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.

“Baby, I’m so sorry I left. I couldn’t cope, but… I love you. I love you so, so much. Please forgive me. Please…”

He tucked his head into the crook of my neck, and we dropped to the floor, his legs buckling in relief, with me seated on his knees. We held each other tightly, the crowd completely silent at our most private moment on full display.

“Are you back for me? For good?” he whispered against my neck.

I smoothed the wisps of hair at the nape of his neck. “For the first time ever, baby, I ran back to something, to you… my Romeo.”

He lifted his head, his swollen eyes meeting mine. I read the forgiveness and unconditional love, quickly to be replaced by his darker caged beast. He’d had reassurance; he now needed to take back control.

“You won’t ever run again. You get that now?”

“I get it.”

He tightened his hands on my face. “You left me alone for weeks, no word, no explanation. Do you know how mad I am at you for that?”

“I know,” I whispered regretfully.

Passion flooded his eyes and he declared, “I’m gonna win this game. Then I’m gonna f**kin’ brand you, once and for all. It seems I’ve been too lenient with you, Shakespeare. Maybe you didn’t quite get that you’re mine and as such can never, ever leave me—even if your heart is broken. Because if you’re hurtin’, baby, you can bet that I’m f**kin’ hurtin’ too.”

Romeo stood with me still in his arms. The crowd and players clapped and he squeezed my arm. “You. Back in those stands. Now. I’ve got a championship title to take back home. Then I’ll deal with you. Quite frankly, I don’t know which one I’m more excited for.”

My stomach flipped as I cupped his cheeks and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “Give ‘em hell, baby.”

Winking, he lifted me back to my seat. Cass hollered, hand in the air, and Ally wiped her eyes.

Romeo took his place on the field.

“Shit, Molls, Bama gonna make you queen when we take this win! That guy is pumped. What the hell did he say to you?”

I blushed and bowed my head. “Nothing… much.”

Ally and Cass laughed at my red face and the referee blew his whistle, signalling kickoff, and we all got to our feet.

* * *

It was close.

For over three hours we’d watched as Alabama scored, swiftly followed by Notre Dame. Alabama now had the offensive team on the field and with seconds left, they could take the win, if Romeo successfully completed the last phase.

I tried not to look as the players took their positions, but I couldn’t help but peek through the small gaps in my hands covering my eyes. The ball popped back to Romeo and he retreated three strides, searching for an open player. Austin was immediately blocked by two defenders; Chris Porter couldn’t get free, swarmed upon by the Dame defensive end.

I whipped my attention to Cass, who was screaming at the top of her voice. Ally had her hand covering her mouth.

Big, bruising defenders closed in on Romeo and I squealed. He managed to dodge left, then right, and seeing a small gap, set off running, sprinting, pumping his strong legs forward.

“Go, Bullet. GO!!!” Cass shrieked as Romeo sprinted down the pitch. My heart fluttered in my chest as the Tide stand jumped and shouted in encouragement.

Blockers were blocking, giving Romeo the space he needed to cut through, and we all held hands as he crossed into the end zone, scoring a touchdown with no time left on the clock.

The stadium exploded as the Alabama players and coaches flooded towards Romeo, who threw off his helmet, pulling down the neck of his jersey, patting his chest and kissing his hand, holding it up to sky in an act of worship.

I froze and watched the replay on the Jumbotron.

“Oh…” I cried and dropped to my seat.

Ally noticed and sat beside me, rubbing my back. “He did it when you left, so your baby would never be forgotten.”

I nodded as tears filled my eyes. “Angel wings.”

“For your lost angel.”

Large droplets poured down my cheeks. “I left him all alone. He was hurting so badly, but I ran. I’m such a bitch.”