedule has come out for the rest of the season. DuDu Head and I play each other the last Sunday in six weeks here in LA."

"So soon."

"Yeah. I think you should stay with me. His team will all be together at the hotel and you really won't have time to spend with him."

"I'm sure I can get a minute of his time."

"After my team beats them, he's probably going to wobble back to his room with tears in his eyes, crawl up in the fetal position and cry."

"Then I have to be there for him."

"Are you going to pop one out for him?"

"Sean!"

"Sorry," he said mumbling something under his breath.

"You know what, I better go because you are starting to piss me the hell off."

"I said I was sorry, it was uncalled for. I didn't call to upset you."

"What's up with you Sean?"

"I'm jealous if you want to know the truth."

"Why?"

"Because...Nevermind, I got to go."

"Fine but next time you call lose the damn attitude."

We hung up and our conversation didn't sit to well with me. I picked up the phone to call Aries but it went straight to voicemail.

I picked up my bag and put it on my arm and put the sunshades on modeling them up and down in front of my desk. I could do this. I never thought in a thousand years I could be a model and it would be all thanks to Sean.

I grabbed my phone and took a selfie posing with my new items on. After about the third one I landscaped it, changed the filter and sent it with a caption~ "sorry from your peanut butter scrumptious delight."

I waited and waited but I didn't get a text back. I heard the operator calling my name over the intercom so I had to go. Looking down at my phone I saw where the picture and text had been delivered. Oh well if he didn't respond I'll just call him later.

"Dude what the hell are you doing," my teammate Gus Peters asked. I was lifting weights and somehow my irritation of Liz's relationship fired me up. He grabbed the dumbbell and put it in the lock.

"Did your girl piss you off?"

"What girl?"

"The little shorty from Dex's party."

"Shaunte, we broke up."

"She was hot man. Never trust a big ass and a smile."

"Yeah that's true and she's a digger."

"Aren't they all."

"Not all."

"Is Lizzy coming to Fan Day?"

"Yeah."

"Hey fellas Dr. Lizzy Bear is coming to Fan Day!"

I heard the guys whistling, making puppy dog eyes and kissing noises. They seem to get a kick out of her coming as she would wear her white coat, tight jeans and talk dirty to them before they would go out and do interviews, she said it help keeps a smile on their faces.

"Lizzy! Lizzy!" The guys started chanting.

"Well," I said trying to calm them down. "Shhhhhh."

They quieted down. "She got a man."

"Finally it's about time," Jarreau our cornerback said. He was almost six foot three and two hundred pounds.

"You both should have been married ages ago. Congrats man you finally got the girl."

"Actually I don't have the girl."

"What!?!"

"She's dating Aries Wilson."

"Hold up she dating DumDum. His head looks like a big sucker," Pat my running back coach said and everyone started to laugh.

"Yeah. I tried guys but she's scared that if we try to get together and it doesn't work out that our friendship would end."

"What's the difference? I've been married to the same woman for six years. We were friends all doing college. Marriage doesn't really change a thing as long as you have built the foundation. The only major difference I see is that Gloria spends my money since her name is on the account," Pat said.

Everybody laughed and agreed.

"I think we should help you. I mean to get Lizzy to see what she's missing out on by not dating you," Kemp Jones, our team kicker said.

"My friend has an art gallery downtown. The pictures the two of you took could be blown up and framed. Robert owns that restaurant across the street where he could cook and I know a lady that can play the harp. Right before the party you can take her there and try to romance her and show off your true qualities dude. I'm telling you, Aries ain't right for her, she's going to get hurt."

"I tried to warn her but she's not listening."

"Man, when we were at the All-Star game he had about four chics on him and they all went up to the room. He's a freak. Lizzy is like a little sister to us and she deserves so much better although I'm single and I would treat her right," Dingo, one of our running backs said.

"You not her type," I said.

"Anythings better then the Michelin Man. He got rolls on his head. His head look like cracked cement."

"Eww," everyone said laughing and shouting.

"Man we gonna help you get your girl. We can't afford a bad season because our captain and quarterback is depressed that he can't get the girl. We gotcha brother," Tony my other defensive end said patting me on the back.

"Huddle. Count of three Lizzy. One, two, three, Lizzy," they all said in unison.

I loved these guys but I had to keep an eye out to make sure things didn't get out of control. Lizzy was a terror when she got angry and they never saw that side of her.

