Tragedy of Love

Hidden Scars

The cool evening air brushed against my skin as I found a seat in the bleachers, the buzz of excitement all around me. The university's football field was packed with students, faculty, and alumni, all here to support the Hurricanes as they faced off against the Bulldogs. I waved to a few of my students who greeted me with wide smiles, feeling a sense of pride in seeing them outside the classroom.

Settling into my spot, I scanned the field, searching for Kevin. It didn't take long to find him—there he was, pacing along the sidelines with that commanding presence that always drew my attention. Even from a distance, I could see the intensity in his eyes as he directed his team. When our eyes finally met, I felt a spark of excitement. I gave him a quick wink, and he responded with a grin that sent warmth flooding through me.

The Bulldogs were no slouches either, and the game quickly turned into a fierce battle for dominance. Every time the Hurricanes scored or made a crucial play, I found myself cheering louder than I ever thought I would. But it wasn't just the game that had my attention—it was Kevin. The way he moved, the way he barked orders with that deep, commanding voice, the way his eyes never left the field as if he were willing his team to victory. It was... arousing, to say the least.

The game was a close one, with both teams giving it their all. But in the end, the Hurricanes managed to pull off a narrow victory, much to the delight of the crowd. I clapped and cheered with the rest of them, my heart racing—not just from the excitement of the game, but from the sight of Kevin being lifted onto the shoulders of his players, all of them celebrating their hard-fought win.

As the crowd began to disperse, I made my way down to the field, weaving through the throngs of students and faculty members. When I finally reached Kevin, he was all smiles, flushed with the thrill of victory.

"Congrats, Coach!" I called out, grinning up at him.

"Thanks," he replied, his eyes sparkling. "I had a good luck charm in the stands, so I knew we'd win."

I laughed, feeling that familiar urge to kiss him, but I held back. There were too many people around—students, colleagues, people who knew me. Instead, I gave his arm a playful squeeze, hoping he understood why I was holding back. He did, his smile softening as he leaned in a little closer.

"You were great out there," I said, keeping my voice low.

"You too," he replied, his gaze lingering on mine in a way that made my heart race.

Before we could say anything more, a voice interrupted us.

"Denise! I'm so glad I caught you."

I turned to see Professor Carter, one of the senior professors in the English department, making her way toward us. She smiled warmly, though her expression quickly turned sympathetic.

"I heard about what happened to Preston," she said gently. "How's he doing?"

The question hit me like a ton of bricks, and I could feel Kevin's gaze on me. I forced myself to stay calm, even though my heart was pounding in my chest.

"He's... recovering," I replied carefully, trying to keep my tone neutral. "It's been a rough time, but he's doing better now."

"That's good to hear," Professor Carter said with a nod. "If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask."

"Thank you, I appreciate that," I said, managing a polite smile. But the last thing I wanted was for this conversation to go any further. "Kevin and I were just about to head out. It's been a long day."

Kevin glanced at me, clearly sensing that something was off, but he didn't press the issue. "Yeah, we've got plans tonight," he added smoothly. "Thanks for checking in, Professor."