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, fucking 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 fuckin' 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 fuckin' 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 fuckin' 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."

Ally's hand rubbed at my back. "Don't beat yourself up, darlin'. You're back now and you were hurtin' real bad too. No one blames you."

Cass took the top of my arm and launched me to stand, sympathy in her blue gaze. "No tears, girl. We just won the shittin' National Championship!"

I nodded, took a deep breath, and clapped with the crowd until my hands grew numb. I watched proudly as the team took to the stage and were crowned the BCS National Champions.

A male presenter moved to the stage and introduced the coach and the BCS commissioner, who presented the coach with the crystal trophy, and then moved next to Romeo. My boyfriend's beautiful face quickly graced the screen of the Jumbotron. He'd been awarded MVP.

The presenter lifted his microphone. "Bullet, how does it feel to be MVP at the BCS National Championship?"

The crowd roared and Romeo pulled his devastatingly stunning smirk in response. "It's a dream come true. As a kid, I always dreamed of playin' for the Tide and I can't believe we've just won the National Championship again."

Romeo bowed his head, seeming shy at all the attention.

The presenter's expression turned serious and he laid his hand on Rome's shoulder. Romeo's face hardened in reaction to the gesture.

"Now, Bullet, we all love you here." The presenter gestured to the stadium and the crowd began banging their feet in the stands in support. "And it's no secret that you've had a real rough time in your personal life over recent weeks."

Cass and Ally held my hands in each of theirs and several supporters around me tapped my back. I had to breathe slowly, in and out, through the unwanted attention.

Romeo crossed his arms over his chest, staring down at the stage floor. I smiled when Reece, Jimmy-Don, and Austin moved to stand beside him in support.

The presenter signalled to hush the crowd. "We just wanted to ask how you're doing?"

Romeo cleared his throat. "Better, thank you." He didn't elaborate further.

"The support by the fans for you and your girlfriend has been overwhelming. Is there anything you would like to say in response?"

I quickly looked to Ally and questioned, "The support has been overwhelming?"

She squeezed my hand. "Unbelievable, darlin'."

I nodded, trying to fight back my emotions.

"I... I..." Romeo ran a hand down his face, unable to speak, and Jimmy-Don hooked an arm around his shoulders, whispering something into his ear.

"Bullet?" The presenter pushed for an answer, sympathy in his voice.

Romeo took a deep breath, raising his head. "I don't know how to possibly thank everyone for the support. It's truly blown me away. Alabama has the best damn fans in the world."

The crowd erupted once more.

"Just one more thing, Bullet," the presenter announced. Romeo nodded his head curtly. I could see how uncomfortable he was at being questioned so publically.

"Do you really think your luck changed this year after that-now famous-kiss from your girlfriend and the subsequent ones at every home game?"