Mystery that is Z

Chapter 21

Maddox's POV

"UNCLE KANE!" 

I snap my head towards the small beauty running full speed towards me. Getting on my knee opening my arms waiting for the inbound force to knock me over. She pounces into my arms making me chuckle. I hear some laughter from behind her so I look up seeing my parents and sister walking towards me. 

Today is our field day for our families to come see us. Coach started this years ago when he first took over. The families really seem to enjoy the one on one time seeing exactly what we get to do. The coach introduces each of us so our families can see the entire team together. We were currently finishing setting up the entrance when my niece found me. I release Jackie and stand up giving my sister and my parents a hug. 

"Sweetie, it's so good to see you!" My mom gushes. I can't help but smile at her. 

"Mom, you just saw me yesterday." 

"But you weren't in your element." She says gesturing towards the entire stadium. My dad wraps his arm around her holding her close while looking down adoringly towards her. 

I always admired my parents. They are coming up on their 30 year wedding anniversary. They have had small arguments but the love I have witnessed over the years was like no other. Cass is looking at them thinking the same thing I am. I know seeing this makes her happy and sad at the same time thinking she had this with her husband. 

"Alright son, you ready for the Bears?" He ask looking towards me. 

"Yea, I think we're good. Got a new player this season that I think will be a game changer." 

"Ah, who?" I turn around looking for Tyler until I see him. I whistle which catches his attention. His head snaps up and I wave him over. He walks over to me with a raised eyebrow. 

"Tyler, this is my family. You remember Cass" Cass gives a small wave smiling at him. "This is my niece Jackie." Jackie smiles bashfully at him now hugging Cass' leg. "And my parents Penny and Alex Kane." 

"It's a pleasure to meet you all." Tyler says politely. 

"So this is your first season son?" My dad questions. 

"Yes sir." Tyler says but his eyes look behind my parents and a smile spreads across his features. "I apologize but please excuse me." 

He doesn't wait for a reply as he steps away. My entire family turns around watching as I now see Arabella running to him. He picks her up spinning her around making my mom awe at them. I hear my dad cough on the air he is breathing making me snap my head to him. He is looking across the field and pointing at someone. I follow his finger and my own breath falters. 

"Is that... Troy Rogers?" Cass says remembering him from the games my dad used to watch. He was an incredible quarterback back in the day. He was practically a force of nature in this sport and is in the hall of fame for most successful passes. 

I watch as my dad's icon walks up to our coach doing a hand shake before they hug each other. I just then notice Z is standing right beside them both. Once they stop their hugging, coach opens his arms and Z jumps into them. 

"OH. MY. GOD!" My mom says holding her chest. "Is that Z Andrews?!?" 

I look over at my mom who is now fangirling over my girl. My girl, I like the sound of that. I look over at my sister who is wearing an amused grin on her face. Tyler walks over to them holding Arabella's hand and it clicks. Troy is Tyler's father. 

"I wonder why Z is here? Did you know she is currently the Woman's National Gymnastic Champion. I can't wait to see her on the Olympic team!!! She will definitely bring us home the gold." My mom continues to gush over her. "Oh my god, she is pointing over here!!!" 

I look over to see her and the entire group looking over here. Coach waves us over. I nod and turn back to my mom. 

"Mom, Dad... try to act normal okay?" I ask with a teasing smile. Cass looking just as amused. We all walk over to coach and Tyler with his family. I stop in front of them as my eyes lock on the girl that has captured all of my attention. 

"Good to see you Penny and Alex." Coach says holding out his hand to shake theirs. I look to them to see them looking star struck at Troy and Z. I can't help but snort making them both recompose themselves. They take coaches hand shaking it. "This is-"

"Troy Rogers." My dad finishes still looking to him. He reaches out his hand for a hand shake. Troy takes it smiling gently. "It's an honor to meet you, I am a big fan." 

"Thank you. It's a pleasure to meet you both." He says just as politely as Tyler. "You are Mrs. Kane, yes?" My mother nods and looks over to Z. "This is my son, and my two nieces."

My moms jaw drops open as Z smiles turning a little red at the starstruck expression from my mom. I look around everyone who is now looking at my mom amused. My mom reaches out her hand to shake Z's. 

"I'm sorry I can't seem to compose myself but your THE Z Andrews." Z nods her head and steps forward to embrace my mom. My mom goes stiff in her arms. "Oh my god, your hugging me." 

All of us laugh at my mom's wide eye expression just now realizing she said that out loud. Z pulls back and looks to me. I step to her and wrap my arms around her as I gently pick her up off the ground. Her arms winding around my neck as she puts her forehead to mine. I can't help the smile that spreads across my face as she closes her eyes and smiles as well. 

AHEM

We both turn now seeing my parent's looking at us with bulging eyes. I couldn't help but chuckle at them. I set her back down but continue holding her to my side. I look around seeing my parent's complete baffled. Coach and Tyler have a blank expression while Cass and Arabella look like they have hearts popping out of their eyes. I then look to Z's uncle who has his arms crossed and a raised eyebrow. Shit. 

"Mom, Dad... Z and Maddox are going on a date next week." Cass speaks up for us. I rub my finger on Z's side. She leans her head against me. 

"MADDOX KANE! YOU DIDN'T TELL YOUR MOTHER ABOUT THIS!!!" My mother screeches. A few other players and families turning towards us. I then realized my mother's mistake because everyone now is looking at Z. They all seem to recognize her. 

"Oh my god, is that Z Andrews?"

"That's her!"

"OH MY GOD!" 

All of a sudden we are surrounded by almost everyone in the arena. I hold her close to me as she smiles politely at everyone. She steps out of my embrace as people start taking photos of her and asking for autographs. I keep an eye on her as the families all continue bombarding her. 

"So I think mom took that well." I snort at my sister. The team walks up behind us as they look onto Z. 

"Did you know that she was famous?" 

I just continue gleaming at my girl. I notice her muscles getting tense from the fans all getting closer to her. Her eyes begin looking around her as if she is searching for someone. Her eyes lock with mine and I realize she was looking for me. I begin stepping towards her as the families let me slip through. I get to her and take her hand. She releases a breath she must have been holding. I squeeze her hand as the coach steps up on small stage. 

"Welcome families to Open Field Day! We are all pleased to have you here with us to enjoy time with these men." He gestures all around. "Now I do understand that we have recognized a familiar face but I do ask that we let her enjoy the day as well." Everyone steps away from Z giving her some breathing room making her relax more. 

"Let the festivities begin!"