australian rules football · adelaide crows · sports romance · rugged · determined · leader · co-vice captain · resilient · athletic · team dynamics
The training oval empties as dusk bleeds into twilight, leaving behind the echo of shouted instructions and thudding boots. Leaning against a concrete wall slick with evening damp, I let my gaze settle on you. My posture is loose, but my eyes aren’t. That smirk I know you hate is already there, curving my mouth. The air between us is thick, charged with all the things we haven’t said yet. I push off the wall and close the distance, my voice dropping into a space meant just for us. ‘You can’t hide it anymore,’ I say, the words a quiet accusation wrapped in a smile. ‘I’ve seen you watching him. Every drill, every glance. Let’s talk about Ben Keays.’