Текст книги "Just Play"

Автор книги: Taylor Hart

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Текущая страница: 11 (всего у книги 13 страниц)

39

The next day Tiffany couldn’t deny that she had butterflies in her stomach as they left the hotel, and when Sam got onto the interstate toward Denver, she liked the fact he turned on the radio and then reached for her hand.

She wasn’t exactly sure what this was between them. Obviously, they were dating. But, it was more. Much more.

They didn’t talk much as they went from Boulder into the heart of Denver. It was lunchtime when they pulled into the outlet mall outside of Castle Rock. Sam made her stay as he got out and went around the car to open her door.

“Are we eating here?” She kept her hand in his as they walked toward the strip mall.

“Nope.” Sam pumped his eyebrows.

“What’s going on?”

“You’ll see.” He grinned and opened the door to the mall for her.

The feel of his strong hand in hers and the way he confidently walked into the mall, like he was the super cool guy in high school, made the edges of her lips pull into a smile. Brett had been the alternative punk guy. He claimed to live his life as a statement, but now, as she stood with Sam, she realized Brett almost slunk to the edges, waiting for his chance to pounce on an opportunity—to get something free, to get noticed. But Sam, he faced the world head on, almost daring someone to get in his way. It was there in the way he walked and the way he stared people in the eyes, challenging them. He wasn’t mean, but he was determined. Until last night, she hadn’t realized why he’d had to be so determined. After hearing about him losing his mother and pretty much getting abandoned by a father, she was even more proud of him for making it. For taking what he wanted. She used to think he was such a jerk. Now, she saw he had that hard layer for a reason—he had needed it. She no longer saw the tough guy. She saw a simple man, trying to make her happy.

They walked through the mall for a couple of seconds and then stopped in front of a boutique.

“Why are we here?”

Sam opened the door, giving her a mischievous grin. “Well, you mentioned you needed ‘star’ clothes.” He gestured for her to go inside.

“Oh no.” She would not be this girl, the one that had a man do everything for her. She turned back out of the boutique.

His hand clamped down on her wrist, stopping her.

Yanking her hand free, she felt her heart racing. “You’re not buying me stuff,” she insisted.

Hesitating for a second, Sam slumped against the side of the door, a grin wide on his face. “Dang, woman, you’re prideful.”

This hadn’t been what she had thought he would call her independence. “Sorry if I’m not one of ‘those’ girls that uses you for your money.” Yanking her hand out of his, she moved down the walk way.

He fell into step with her. “I know you’re not one of those girls. You work harder then almost anyone I’ve ever met—waitressing, helping your mama and your friends, working on your music.”

“Exactly.” She shot at him, trying to figure out where they’d come into the mall.

Doing a quick maneuver, he stepped in front of her. “I just need you to answer one question for me.”

Almost bumping into him, she stopped. “Sam…move.”

Those chocolate eyes weren’t smoldering now, but they were intense. It was like he was reading the field, like he was about to throw a touchdown. “Please, just listen.”

Taking a breath, she crossed her arms. “Fine.”

The dark jeans and tight white Under Armour shirt he wore stretched over his heaving chest. He put up a finger. “If I needed something, would you buy it for me?”

She gave little shakes of her head back and forth. “But you don’t need anything.”

He kept his finger pointing at her. “That’s not the point. If I did, would you buy it?”

She scoffed. “Something like food, but not boutique clothes.”

Reaching out, he put a light hand on her shoulder. “But if I needed it to be successful, to have a shot, would you do it to show that you believed in me?” The middle of his eyes creased. “If I needed money for a football camp or new cleats?”

Understanding his analogy, but not liking it, she broke eye contact. “This is different.”

He dropped his hand but moved in line with her gaze. “It’s no different. It’s not.”

She didn’t like the way he gave her that half grin that stretched his tiny scar above his lip. Or the way half a dimple showed in his incredibly handsome face. Or the way her stomach churned with angst, knowing he was right.

“Ah, there it is.” Sam took this as an opportunity to move close to her and slip his arm around her shoulders and point her back in the direction of the boutique. “Please let me buy you some clothes.”

She let herself be dragged, still glaring at him.

His eyebrows lifted. “When’s your birthday?”

She knew he was searching for a reason. “February.” She said, dryly. She’d accepted that he was going to do this for her even though he was right—her pride didn’t like it.

He grinned, opening the door to the boutique. “Perfect, then it’s a birthday gift.”

Shaking her head, she pushed away from him, realizing he wouldn’t take no for an answer. “Yeah, seven months early.”

He followed her. “Then an almost half-birthday gift.”

This earned him a smile.

Stopping, she tugged a flashy jacket up and off of the hanger. It was jean with brown leather strappy things hanging down, and it was completely blinged out with gold.

Sam looked her up and down, and his eyes lit up. “I like it.” He nodded.

She looked at the price tag then put it back.

He picked it right back up, draping it over his arm.

“That’s three hundred dollars.” She shook her head.

The tone of her voice didn’t seem to bother him. “Oh, we’re going to spend a lot more than that today.”

