Chapter 22 #2
Tyler jogged down the narrow stairs and opened the door, finding a pile of grocery bags and Tupperware. A woman he recognized from the Christmas party stood there in a stylish winter coat, her sleek black hair tied up in a ponytail. “Hi!” Her voice was cheerful. “Tyler, right?”
He nodded.
“I’m Lily, Cooper’s wife. Layla called me and told me your son has a stomach bug?
I’m a pediatric nurse and always offer to help when a kid gets sick.
” She pointed to the pile of bags and containers.
“Mila made bone broth, Marlowe packed some fresh ginger tea Finn made yesterday, and Kirsten made a grocery run for saltines and ginger ale.” She held up her hands and shrugged.
“Let me know if this is too much. We just want to help.”
Tyler opened his mouth, and then closed it. “I…Thank you. I don’t know what to say.”
Lily smiled. “What’s your son’s name?”
“Rowan.”
“That’s right! Apparently, Sully talks about him with the boys all the time.” She raised a dark brow, her almond-shaped eyes kind. “Really, if you just want a hand carrying things in, I’m happy to do that.”
Tyler stepped aside, reaching for one of the bags. “Please, I won’t say no if you’re offering.”
When they walked into the apartment, Rowan peeked up from the couch, his hair sticking up from his head and his eyes still heavy.
“Hey Row, this is Lily.” Rowan waved. “Think we can tell her about your tummy?”
Lily was kind, obviously a pro at working with little kids, and soon she had Rowan laughing and bundled in blankets on the couch. She helped Tyler warm up some broth while Rowan started sipping ginger ale.
“I still can’t believe you came over to my house,” Tyler said half an hour later. Rowan had fallen asleep on his lap again after having a small bowl of broth, and Tyler had made some herbal tea for himself and Lily.
“Being with a professional athlete isn’t easy. They’re gone all the time, and especially once people have families, it’s a lot for one person to juggle. This is just how the team is. The guys have each other on the ice, and we have each other off of it.”
“It’s all I’ve ever wanted,” Tyler admitted, running a hand over Rowan’s hair. “A community. For me and for him.”
“You’re a superstar,” Lily said, smiling at him. “Being a single parent is amazing. What you do for Rowan, everything you do,” she said, and Tyler could tell she was referring to the articles online, “is amazing. We all see it, and we’re here for you.”
Tyler felt his eyes welling up, and groaned, looking up at the ceiling. “I’ve cried more today than I have in the last year,” he said, letting out a quiet, wet laugh. “Sorry.”
She waved off his apology. “You’re fine. We cry a lot around here.”
“Thank you again,” he said. “For everything.”
Lily insisted on running a load of laundry and doing the dishes, in spite of Tyler’s protests. She bustled around the kitchen, and then sent Tyler to take a shower while she kept an eye on Rowan.
She made sure Tyler had her number in case Rowan got worse, and then gave him a hug. “Hope the night goes okay,” she said at the front door. “And please, call if you need anything.”
“Will do,” Tyler said, overwhelmed with gratitude.
“Will we see you at the Classic?”
Tyler smiled. “I want to be there. Jamie’s stressed about the media and everything, but I can’t imagine missing it.”
Lily scoffed, waving a hand. “The media and fans will always have something to say. All you can do is decide whose opinion really matters to you. It’s obvious Sully doesn’t care what people think about your work.
From talking to Cooper, I know the other players don’t care either.
They love Sully and want to see him happy.
None of the other WAGs care.” She shrugged.
“Don’t miss the game because of what a bunch of strangers on the internet are saying. The people who matter want you there.”
After exchanging a hug at the door, Tyler waved goodbye as her silver Lexus pulled out of the driveway.
Rowan was finally asleep. He’d eaten a few saltine crackers and some more broth. He was obviously hungry, but Tyler had him take it slow.
Tyler was curled up on the beanbag chair in Rowan’s room when his phone buzzed.
Jamie
How’s Rowan?
Coop told me Lily came over to help.
I’m so sorry I can’t be there.
Tyler’s mouth curved into a fond smile as he typed a response.
Tyler
He’s feeling better! Exhausted, but keeping down some broth and crackers.
Oof. Poor guy. Glad he’s doing better.
Are we okay?
So much about the situation was shitty, but were they okay? Would Tyler and Jamie and the relationship they were trying to build together survive this?
We are, Jamie. I’m still in if you are.
I’m in.
I know and trust that you will do whatever feels right for you and Rowan, but I need you to hear me when I say I want you at the game. I know it hasn’t been very long, and so much is still new, but I think you could be the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
Tyler glanced across the room to where Rowan’s face was lit by the golden-pink glow of the salt lamp. He was deeply asleep, his chest rising and falling under the quilt.
Carefully, Tyler crept out of the room.
The game was still two days away, but now there was Rowan’s stomach to think about.
In his closet, two custom-made puffy jackets–one child-sized and one adult-sized, were tucked away, the fabric pristine and untouched. Orange stitching on green letters across the breast wrote out “Sullivan,” and the number three was embroidered on the arms.
When Layla had asked for their measurements for the team-issued family jackets, Tyler had wavered. He hadn’t known then if he and Jamie had that kind of staying power, or if Jamie would want him and Rowan showing up with him to team events in any sort of formal capacity.
The two jackets were there, waiting, a visual announcement to the world that they were with Jamie. He and Rowan were the captain’s chosen few. His other team. The team he came to visit after a roadtrip. The team he went with to the Children's Museum, who got the gift of his soft smile and warmth.
The sheets were cold when he crawled into bed. Tyler grabbed his phone, typed out a quick response to Jamie, and then tossed it face down on the floor beside his bed.
Tyler
We’re with you, Captain.