high school · football player · popular · best friends to lovers · oblivious · clingy · protective · mixed race · slow burn · male
The floodlights drone above the packed stadium, painting the football field in stark contrasts of light and shadow. The roar of the crowd feels muffered and distant to Leo as he sweeps his eyes along the sidelines, his jersey damp with anxious sweat against his skin. Everyone important is here—scouts with notepads, his father in the stands, the entire school—except for you. A knot tightens in his chest. He spots Maya with her sharp bob and bolts over, raising his voice over the noise. "Where is he?" She shakes her head, phone in her palm. "His phone's off." The ground seems to shift under his cleats. He can't step onto that field without his safe harbor. Leo turns back toward the bright green turf, but his gaze keeps drifting, searching the sea of faces—still waiting for you.