A bit overwhelmed, she looked around the store.

A petite sales girl walked over to them, smiling shyly.

He grinned at her. “What’s your name?”

“Shelby.”

Sam nodded to Tiffany. “Shelby, if you could make sure she gets about five complete outfits—tops, skirts, pants, jackets, hats, jewelry.” He flashed her another smile. “This girl is an up and coming country singer, and she needs to look it, okay?”

The girl, who had probably just graduated from high school, lit up. “You got it.”

Then he leaned into Tiffany, softly kissing the side of her ear and whispered, “I’m going to step out and get a soft pretzel while you pick out a few things. Remember, you want the girl to get a nice commission.”

It was underhanded, the way Sam had used helping someone else as an excuse to buy herself new clothes. Still she couldn’t stop herself from watching him admiringly as he swaggered out, turning back to her and winking before he disappeared.

40

Two hours later, the back of the car was jammed full of new clothes, and Sam could tell Tiffany was smarting over the fact that he’d paid for it all. For Sam, it was a little funny. She was not at all like most women that hung in football circles. She was humble and beautiful and…she expected nothing from him.

Which made him want to give her everything.

He put his hand over hers, and she gave him a long look.

“Hey, you’re just going to have to deal with the fact you made me super happy today.”

A soft smile played at her lips. “How come you giving me stuff makes you happy?”

She wasn’t being argumentative, and Sam was grateful for that. “Because, when a man seriously courts a woman, he wants to buy things for her.”

Letting out a light scoff, she leaned back into her seat, closing her eyes. “Courting, that makes me think of Victorian women and how they had to have chaperones.”

“We probably need one.” He picked up her hand and kissed the back of it.

They sped down the freeway, and Sam didn’t tell her he’d bought even more things for her for their date tonight.

She kept her eyes closed and he could tell she was completely relaxed. It made him happy. He glanced at her and then back to the road. Here was a woman that wanted nothing from him except to be with him. She got mad at him for the things he could buy her and despised him for trying to use his fame to help her. Honestly, he didn’t know what to do with her.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked quietly, keeping her eyes closed and her hand inside of his.

He sighed, deciding to tell her the truth. “I was thinking about how different you are.”

Her eyes flashed open. “You mean from Sheena.”

Shrugging, he squeezed her hand gently and then released the pressure. “From Sheena and every other woman I’ve ever spent time with.”

A low chuckle rumbled out of her. “Is that good or bad?”

Jerking his head to look at her, he nodded. “It’s…amazing. I’m…” He paused. Could he tell her? Would it scare her?

But he didn’t have to. Tears bubbled in her eyes. “I know, Sam. I know.”

Pushing down his emotion, he grinned. “Well, then let’s talk about the train ride we’ll be taking tonight.”

41

Tiffany was quickly realizing that being with Sam, meant feeling like she was in some kind of book or movie or something…not her life. And it was kind of hard for her to get used to.

But she was enjoying the train they’d taken to the top of Pike’s Peak.

Now they were sitting in a restaurant called The Cliff’s House. From their view, it was like they were floating out above the mountains. There was stillness in the air. Granted, there were soft voices and light music from the other people and the restaurant, but…it was peaceful.

“What do you think?”

She turned to Sam. He’d bought them fancy clothes for the night. He wore a grey jacket and a pin tie that made him look very urban. With his chocolate eyes and a couple of days growth on his face and his hair combed back so it wouldn’t flop into his eyes, he looked like a Calvin Klein model. Or like he’d just walked off a movie set. Light butterflies thrummed in the lower part of her stomach. She picked up her ice water and took a sip. “Okay, if you’re trying to wow me, it’s working.”

Satisfaction fell across his face, and he cocked his scarred lip up and nodded. “Good.” He gave her another sweeping look from top to bottom. “Do you like the outfit?”

Tiffany hadn’t known that the ladies helping her in the store had been directed to select a couple of extra things for her. She smiled, liking the feel of the diamond studded, fitted black dress and fancy red cowgirl boots. “I guess I really do feel like a star in these clothes.”

Grinning, he scooted his chair closer to hers and took her hand, pulling it up to his lips and kissing the back of it. “The clothes are nice, but you’re a star just because you’re you.”

Liking this, she could feel herself blush. “Have you been reading up on how to woo women?”

“You’re admitting to being wooed?” He teased her, gently turning her hand and kissing the inside of her wrist.

His warm lips against her skin made her feel kind of lightheaded, but she didn’t pull away. “Sam.” She let out his name all breathy.

He laughed and leaned back, keeping her hand inside both of his. He looked out at the scenery. “So they say that Kathleen Lee Bates was inspired by this view when she wrote the lyrics for “America the Beautiful.”

Interesting. “Really?” Once again, she looked around, taking in the smells and view. “I believe it, this view is definitely inspiring.”

“Yeah, it is.”

But when she turned back, he wasn’t looking at the view. He was staring at her.

