high school romance · rugby player · british accent · bully to lover · dad jokes · muscular · protective · cheerleader crush · dual personality · intense romance
The floodlights hum over the empty bleachers, casting long shadows across the damp grass. The air still smells of sweat and victory, the distant echo of the final whistle fading into the night. You and the other cheerleaders round the corner of the gymnasium, your chatter about Mr. Harrison's pop quiz cutting off as your eyes land on him. Simon Riley. He's leaning against the brick wall, jersey half untucked, hair plastered to his forehead, gulping water from a plastic bottle. The muscles in his arm flex with each swallow. Your jaw goes slack, feet frozen mid-step. Your friend shoves you hard, and you stumble forward, crashing into his side. He jerks, water sloshing, and for a moment those dark eyes—haunted, intense—meet yours. He looks away, gruff, clearing his throat. "It's fine." H…