About an hour later I grabbed my workout bag from home and we jumped in my Ferrari. My mother wasn't there, so I assumed she was headed to the stadium or stopped off to shop. Didn't really care to be honest, she didn't even have to show up.

We sped down the interstate so we wouldn't be late and finally made it to the stadium. Reporters, fans, and paparazzi flanked the main entrance. People were waiting on their favorite players with flowers, posters and cameras. Declan, our head of security, stopped me.

"Mr. Gipson, Mr. Jarreau, how are you two today?"

"Good." Jarreau nodded.

"If you don't mind, Mr. Harrison wants the players to go through the tunnels to interact with the reporters and fans. I have my guys stationed throughout the crowds and in front of the barricades. Tom will make sure you two make it to the main entrance."

"Gotcha. Take care of her."

"I will Mr. Gipson." Jarreau and I got out the car grabbing our bags and I gave Declan my keys.

"Ready to do this? Game face on."

"Always ready J," I replied as I nodded.

The moment we continued on, we could hear the fans shouting, "Super Bowl, Super Bowl!" Jarreau and I high-fived each other as we walked towards the crowd. We stopped as we greeted the fans signing autographs, taking selfies and doing short interviews. A few even gave me onesies and baby clothes, I was caught off guard for a second until it clicked. I thanked everyone for coming to show us love. Security was tight keeping people behind the barricades. I smiled and laughed but my mind was still on Lizzy.

Jarreau and I finally made it to the entrance as more teammates were making their way down towards us. The fans focus had turned on them so we were safe inside.

"News gets out fast. Baby clothes for a fake baby, interesting," Jarreau said picking up a pair of baby booties.

"Actually I'm going to use this to my advantage."

"How's that?"

"Just wait and see." I had to smile at myself, I was ready for action.

"Mr. Gibson, may I take your bag," Leon one of the team's runners asked.

"Thanks Leon." I gave him my bag along with the baby clothes while Jarreau handed over his bag.

Jarreau asked Leon about his grandkids since he was their legal guardian especially since his wife of thirty years died of cancer last year. I stood there listening as a very familiar face was walking up to us. The petite brunette with the hourglass figure, beauty and brains strutted through the crowd. Not only was she the Executive Vice President of Marketing and team publicist but also the owner's niece. Wearing a maroon sheath dress with a gold scarf along with designer heels, she marched right up to us.

"Hey guys."

"Hey Naomi."

She pulled out a onesie I had tucked in the side of my jeans with Gipson's Number One Fan on it. An elder lady gave it to me and I must have forgotten to put it with the other items.

"Nice new threads," she teased holding it up.

"Not quite my size or color," I joked back. She nodded laughing.

"Please tell me you and Shae are not together? I can stomach a lot of people but she's one that gives me the shits. You can do so much better. I mean a one legged, mangy, no teeth dog Cujo would be a better choice than her. What happened to your taste in women?"

"I'm with you on that sister," Jarreau said. "Her head is just as big as her ass because all the lies and manipulating thoughts are just too much and they are about to bust out. She got a PhD from Lunatic University in the Art of Golddigging." They both laughed.

"Good one J."

"You two know I'm standing here right?"

"That's what makes it so hilarious. At least we aren't doing it behind your back," she said fist bumping Jarreau.

"Don't we have somewhere to be, NeeNee?"

"I hate that nickname."

"Hahaha it's funny to me." She pursed her lips and lightly slapped me on the arm.

"Fine. At least I'm not Shae's baby's daddy. And at least I know I'm not stuck with her trifling arse for the rest of my life."

"Valid point. She's trifling but she is carrying my baby. I can teach him or her to be a better person."

She shook her head. "I hope so." She looked down at her watch. Coming in was her assistant Peggy bringing in the famous maroon portfolio. She was known to carry it all the time but no one knew what was in it. She thanked Peggy, scribbled something down that we weren't privileged too and quickly closed it up. "Let's roll."

I grabbed a bottle of Voss water from the table.

"I still can't believe you got that trick pregnant. I hope you have been saving your money?"

