UNDER MY SKIN

ten. i'm a big deal

Tyler groaned, his nose scrunched as Buck licked his face to wake him up. He grumbled incoherently, pushing the dog away, and when that didn't seem to be enough he told the dog to go lay down, which he had.

But the cowboy was already awake, he let out a yawn as he sat up, dragging his hand down his face. He leaned back against the headboard, letting his eyes drift to the other side of the bed and a smile tugged at his lips.

Sam was curled into the covers, her knees tucked up to her chest, her cheek squished against the pillow and her blonde waves a little messy, having fallen from her bun during the night.

He loved waking up next to her.

It was one of his favorite things in the world, so much so that it nearly rivaled his love of storms.

And he was perfectly okay with staying in bed next to her, even more so since it had been six months since he last saw her, and over a year since they had shared a bed.

Buck jumped onto the bed, stepped over Tyler's legs and laid down next to the girl. He inched towards her face, his nose brushing against hers.

“No, Buck, don't-” Tyler reached over to stop the dog, but he had already licked the girl's cheek, making her groan.

Her eyes fluttered open, and after a second a smile pulled at her lips, “Buck.” She reached her arms out and pulled the dog towards her, he rolled onto his side and melted into her arms, his tongue darting out to lick her cheek a couple of times.

Tyler chuckled, watching as Sam's eyes closed once more, “don't even get a good mornin’, I'm hurt, baby.”

She hummed a little, “mornin’.”

He rolled his eyes, “I’m startin' to think you like my dog more than you like me.”

“Someone sounds jealous.” Sam mumbled as she looked at Buck, and the dog just happily soaked up the attention. She kissed his nose, laughing as he rolled again. Then he wiggled out of her arms and stepped over her before jumping off the bed, where he stretched.

“He got my good mornin’ kiss.”

“Aww, poor baby.” She mumbled as she pushed herself up and moved into his lap, he smiled as she settled against him. His hands made a home on her hips and she placed her hands on his shoulders before sliding them towards the nape of his neck. “Let me make it up to you?”

He nodded almost pathetically, “please, baby.” He tugged her closer to him and she giggled as she leaned in, softly brushing her lips against his.

She pulled back a little, a smile on her lips, “neither of us have brushed our teeth.”

“Don't care.” He pressed his lips against hers more firmly, forcing a soft moan out of her as he gripped her thighs.

She slid her hands into his hair and tugged, drawing an appreciative groan from him. And just as he wrapped his arm around her, getting lost in the moment, Buck barked.

The two panted as they pulled apart, their chest rising and falling in sync. They turned to look at the dog, who sat by the door just staring at them.

Sam laughed, shaking her head a little, and the sound made Tyler smile – it was a beautiful sound, one of his favorites.

“Guess we should take him for a walk.” Sam sighed, meeting the cowboy’s eyes again. “Means we gotta get outta bed.”

He groaned playfully as a pout tugged at his lips, “stay. I'll call Boone, he can take Buck.”

She chuckled, leaning in to press her lips against his, “nope. Let's go.” She moved off of his lap and pushed herself off the bed before making her way to her bag.

Tyler just watched as she pulled out a pair of jeans, then he was helpless to look away when she shimmied her cotton shorts down her legs. She had nice legs, and a nice ass.

“You're starin’.” She mused as she stepped into her jeans and pulled them up her legs, she didn't even have to look at him to know that he was watching her. “Come on, baby. Get up.”

He huffed but pushed himself up, “yes, ma’am.” He crossed the room, and as he passed her he kissed the side of her head before making his way towards his bag.

Once the two were dressed, and they had brushed their teeth, they took Buck out for a walk around the motel, and Tyler couldn't stop himself from intertwining their fingers.

“So, last night…” Sam breathed out, kicking at the grass as they watched Buck run around the field behind the motel. “When Ben asked about-”

“Baby, you ain't gotta talk about it.” He told her softly, brushing his thumb against her hand.

“I know, but I want to. And you're the only person I trust enough to actually talk to about it.”

He leaned in and kissed her temple, bringing a smile to her lips as she looked up at him, meeting his beautiful green eyes.

“I was cleared to ride. Nothing too crazy, but the doc said it was okay –– that I had recovered seamlessly.”

“That’s amazing! I know how much you miss it.”

