Lion Eyes Page 8

  “Okay. Do you know what she wanted me to do?”

  “She wanted you to run it.”

  “But, I’m in school.”

  “I know. Take your daddy with you, and if you need me for anything don’t hesitate to ask.” I nod then take a bite of my biscuits and gravy.

  We finish breakfast and I walk out with her. She offers to drop me off, but right now, I want to be alone. It’s a lot to take in.

  Giving her a hug goodbye, I start to feel a connection between us. I call Daddy as I walk back to campus.

  “Mornin’, Rilla,” he says upon answering.

  “Daddy, we need to talk.”

  “I take it you bit the bullet and met with Aunt Dee?”

  “Yup. How could you not tell me you helped her?” I want to be mad, but right now, I can’t be mad at him. He went through so much when she left.

  “You were a child, Rilla. You didn’t need to know. You want me to go to the lawyer with you?”

  “Yeah, I don’t even know what to do at this point. Will you make the appointment?”

  “Sure. Rilla, your mom knew who you’d be as a child. I think she did all of this for you.”

  I lose it. “How can you say that?” I say as tears stream down my face and I wipe them away quickly. “She was selfish! So what if she’s helped some girls! She left us! She left me, Daddy! Me! Her own little girl.” I’m a mess and can’t stop crying.

  “Rilla… we’re going to get through this together. Like we always have.”

  “Fine, make the appointment for next week, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Rilla… don’t be angry. She had a good heart, she just couldn’t handle being a football wife.”

  “Or a mom.”

  “Now, come on, I know what will make you feel better.” I start to laugh.

  “A barbecue sandwich and some Friday night football.”

  “You going tonight?”

  “Yeah, I’m taking Tyke. I wanna show him what this place is made of.”

  “I’ll see you there, and that sandwich is on your old man.”

  “I love you, Daddy.”

  “Love you more, Rilla Dee.”

  Chapter 17

  Tyke

  As practice ends, I’m thankful for game day tomorrow because it meant a light practice today. Coach Porter stops me as I walk out of the locker room.

  “Where you off to tonight?”

  “Apparently, I’m going to see football dynasty tonight.”

  “Me too. Why do you think we finished before the sun went down? If you’re not there by six, you’re S.O.L for a seat.”

  “Thanks. I guess.”

  Coach heads toward his truck, “Don’t forget that curfew is still in effect.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  I hurry to meet Rilla, and I am surprised to find her decked out in black and gold. “Um, did I miss a memo?”

  “You’re not from around here. Now come on. Daddy’s got barbecue sandwiches with our names on them.”

  Walking to the parking lot, I catch sight of a rusted old Dodge D100 in the parking lot. It’s rusted and worn but a classic. I can’t believe that’s her truck. It’s badass. I climb in the passenger seat. I hate that I still haven’t had my license reinstated yet. I should be driving my girl, not the other way around.

  Within a few minutes, we approach the high school. As we pull in, I’m impressed with the setup, but I’m in awe of the stadium. It looks like Blue Ridge but it’s a freaking high school.

  “Stop drooling. We live for football around here.”

  “I can tell.” I’ve never seen anything like this. My high school’s stadium looked the same as it had the day it was built.

  As we walk toward the entrance, I’m in shock of all of the people tailgating at a high school game. This is crazy. Rilla bypasses the ticket booth. Don’t we need those? She marches right up to the gate, flashes a smile, walks in, and motions for me to do the same. She really is football royalty.

  Walking into the stadium, I’m met with the smell of freshly cooked burgers, hotdogs, and loud music. That’s either not coming from the press box or they have a good mix tape.

  As we walk toward the stands, I notice there is a DJ just past the end zone. You’ve got to be kidding me. This can’t be high school football.

  “Welcome to Title Town, USA,” she says as she motions around us.

  Rilla

  Seeing Tyke’s face was priceless. I think he thought he was going to some Podunk school in the middle of B.F.E. Well, we might be in the middle of nowhere, but this place is a little piece of heaven.