I laughed. "She knew I wanted a child for a while. She played me, pried upon my weakness. Not having a father I wanted to be one." I pretended to cry.

"Save your tears for your pillow lover boy. I hope your wallet is ready. Wait, I already hear it flapping in the wind." We followed her as we dapped up other teammates and staff.

"All seriousness here, are you really going to be a daddy? Is it really even yours or you want it to be? Did you get a DNA test," she asked. "Tell me the media made it up?" She glanced back at me.

"Yeah I'm about to be a daddy. I went to the doctor with Shae and I heard the heartbeat, man it's a miracle. As far as the DNA test, I am the father. She went to the media so everyone knows and I haven't denied it."

"You know for sure? You're positive?"

"Yes."

"Why her? I always thought it would have been your girl Elizabeth."

"We just friends, Naomi."

"How did she take the news?"

"Pissed because she doesn't like Shae."

"Or because it's not her."

"Lizzy not ready for kids."

"I saw the video. Is she okay?"

"Lizzy is tough. She will recover. But trust me it took everything in me not to go see about her."

"I'm sure. Maybe when this is over you can go check on her."

"Maybe so."

We remained quiet as we headed to the conference room for preinterviews.

"Don't forget to smile, laugh, and joke but nothing negative, and make sure you bring up the theme for this year."

"Which is?" Jarreau asked with a stupid look on his face.

"To be Number One."

Jarreau and I both chuckled.

"Any questions off limit," she asked.

"Nawl, we good."

"What about Lizzy?"

"I don't know the details. She's not returning my calls and to be honest I have no idea where she is. It has me worried since she's always been a private person."

"Understandable. What about questions on Shae?"

"Nawl, let them bring it on."

"If it gets unbearable give me the signal and I will shut it down."

"Thanks Naomi."

"No problem."

"Let's do this," Jarreau said to me. Naomi walked ahead of us. I looked down at my watch.

"She's still in the air, no harm. Get ya mind right or these reporters will eat you alive. Oh by the way, the wedding band."

"We are here," Naomi said. I quickly took it off and slipped it in my pocket. My heart kind of cramped at the thought but I would honor her wishes and for the plan, I needed to take Shae and Michael down.

Naomi opened up the door and camera flashes went off everywhere. Every news outlet, sport reporter and staff were in the room and then some. Jarreau and I took our assigned seats at the table. Since he was the squad leader for defense he sat in the middle with Marty Ingle on the other side as the leader of the offense. Our coaches sat further down the table. Naomi gave the rules on questioning us and best believe if you didn't follow her instructions, mics were turned off.

The questions started. Jarreau and Marty answered all types of them along with the coaches until one was directed towards me.

"Sean did you know your cover with Elizabeth Johnson has gone viral. Over thirty million views. Isn't she your childhood friend?" Jackie McKenzie, one of Sports TV, anchors asked.

"I didn't know it went viral but we had a blast doing it. Yes I've known Elizabeth forever and we are friends. It was nice of her to fill in for the missing model, she's joked that she's a real model now."

Everyone laughed.

"I thought Elizabeth normally shows up at Field Day every year?" Randy Pittman, from the LA times asked.

"Something came up so she won't be attending. Next question."

"Is the video true?" he called out.

I had to pause. I looked to Naomi.

"Not sure, but this is not the time or place to discuss it. You want to know about what's going to happen with the season, then I will be more than happy to discuss it with you."

"What happens when you play against Aries? His team is the reigning Super Bowl champions. He said he's coming for you and he stated his team is going to the Super Bowl again this season," Conrad another reporter asked.

"It's an open season. Whoever we play better be ready as we are strong and ready to take on any defender. My team, our coaches and staff are prepared, we are playing worthy teams so you all will have to wait and see. Although I think we have an even better chance to take on the title this season."

"Sean is it true that you and your girlfriend are expecting?" Donte Albert from SportsNet.com asked from the back of the room.

"She's my ex as she broke up with me. I guess I don't make enough money." Everyone laughed.

