Jake, Dominique, and Justin sang along with the boisterous Raider Nation assembled at the Oakland Coliseum. They’d forgone Jake’s friend’s offer to join them in an executive suite and sat outside, along with the masses, soaking up bright sun and a brisk, late October breeze. For one day, Jake had also abandoned his rhetoric of eating healthy and when the hawker came by selling popcorn, peanuts, and hot dogs, he brought food for the three of them.

In a nod to Justin’s football heroes, both she and Jake wore black sweaters with jeans. Dominique’s jewelry was all silver, and Jake wore a leather Raiders jacket. Fans who noticed him shouted their hellos or gave him pats on the back. Justin’s eyes sparkled as he took it all in, dressed in Raiders regalia from head to toe: knitted cap, jacket, T-shirt, and socks.

“This is awesome!” Justin cried, after the crowd had helped to successfully stop the Denver Broncos from making a first down. Justin joined in the chanting, waving the oversized foam Raiders hand that Jake had bought him. When the Raiders’ star cornerback intercepted a pass and ran it back for a touchdown, Dominique thought that Justin would leap from the stands and run down the field with him.

After the game, Jake took Justin into the locker room to meet the team. Dominique waited in a lounge, glad for the chance to check her e-mails and send a few texts. She knew she’d have to work extra hard next week to make up for the time she’d missed this weekend but seeing the smile on Justin’s face made it all worth it. And the smile Jake put on her face last night made it worth it, too.

It was a little after seven PM when the plane landed on its private strip in Van Nuys, California. Jake watched as Dominique shook a sleeping Justin awake and after once again thanking their hosts, the three of them piled into Jake’s SUV. He left the parking lot and turned onto Van Nuys Boulevard heading for Sepulveda. He’d had a wonderful time with Dominique and Justin, and wasn’t quite ready for the weekend to end. He reached for Dominique’s hand, entwined his long, thick fingers with hers. “Thank you for coming, baby. I had a great time.”

Dominique leaned over and gave him a kiss. “Me, too.”

“I saw that!” Justin groggily mumbled from the back seat.

Dang, I thought he was asleep! “Saw what?” Dominique asked innocently, as she turned and looked at him.

“You kissing Coach. Ha! I saw it!”

“It was just a little thank-you kiss on the cheek,” Jake replied. “Like the kind that Ashley gave you after last week’s game.”

Justin’s eyes widened as he looked from Jake to Dominique. “Coach!”

Jake laughed. “Uh-huh, I saw you.”