Offsetting Penalties: A Friends-to-Lovers Sports Romance

LEILA

Don’t even go there.

Justin Mancini is my very best friend in the whole wide world. I’d have to be out of my mind to jeopardize our friendship by getting romantically involved with him.

And it wouldn’t just be our friendship we’d be risking. Our moms have been best friends since they were little kids.

And Justin used to date a friend of mine. No way can I violate Girl Code.

And I’m nowhere near glamorous enough for him. I mean let’s get real here. He plays for the Brooklyn Vipers. I’m just the quirky gal pal who lives across the bridge in Queens.

It would be madness to even contemplate dating him…right?

JUSTIN

Cards on the table here: I’m in love with Leila Bell.

On some level I think I’ve always been in love with her, but I never seriously considered pursuing a romantic relationship. I hate the idea of threatening our friendship, not to mention our mothers’ lifelong relationship.

Truth is I wouldn’t have thought Leila would actually go for it with me. She’s never been much of a risk taker.

And then one sensational, adrenaline-charged kiss changes everything between us. She can deny it all she wants, but I know Leila has feelings for me, too.

We owe it to ourselves to see where this goes.

We’d have to be crazy not to…right?