Both he and Roman took off into a sprint, holding her by each bicep. “I’ll be right there!”
The cameras started flashing as soon as they emerged, obviously thinking it was the team. Sheena didn’t try to get away, but she growled at them. “Let me go.”
Roman took over, waving over a member of the press. He smiled. “As many of you know, this is my ex-wife Sheena.”
Sam was almost blinded by the flashing lights of pictures being taken. But he didn’t flinch.
“Many of you know that Sam dated her for a bit.” He nodded at Sam. “But…” Roman grinned, letting go of Sheena’s arm.
Sheena rushed for the side of the paparazzi.
Roman put an arm around Sam’s shoulders. “Sam and I want to make a public statement that Sheena appeared, seconds ago, in Dumont’s dressing room.” Roman cleared his throat. “I’ll let you all guess what she wanted.”
Murmurs went through the crowd.
“But my buddy and I want everyone to know, she’s not welcome here.” He turned to Sam. “Right?”
“Right.” Sam felt like his insides were going to explode, and he tried to keep his heart rate from pushing him over the edge and making him pass out.
Roman gave a final nod. “Well, if you’ll excuse us, my friend has to get back to leading his team to victory!” He threw his fist into the air.
The press ignited with questions and some roared out. “Go Surf!”
Sam turned back toward the locker room. “Thanks, man.”
Roman gestured for him to go. “You better hurry.”
His manager was waving him to the locker room. “C’mon, Dumont, forget this racket and get in here.”
But Sam was stumbling, unable to get a breath. He moved toward Tiffany. “Just a sec.”
She took him by the arm, concern on her face. She moved them to his training room and pushed open the door.
He couldn’t believe it. Sheena had been here. The room started to spin. The past year. All his doubts. His worry. The mistakes he’d made pressed onto him.
Tiffany sat him down on a chair. “Sam.” She kneeled next to him.
He put his head between his knees and tried to get a breath.
He tried to do another round of slow breathing.
She stayed next to him, her hand on him.
More breathing.
People pounded at the door. “Dumont. It’s time.”
Pull in the breath. Out with the breath. He closed his eyes.
Tiffany kept her hand on him. “It’s okay.”
But he could feel the tear that fell down his cheek. He looked up at her. Those blue eyes. “I thought I could do this, but look at me.”
“Just play.” Her look was intense. Her face sincere. “Remember my first night, in that haunted hotel.” She grinned. “Remember.”
He hesitated and then closed his eyes, thinking of his dad. The best part of what his dad had been. And of her courage. His eyes flashed open and he stood. “Just play.” He breathed. The heaviness on his chest receded. He pulled in more air. “Okay.”
She moved out of the way. “Yes.”
He leaned into her, swiping a kiss. “Thank you.”
48
Tiffany stood in the box next to Katie and Roman. They were all lined up against the glass, energy surging through them. Through the whole stadium. It was the fourth quarter, and the Surf were down by four. Sam had played an amazing game, throwing four touchdowns. When the defense had realized that Sam Dumont was back and everything he would throw would get caught, they’d focused exclusively on taking him down or shutting down the pass.
Throughout the game Tiffany had twirled her hair so much and so hard, it was a wonder she had any left. Tiffany watched Sam release a final pass with only two seconds left. She watched the receiver get loose and break out into the end zone. The ball fell into his hands.
The whole stadium was on their feet, roaring with crazed excitement.
“Yeaaahhh!” Roman let out a yell loud enough to shatter the glass.
But she was yelling just as loud and she and Katie grabbed each other, jumping up and down.
Reese wasn’t going to be left out. She took both girls by the shoulders and joined in the jumping.
Roman picked up Josh with his other arm, and they all kept hooting and hollering.
The team rushed the field, along with fans that were trying to push forward.
The whole thing was electric.
Tiffany actually had tears coming down her face. She was so moved. She understood what this meant for Sam. What he’d overcome to get to this point!
Then she was caught completely off guard when she heard her name coming over the speaker.
“Ladies and gentleman, we’d ask that you’d stay in your seats for a special performance. Tiffany Chance, will you please come down to the field?”
With wonder, she looked at Katie and Roman. Katie went to Roman’s side and Maddy was snuggled between them. They both wore knowing grins on their faces.
Reese was next to Tiffany, a stream of tears coming down her cheeks. “Go on, baby, love you.”
There was no way to describe how she felt seeing what looked like her band setting up in the middle of the stadium before she was rushed out of the room. Two guys that looked like they could be bouncers escorted her down the hall and stairs to the center of the stadium.
Then she saw Sam sitting in the middle of the stage. Joe stood next to him as they tuned their guitars. He was still in his uniform and his hair was sweaty.
She rushed forward, and he pushed the guitar to the side and picked her up, spinning her around.
The crowd went wild and Tiffany could feel the buzz of energy seep into her. He put her down, and she turned to the band, shaking her head at them.
“Surprise!” Joe grinned at her.
Sam picked up the microphone and the stadium fell silent. Sam patted the stool next to him then handed her a different microphone. He was grinning from ear to ear, and he looked up at Roman who was pointing at him and he pointed back. “Go Surfs!”
The crowd went wild again.
Then he laughed. “Okay, I won’t keep you all day. I just…” he turned to Tiffany and said into the microphone. “I think most of you know I met someone in Wolfe Creek.”
Unbelievably, the crowd got even louder.
Tiffany couldn’t help but laugh. Sam took her hand and laughed, too. She saw the tears in his eyes and she couldn’t help but get emotional too.
“Thank you.” He whispered, looking over the crowd. “Thank you for today.” He nodded and brushed a hand over his face.
The crowd kept cheering and Sam swallowed, turning to her and smiling. She was full on crying now.
Sam took a breath. “Man, you guys won’t let a man get ahold of himself.” He put up a hand. Sam frowned. “As many of you have probably heard, earlier today, I had a blast from the past…” The stadium got quieter. Sam turned to Tiffany. “It made me realize how lucky I am to have Miss Chance.” He sat on the stool and pulled the guitar into position. He strummed it and the crowd went wild, again.
He grinned at Tiffany and said into the microphone. “Win them a game and I can’t do anything wrong.”
She laughed, loving that he was so happy. That he’d played so well. Hating the hyper nerves buzzing through her.
He stared back at her. “I told Miss Chance that one day I’d be able to play with her in public.” He stopped talking and swallowed, tears welling up in his eyes.
Someone put a guitar over her shoulder.
Overwhelmed. Happy. Nervous. Terrified. All of those emotions buzzed through her.
“Oh, hold on.” Sam got up and grinned at the crowd. He put down the guitar and said into the microphone. “First things first.”
The stadium was silent as Sam put the guitar to the side and got down on one knee.
Tiffany couldn’t believe that a small box seemed to magically appear in Sam’s hand. He popped it open.