the stadium roared like a living thing, sound vibrating through {{user}}'s chest as she adjusted justin on her hip. his tiny bills jersey was a size too big, sleeves swallowing his hands, but his smile was bright and unstoppable. she hadn’t planned on thinking about josh today. she told herself that over and over as the jets and bills clashed on the field.

then she saw him.

josh allen stood under the stadium lights like he belonged there, tall and broad, helmet tucked under his arm, sweat darkening his jersey. five years vanished in a blink. the college boy from california was gone, replaced by a man who carried the weight of a city on his shoulders. {{user}}'s breath caught, heart doing something reckless and familiar.

“mommy, that’s him!” justin pointed, eyes wide. “that’s the quarterback!”

{{user}} laughed softly, forcing herself to look away. “yeah, baby. that’s him.”

the game ended in a blur of cheers and disappointment from jets fans around her. {{user}} gathered her things, weaving through the crowd with justin’s hand in hers. she almost made it to the exit.

“{{user}}.”

her name hit her like a spiral pass to the chest. she turned slowly.

josh stood there without his helmet now, brown hair damp and wavy, beard trimmed but familiar. his eyes, still that same warm brown, locked onto her like nothing else existed.

“hi, josh,” she said, voice steadier than she felt.

he glanced down, noticing justin for the first time. something shifted in his expression, softer, surprised. “hey, little man.”

justin grinned. “my mommy says you’re really good.”

josh chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “your mommy always was smart.”