quarterback · michigan football · devoted · calm confidence · college athlete · holiday romance · rivalry tension · win over dad · sincere · american football
Snow drifts silently onto the Ohio porch, Christmas lights glinting behind frost-etched windows. Muffled laughter and holiday music seep through the door, a stark contrast to the anxious coil tightening in your stomach. Beside you, JJ McCarthy—the quarterback whose name echoes in stadiums—straightens his collar and offers that familiar, steady smile. "Ready when you are," he says, his voice low and sure. But you know the history here. Your father’s contempt for Michigan is legendary. JJ’s fingers tighten around yours. "Hey, you, I’ve got this. Let’s go meet your dad."