  Looking around, I see that the visitor side is filling up, along with the home side. I spy Daddy in his usual spot. He’s not one to go to every game. We both kind of quit that, but we’ve never missed this game even when I fought him tooth and nail over it.

  He sees us and a smile escapes.

  “Hey, Daddy!” I say as I reach him and give him a hug.

  “Hey, Rilla Dee. Tyke, nice to see you,” he says and extends his hand. “You ready for this?” he asks Tyke.

  “Honestly, sir, I’m not sure. This is kinda massive. I almost thought I was at a pro game.”

  “I hate to break it to ya, Tyke, but this is the pros of high school football.”

  “Oh, I can see,” he says. I take a few minutes and introduce him to everyone around us.

  As the clock counts down to game time, the national anthem is played and we pause for a moment of silence. Then it’s time for the Chargers to take the field. As they tear through the banner, we wait for the Lions to appear. The drum line begins to play as the tension rises and the fans wait for the home team. With the tear of the banner, the team runs across the field to the home side. They lay flat on their stomachs in a circle. I look at Tyke, who seems confused. “Just wait. It’s about to get good,” I say. The players continue to pile on top of each other, and when they get to a certain height they begin to fly in the air and land on top. It’s a tradition – one Daddy has done many times.

  When the final player has landed, they all stand and line up for the biggest game of their season.

  The entire game is back and forth. The defense for both sides is tough. They don’t give up any yardage and the only score on the board is a three-point field goal for us. Finally, in the fourth quarter, the quarterback throws an eighty-five yard pass and we’re in the end zone. The stands erupt, and Tyke stands there.

  “That looks like something I do,” he states.

  “Yeah, that’s my cousin. He gets it from my daddy.” I smile, looking in his direction. Daddy is standing there with his arms crossed and a smile on his face. He’s a man of few words, and he knows all too well the feeling in this moment. Football is something that runs in our blood, but for him, life is more than Friday night football. It’s about taking every moment and living like it’s your last.

  Tyke

  I watched Rilla and her dad interact with each other and those around them during the game. They both have a love for the game, but what stands out is how humble Mr. James is. People approach him all night, but when they start talking old football stats, he turns the conversation around to talk about the other person. I can tell that he’s a kind-hearted man that puts others first. All I have to do is look at Rilla to see that.

  After the game we say goodbye to her dad and she drives us back to campus. I walk Rilla to her dorm and pull her in for a tight hug as we say goodnight. Resting my chin on her head, I look up into the night sky. In this instant, I know everything that happened in my life brought me to this exact moment. A moment where time stands still, where I find hope in love, and where I find the one person who will be with me as I take the next step toward my dream of playing in the pros.

  Chapter 18

  Tyke

  As my alarm sounds, I toss off my covers and get ready to meet Mom. We’re not running today and since Mom’s here, I want all of us to enjoy my McDonald’s ritual together. Picking up my phone, I call her
and let her know Rilla and I will meet her at McDonald’s in a half hour. I quickly text Rilla to let her know I’m getting ready. She insists on meeting me at my door, and I know there is no arguing with her. I take a quick shower and get ready to introduce my mom to the girl that has rocked my world, and the funniest part is that there’s been no sex involved. The more I let that sink in, the more my other brain starts to go into overdrive. I give myself a blast of cold water to get my brain on point. I’ve got a game today. I grab my towel, dry off quickly, shave, and toss on clothes.

  John is knocked out when I return from the shower, and I don’t bother waking him. I grab my wallet and hustle outside. As I open the door, the most beautiful girl in the world is standing there in a pair of jeans that fit her ass perfectly and a jersey that’s honestly the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. It’s my jersey. She begins to smile as I walk toward her.

  “You like?” she questions and I can’t hide my smile.

  “I love it. Where did you get that?”

  “Let’s just say I’ve got connections,” she says as she wraps her arm through mine and gives me a quick kiss on the cheek. I pause, and look at her.

  “You know what I really think about that jersey?”

  She raises her eyebrows. “It looks way better on you than me,” I state.

