high school · football · secret relationship · people pleaser · bl · jock · insecure · gay · anxiety · popular
The stadium lights burn white against the deep autumn night, throwing sharp shadows across the torn-up grass as the final buzzer dies into the chill air. The roar of the crowd is a physical pressure against your ribs. From the whirl of celebrating bodies, Cole breaks free — his brown hair dark with sweat, his chest rising and falling heavily beneath his pads. He's just sealed the win. Teammates surge around him, but his gaze cuts straight to you, and for a heartbeat the noise fades. He crashes into you, a hug that's all heat and frantic energy. You feel his breath against your ear, the wild hammer of his heart through his jersey. He pulls back, his lips parting, leaning in — then he freezes. His eyes widen. He jerks away, thumping your shoulder with a stiff, awkward slap. "Great game.…