UNDER MY SKIN

twelve. pizza

The tornado had hit a town and though it took some convincing the boy, Javi and the Carter sisters made their way to the town to help. Sam jumped out of the back of Javi’s truck, her legs a little shaky and as her eyes scanned the demolished town through the tinted sunglasses that rested on her nose, her heart sank.

“Come on, Sam.” Kate wrapped her arm around her shoulders, leading her towards the closet ambulance.

“Katie, I'm-” she stumbled over her own feet, gripping onto Kate's shirt to keep her up right. “Okay, lead the way.”

“You could have a concussion.”

Sam slowly shook her head, regretting the movement as it sent an ache through her skull. “It's not a concussion. Had so many, I know what it feels like.”

“And you wonder why mama always worries about you.”

Sam just hummed, a little smile playing on her lips as they reached the ambulance. The EMT smiled kindly before asking a few questions, which Kate answered. And after a quick check to make sure she didn't have a concussion, the EMT told Sam to sit then he handed her an ice pack.

Sam hated that she couldn't help. These people had lost everything and because she had bumped her head, she couldn't even lend a hand to help clean it up.

Luckily for her, Lily had seen her sitting on the tailgate of Javi's with an ice pack pressed to head and after a promise to the EMT to keep her off her feet, she took the girl over towards the camper where they had set up a table with food, water, and free t-shirts.

Kate and Javi had just separated, the latter telling her to take Sam to the motel to get some rest before handing over his keys. She turned, her brows creased when she saw Sam sitting in a chair as she handed a little boy a t-shirt with Tyler's sunglasses over her eyes and a wide smile on her face.

She scoffed, rolling her eyes. She couldn't believe they had set up a merch table after what had happened, and just as she started towards her sister a voice stopped her.

“It was a nice play on the left twin.”

“Yeah, well, didn’t help these people any,” Kate said, looking around, but her eyes stopped when she spotted Marshall Riggs sliding out of his Range Rover.

Then she watched as he greeted Javi and Scott, before Scott led him towards a man that stood in a baseball cap and a red shirt.

“Oh, this is Uncle Marshall. This is the, uh, owner of the bar here,” Scott explained.

“How you doing?” The man asked, shaking his hand.

“You’re the owner?” Riggs asked, pulling his hand back.

“Yes, sir.”

“Well, I’m sorry what happened. We’re gonna make it right. Here’s my card.”

“Didn’t know StormPAR was in the business of helpin’.” Tyler said, unimpressed.

“Well, from what I see, they’re trying to make a difference,” Kate argued, arms crossed over her chest.

“That’s one way of puttin’ it.” He muttered. “Do you even know who you’re chasing for?” Clearly upset, he stepped closer to the blonde. "How much more do these people gotta lose before y'all are done making a difference?"

Kate scoffed, "sorry, says the guy setting up shop, selling t-shirts and mugs after a storm's hit. And you somehow roped Sam into it. I don't get what she sees in you." Tyler hummed, shaking his head a little as he looked down at his boots. She didn't know anything, not about him or the other Tornado Wranglers, much less about him and Sam.

“Tyler,” Ben neared the two, “do you have a minute for some questions?”

“Yeah, I got a dog to find.” Tyler snarked, “Talk to Kate. She seems to have all the answers.” With that he turned, his eyes moving over to Sam, who wore a smile as she passed out t-shirts.

He had checked on her twice, even got her fresh ice when the bag she had been using melted in the heat. He was worried about her, despite knowing that she could take a hit or two – you don't grow up on the rodeo circuit not being able to take a couple hits.

Kate brushed Ben off, making her way towards the table Sam sat at, but when Sam saw her she pushed herself up, Lily following after with a bottle of water and a brown box of food.

“Hey, Katie. You headed out?”

“Yeah.”

“Here, take some food.” Lily held it out towards her but Kate shook her head.

“Oh, I don't have any cash.”

“It's free.” Sam told her and Kate’s face changed a little. She glanced around her sister and got a good look at the table that had been set up. Along with t-shirts and mugs, they had warm food and water set out.

“Yeah, that's why we're always selling those t-shirts.” Lily added.

“That's why I have four of them.”

“Five, you bought one the other day.” Lily chuckled.

“Right.” Sam hummed, a smile on her lips. She did have five Tornado Wranglers t-shirts, though they weren't all the same. The very first one they put out looked like a kid had drawn a tornado with the bull horns – but Sam knew Tyler had spent a whole hour drawing and redrawing it.

