I swallowed, blushing, and I held up my hand in thanks to the kindness of complete strangers.
We raced over to Cass, who, as always, sported her Stetson, jeans, “Smith” jersey, and boots. She picked me up, kissing my cheek, before setting me down before her. “Mighty good to have you back, girl. I’ll let you do that once due to the circumstances, but run away like that again and I’ll be spittin’ mad. I hold the title for hogtying in all ‘a Texas, and I’m not afraid to use my mad skills!”
I rubbed her arm. “Duly noted, Cass.”
She winked, eyes shining. “I missed ya, girl.”
“I missed you, too.” She nudged me playfully.
“Cut the reunion, girls. Here they come.”
I watched on the big screens as the teams rallied in their respective changing rooms and the Tide, dressed in crimson and white and as returning champions, came out first.
My chest pounded as one by one the players took to the field. I knew Romeo would be last and when I spotted him, I thought I would collapse. One look at his face and a barrage of memories assaulted me—touches, kisses, tears, smiles, making love, f**king hard—all in Technicolor.
He was my home.
Rome took to the pitch and I noticed the slight lethargy to his run, the subtle bow of his head, and the not-so-enthusiastic wave of his helmet to the crowd. My heart cried for all that I’d put him through. I’d left him alone when he’d begged me not to run.
The Tide supporters began their chant as Romeo headed to the side of the pitch and the Jumbotron followed him the entire way.
“Kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss…”
My quarterback paled. He thought I wasn’t here. He thought he was letting down his fans. He thought he was going to be humiliated by my absence.
Cass and Ally both leaned in with reassuring kisses on my cheeks, and I watched him stand on his own, not even glancing in my direction.
“He doesn’t know I’m here,” I whispered.
Ally and Cass looked at each other, worried expressions on both of their faces. Cass spat chewing tobacco on the floor, climbed up on her seat, and urged the crowd with a wave of her arms to keep going.
The increase in decibel level was deafening, and many of the Tide team looked our way, the cameramen putting their focus on me. I saw Austin catch a glimpse of the screen and run, full sprint, towards Romeo, who had his head slumped forwards, ignoring the roaring crowd.
Austin shook him from his stupor and pointed to me. It was as though time suspended. Like our movements were on half speed. I stepped to the far edge of the stands, jutting out in front of everyone else, and just waited.
Romeo’s head lifted at Austin’s words, and he turned, his dark gaze tunnelling straight to mine. He stared at me, unmoving, and I stared straight back. The tension thickened and the fans hushed to eerie silence.
I’m sorry. I love you. I messed up. I miss you. I tried to say so much to him with my eyes alone, but he gave me nothing in return.
Rome walked slowly towards me and the closer he got, the more nervous I became.
I devoured every inch of his face, his sweet chocolate eyes, luscious full lips, sandy long hair, and built, tanned muscled body. My body hummed with anticipation as it recognised who Romeo was.
He was mine.
My bare thighs scratched from the pressure against the wood of the ad boards, my body desperately wanting to be with him, to have him hold me in his arms.
Romeo dropped his helmet as he approached. I noticed that both teams were watching us. The Tide had witnessed the loss of our baby firsthand and clearly knew that I’d left him on his own. By the smiles on their faces, their relief at my return was formidable.
I smelled his scent first, mint and soap, drifting on the breeze. Then he was before me, looking up through long, inky lashes to my place on the high stand.
He forced a swallow and rasped, “Hey, Mol.”
I sucked on my lip to stop the trembling. “Hey, you.”
“You gonna give up that sweet kiss?”
“If that’s what you want.”
He closed his eyes for a moment before snapping them back to me. “It most definitely f**kin’ is.” He lunged forward, his hands gripping under my arms, and with an incredible strength lifted me over the barrier and into his arms, his moist lips colliding with mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck, my legs around his waist, and kissed him right back. His tongue slid against mine, lapping at my hot flesh, and he groaned in my mouth. We were sharing so much with just one kiss—our loss and our sorrow.
So much love.
Breaking the kiss, he pressed his forehead to mine. “Are you really here?” he croaked, throat tight.