  “I beg to differ,” she says with a wink. “Now, let’s go meet your mom.”

  As we make our way to McDonald’s, Rilla is close but keeps a reserved distance from me. “You know you don’t have to keep so much distance between us. It’s my mom.”

  “Um, exactly,” she states with a small laugh.

  “Do you not recall how I met your dad the first time?”

  “Oh yeah, wanna recreate it for her too?” She can’t be serious, so I call her bluff right when we’re in sight of Mom. I pause, turn to her, and pull her in for a kiss that has her breathless, but squirming to escape. She tries her best to pull back, but payback’s a bitch. When I pull away she smacks my shoulder and I burst out laughing while giving her a playful smack on the ass. “I’m gonna kill you,” she says between her teeth as she smiles at my mom. Her face is beet red, and I can’t help but chuckle.

  As we cross the street, I can read my mom like a book. I’m about to get it.

  “Tyke Douglas! If that’s how you act in public, Lord help what happens behind closed doors,” she says, and I can see that Rilla’s mouth is wide open.

  “Guess it’s a good thing the doors never close due to that stupid rule,” I say and Mom shakes her head. I let go of Rilla and give Mom a hug. Man, I’ve missed her. I’m so glad she’s alone so we can properly catch up. I had a feeling all week that Dad would show up too now that I’m back on track. I’m thankful those prayers were answered.

  As I release Mom, I smile as I introduce Rilla to her.

  “Mom, this is Rilla. Rilla, this is my mom, Nicole Jamison.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Rilla says as she extends her hand, and I know Mom is not going to have that. Instead, she opens her arms and pulls Rilla in for a hug.

  “There’s no need for handshakes. The way Tyke talks about you, I might as well call you my daughter.”

  “Mom! Are you kidding me?” Mom looks at me and shrugs. Damn, sometimes her mouth moves before her brain can shut it.

  “Thanks. I’ve always wanted a mom,” she says, making a joke of it. I’m not sure how she really feels about that comment. I place my hand on her back for reassurance. As long as Mom doesn’t start talking wedding plans we should be good.

  We walk to the register and order. I start to pay for the three of us, but Mom isn’t having it. She gives me the look, knowing it’s her money anyway. I do, however, tell them to sit while I wait.

  They take their paper cups, fill them and then take a seat. I glance at Rilla to make sure she’s okay, and before the food has even appeared on the tray, she and my mom are laughing. I smile as I walk toward my two favorite women.

  Rilla

  Watching Tyke with his mom is precious. It makes me wish I had that in my life, and the fact she called me her daughter, joking or not, makes my heart happy. It felt good to be loved if only for a moment by a mother figure. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t trade my daddy for the world. He’s the best, and I’m so blessed to have him. It’s seeing how a mom can be that makes my heart hurt. I never got that. I know she was selfish and left us, but I still remember the last time I saw her. My mind starts to wander to that moment, and I push it away as laughter fills our table.

  Bringing myself back to the present, I take a bite of my chicken biscuit and pause mid-bite as I notice Tyke’s lack of cutlery skills.

  “Um, you need me to cut that for ya?” I question. His mom pauses.

  “You mean, you haven’t been through this ritual yet, Rilla?”

  “No, ma’am. Usually, I let this be his and John’s thing. I usually have breakfast with my roommate on campus.”

  Tyke hasn’t even paused to pay me any attention. He’s tearing those pancakes with his fingers and then licking them. It’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. He looks like a little kid.

  “He’s been doing pregame breakfast at McDonald’s since he was a pee wee. He insisted on fixing them himself, and this is kinda what happened. Don’t mess with what works. Oh, and never make him homemade pancakes. I’m gonna throw that out there.”

  Tyke stops mid-bite. “Mom, they’re good, but I like these better.”

  “I bet you like those microwave kind too?” I question.

  “Those blueberry ones are the best.”