“Just take the food, Katie.” Sam told her once she realized she hadn't taken it yet.

“Oh, no, save it. In case y'all run low.” Kate managed a smile, though she still felt bad for being a jerk to Tyler. Lily just shrugged, handing over the water anyway, before making her way back towards the table, leaving the sisters alone. "You ready?”

“I'm actually gonna stay, wanna help out a little more. Do what little they'll actually let me do.” She told her. “But I'll stop by later, maybe bring you some pizza. Just text me the room number.”

“Okay,” she nodded, pulling the older girl into a quick hug. “Just be careful, please.”

“Always.” Sam patted her back before they pulled back and once Kate drove away, Sam made her way back over to the table, smiling as a couple of kids sat on the ground next to Buck. It looked like the dog was smiling, basking in the attention as the kids rubbed his back and gushed about how cute he was. “Have y'all eaten yet?” She asked the kids, whose parents were digging through the rubble of their house.

“No,” the boy answered. He was older, maybe twelve and the girl looked to be a few years younger.

“Well, come on. We'll get y'all some food, then you can go back to petting’ Buck.”

“Okay.” They each took one of her hands and she lead them over to Lily, getting them both sandwiches and a bag of chips.

>>>>> • <<<<<

Sam had her eyes closed as she sat in the passenger seat of Tyler's truck, her sock-clad feet tucked under her as she sat criss-cross – her boots sat in the floorboard below her.

Her fingers were curled around Tyler's hand, that she held in her lap, occasionally she would lift it up to her lips and brush a soft kiss to his knuckles.

Tyler smiled over at the girl, loving that she sat in his truck – he had always loved it when she was in his shotgun seat. Though, he did have to admit that he preferred her in the backseat on her back, but that wasn't relevant.

“You okay, baby?” He asked softly as he squeezed her hand a little, glancing over at her before looking at the road again.

“Just a bump. I’ve had worse.”

He chuckled a little, loving the way she used her free hand to trace lines on the back of his hand, “I know you have, doesn’t mean I ain’t worried.”

She smiled over at him, her eyes scanning the side of his face. She couldn’t help herself, she leaned over the console and pressed a kiss to his cheek, which had the tips of his ears turning pink. He turned, smiling at the wide smile on her face, she was still leaning over the console, her hands holding her up.

“I like that you worry ‘bout me.”

He chuckled, glancing at the road as they came to a red light and slowed to a stop. He looked over at her, his fingers brushing her bangs out of eyes before his palm settled on her cheek, “I do more than worry ‘bout you.” He mumbled, leaning towards her then he brushed his lips against hers. It was slow, like he was savoring the taste of her.

Sam shifted onto her knees, moving her hands up to his shoulders before sliding them up into his hair. She gripped by the fist-ful, tugging a little when he rolled his tongue against hers and a moan left her. His hands moved down to her hips, ready to pull her into his lap as they both got lost in each other, but before he could, a horn blared behind them. They quickly pulled apart, both chuckling when they saw the green light hanging over them.

Tyler rolled his window down and waved his apology before he hit the gas. Sam settled into her seat, her eyes still on him as a smile rested on her lips. “Hey, you know what we should do?” She asked, getting a hum from him as he turned into the parking lot of the pizza place. “The motel is right by the rodeo.”

A wide smile tugged at his lips, “you wanna go?”

“Haven't been since the accident, but I’ve decided that I ain’t gonna let that keep me from living my life.”

He leaned over after parking the truck, “I’m proud of you.” He told her, nothing but love and pride swirling in his eyes as he pressed his lips against hers. “So fucking proud.” He mumbled against her lips, making her giggle a little as her cheeks flushed. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him back to her as she molded her lips to his.

She pulled back, smiling as she pecked his lips again, “so, how ‘bout that pizza?”

“Crazy woman.” He mumbled, pressing another kiss to her lips before he pulled back and opened his door. “Don’t touch that door,” he rushed out before he stepped down, then he quickly rounded the truck before pulling her door open.

“Such a dork,” she mused as she looked down at him from her seat as she turned, letting her feet dangle as she pulled her boots on.

“You love it,” he playfully rolled his eyes before he grabbed her hips and easily lifted her out of the truck, then he put her on her feet in front of him. And she just hummed, because she did love it.

He carefully brushed her hair back, his eyes scanning her face and he hated the bruise that he could see forming on the right side of her head, which was usually hidden by her bangs. He leaned down and softly brushed his lips against the spot, her eyes fluttered closed at the action and her hands fisted around the sides of his shirt as she leaned into him.

