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 opportunity to become a mentor was something I never imagined would come my way so soon. Being offered this role meant I'd be recognized as a leader in the Cowboys' organization, something only a few cheerleaders achieved. But it also meant solidifying my place in Dallas, potentially for years.
After Coach Kelli's offer, I sat in my apartment, staring out at the Dallas skyline, thoughts of Joe filling my mind. I had always wanted to excel in my career, and this was everything I'd been working toward. But every milestone came with a sacrifice, and right now, that sacrifice seemed to be my relationship with Joe.
That night, I decided to call Joe. I could tell from his voice that he was waiting anxiously to hear my decision.
"So, what are you thinking, Alé?" he asked, his tone softer than usual.
I hesitated, knowing that my answer would impact us both. "It's a huge opportunity, Joe. But I don't want this to come between us. I don't want to lose you because of my career."
There was a long silence before he spoke, his voice tinged with sadness. "I get it, Alé. I do. But I can't ask you to give up something you've worked so hard for, either."
I felt a wave of guilt, knowing he was putting my happiness before his own. "Joe, maybe I can talk to the team and see if there's a way to split my time between here and Cincinnati?"
He let out a sigh. "That might work for a while, but we're still going to be facing a lot of the same challenges. I just....I don't want you to feel like you're trapped here because of me."
A week later, Joe flew back to Dallas for what we both knew would be an important visit. As he stepped off the plane and into my waiting arms, it felt bittersweet. We spent the weekend enjoying the city and reliving the magic we'd found in Hawaii, but this time, there was an unspoken tension hanging between us.
On the last night of his visit, we took a walk around the city under the stars. He reached for my hand, his grip tight and warm. "I love you, Alé," he said, stopping in the middle of the sidewalk to look at me. "But I think we both know this isn't sustainable, not with both of us living such demanding lives in different places."
Tears welled up in my eyes, and I fought to keep my voice steady. "Joe, I don't want this to end. But I also can't ask you to keep waiting, wondering when or if I'll come back to Cincinnati."
We stood in silence, both realizing that we might have to let each other go if we wanted to fully chase our dreams. The weight of the moment settled heavily, as if we were both bracing for the end.
The next morning, we said our goodbyes, promising to stay in touch, but knowing deep down that this was likely the end of our relationship. Joe boarded his flight back to Cincinnati, and I watched him disappear beyond the security checkpoint, feeling a mix of heartbreak and acceptance.
Returning to my apartment, I took a deep breath, ready to fully embrace my life in Dallas. I reached out to Coach Kelli, officially accepting the mentorship role. It was a hard decision, but I knew it was the right one for me at this point in my life.
Brynn, Elena, and Isla were all supportive, helping me dive headfirst into the new responsibilities. With time, I began to see Dallas as home, the city filling the space that had once been occupied by Joe.
Months passed, and I threw myself into my role, mentoring the rookies, perfecting routines, and growing into a leader within the team. Occasionally, Joe and I would text, sharing updates on our lives, though it became clear that we were both moving in different directions.
By the next season, we had each found our paths, Joe leading the Bengals with his usual determination and me thriving in Dallas, now fully committed to my career. It wasn't the ending I had once envisioned, but I realized that sometimes letting go is part of loving someone.
Dallas had become my city, my team, my new beginning. And as I took my place on the field, surrounded by my teammates and the electric energy of the stadium, I knew that I had made the right choice, just for my career not my own happiness.
