I had taken an early flight back to Baton Rouge. Not only was I here to see Liz but Sharon had gotten the test results back. I arrived at the address she gave me. It wasn't the best of places. Crackheads, prostitutes and wannabe gangsters crowded the entrance to the apartments and the street corners.

I walked up to the second floor and knocked on the door. Sharon answered the door with a tight fitting dress with her boobs almost falling out. In college she was mostly conservative with just a little streak of provocatively which she was now flaunting.

"Come in."

I walked in. The apartment was decorated tastefully. It looked to have two bedrooms, a bath, a small kitchen and a living room.

"Have a seat," she said. "Would you like something to drink?"

"No I'm cool."

I took a seat on the short sofa while she grabbed the long unopened brown envelope.

"I didn't want you to think I manipulated the results so I never opened them."

She knew me well. Stuff like this, I didn't trust people too much. I tore open the top and pulled out the results. My eyes skimmed the page and on to the next. There it was in black and white I was the father. My breath caught in my chest and my mind was spinning out of control.

"If it's any consolation I always knew he was your son. I tried not to bother you and your life but now, I can't do it all by myself." She started to cry. She needed to save those tears for someone that cared.

I was speechless. This would change everything. The one thing that attracted Liz to me was that I didn't have any kids or any attachments. How was I going to explain this to her?

I was about to stand but my legs got weak. I gripped the side of the sofa steadying myself. Deep breaths I kept telling myself.

"I'm still trying to get my mind straight over the news. I'm pissed. You've kept this secret from me all this time."

"I'm sorry. I knew how much you wanted to go to the NFL and I just couldn't bring myself to destroy that. We loved each other and to be honest I haven't love anyone since you."

I rubbed my hand down the middle of my head. I didn't think it would affect me this hard.

"Look Sharon this is a lot to take in."

"I know," she said rubbing my back pressing her chest against my arm. I looked back at her.

"I'm dating someone."

"Is it that bougie looking woman from the game?"

"She's not bougie but yeah. It's still new. By the way she heard your little conversation."

"Conversation? What conversation? She don't know me."

"She knew I had given you some money and that you wanted to try and play me except she didn't know it was me you were talking about."

"I didn't say anything remotely that absurd."

"You didn't say you wanted a new place and new car so I could take care of you?"

"Hell no, you know me better than that."

"So is she lying? It's funny she called you out by your name and she saw AJ with you."

"I swear I've never seen her before. She must have me mixed up with someone else. I only saw her from a distance when she picked you up. Believe me I was only there to support AJ. I have no idea what she's talking about."

"Speaking of this conversation, Got me thinking so I had someone pull up some information on you."

"Why would you do that?" She started to look nervous.

"It just seemed so convenient for you to send AJ to camp. I do three camps a summer in three different states and you chose this camp to send him to, why Sharon?"

"I live here."

"My sources tell me you lived in Texas a week before camp started. Did you really lose your job or did you think me seeing AJ would rekindle some type of flame we use to have."

"Why are you all of a sudden suspicious of me? AJ wanted to go to your camp. He idolizes you so yes I moved to Baton Rouge so he could go to your camp. My job wouldn't let me off and said if I did take off they would have to fire me because I didn't have a replacement. My child was more important so I took all my savings and last paycheck so he could go and meet you, his idol now his father."

"So this was a set-up?"

"No this was a way for you to meet your son. I admit I should have told you years ago, but when you love someone you make sacrifices. AJ doesn't know that you are his father and its time that he knows he is not fatherless. He's a good boy, he's good in not only football but track. I want to give him a life with opportunities and help him succeed. I have been trying but I can't do it all by myself."

I blew out a long breath.

"I know this is a lot to take in, we can take this one step at a time. We can do this together, I know AJ would be proud to have you as his father, a person he can confide in and teach him how to be a man."

"You finish with your monologue? I have somewhere to be."

"Whenever you don't want to hear something, that sarcasm streak comes out. You haven't changed."

"Oh but I have. I just don't put up with bullshit anymore. I don't have time for it. I will handle my duties when it comes to my son but I won't give you the impression that there will be a Sharon and Aries reunion. What we had is over, I have moved on. Look I better go."

"You're scared we are going to mess up your life. You must really care for her because the other women I have seen you with looked like regular hook-ups. This one must be special."

"She is and hopefully will be my wife soon."

"You the marrying type? That's hard to believe. I gave you everything and you left me high and dry."

"You gave me everything? You cheated on me with a teammate."

"I never cheated on you."

"You never slept with Carlos Henderson?"

"That was before you and I got together."

"I asked you good were you ever involved with any of my teammates and you told me no."

"I didn't want us not to be together because of that."

"Did you not sleep with him the night we had that big argument at the lake? Then again a week after we officially broke up?"

She put her head down. "I was drunk at the lake, I don't remember sleeping with him. He said that to get a rise out of you. You were going pro and he didn't even get a call. We kissed but I passed out."

"You're lying. I saw the video of you and him. Travis took the video and you even mentioned that I sucked in bed and that Carlos was the one you really wanted."