“Sam, I-” shouting from a car cut him off.

“Hey! You’re that Tornado Wrangler, right?” The driver asked, hanging out the window with a wide smile on his face.

Tyler stepped away from the girl, plastering on a wide smile like he always did when it came to the fans, “sure am.” He nodded and Sam took a step back, using the opened truck door to hide her face.

“Told you!” One of the guys in the backseat shouted, slapping the driver’s shoulder before he leaned out his window. “Hey, uh, could we get a picture?”

Tyler glanced over at Sam, who chuckled a little, then he looked back at the three guys in the car, “for sure.” He nodded and all three guys grinned before climbing out of the car and Sam watched as they took a few pictures before Tyler shook each of their hands then they left.

“How do you do that so effortlessly?” Sam asked, holding onto Tyler's hand as they made their way towards the door of the pizza place.

“What?”

“Deal with the fans? I had a girl recognize me this morning and if Lily hadn't been there I would’a panicked.”

“But you're Sam Carter, famous bronc rider. You've had interactions with fans before.” He held the door open, letting her walk in ahead of him.

She'd never really considered them fans, they were just people. “Guess so.” She mumbled before sliding into a booth and he sat across from her.

“So, what kind of pizza do you want?” He asked, looking at the menu in front of him. “Supreme?” He raised an eyebrow, knowing it was her favorite and she smiled up at him as he wrapped his ankle around hers under the table.

And neither realized that someone had snapped a picture of them.

>>>>> • <<<<<

Tyler followed behind Sam as she led him up the stairs to the second floor of the motel, and while her eyes scanned the doors for the numbers, his eyes were locked on her. He could help it as his eyes drifted down her form, her hips swayed with each step she took and her jeans hugged her perfectly. And the longer he looked, the more he wanted her legs wrapped around him.

“Maybe we should get room,” he mused, meeting her eyes when she looked over her shoulder at him. She raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at her lips. “Maybe we could do those things you promised me.”

She chuckled, “the ones involving your hat?”

He grinned, “absolutely.”

She laughed, shaking her head a little as they reached Kate’s door, “we’ll see after the rodeo.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek, his hands resting on her hip as she raised her free hand and knocked. Sam leaned into his side, a small smile resting on her lips as they heard the announcer across the street announce the next competitor. She was excited, but there was also a bundle of nerves that rested in her stomach. But before she had time to dissect it, the door opened.

Kate looked between them for a moment, her eyebrow raised.

“Told ya I’d bring pizza,” Sam smiled holding the box out, but instead of taking it she grabbed Sam’s wrist and tugged her into the room before shutting the door in Tyler’s face. “Kate!”

“What?” Kate shrugged a little as she took the pizza and sat on the bed.

Sam rolled her eyes and opened the door, smiling apologetically up at the cowboy, “sorry.”

“It’s alright,” he shook his head a little and Sam stepped back, letting him into the room.

“You find the dog?” Kate asked, chewing up the bite of pizza she had taken.

“‘Course I found the dog,” he nodded, pulling Sam into his side.

“Boone found the dog, don’t let him lie to you.” Sam bumped him with her hip and he narrowed his eyes at her playfully, making her giggle. Kate just watched them, her brows creased a little, she wasn’t sure why Sam wouldn’t admit that they liked each other, it was so obvious.

“So,” Tyler looked over at Kate, pulling Sam into his side out of habit. “How you doing after all that?”

She shrugged, “I mean, it doesn't matter. It’s those people that…” she trailed off, shaking her head a little and Sam offered her a small smile.

“Yeah, well, you’ve seen the worst of this place,” he said, and Sam bit her lips to hide her laugh. He still hadn’t figured it out, not that she was keeping it from him. She just assumed he’d put it together at some point. “Well, Sam and I are gonna head over to the rodeo. You should come along. I think it might help.”

“Yeah, Katie, come with us.” Sam nodded, her smile wide. She couldn’t remember the last time she and Kate had gone to a rodeo together.

“Don’t wanna crash whatever this is,” she waved her hand around, motioning towards them.

“You can’t crash if you’re invited.” Sam told her. “Now get off your ass and come on.”

Kate chuckled, “okay.” She nodded and Sam grinned, which made Tyler smile as he looked down at her.

NOVA SPEAKS

i've been prewriting chapters for this book and i'm approaching the last chapter, so updates for this book might be a little more frequent than just once a week!!

also, if sam and tyler had kids, how many would they have and what would they name them?? asking for a friend lol