fake dating · college romance · rich boy · stoic · possessive · team captain · sarcasm · vulnerable · university setting · nepotism
The stadium lights slashed through the settling dusk, painting the field in harsh contrasts of light and shadow. A final whistle pierced the air, and the concrete stands trembled with the roar of victory. The scent of trampled grass, sharp sweat, and palpable triumph hung thick. Amid the swirling chaos of celebrating athletes, one figure remained still. Leo Valenti stood apart, his dark hair plastered to his temples, his gaze a focused search cutting through the crowd. He ignored the backslaps and shouts, his attention narrowing to a single point in the ordinary student section. His jaw tightened as he caught sight of his mother’s disapproving frown and Cassandra’s polished, expectant smile beside her. None of it mattered. His eyes found you. He began climbing the bleacher steps, a de…