She started to cry, women and their tears.

"Just because I never told you I saw the video didn't mean I didn't see it. I was going to get back with you but something deep down said not to, that I would have ended up miserable."

"I was vulnerable. You were mean to me, you always use to raise your voice at me and I was scared you were going to hit me one day."

"You caused me to yell at you. You did stupid stuff. Smoking weed, getting high, going to parties without me and dancing with random guys, then it would get back to me and I would be the laughing stock. I was tired of that, I never did anything to you but love you. After you it was hard to love anyone, but now that has changed."

"I'm sorry Aries, I never meant to hurt you. If I could take it all back I would." More tears ran down her eyes.

"I left you because we were in two separate places. We had been arguing for weeks and I was tired of it. You would send your little spies to make sure I was at practice, where I said I was going to be, you were stalking me then while you did whatever. I was faithful to you. I never ever cheated on you while we were together. Look we just weren't meant to be."

She was fully crying now. "I had heard rumors that you were cheating. I should have come to you but I was scared."

"That's bull. You knew you could have always come to me, so that's not an excuse."

"I'm sorry. We were so young back then. If I could do it all over again, I would be honest and not let people get in my head. We can be cordial to one another and show AJ we can be the best parents to him. Regardless of what happens after today, you are his father and any woman in your life is going to have to know that AJ is your son. You are going to have to tell her."

"Not right now I'm not!"

"Look Aries."

"No you look Sharon, I will give you some money so you can find a better place. I'll also give you money every month but it will be for him. I'm not buying you a new car, getting your hair fixed or supporting you too."

Her facial expression turned more of pissed off. She quickly wiped her tears away.

"I've been taking care of him since he was born."

"I never said you didn't. I will take care of my responsibility but not you. There is no rekindling of what we had. So whatever fairytales you have in your head, you can just forget them. I am in love with someone else and this little detour is not going to ruin that."

"Asshole!"

"Call me what you want. You and me never, but I will do what's right by my son. I just have to get past training camp and then I can focus on this situation."

"Whatever!"

"Where's the bathroom?"

"Second door on the left."

My legs were finally steady enough to walk. I walked in and closed the door. I rinsed my face off hoping this might have been just a dream. Maybe I could shower Liz with an unbelievable night and break the news gently to her. Nope, that wouldn't work because she wasn't ready for kids, she had told me so that's why we made sure we were careful.

This relationship with Liz was new and I wanted it to go further. Telling her would be the end of us. I had finally found a woman that understood me and wanted me and just not my bank account. She wasn't wealthy but she was a talented physician and could make it on her own. I heard my phone ringing. Looking down it was Liz. I leaned my head back trying to get my thoughts together.

"Hey there."

"My plane just landed and I'm headed home."

"You had a good time and flight?"

"Flight was awesome going and coming back. Watched American Sniper on the way there and Preggoland coming back."

'"Preggoland, never heard of that one."

"It's a comedy where this woman pretends she is pregnant based off her friends' and family mounting disapproval of her directionless, irresponsible lifestyle. I can tell you one thing I will never fake being pregnant because I'm just not interested. Me with stretch marks is just not sexy."

"I think it could be or maybe if someone else had the baby your maternal instincts would kick in."

"I am not about to raise no one else's baby. Too much baby mama drama because you know me, I don't have a filter. God knew making me the only child was the best thing for my parents. Elizabeth Johnson with nieces and nephews would definitely not have worked."

"Who knows Liz, things happen? You could be the best mother in the world."

She started laughing. "What are you smoking over there, better yet are you drunk?"

"You know I don't do drugs and I rarely drink."

"True. Well anyway Sean took me to see Maroon Five but they cancelled, their plane got stuck somewhere so we just hung out. I got pampered and went to the awards banquet. Then I participated in a photo shoot. One of the models didn't show so I took her place."

"Really? So I'm dating a model too?"

"One shoot doesn't make me a model, although I am so sexy."

"That you are."

"Where are you? Have you made it to Baton Rouge yet?"

"Almost, I rented a car so I will be there probably before you make it home. All the flights would have gotten me to you too late and getting a private plane on such a short notice was ridiculous so I rented a car and left very early this morning."

"You didn't have to do that."

"But I wanted to see my baby. It's been a week and to go another three weeks without seeing you and we have just made it official was just too much. I didn't really get to talk to you since you were in LA living it up, so I thought we could spend some quality time with one another."

"Well I'm glad I gave you the overview of my trip because when you get here I don't want to talk."

"Is that so?"

"I have a confession to make."

"That would be...?"

"I have been horny since this morning. Let's just say I had to change from out of my jeans to a skirt. All I can think about is you and me on my hammock rocking outside in the sunroom doing a little Tarzan and Jane action. I found this really cute Jane costume at the airport and of course they had Tarzan too. It's just two pieces of leather, one to cover the top and the other for the bottom."

"Really now?"

"I'm almost home and I will leave everything you need on the bar. Just be ready, because I am going to make you yell out just like Tarzan."

