You’ve been caught
You’ve been caught
Nothing says outing yourself to the world more than being mic’d up, telling the girl that you love her, and enthusiastically hugging her in front of God and everyone.
The thing is, at that moment, it was the most natural reaction after scoring and the most consuming feeling I’ve had in a long time.
While I probably should have celebrated that pick six with my teammates, there was only one person on my mind, and of course the Tarpons are embracing our moment, my mic’d up clip of her and me talking to each other, and telling the world they’ve entered their love era.
You’d think it was Valentine’s instead of the start of the Thanksgiving/Christmas season, but they don’t care.
As it turns out, the fans, especially the female fans, like to see the softer side of us professional men.
Marketing conducted a small group to see if people really wanted to know more about us players behind the curtains, and there was a ninety-four percent positive outcome.
Given all the relationship status changes that have happened this season, it doesn’t surprise me when, outside of practice and written in large letters on the You’ve been caught board, is, “Who would you like to give a love bomb shout-out to?”
“Ah, this is a nice one. My shout-out goes to my girls: Vivi and Sophie. I love you both,” Jonah says, as he forms a heart with his hands for the camera and then keeps walking.
I’ve seen Vivi give him that hand signal before.
It’s cute and has me suddenly wondering if and when Alice and I will have kids.
We haven’t had the kid talk since we were eighteen and planning out what we thought our adult lives would look like.
At the time, she wanted three. Does she still want three?
I’d happily give her three children, and I’d enjoy all the trying to get there.
“Love bomb shout-out.” Tyler shakes his head. “Lily, this one’s for you. Love you, babe.” He points toward the camera and then flips up his pinky before he heads off to the locker room.
Sully stands next to me, and both of us are staring at Danica. Me, because she’s grinning from ear to ear and clearly loving this prompt as the guys go by, but Sully, I’m not sure what’s going through his head.
“Oh . . . love bombs,” Rico says, a little too enthusiastically. “Where should I begin?” He rubs his hands together as he thinks.
“Really?” Sully asks him. He’s frowning and looking at Rico like he belongs in a zoo.
“Well, yeah. I love a lot of people.” He smirks.
The ironic part is, Rico talks a big game, but I’ve never seen him with anyone. He doesn’t bring people to team functions. He didn’t bring anyone to the gala, and he never talks about anyone specifically. Well, other than Tammy, that is, which is a running joke between all of us.
Sully turns and puts his hands on his hips. “Name someone.”
“Bro, first and foremost, I’m love bombing my mama.” He looks at the camera. “Mama, you know you’re my queen.” He pats his chest.
From behind him, Dylan comes up and wraps his arm around Rico’s shoulders, and also looks into the camera.
“Respect. Mom, I got you. Love you. Can’t wait to see you next week.”
Next week is Thanksgiving.
Bryan stops next to the group, and Ross swivels his way. The biggest smile stretches across his face. It’s definitely a different smile than the one he gives us. It’s specifically for her.
“Lexi, I love you. Can’t wait to get home and see you later.” He winks.
“You staying local or heading to the farm?” Sully asks.
“We’re in season. She’s got a ton of pie orders, I feel like we’re making them around the clock.”
“Oh, pie,” Rico moans. “Lexi”—he looks at the camera—“I love you and your pies.” He now rubs his stomach.
A few of the guys laugh, while Sully smacks him in the back of the head.
“What? You’ve tasted her pies. It’s no secret that I love them. I can share my love bombs with her too. I told you, bro, lots of people.”
“I think you’re missing the point,” Sully chastises him.
“Nah, man. I think you are. Love is meant to be shared. It fosters connections, shares values, beliefs, and goals. It evokes a sense of companionship and purpose. I love Lexi’s pies.
I love her because she’s Bryan’s person, and she treats him well.
I support her dreams by being part of her community.
I love you, man, because you’re my captain and I consider you a friend.
I have your back, always. Isn’t that what we all are, one giant lovefest community? ”
“Well, damn. Who knew he had that in him?” Darius asks, brows raised.
“I did. I’ve told y’all for years, I’m a lover, not a fighter.” He smiles, all proud. Bryan pats him on the back, accepting his answer.
“Who am I to deny Lexi love? Personally, I think she deserves all the love in the world. So thanks, man,” Bryan tells him.
Rico stands a little taller.
“My love bomb shout-out is for Camille. You are the best wife I could have ever asked for, and the best mother Claire could ever have. I am a lucky man. I love you.”
“How’s she doing? Sleeping through the night yet?” Bryan asks.
“Yeah, Claire is up to eight hours, and it gets better every day. She’s so sweet.
Camille calls it her ‘pop and fresh’ phase.
When she’s sitting, we can poke her in the belly, and she throws her hands up and giggles.
Here, look at the video.” He pulls his phone from his pocket, finds the video, and we all lean in to watch it.
Within seconds, there are baby giggles, and the whole group of us laughs along with her.
“Bryan, play it for the camera,” Danica tells him. He holds it up for Ross, who zooms in, and he plays the video. When she giggles again, we all laugh too.
“This is the best,” Rico says, looking emotionally moved.
“Well, it should surprise no one when I say my love bomb is for Alice.” Ross pivots, and I look at the camera. “Alice, for eleven years I’ve loved you, and we’re just getting started. I love you. I love you. I love you. Tell Felix I love him, too.”
“Who’s Felix?” Rico asks.
“Their cat,” Camden tells him. At some point, he joined us.
He said, “Their,” and I almost get a little choked up.
“You got a cat? I didn’t know that. I’m going to need to come over and meet him.”
Rico has never asked to come over before. “Why?”
“Because I’m a cat whisperer, if you know what I mean.” He wiggles his brows and winks at me. We all groan.
“And he’s back.” Darius shakes his head.
“Chase, how about you?” Danica asks. She never calls him Sully, and it’s jarring to hear him called Chase.
He looks at her and blushes. “I guess I’m going to give this shout-out to my dad. Love you, Pops.” He nods at the camera and then walks past all of us without saying anything more.