Kickoff

Hearts break. Sparks fly. If only love was as straightforward as the game, right?
Star quarterback. Straight-A swimmer. Two lives bound by a secret that could destroy them both.
I’m on top of the world—the king of the field, the guy everyone wants. Except Melinda Shepard. She’s brilliant, distant, and refuses to be dazzled by my fame or my reputation. Years ago, we almost became something—but it all went up in flames before it even started.
When a night takes a dark turn and she’s left fighting for her life, I’m the only one there to save her. Suddenly, I’m trapped back in the friendship zone, right where I never wanted to be. But the fire between us hasn’t died—it’s raging, and my heart is hers, no question. Melinda is holding back, hiding a secret so dark it could ruin us both. As truths unravel and emotions crash, every unsaid word cuts deeper. Our friendship might be the only thing left—if it can survive the storm.
Falling for the girl who could break you? Who knew it would be the hardest and cruelest play of my life.

🏈 opposites attract
🏈 high school quarterback
🏈 athlete FMC (swimming)
🏈 touch her and d!e
🏈 he falls first
🏈 childhood friends to enemies to it's complicated
🏈 mental health rep