Chapter 14: Pizza & Pieces

Victory Pizza was exactly the kind of family spot Ti would expect Reece to choose - clean but not fancy, quiet enough to talk but busy enough that nobody paid attention to other tables. Z led them to what was clearly their usual booth, sliding in and immediately reaching for the crayons the hostess brought.

This time when Reece sat next to Ti instead of Z, it felt deliberate in a way that made Ti's pulse quicken.

"Let me guess," the waitress smiled at Z. "Half pepperoni, light on the sauce?"

"You remembered!" Z beamed at her.

"Hard to forget my favorite soccer star," she winked, then turned to Reece. "The usual for you too?"

"Mmm," Reece nodded, then glanced at Ti. "He'll have the same."

Ti raised an eyebrow at Reece ordering for him, but didn't comment. Under the table, Reece's knee pressed against his again, almost apologetic.

"Daddy, can I show Ti my card collection after?" Z asked, carefully coloring inside the lines of his placemat maze. "Got new ones from Coach today."

"After you eat proper," Reece said, but Ti caught the pleased look in his eyes at his son wanting to share things with Ti.

Their pizza arrived steaming, and Ti had to admit Reece knew what he was doing - it was perfect, just the right amount of everything. They fell into easy conversation, mostly Z chattering about the game while they listened.

"And then when I scored-" Z was saying around a mouthful of pizza before Reece cut him off.

"Chew first, son."

Z swallowed dramatically. "Sorry, Daddy. But Ti, did you see how I kicked it? Coach said my form is getting better!"

"Saw it all," Ti assured him. "Your daddy been teaching you good."

Something soft flickered across Reece's face at that. His leg pressed more firmly against Ti's, staying there while they finished eating.

After, when Z was occupied showing his trading cards to the waitress who'd stopped to chat, Reece turned slightly toward Ti.

"Thanks," he said quietly. "For coming today."

"Anytime, little daddy." Ti meant it more than he could say.

Reece's eyes met his, dark and intense. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." Ti held his gaze, letting him see the truth of it.

The moment stretched between them, heavy with everything they weren't quite saying yet. Then Z's excited voice broke in - "Ti, wanna see my favorite card?"

"Let's see it," Ti turned to the boy, but he felt Reece's eyes stay on him for a long moment after.

Later, walking to their cars, Z ran ahead while Ti and Reece followed more slowly.

"He got practice Tuesday," Reece said suddenly. "If you ain't busy."

Ti's heart jumped. "What time?"

"Four-thirty." Reece's voice was carefully neutral, but his fingers brushed Ti's as they walked. "Could grab dinner after. If you want."

Ti caught his meaning - dinner without Z, just them. Another step forward.

"I Want to," he said simply.

Reece nodded once, but Ti caught the slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

At their cars, Z hugged Ti fiercely around the waist. "Thanks for coming! You're coming Tuesday too, right?"

"Wouldn't miss it," Ti promised, catching Reece's eye over Z's head.

"Get in the car, wild child," Reece said fondly. "Let Ti head home."

But as Z climbed in, Reece lingered for a moment. "Tuesday," he said softly.

"Tuesday," Ti agreed.

Watching them drive away, Ti couldn't stop smiling. Slow steps, careful pieces falling into place - but they were definitely heading somewhere. And Ti was starting to think it might be somewhere really good.