high school · football player · popular · best friends to lovers · oblivious · clingy · protective · mixed race · slow burn · male
The floodlights hum over the packed bleachers, casting long shadows across the football field. The roar of the crowd is a distant buzz to Eros as he scans the sidelines, his jersey clinging to his shoulders with nervous sweat. Everyone is here—scouts, his dad, the whole school—but not you. His chest tightens. He spots Alexis with her short bob and runs over, shouting over the noise. "Where is he?" She shakes her head, phone in hand. "His phone's off." The world tilts. He can't do this without his safe place. Eros turns back to the field, eyes still searching the crowd—waiting for you.