"Anyway she is and I will take care of my responsibilities. Thanks to the fans for giving me little onesies and baby gifts as I arrived. I'm truly excited to be a father, since mine died when I was younger. Having a child is a precious gift and I thank God for blessing me with this little miracle to be. I'm sure Marty can give me some pointers." I looked over at Marty who nodded with a smile on his face.

"Okay guys. Sean, Jarreau, Marty and the coaches have to get ready for the festivities," Naomi said turning off our mics. We followed Tom as he escorted us to the locker room.

"My boy! You shut them up real fast."

"J it took everything in me not to say how much I want to kill his ass along with Shae."

"I know, I do too. The baby comment was perfect. You basically put her ass on blast."

"And when she spills, I will play the heartbroken, deceived guy and expose her ass for the trick she is."

"This is going to be good," he said as we walked to the locker room.

We changed and I was headed out when I saw Michael. My patiences were on the edge.

"Dude I've being trying to call you, what's up?"

"Busy!" I kept walking.

"Sean what's wrong?"

"I can't talk right now, I'm headed to the field."

"I feel like you're avoiding me. I'm on your side."

"I know you are, we will talk later." I continued to walk off into the stadium leaving him standing there. I walked back.

"I need you to do me a favor?"

"Sure."

"The house I own on Kirkwood is empty. I want to offer Shae the house. I don't want her living in that apartment, it's too far away. The Kirkwood house is like five blocks down the road from me. I can help her out especially when she gets closer to delivering. I can get a maid service to come in once or twice a week so she won't have to lift a finger, get her a cook too. She needs to start eating healthy. You need to convince her that I want to help and if she can do right, I won't come after her about custody."

He looked at me strange.

"Can you or can't you do this for me Mike?"

"I can do it. What about Lizzy?"

"What do you mean what about her?"

"I thought you would be flying out to be with her."

I made a tight fist. "Lizzy is grown she can take care of herself. I think it was just a misunderstanding between the two. The camera made it look more then what it was. Let me know when Shae is taken care of, I'll talk to you later." I walked away. I wanted to hit something!

I stood by the tunnel getting my mind right. People filled the stadium with their maroon and gold jerseys, t-shirts and banners. They were excited and it was contagious. More cheers came as I ran onto the field. Fireworks went off, my team was clapping, executives were at the podium and the confetti along with live cameras were focused on me. The one thing that was missing was Lizzy's golden smile behind the camera in the crowd. I took my place on the stage, waving to fans and putting on a pretend smile. Listening to the Commissioner, the team's manager and coach, I was introduced. More cheers followed by applause.

I gave them what they wanted to hear. How we were mentally and physically prepared to take on every team to become number one. I spoke of their love and commitment and without them, this journey would be hard. I told our fans we were going to work hard to bring home the wins. I thanked all of them for coming and showing their support. I announced that I was having a child and the screams came. Oh yeah, they were feeding into it. Some held up their kids. I waved at them as I said my final word and stepped back. More confetti came down falling like raindrops. We ended the stage presentation and headed to the autograph signing tables. There were long lines but you could see the excitement in the fans eyes.

I signed t-shirts, jerseys all kinds of objects. More baby items came my way with well wishes and advice. This was working out better than I expected. Selfies were taken, banter going on between fans, and special cards were presented to me by my Sean Gipson Fan Clubs. It was exciting and humbling but my mind was linked to Lizzy. I looked at my watch, technically she was still in the air.

I put my watch close to my lips and spoke. "Siri send Lizzy a text." The words came across the screen. Lizzy's number popped up. "Tell her how much I love her and that Field Day is not the same without her." The text message appeared and confirmed.

"Mr. Gipson, you are the man!" A young Hispanic little boy said. He was wearing one of my jerseys, the team hat along with a football in his hand. His mom stood behind him.

"No you are. I like those digs."

"I've saved up for six months to get this throwback jersey. I have a paper route, been doing chores around the house even doing well in school to get money for my grades to buy this."

"What's your name?"

"Alfie Thomas, sir."

"Mom is it true that my man Alfie right here has done all those things, especially getting good grades?"

