Chapter 1 — The Play60 Event

Third Person

The hum of excitement buzzed in the air as families filled the Community Sports Field, the crisp autumn breeze carrying the mingling scents of popcorn, freshly mowed grass, and the faint sweetness of hot cider from a nearby stand. Children darted across the expanse of green, their laughter and shouts blending with the rhythmic smack of footballs being tossed and the sharp blasts of whistles. The Play60 event was in full swing, the energy of the crowd heightened by the promise of an NFL star appearance.

Gemma Cahill lingered near the sidelines, her hands tucked into the pockets of her light tan coat. Her green eyes, warm but watchful, followed her son, Noah, as he tore across the field, gripping his miniature football with both hands. His chestnut brown hair danced across his forehead in the breeze, falling into his hazel eyes as he dashed forward, his favorite jersey—a number 99 replica—bouncing against his small frame. The football bore signs of relentless backyard practice: scuffed leather and faded laces.

“Mom, did you see that throw? It went really far!” Noah’s voice rang out, bright and eager. He turned toward her, his small chest puffed with pride as he clutched the ball to his side.

“I did, sweetheart,” Gemma replied with a smile, her green eyes crinkling at the corners. “You’re getting better every day. Keep practicing, and you’ll be running circles around the big kids in no time.”

Noah grinned, his joy infectious, and spun back toward the group of kids, his excitement carrying him forward. Gemma allowed herself a breath, her shoulders softening. These moments—where Noah could be wholly carefree, his laughter unburdened and his world untouched by shadows—were everything she had worked so hard to preserve.

A shift in the atmosphere rolled across the field like a ripple through still water. The crowd’s chatter quieted, a collective energy building at the edge of anticipation. Gemma glanced up, her eyes drawn to the commotion.

There he was.

JJ Watt stepped onto the grass, commanding attention effortlessly. Even in casual clothes, his presence was magnetic. His sandy blonde hair caught the sunlight, and his bright blue eyes scanned the field with an air of approachable confidence. He wore a fitted black T-shirt and jeans, casual yet polished, and carried himself with a natural ease that made him seem larger than life.

The reaction was immediate. Parents craned their necks for a better view, children squealed with excitement, and phones popped out to capture the moment. JJ greeted the crowd with a wave, his smile wide and easy. The sight of him, so at home in the chaos, made Gemma’s fingers tighten instinctively on the strap of her purse. He was the kind of figure who disrupted calm—not by malice but by sheer force of presence.

“Mom, it’s him! It’s really him!” Noah’s elated shout broke through her thoughts as he bounded back to her, his small face flushed with excitement. “Can I go say hi? Please? Please?”

Gemma hesitated. Her protective instincts flared as she watched the small mob of kids growing around JJ. He crouched to their level, laughing warmly as he signed everything handed to him—jerseys, footballs, even a stray sneaker. His movements were unhurried, his patience unwavering. There was a genuine kindness in the way he met each child’s gaze that eased some of the tension in her chest.

“Go ahead,” she said finally, her tone soft but laced with a careful warning. “But stay where I can see you.”

Noah didn’t need to be told twice. He bolted toward the crowd, clutching his football tightly, weaving through the throngs of kids and parents with the same determination he showed during backyard scrimmages.

Gemma’s eyes stayed fixed on him, her breath catching as JJ noticed her son. The tall athlete immediately crouched lower, his expression shifting into something personal. From her spot on the sidelines, she could see Noah gesturing animatedly, his small hands flying as he spoke. JJ nodded attentively, then laughed—an easy, genuine sound that carried across the field. He reached out to ruffle Noah’s hair, the gesture so casual yet heartfelt it made Gemma’s chest tighten.

Against her better judgment, she found herself stepping closer to the edge of the field. Curiosity overrode caution as she moved within earshot of their conversation.

“...and someday, I’m gonna play just like you!” Noah declared, thrusting his miniature football toward JJ, his excitement making the words tumble out in a single breath. “Will you sign it? Please?”

JJ chuckled, pulling a marker from his back pocket. “You’ve got the heart of a champion already, buddy. Maybe you’ll be the one signing footballs for me someday.”

Noah’s eyes widened as he clutched the autographed ball to his chest like it was the most precious thing in the world. He jumped up and down in place, his happiness practically radiating off him.

“You his mom?” JJ’s voice broke through her thoughts. Gemma blinked, startled to realize he was now looking directly at her, his smile warm and inviting.

“Yes,” she said, taking a hesitant step forward. “I’m Gemma, and this is Noah.”

“Nice to meet you, Gemma.” He extended a hand, his grip firm but gentle. “You’ve got quite the little athlete here. He’s been telling me all about his favorite plays. Honestly, I think he knows more about football than some of my teammates.”

Gemma let out a soft laugh, some of her unease ebbing away under his genuine tone. “He’s been obsessed with the game since he could walk. Thank you for taking the time to talk to him. It means the world to him.”

JJ shrugged, his smile widening. “Kids like Noah make this worthwhile. If he ever wants some pointers, I’d be happy to coach him sometime.”

The offer hung in the air, unexpected and weighty. Gemma’s heart tightened. She had spent years building a life of stability for Noah, shielding him from chaos and uncertainty. Letting someone like JJ—a man whose life seemed impossibly big—step into their world felt like stepping into dangerous territory.

“That’s very kind of you,” she said cautiously, her voice steady despite the flicker of unease just beneath the surface. “But I’m not sure we’d want to impose.”

JJ tilted his head slightly, a flicker of understanding passing through his eyes. “No imposition at all, but I get it. If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”

“Mom! He said he can teach me!” Noah tugged eagerly at her sleeve, his hazel eyes wide and pleading. “Can he, Mom? Can he?”

“We’ll see, sweetheart,” Gemma said, brushing a strand of auburn hair behind her ear. “Why don’t you go play for a bit? I’ll be right here.”

As Noah ran off, practically skipping with excitement, JJ lingered for a moment longer. His gaze was steady but unintrusive, a flicker of something unspoken in the blue depths of his eyes.

“You’ve got a great kid, Gemma,” he said, his voice quieter now, more deliberate. “He’s lucky to have a mom who’s so involved.”

For a moment, she didn’t know how to respond, the sincerity in his tone catching her off guard. “Thank you,” she said finally, her voice softer than before. “That means a lot.”

JJ nodded, his easy smile returning. “Well, I’d better get back to the chaos. It was nice meeting you both.”

As he turned and walked away, the crowd swallowed him once more, their cheers and chatter following him like a wave. Gemma’s eyes lingered on his retreating figure for a moment longer than she intended, her thoughts a tangled mix of admiration and apprehension.

“Mom, this is the best day ever!” Noah’s voice carried across the field, brimming with unbridled joy as he showed off his signed football to a group of wide-eyed friends.

Gemma smiled, though her thoughts remained tangled. Meeting JJ Watt had been extraordinary for Noah, but for her, it was a reminder of how carefully she had constructed their world to avoid risk. And yet, as much as she appreciated JJ’s kindness, she couldn’t shake the feeling that letting him into their lives would be as exhilarating as it was dangerous.