In which the rookie Ben Gal falls for Cincinnati's number one quarterback.
Now that football season is upon us I thought it would be fun to write a little Joe Burrow story.
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The days following our dinner felt like a whirlwind. Joe and I had kept in touch, texting back and forth, and though it still felt new and exciting, there was also an undeniable tension simmering beneath the surface. We both knew this was going to get complicated, especially with the media's obsession over every move Joe made but neither of us was ready to back away from whatever was building between us.
It didn't take long for rumors to start circulating. It was subtle at first, just a few social media posts about Joe being spotted at dinner with an "unnamed cheerleader." But by midweek, things escalated fast.
The tabloids had caught on.
"Bengals QB Joe Burrow Spotted Dining with New Cheerleader!"
"Who's the Mystery Woman Capturing Burrows Attention?"
"Is Joe Burrow Off the Market? Sources Claim He's Dating a Ben Gal!"
My stomach sank as I scrolled through the headlines, all of them plastered with photos of us leaving the restaurant together. The angle was grainy, but there was no mistaking it, it was us. The rumors spread like wildfire, and I suddenly found myself thrust into a spotlight I wasn't ready for.
The fan reaction was split, to say the least.
Some were supportive, commenting on social media about how happy Joe looked and how nice it was to see him with someone normal and down-to-earth. But, of course, there was a darker side too. Some of the fans, especially those who had built their own fantasies around Joe were not thrilled.
"Great, another cheerleader trying to ride his fame." "She's probably just using him. Watch her show up on reality TV next." "Stay away from our QB!"
I couldn't help but feel a little sick as I read the comments. It was hard not to take it personally, even though I knew these people didn't know me. But still, the negativity stung.
I put my phone down, trying to push it all out of my head, but the tension was already starting to build. It wasn't just about me anymore, this was Joe's world, and I had walked right into it.
At the Stadium
The next game day arrived quickly, and I did my best to stay focused on my routine, but the buzz around the stadium felt different. Everywhere I went, there were whispers, sideways glances, and the occasional nod in my direction, as if people were piecing it all together. Some of the cheerleaders gave me knowing looks, while others kept their distance. Harlow, at least, was still on my side.