  “Dear Lord, what is wrong with you? I love homemade pancakes. You couldn’t pay me to eat that mess,” I say. He shrugs his shoulder, stabs his fork into them and takes a bite with a smile. “Whatever works I guess,” I say as I continue to eat.

  Breakfast is great. I’ve learned more about Tyke and his family. They didn’t talk much about his dad, and I already knew that was a touchy subject. After breakfast, I give them some time, and tell his mom that I’ll meet her at the gate. I’d really love for Daddy to meet her. Heck, I almost wish she were single. Her spunky personality would fit him perfectly, but who am I kidding and where in the world did that come from anyway?

  Am I ready for my daddy to move on? Is that really why he pushed me to get out on my own? Is he ready too? I hope he knows I want him to be as happy as possible.

  When I get back to our room, Laney is getting ready for the game and I start to do the same. Her parents will be here soon and Daddy will be here in time for the game.

  “How was it?” she questions.

  “It was good.” She pauses brushing her hair.

  “What aren’t you telling me?”

  I know I’ve got to tell someone my thoughts. “His mom is awesome. She’s spunky and calls Tyke on his shit. But that woman loves him with her entire heart. It made me jealous. I didn’t have that.”

  “RJ, you might not have had a mom who hung around, but your dad is more than a father, he’s both parents. No matter what, remember there are always worse situations out there.”

  “I know, but it sucks.”

  “Yeah, you’re right.” I toss my pillow at her smart ass self.

  “Oh my gosh, Laney, he totally called my bluff this morning,” I say, changing the subject.

  “Tell me more,” she says and I fill her in on his reenactment. She falls on the floor laughing. I didn’t think it was funny then, but now it is pretty hilarious.

  Laney goes with her parents to lunch and I wait for Daddy to arrive. Not only is it family weekend, it’s also one of the biggest conference games. I know that there’s going to be massive tailgating going on, and I know that Daddy has several friends participating. We’re going to meet up with them and Tyke’s mom said she’d meet us there as well.

  The game is set to kickoff at three today. Daddy texts me, letting me know he’s almost here and I leave to meet him in the stadium parking lot.

  As I reach the parking lot near the stadium, it
doesn’t take me long to spot Daddy. He’s standing tall under a tent with a drink in hand. I shake my head. Dry campus my ass. When he sees me coming he pauses his conversation and puts his drink down. He gives me a big hug and then returns to his conversation and cold one.

  I stand around and look for Laney, her parents, and Tyke’s mom. Within a few minutes, Laney and her parents arrive. We introduce our families to each other. Her dad and my daddy start talking and before long, I see Tyke’s mom approaching. What I’m not prepared for is the gentleman standing beside her. I quit breathing or at least if feels like my lungs are closing in.

  “You okay?” Laney questions.

  “That’s Tyke’s mom, and she was alone this morning. I think that’s his dad.”

  “And…”

  “I’m not sure that’s a good thing,” I whisper.

  “Ohhhhh,” she says.

  As they get within speaking distance, I start introductions, but pause when I get to the man with Mrs. Jamison. She steps in and introduces him.

  “This is Hank. Tyke’s father.”

  “It’s nice to meet you,” I say, extending my hand and introducing my daddy to him. Of course, his eyes light up and he bypasses me with the mention of the name Kenton James. I don’t like him already. Daddy extends his hand, and when Mr. Jamison starts seeing stars, Daddy does what he does best, he changes the subject and this time it’s from him to Tyke.

  “I’m glad I get to watch Tyke today. I’ve heard a lot about him from Coach Porter. His arm is amazing, but the way they talk about his quick decisions after the snap is unreal. I can’t wait to watch it in action.”

  His dad is speechless. It’s obvious he wasn’t prepared for the great Kenton James to compliment his son.

  “I’m glad that you’ve been hearing good things, and I hope that Blue Ridge has turned things around for him.”

  Are you kidding me? That’s his response. Tyke was right. He is a dick.

  “Yeah, this is a great program. It’s a small school, but this county in general is home to football greatness.”

  “Good, because Tyke has one goal, and that’s a number one draft pick.”