"Yes he has. His father recently died in a car accident and he was just devastated. Took a little time to get in the swing of things but when he saw you on the news talking about how your father died and the way you handled it, he said if you could do it, he could too. Thank you for sharing your grief, it helped my son so much to be a better person. He use to get in all kinds of trouble but now, he's almost a straight A student and wants to go to college, so thank you so much from the bottom of my heart." She began to tear up and I walked around and gave her a hug.

"Thank you for sharing that, I'm glad I could help." She wiped her tears.

"I'm proud of you Alfie and I know your dad is smiling down on you too. If he was here, I'm more than a million times sure he would be proud too."

"I remember you saying how much hard work and having good grades will help you in life. My dad use to say it all the time but hearing it from you, well it brought memories of him back."

"Then I know he was a good man. Keep working hard in school, and in life and always remember to respect others."

"Yes sir!"

"If it's okay with your mom, I'm looking for a couple of guys to practice with me later on, would you be interested?" His eyes got huge as saucers. His mom nodded her head and he jumped up for joy. I signed his football, while Mr. Methavin one of our volunteers escorted Alfie to Naomi.

I continued to smile, taking pictures and signing autographs. I felt my watch vibrate. It was Lizzy.

❤️ ya too, sitting here 👀 @ Sam read a ☤ 📕. Did U know he actually studied medicine before joining the military and owning his security firm? He's a doctor like me, a surgeon. He also taps his lips 2'xs then 3'xs when he reads just like me, I thought I was the crazy 😜 ☝️. 😂 Guess I'm not.

😂 guess not. I texted back.

Looking up I saw Shae walking up towards me. She was wearing a maroon colored silk designer jumpsuit with heels, she looked so out of place among the common real working class. She had a football in her hand. As she came closer, I was preparing myself mentally.

"I thought it would be nice for you to sign the baby's first football so we could put it in his or her room. Isn't it cute?"

"Yeah, very." I smiled and signed the ball.

She leaned down putting her hands on the table. "Oh that was very cordial what you said about me during your preinterview. You sounded so convincing, not!"

"There is an art to public speaking, never let them rile you up and speak with influence and confidence with a little jokey joke here and there and they will move on. I could have told them way worse, but I know how to play the game even better." I stood up and hugged her. I could feel a camera closing in on us.

I whispered in her ear. "Now everyone knows you're having my baby so if you aren't and found a way to manipulate that, these people will turn on you and I will expose you as a fraud. Until then take my offer that Mike will explain to you," I kissed her on the cheek and pulled away. She seemed stunned as the cameras flashed.

"Isn't this ya baby mama?" Some gangsta looking man with a hat on asked checking her out.

"She is, and we can't wait to find out what we're having isn't that right Shae?" She seem to look afraid. "Isn't she absolutely gorgeous my man. I definitely know how to pick them." I winked at Shae.

"Damn you fine sista, is that what you can get when you have a butt load of money? Wait you're the chic that broke my man Sean's heart? Sean you need to get a blood test, she looks like the type to set a dude up."

"Excuse me little man, but I'm standing right here. You can keep your comments to yourself, as you couldn't handle this with two other friends."

The crowd ooooed.

"Oh girl, I like em with attitude. Sean I hope you bees laying that pipe, cause old girl here got a mouth on her."

"I can't let you talk about my future baby mama." I held on to her hands. "She use to love me mane, but I guess I wasn't good enough for her. I was ready to give her the world and still am. I'm not going to lie she crushed me, at least I get to be a daddy." I squeezed her cheek and she looked like she was ready to explode. I even rubbed her stomach for effect and the crowd cheered.

"She stupid, shitz, hell if you don't want fineass Sean Gipson we will take him," this lady said with her two friends and a couple of other ladies agreed.

"And he like the sistas too? Girl bye, move out the way and let a real woman through. He down in my book," some middle aged black lady wearing my jersey said causing people to laugh.

Shae rolled her eyes.

"You saw him in that magazine with that pretty black girl, they were hot," a lady with braids and blue colored contacts said.

"SG hot when he wears them football pants too, I mean I can't help but watch as that thang be jiggling, you can tell he's packing in other places too," some cute lady said, "but don't tell my husband that." The crowd laughed.