“It was eight months ago, and when I tried to ride Biscuit, I-I-I couldn't even get near him. Logically, I know Biscuit is the most sound horse I've ever seen, but…”

“Sam,” he sighed, pulling her into his chest as he rubbed her back. “It's okay. What you went through was awful. And it makes sense that you'd need time to recover, not just physically but mentally. You'll get back on a horse someday, I know you will.”

“What if I don't?” Her voice shook, like the thought broke her heart, because it did. She had been riding horses since she was three.

She fell in love with a pony at the State Fair, her name was Pegasus. And seeing that her daughter was so infatuated with the horse, Cathy paid for her to ride it – Kate had even ridden a horse, but she cried the entire time, even though Cathy was walking next to her.

“If it's something that you want, you'll ride again. I know you will. There's nothing you can't do.”

He sounded so sure, so certain, that she believed him wholeheartedly. She had no reason not to.

And the two were so lost in the moment as they held onto each other and watched the dog roll around in the grass, that neither saw the phone that was aimed at them. Only this time, it wasn't Boone snapping a picture of his friends.

>>>>> • <<<<<

If there was one thing Sam loved, it was a huge breakfast burrito, and luckily the diner had them on the menu. So she sat at a table of the mostly empty diner with Tyler on her right and Boone across from them.

It was early, Buck having gotten them out of bed before eight.

She took a huge bite, her eyes rolling back a little because it was the best breakfast burrito she'd had in a while, which she made sure to tell the two men even though her mouth was full.

“You ridin’ with us today?” Boone asked, pulling his orange juice closer to him. “It'd be great for the channel, the Sam Carter in the truck… the fans would go crazy.”

“You'd also have a good time,” Tyler added with a chuckle, his arm draped over the back of the booth behind her and his knee brushed hers under the table.

“Oh, yeah.” Boone nodded. “That too.”

Sam chuckled, washing her food down with her coffee, “I don't know, Booney. Kinda wanna stay with Kate, in case she needs me. Yesterday was a little rough.”

“You and Kate close?” Boone asked, though he had gone back to messing with his camera.

She chuckled, “yeah, she's-”

“Sam?”

She turned, meeting Javi's eyes as he slowed to a stop next to the table she sat at with Tyler and Boone. Behind him, Scott and another man Sam didn't know slid into a booth.

“Javi,” she mumbled, shifting in her seat a little as her eyes drifted to the table below her fingers. Tyler watched as her shoulders tensed a little and he tugged her closer to him, she relaxed a little at the action.

Javi's eyes bounced from the blonde, to Tyler then over to Boone, who was still messing with his camera as he leaned forward and took a sip of his juice through a straw.

“Um, about last night-”

“It's fine.” She cut him off, not wanting to get into it. “It's whatever.”

“No, I-I wanna talk-”

“Javi,” Scott called out, waving him over.

“You got work to do,” Sam told him as she looked up at him, hoping he couldn't see just how hurt she was.

And she hated that it hurt so much.

“Sam-”

“Go, Javi.”

He sighed, but nodded his head before he made his way towards Scott and the older man.

“What was-”

“Um, thanks for breakfast.” She cut Tyler off, a forced smile on her lips. “I'll, uh, catch up with you guys later. Yeah?”

He nodded, but he was worried. He couldn't help the sinking feeling in the gut that told him that whatever had been bugging Sam the night before had something to do with Javi.

“Yeah, baby, we'll see ya later.” He managed a smile, leaning forward to press a soft kiss to her cheek before she pushed herself out of the booth. 

She took a deep breath the second she stepped out of the door, the little bell ringing as the door closed behind her. She closed her eyes for a moment, just trying to get her thoughts together and her little second was interrupted when she heard her name.

“Sam!”

The blonde opened her eyes and looked over to see Lily waving her arm like a lunatic. She laughed as she made her way towards the girl, and when she spotted Buck basking in the sun she smiled at him.

“How you like chasin’?” The girl asked, her smile wide as she leaned over her drone.

“Only really done it once, but I was too worried to actually enjoy it.” She shrugged, leaning forward with her palms on the table that the drone was laid on. “But I see the appeal. Almost like riding a bronc.”

Lily chuckled, “you sound like Ty.” She mused before putting her screwdriver between her teeth as she messed with a few wires.