"Damn I can't wait."

"Don't wait too long because I'm so horny I'm about to explode. Hurry baby."

"Stay like that, be there in thirty."

"You betta come claim yours."

"Don't you worry, your Tarzan is on his way and will take care of everything."

She hung up and I was already hard as cement below. Liz and I were perfect for one another. She liked it hard, she was vocal and not afraid to tell you how to please her and she was willing to try different things. My girl was a panther ready to pounce and I loved it.

I looked down at the huge erection scratching to get out. Just thinking about taking Liz had me wanting to spill right now. I gripped both sides of the sink counting trying to ease it back down. It took a minute or so but I managed get myself straight. As soon as I was back to normal I walked out the bathroom headed to the front door.

"Look I gotta go. Here's a thousand dollars to get you started. I will wire you some more in a couple days. I have training camp starting tomorrow so I will be out of pocket for a few weeks." I passed her the money.

"A thousand dollars? You gave me that last time."

Was she not grateful? Most women would be thankful for a man to be giving them money without questioning.

"You should have some of that money left over from last time. I gave you that money to help you and AJ, to get out of living in your car. I can't believe you settled in a place like this. You could have put that down on a rental house instead of an apartment."

"I got what I could afford."

"Then I suggest you spend your money wisely."

"You always thought you were so much better than everyone else. You forget where you come from sometimes. I remember when you had nothing."

"Wow you have changed. You are a bitter woman, just remember you made the decision not to tell me until now, so I can't go back and be this person you want me to be."

"That's right you are in love. I heard you on the phone. Tarzan, I see you still freaky."

"Look this conversation has nothing to do with her and what I do on my personal time."

"Well if she is going to be part of my son's life, I should meet her." She pulled back folding her arms.

"Are you crazy? Why would I do that? Sharon please don't tell me you are going to be one of those crazy baby mamas looking to destroy her ex-boyfriend current relationship? Are you just that desperate? You have always been independent and never needed any one to define you. Raise your son, that's your priority at this time and finding a way to make sure he's healthy and stable."

"That independent crap worked in the beginning but I'm struggling and need help. Have you forgotten he's your son too?"

"No I haven't but this conversation is getting nowhere. Find a job Sharon. You do your part and I will do mine. We have had thousands of conversations in the past on how a strong physical and mental person need to get off their ass and find a job. There is nothing wrong with you. You lost your job so get another one. It may not be what you want right now but you are smart and capable. That's what attracted me to you in the first place. When I met you, you had two jobs and going to school fulltime. You didn't settle you had dreams. AJ is in school so there's no reason why you can't work during the day and take care of him when you get home."

"Excuse me but its summer he's out of school."

"Then you can send him to daycare, summer camp or whatever. Find one and I will pay for it."

"He's a little old for daycare."

"Then find him something that will keep him off the streets."

"He's your son too Aries. Why can't you help raise him by spending time with him getting to know him? You want to throw money but he needs your time. He needs a father."

"I can't be here all the time. I work and live in another state."

"This would be perfect," she said with her hands on my chest. "Maybe we can find a place near you. I might have more luck finding a job or going back to law school like I always dreamt of. I always wanted to attend Emory University, remember I got accepted?"

"I remember."

"Maybe they could accept me again. I can take the test and get out of my situation. You have money and if you help me I promise I will do better, I will even pay you back. I can go part-time and work."

"You're kidding right?"

"No. If I can get in, you can see and get a hand in raising him when you come home and for the summers. You can make sure he follows the right path and like you said I can become independent again. I know you know a lot a people and I'm sure you can call in some favors."

"You're asking a lot, Sharon."

"I'm only asking what's due. I could have told you a long time ago but I was thinking about you and your future. Right before you got drafted I thought it would have been the two of us. I've sacrificed so much during all these years when do I get a chance to be me?"

"Have you told anyone that AJ could possibly be mine?"

"Of course not."

"Good keep it that way until I figure something out."

"I'll give you until after training camp but you are going to have to tell AJ you're his father."

I walked closer to the door to leave when I heard it unlock.

AJ was walking in with a football in his hand. He closed the door, turned around and stopped in his tracks. He looked from his mother to me. A huge smile came across his face.

"Am I dreaming? Are you really here?"

"You're not dreaming, I'm here in the flesh."

"I thought you were headed to training camp? That's what it said online."

"I'm headed out early in the morning."

"Why are you here?"

I could see Sharon looking at me. I wasn't ready to tell him.

"I was coming to see how some of my best players were doing. I wanted to make sure you stayed out of trouble."

"Yes. I was playing a little football with my friends, but I came in to get some water. You always told us to stay hydrated."

"That's right."

"Can you come and play with us for a little while? I know you are busy and all but my friends will never believe you were here."

"I'm really in a hurry."

"Please you don't have to stay long. Mom please convince him to stay just for a little while."

"It's up to him honey."

"Please Aries! It would mean so much to me."

"Okay just for a few minutes."

"Yeah! You're awesome."

AJ and I walked outside.