“It’s never what you think it will be,” Sam said one night as she sat, hiding in her hotel room after playing at a stadium that had sold out. Afterwards, there had been lines out the stadium for people hoping to catch a glimpse of them.

Tiffany had taken a long bath and now lay wrapped in blankets in her bed. She was completely exhausted, but it was delicious to talk to Sam.

“Hello, are you there?” he asked softly, teasing her. She’d fallen asleep two nights ago when they’d been on the phone. Between his practice schedule and her concert schedule, the only time they could talk was at one or two in the morning.

“Yes, but you shouldn’t be.” She chastised him.

“Whatever, I’m wide awake.”

“Hmm….hmmm.” She knew he’d been doing two-a-day practices. She couldn’t imagine all the physical stuff he did—on top of his own training. “Tell me about the new house.”

He’d told her last night that he was getting the keys and having stuff moved in today.

“It’s heavenly.” He sighed. “Right now I’m sitting on the balcony off of the master room, lounging in a big wicker chair that’s cushioned with this material that makes you feel like your whole body is sinking into the chair. I could sleep here.”

“That sounds nice.” She was getting sleepier, but she loved to think about his life— where he was and how it would feel to be snuggled up next to him.

“The decorator sold me on this chair because it has enough space for you to be right next to me.”

Liking that he was thinking about her and wanting her next to him too, she shifted in her bed. “That sounds heavenly.”

“I can hear the sound of the ocean as the waves crash, and there’s a soft breeze that smells…like salt.”

“Bragger,” she said accusingly.

He let out a low chuckle that turned into a sigh. She thought she could actually hear the waves in the background. “I can’t wait for tomorrow.”

“I know.” She smiled to herself and ignored the nervous flutter at thinking about being with him in Miami. “What time do Katie and Roman and the kids get in?”

“Your plane lands at one, and theirs lands at one-thirty.”

“Perfect.” She hadn’t had much time to talk to Katie while she’d been on tour. It seemed like whenever she called, Katie had something going on with the kids. If not that, they were in Dallas getting things squared away on the second home they’d bought since Roman would be going down there more for team business. “I can’t wait to see them.”

“Oh, they’re actually bringing one other person with them.”

“Who?” Her mind was getting heavy.

“It’s a surprise,” he whispered.

“Okay.” The first wave of complete shutting down swept through her.

“Goodnight, Tiffany.”

“Oh.” Her mind went back to consciousness for a minute. “Goodnight, Sam….love you.”

43

As Sam waited at the airport, he kept thinking about their last conversation. He knew Tiffany hadn’t realized she’d said ‘love you’ on the phone the night before. Happiness swirled inside of him and then expanded in the center of his chest as he thought about it. It really wasn’t a secret anymore, but they’d never said it. The past few weeks they’d been like lovesick teenagers, texting and talking on the phone or skyping.

At one point he’d worried she’d be upset about all the press because of the YouTube clip. But, she’d taken it in stride and he was grateful. And he was happy to hear the press talk about how good her music was. The tide that had begun because of their relationship had turned into a full-blown tsunami because of her talent.

Everyone was staying with him tonight. The game was tomorrow. And then she had to fly back and meet the band in California. Even though he would only get her for two nights, he planned to fully enjoy them.

It was kind of hilarious to him that he was more nervous to see Tiffany than he was for the pre-season game. Even with all the press about whether he could hack it anymore as a starting quarterback and all the talk about how people wondered if he was washed up or if he could lead the Surf to victory.

It perplexed him that the way he felt about her, was the most certain he’d ever felt in his life.

A year ago he would have thought that death itself would have been better than getting traded by the Destroyers. A year ago he was still confused and paralyzed by the ride he’d gone on with Sheena.

But now, even with all the feelings he had about Tiffany, he knew if it didn’t work out with her, he’d be okay.

He’d changed.

He wasn’t the same man he’d once been. He’d found himself, and he wasn’t ashamed to admit that he’d begun praying again. He wanted a spiritual part in his life again, and that felt good.

He’d purposely not told anyone that he was picking up Roman’s family and Tiffany at the airport, so he hoped there wouldn’t be too much paparazzi.

When Tiffany showed up at baggage claim, she was wearing a yellow sundress with her hair half braided around the crown of her head and the rest curled and flowing around her. Seeing her finally here and so beautiful, he was sure his heart would burst.

The flowers he’d gotten for her were smashed between them as she jumped into his arms.

He couldn’t help his laughter at her excitement. He found himself picking her up and turning her in a circle.

Her laugh mixed with his, and soon their lips were locked together.

Before he knew it, people around them were clapping, getting out phones and taking pictures. But he didn’t care. Pushing her back, he stared into her blue eyes, shimmering with tears.

44

Standing in the airport waiting for Roman’s family, Tiffany didn’t even mind everyone taking pictures of her and Sam holding hands, talking, and kissing every now and again. None of that really mattered to her anymore. Maybe it was the fact that the press had been stalking her the past few weeks, and she’d gotten used to it. Maybe it was that she finally accepted that all she wanted was to be with this man, so the other stuff kind of felt unimportant and stupid. All she knew was that by his side was where she wanted to be.

They stood off the beaten path in baggage claim. Her back was against the wall, and Sam stood in front of her, his arm resting on the wall over her head. He leaned into her, protecting her from the onlooker’s direct line of view. They kissed, and she breathed in his scent.

He traced a stray piece of hair down her forehead and face, grinning. “I want you coming home to me all the time, Tiffany.”

Warmth filled her, starting in her heart and rushing through her entire body. She knew she was blushing. Of course she’d thought about it. Being here with him. Coming home to him after a tour, which it looked like she would be doing a lot. She grinned. She’d wanted him to be the first to hear her news. “I have something to tell you.”

Leaning forward, he cocked an eyebrow and brushed his lips against hers for a second and then traced her arm down to her hand, keeping it in his.

Every part of her was alive next to him.

He grinned. “Tell me.”

She could feel herself blinking, trying to hold back the excitement and the tears that were coming. “We got approached last night about a record deal.”

The look on his face, one of expectation, told her he wasn’t surprised. “That’s awesome.” He picked up her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist.

This sent chills through her again.

“Is it a good deal?”

Trying to stay focused, she thought of the guys in the band. “Joe seems to think so, but he’s going to talk to an attorney that deals with these types of contracts. We’re going to talk about it when I get back.”