“Yeah, guess so.” She mumbled, watching as Lily adjusted a few things. A smile rested on Sam’s face, she remembered the call she had gotten after Tyler and Boone had chased their first storm for the channel. She remembered his excitement and how he told her it was just like riding a bull. Back then, she had thought he was just using something she’d understand to explain it, but now she saw the connection.

“So,” Dani spoke up, looking up from the map Dexter had laid out on a picnic table. “You riding with some real chasers today?” Her eyebrows jumped a few times, making the blonde laugh.

“Already told Ty and Boone that I wanna stay with Katie.” She sighed. “But, I’ll be here all week, maybe I could be persuaded.”

Dexter chuckled, “we’ll get right on that.”

“I’m sorry…” they all looked over at the new voice. A girl around the age of eighteen stood, her smile wide but it was clear she was nervous as she shifted on her feet. “Are you Sam Carter?”

Sam smiled as she turned towards the girl, “yeah. I am.”

The girl’s face brightened, “oh my God! I can’t believe it’s you!” She merely bounced on her toes. “I’m a big fan, um. I’m Chloe.” She held her hand and Sam shook it.

“Hi, Chloe,” Sam told her, her smile kind.

“I know this is, um, wow… would you mind…?” She held up her phone.

“Yeah, of course.” Sam nodded, and the girl grinned as she got her camera ready, then she turned so she and Sam were both in the frame and after a few pictures she dropped her phone.

“Thank you.” She rushed out. “Nobody’s seen you since your accident and there were a lot of rumors going around 'bout what had happened to you. Some were crazy, especially now that I see you standing here. No one’s gonna believe that I met you.”

Sam’s smile was smaller, a little more forced, which Lily noticed so she stepped up to her side with a smile of her own, “well, you got a picture. Everyone’s gonna believe you.”

“Right,” Chole chuckled, holding her phone to her chest.

“Well, it was nice to meet you, but we gotta get back to it.” Lily told her, wrapping her arm around Sam’s shoulders.

“Oh, yeah, of course. Thanks, again!” She waved, her smile still wide as she turned and left.

“You okay?”

Sam took a breath, “yeah. Just been a while since I’ve met fans.” She looked over at the girl, “thanks.”

“‘Course.” Lily squeezed her before she let her go. “Wanna help me with Cairo?”

Sam chuckled, “I think I’d just mess him up. Besides, I saw Katie walk outta the diner, wanna make sure she’s okay after yesterday.”

“Catch ya later.”

“Yeah, for sure.” She nodded, saying her goodbyes to Dexter and Dani, before she made her way across the parking lot towards her sister.

“You have fans.” Kate mused.

“Yep, Katie. I’m a big deal.” She grinned, making her sister laugh. “It was actually weird, haven't had anyone approach me like that since the accident.”

“Better get used to it again.”

“Why?”

Kate chuckled, looking over at the shorter girl, “you didn’t come to the room last night. I assume you were with a certain tornado cowboy.”

“Yeah, so?”

“You gotta get used to the fans if you’re gonna be shackin’ up with a Tornado Wrangler.”

“We aren’t-”

“Ooh, are you gonna get a t-shirt with your face on it?” Kate asked, her smile wide and teasing.

“Ty and I are just friends.”

“Okay,” Kate hummed, but she knew better as she looked up at the sky once again. Her eyes scanned every aspect of it and Sam stood at her side.

“So…” Sam rested her eyes on her sister’s shoulder. “-what are we lookin’ at?”

Kate smiled a little, “hush, I’m tryin’ to focus.”

“Well, sorry for takin’ an interest in your hobbies.” She muttered playfully, shoving Kate a little.

Kate shook her head, a smile on her face, “you really wanna know?”

“Yeah, why not?”

Kate smiled, nodding her head as she pulled her sunglasses off of her face, “okay, so…” she started as she used her finger to point out different things and Sam just nodded. She recognized most of the terminology but she only knew what some of it meant. She had picked up a few things from growing up with Kate and the conversations she and Tyler would have after every storm he chased.

And her favorite part was the smile on Kate’s face as she explained everything. It was good to see, and it gave her hope that Kate wouldn’t be just a shell of who she once was anymore.

NOVA SPEAKS

this books is my entire heart! i love it so much, and it's definitely my favorites out of my twisters fics. i love sam so much, and she is loosely based on my best friend from high school, i think that's why i have such a strong love for her

also, tyler is so freaking clingy 💕 i love it!