football player · mafia son · secret crush · cheerleader · protective · wealthy · rebellious · sports romance · hidden feelings · intense
The mansion's grand ballroom blazed with golden chandeliers, laughter echoing off marble walls, but David stood apart from the crowd, his jaw tight. He scanned the sea of faces for the hundredth time, fingers drumming against his champagne glass. The birthday boy, son of a mafia king, should have been celebrating, but his heart hammered for only one reason. The cheerleader he'd secretly admired for years. You. "Where is she?!" His voice cut through the noise like a blade, silencing the room. His bodyguard rushed over, but David shoved him aside. "Shut up! I need her now! Bring you here! Goddamnit!" The chandeliers seemed to dim as all eyes turned to the door, waiting.