"Man by the time we finish with her, you two will be married," Jarreau said putting his arm around my neck.

"Don't count on it. She's not your average chick."

"You worry too much."

Coach came in checking out our workout regiments. A few of the docs and techs followed in behind them.

"Gipson, Peters, Johnson and Craven, I need to see you in my office in ten."

We walked out and we all looked at each other. I wiped the sweat from my face and fell in line behind the techs. We all piled into coach's office waiting to figure out what was going on.

"Lucius Dawson committed suicide last night. Aimee served him with divorce papers a few days ago and was going to take everything. That party you all went to a few months ago, had him in a very uncompromising position with a guy. This hasn't been leaked yet, but the body is being taken away as I speak."

We were all in shock. He was apart of the crew. There were no signs that he was unhappy or that he was into men.

"Coach I spoke to him yesterday. He seem fine," Peters said getting choked up.

"Well son he hid it well. I knew about the divorce and the party but he seemed to be dealing with it," Coach said.

"Sean are you going to be okay? He looked up to you as a friend and his captain."

I was speechless. I had taken him under my wing about two years ago when he was drafted. I never had a clue something like this would happen. I felt water running down my eyes. Somehow my words got stuck, I couldn't speak. I put my face in my hands as everyone gathered around. I had just seen him yesterday at practice and he didn't give any warning that he would do this. Everyone hugged and tried to get themselves together.

Lucius Dawson was an All-American, was second runner up to the Heisman Trophy and was a first round draft pick. He had a bright future ahead of him and I was hoping to get back to the Super Bowl with his help.

"With all of this we have to look ahead guys. Having him gone is going to be a big loss, so we need a replacement on the backfield, any suggestions?"

"Dave Williams or Jessie Graham. It's whether or not they can score. With Gipson's long arm they are going to have to be perfect. I know Sean is trying to break his record for yardage this year so we got to make that happen," JC, better known as Craven said.

"Sean you good with that?" Coach asked.

I swallowed still trying to get over the news. I nodded yes.

"No practice today. I will go tell the rest of the team. A press conference is being set up for this afternoon. Sean and JC, you two will take the lead. Cameras will be taping, rolling and flashing. The PR team have written some facts down so learn them and regurgitate. We can't show weakness as other teams will be watching, understand?"

"Yes sir," we all said. He dismissed us and we headed to the showers. As the crew and I walked in everyone else was being called into the locker room. I could hear yells and the lockers being banged on. Lucius was a good guy and this was tragic.

I could see JC with his eyes closed. He was the captain of the runningbacks. He was a lot closer to him now then I was. It was now my responsiblity to bring this team together because Coach was right we couldn't show weakness.

"We got to come together. We need to arrange somethings but we will see it thru," I told them. They shook their heads.

"After the press conference I want special teams on the field Peters. I want them suited up and ready to play."

"Will do."

"Johnson, I want you, JC, Williams and Graham out there too. We will see which one will cut it. If they both can then we can rotate. Lucius will be truly missed so we got to honor him right."

"Yeah!" They said.

"You right. We can do this," JC said holding out his fist. We all came together and fist bump.

We walked out and could see the team down and depressed. Peters, Johnson, JC and myself interlocked our arms and started singing, Lean on Me, by Bill Withers. JC started it off. Everyone came together and when we finished we all hugged.

"We are going to be okay. Don't lose focus of the goal. He might not be here in person but he will be here in spirit. We deserve to be champions this year, we did it last year we can do it again. I'm willing to give it my all if you are to what do you say!"

"Yeah!"

"I can't hear you," I said in my Spongebob voice.

"Yeah!!"

"Then let's do this!"

Everyone hollered and gave high fives. In time of unfortunate circumstances we had to show perseverance, strength and determination.

After doing multiple interviews, finishing up practice it was almost midnight and I was completely drained. I tried to call Lizzy but she didn't answer her phone. My eyes started to water up again. He was definitely going to be missed. The two new guys had a lot of work ahead of them just to be a quarter of what Lucius had.

I turned into my house and noticed a car parked in the front. I was hoping it wasn't any reporters. I needed to call a gate company tomorrow. I parked up closer to the car and it was empty but I noticed the kitchen light was on. That was odd.

I looked at the car and it was a rental. I took out my gun that was in the glovebox and my phone was in my hand. I went up to the lion's head that I had by the front door and noticed the spare key wasn't there. I checked my phone and the alarm company hadn't called.