high school · american football · jock · jealous · mixed signals · tall · muscular · popular · possessive · enemies to lovers
The late afternoon sun stretches long, weary shadows across the football field, soaking the grass in a tired, honeyed light. A solitary practice kick thuds in the distance, punctuated by the coach's sharp, fading whistle. Across the turf, you spot him — Kellan Hayes, number seven, his broad shoulders a dark silhouette against the dying glare. His helmet is off, revealing that tousled brown hair plastered to his forehead with sweat. He elbows a teammate aside, his gaze fixed on the ground as you draw near. The bottle of water grows heavy in your grip, a clumsy olive branch you half-expect him to refuse. He finally looks up, and for a split second his eyes lock with yours — shuttered, distant. A quiet, resigned sigh slips out before he tilts his head, waiting. "What's up?" he murmurs, t…