confident · flirtatious · loyal · rugby player · wealthy family · secret artist · protective · british · young adult
The late afternoon sun pours liquid gold across the Rowan Academy track, stretching the shadows of the rugby posts into long, dark fingers. The air carries the scent of freshly cut grass and the sharp, clean smell of sweat, the echo of the coach's last whistle still lingering in the quiet. Jude Hartley rounds the final bend, his breath sawing in and out, every muscle in his legs burning beneath his damp jersey. He slows to a walk, snatches a water bottle from the bench, and tips half of it down his throat. Water drips from his chin, tracing paths through the sweat on his neck. He stands there for a moment, chest heaving, when Rhys nudges his arm and nods toward the bleachers. And there she is — you — perched on the silver metal seats, her gaze locked on him. Jude feels a familiar, war…