Just sitting here thinking about Buck trying to get Theo into sports or something so that he can find an outlet for his endless energy. So Buck shows him a bunch of different pamphlets for sports at the rec department: soccer, tee ball, basketball, etc. To no oneâs surprise, Theo seems fascinated by basketball.
Of course, itâs basketball. Buck hates basketball, but if Theo wants to try it then heâll do whatever that kid wants. When he goes to sign Theo up for the sport, they say theyâll have to add him to a waiting list. The reason? They donât currently have enough parent volunteers to coach another 4-5 basketball team.
Buck knows nothing about basketball. Literally nothing - not that this seriously matters because itâs 4-5 year olds - but he canât just let them not have a team that Theo and can play on. So what does he do? He tells the rec heâs got a perfect volunteer to coach and signs Eddie up.
After doing so, Buck is a little worried that Eddie is going to be mad that he signed him up for this without asking so he makes a big dinner, gets his truck washed, buys his favorite beer at the store, and goes across down for Eddieâs favorite desert. But it turns out he didnât need to do all that because Eddieâs not even remotely mad. Heâs thrilled, telling Buck, âTheo wants to play basketball? Are you kidding? This is perfect! Finally thereâs a Buckley that wants to play basketball with me!â
He shows up to their next shift with a pair of basketball court shoes and a tiny LA Lakers jersey for Theo. As well as a dry-erase clipboard with the basketball court outlined on it and markers because heâs planning on making practice plans during their down time. The rest of the 118 are so confused as to why Eddie is the one coaching this team and not Buck, and keep sharing so many funny looks. But Buck canât stop smiling because Eddie is just so excited.
When the first practice rolls around Eddie picks up Theo to take him to the gym while Buck goes to pick up Chris from some after school thing and bring the post-practice snacks for the kids because Eddie might be the coach, but Buck is the official snack dad. When Chris and Buck show up at the gym they stake seat on the bleachers with the other parents waiting for practice to end and watch. Itâs a little chaotic because theyâre 4 year old boys, but Eddie is so good with kids that theyâre latching on to every word he says. Are the kids any good? Not in the slightest, but theyâre trying their best and Eddie is beaming the whole time.
One of the momâs comes and sits next to them, introduces herself and asks, âWhich one is yours?â When he points out Theo, she says, âOh, Theo? That means you must be Coach Eddieâs husband. God, you really know how to pick him. That manâs a miracle worker. Youâre so lucky.â Buck nearly chokes, but before he can correct her, Chris pipes up beside him with a smirk replying loud enough for her to hear, âYeah, Buck. Weâre so lucky youâve got a husband like dad.â Buck glares at him because now all the team parents are going to think he and Eddie are actually married, but Chris just gives him a shit-earring grin before going back to scrolling on his phone.
When they take turns practicing shooting at the end the only one to make a basket is Theo and everyone is so excited. The other kids cheer for him, but the first thing he does is go rushing over to Eddie who scoops him up in a big hug as Theo giggles with excitement over his basket, talking a mile a minute by giving him a replay of the shot as if Eddie hadnât just witnessed it. Eddie just listens intently, nodding along grinning widely as he reacts to Theoâs retelling. Buck physically canât stop the way his chest cracks in half at seeing the two of them together. Beside him Chris sighs and says, âThose heart eyes youâre wearing right now? Thatâs why people think youâre married.â
Buck scoffs, âI do not look at your dad with heart eyes.â
âBuck, youâve looked at my dad with heart eyes every single day since I was seven. I know what it looks like. Itâs seared into my brain.â
Buck doesnât have time to think about Chrisâs comment because Eddie calls for practice to end. After a quick chat and a team chant, Eddie directs the kids over to Buck and Chris to get snacks. In the chaos of Buck and Chris handing out snacks he doesnât realize at first that Theo hasnât joined them. Not until heâs got two extra snack baggie and juice boxes (one labeled with Spider-Man and the other Coach Eddie). When he looks up he sees Theo still running around on the court giggling wildly, carrying the basketball as Eddie chases him around. Eventually Eddie scoops up the 4-year-old and lifts him up to basket and lets Theo dunk. With a cheer, Theo kicks his legs for Eddie to let him down to he can get the ball and they can do it again.
That feeling comes back as he watches them this time, only for Chris to elbow him and tease, âYouâre doing it again.â
Buck thinks in that moment⌠okay, yeah. Maybe I am⌠and maybe⌠maybe Maddie was right. It wouldnât be so crazyâŚ
