“Hey, baby, it’s me. I’m in Pasadena now for the game tomorrow and wanted to call you… again. I guess since you haven’t returned my calls, it means that you’re really not comin’ home. I know you’re in Oxford. Professor Ross emailed me. I just want you to know that I love you and that’ll never change. I need you, baby. I need you with me. You’re my family, my everythin’. You’re my home.”

Home. I was his home sweet home.

I erased all the messages and sent two texts.

Ally, don’t say anything to Romeo in case I don’t make it, but I’m on my way to Pasadena. I need you to get me a pass for the game. I’ll call you when I land… I’m so sorry for everything, but I’m coming back for him. I’m coming back. Xx

The next was much simpler.

Romeo. I love you. I haven’t given up on us. You’re my home too. Xx

I shut off my phone and headed to the departure gate. For the first time in my life, I was running to something, not away from it.

26

“How long until kickoff?”

“Twenty minutes.”

“Will we get there in time?”

“It all depends on traffic.”

I flopped back in the back seat of the cab and texted Ally.

ME: Almost there. Traffic horrendous. How is he?

ALLY: Hurry, Molls. The fans and cameramen keep looking for you. Cass and I keep getting questioned. Romeo isn’t good. Keeps searching for you as they practice. By the look on his face right now, he’s decided you’re not coming.

Bugger, that wasn’t good.

“Any closer yet?”

The cab driver’s knuckles on the wheel turned white in annoyance. “Look, lady. There’s the stadium. You can see the traffic for yourself.”

I stretched my neck, spotting the large imposing stadium at the end of a long, traffic-jammed road. I had to get there.

I could run that.

I tossed money at the driver, jumping out of the cab, and broke into a run heading in the direction of the Rose Bowl Stadium. People whistled and whooped as I ran by in my brown cowboy boots and white lace summer dress, but I ignored it. I had my hair down and flowing, and I’d even managed to makeup my face. I’d used the time on the plane wisely.

I could hear the noise from the rowdy crowd and grabbed my phone.

ME: Approaching now. Meet me outside with pass.

ALLY: On way. Cutting it close!

I approached the entrance, climbing the steps two at a time. Just as I reached the top, Ally came running out decked in denim shorts and a Tide jersey. Her relieved smile nearly knocked me over as she reached for my hand.

“Molls, I’ll hug you later. Right now you need to come quick. Throw these on!”

She threw my jersey and a security pass at me.

She’d brought my lucky jersey. She hadn’t doubted I’d come. She hadn’t doubted me.

I put the jersey on over my dress, and Ally pulled me into the stadium, waving our passes at the steward as we ran. We weaved in and out of corridors, up staircases and through throngs of people and finally, back down to the lower level, coming out of a tunnel into the bright sunshine where a huge pitch-sized American flag covered the field. The national anthem was just coming to an end, some pop star singing passionately at the top of her lungs. The crowd roaring with excitement and patriotism. I stumbled at the sight of the ceremony, but Ally’s firm grip ensured I kept going.

I spotted the sturdy form of Cass at our seats, directly behind the advertisement boards, whistling and using her hands to guide us to her. Relieved cheers also broke out as the Tide fans began to spot my arrival. I knew if I looked up, I’d be on the big screens, so I kept my head firmly down.

As I ran past supporters, people paid their respects to my loss, taking hats off their heads as a sympathetic gesture and tapping me on the back, telling me to keep strong.

I faltered.

Ally turned to me with a sorrowful face. “It was big news, darlin’, but they’re all here to wish you well. No need to be embarrassed. Folks are sick to their stomachs at what Rome’s parents have done. They love y’all.”

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.