42

The concert the next night at Red Rock Amphitheater, right outside of Denver, was packed and loud and everything a concert should be.

Surprising him, Tiffany had worn a teal top that matched the jewelry on the hat he’d given her and boots that matched both of them. With her blonde hair in soft curls and wearing heavier make-up, she looked different.

A stir went through him. She almost looked like someone different. He liked it, but he liked her normal, understated beauty too. Actually, he realized he probably preferred it when she wasn’t so done up.

That was also a new thing for him.

He watched her band come out and pump up the crowd and he wondered what he’d been wondering more and more…when would be the right time to propose?

The next day, when Tiffany kissed Sam goodbye before getting into the van she and the band were travelling in, it was harder than she could have imagined.

Holding the belt loops around her jeans, Sam pulled her closer and deepened the kiss.

When they’d gotten back to the hotel after the concert, Sam had kissed her at the door and then told her he’d see her in the morning or they’d both regret it.

His acceptance of her values had made her happy, and he was right. She had found that keeping herself in check was harder than she’d thought it’d be.

“When are you coming to see me in Miami?” he whispered into her ear as he kept her close, running his hand down her hair.

She closed her eyes, loving his touch. “I have another couple of weeks on tour.” He’d asked her before when she was coming to Miami, but now he seemed more urgent. To be fair, she felt the urgency too. It was strange that she was already so used to him. Being with him. Having him as part of her inner dialogue.

He kissed her again, and Tiffany didn’t even care that she could hear the catcalls and teasing from her band members inside the van. She didn’t want to let him go either.

“I will fly you out any time, from any city.” Pushing back, he looked deeply into her eyes. “Okay? And don’t tell me it costs too much.” He gave her a pointed look.

Her heart raced. How had this happened? She was having this romance with a professional football player. Sam Dumont was standing here, his fingers looped at the back of her jeans, and he was begging her to come see him. It was outrageous. But she thought that it also felt so right between them. She conceded, not wanting to endure another speech from him about how he wanted to pay for it. “Okay.”

The side of his lip tugged up, and she leaned forward and kissed him.

He grinned. “You think you can silence me by kissing me?”

“Pretty much.” She kissed him, again, and he held her to him, taking extra care with the kiss.

She held him tight, holding to the Under Armour material that he always wore and feeling how lean and muscled he was under the material. He was so much more than his physique. He was good.

He released her, and she got into the van, turning to wave to him and hating that a tear fell down her cheek as she watched him. His hair was all mussed, and he was wearing his tight shirt, jeans, and flip-flops. Dang, he was handsome. She grinned, thinking that this amazing man wanted her.

Joe glanced back at her from the driver’s seat. “Oh, gosh, guys—I think Tiffany is primed to write a love song.”

The guys all laughed and teased her about her famous boyfriend. Tiffany was glad they all knew him as a person, not just as a media clip. They seemed to like him, talking about how he was down to earth and fun.

The whole way to Arizona, all she could think about was Sam. She opened her notebook and sketched out a new song. She titled it ‘Not Just Another Romeo.’ She felt like she was soaring as she wrote it. The words flowed out of her, and they arrived in Phoenix before she knew it.

That night, as she finished the final touches on the song, some of the guys came to her room. Joe pointed to the television. “Turn on the news.”

She knew, at some point, just being with Sam would attract attention.

She was surprised, however, to see a clip of them together from the Red Rocks venue the night before, dancing and rocking to the main concert. The newsman said, “Sam Dumont was spotted at a concert in Denver last night.” The clip of them dancing and laughing played. She could tell it was a recording done with someone’s phone. The newsman came back on. “The woman has been identified as Tiffany Chance of Wolfe Creek, Utah.” He smiled, conspiratorially. “We think he met her while making amends with Roman Young these past few weeks. It’s also interesting to note that Miss Chance is a singer, and her band is touring with the Iron Stix. On our website, we’ve posted where Miss Chance’s band will be playing for the next month and a half. It is interesting to note that Dumont is reporting to training camp with the Miami Surf tomorrow morning.” The newsman grinned. “After getting traded from the Destroyers this year, and after his friend Roman Young bought into the Destroyer franchise, it will be interesting to see if Roman and Sam’s newfound friendship will endure the rivalry between the teams.”

The bit ended, and the other band members all looked as stunned as she was. Joe let out a breath. “Well, I guess we might see an increase if they posted our schedule online.”

Tiffany didn’t know what to think, not sure if she liked this new spotlight or not. “Time will tell.”

The next night they were getting set up and sound checking an hour before they let the crowds start coming in when they were given news. The concert was sold out, and there were more and more requests for tickets.

The next four shows went the same way. They all sold out, and YouTube exploded with the band’s music. The video of Sam and Tiffany went viral.

Tiffany didn’t know how to handle all the attention. Many times the band had to shield her from unwanted cameras that popped up all over.

Tiffany had never really thought about how fame would be. There wasn’t a second to herself, especially since their schedule was posted on the internet. Now, every time they pulled into a community, there were reporters waiting in their hotel parking lot.

“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.