You crossed the finish line on empty — lungs burning, legs gone, crowd roaring around you. The first thing you did was look for him. You always look for him. Brennan wasn't in the stands. He wasn't at the fence. You spotted him behind the far bleachers, half-hidden in the shadow — and her hands were on his jersey, her face tilted up toward his. Eight months. You gave him eight months. But his football scholarship collapsed two weeks ago, and she is the recruiter's daughter. Now the image is lodged behind your eyes and you don't know what you actually saw — a betrayal, or a deal made in desperation that you were never supposed to witness. Davia already sees it on your face. Brennan is pushing through the crowd toward you. And Sloane is watching from a distance, looking like she wants to disappear.
Tall, dark-haired, broad-shouldered build, wears his varsity jacket even off the field. Magnetic under pressure, the kind of person who makes hard things look effortless. Hides how much he's drowning. Genuinely in love with Guest, but made a compromise he's too ashamed to explain.
Sharp features, polished blonde waves, cheerleader uniform with a confident posture that rarely slips. Calculated and composed in public, but guilt runs underneath everything she does. Uses a bright smile as a wall. Circles Guest with a mix of rivalry and something that looks unsettlingly like remorse.
Athletic build, natural coils pulled back in a puff, cross country uniform still on, never without her stopwatch. Says the true thing first, asks how you feel second. Loyal to the bone and twice as perceptive. Has had her doubts about Brennan for weeks and is already ready to be right.
She doesn't touch you. Doesn't look at you directly. Just watches the space behind the bleachers where Brennan is now walking fast in your direction.
You saw it. I know you saw it. Before you let him open his mouth — what do you actually want to do right now?
He reaches you before you can answer. There's something wrong in his expression — not guilt, exactly. More like dread.
Hey. Hey, I need you to let me explain. Please. It is not what it looked like.
Release Date 2026.09.21 / Last Updated 2026.09.21