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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In the weeks following the hockey game, Alessandra and Cole's bond only deepened. Cole's easygoing nature balanced out her sometimes intense drive, and he supported her goals without hesitation. They'd spend evenings cooking together, with him teaching her his favorite recipes from his Canadian roots, or going on quiet walks around town, where the pressure of their high-profile careers faded away.
One night, after a particularly cold practice, Cole surprised her with tickets for a weekend getaway upstate. They spent their days exploring the snowy trails and cozying up by the first at a small cabin. Alessandra found herself falling for his kindness, honesty, and the way he saw her as just Alessandra, not Joe Burrow's ex or the cheerleader, but the person she was becoming.
Joe, on the other hand, found himself unable to ignore his feelings for Alessandra. He hadn't realized just how much he still cared for her until Sarah had begun to feel shallow in comparison, and one night, after a quiet dinner where his mind had drifted back to Alessandra more times than he'd like to admit, he knew he couldn't keep pretending.
Sitting across from Sarah, he took a deep breath, choosing honesty. "I think we both know things haven't felt right between us," he began carefully.
Sarah, sensing his sincerity, nodded sadly. "I could tell you had something holding you back, Joe. I guess I hoped you'd work it out, but if you're still thinking about Alessandra, you have to do what's right for you." They parted on good terms, Sarah grateful for the honesty even if it wasn't the outcome she'd hoped for.
The following week, Joe reached out to Harlow, hoping she could offer some insight on how he might win Alessandra's heart. He met her at the same cafe where they'd spoken before, this time with a hint of vulnerability that was new for him.
Harlow didn't seem surprised to see him, but she raised an eyebrow as he sat down. "So, what's going on?"
Joe sighed, his gaze dropping to the coffee cup in his hands. "I broke things off with Sarah. It wasn't fair to her, and....honestly, it wasn't fair to myself either. I tried moving on, but I realized that I still care about Alessandra."
Harlow let out a low hum, crossing her arms. "You want my help getting her back, don't you?"
He nodded, swallowing the uncertainty in his throat. "I know it's a lot to ask, especially since she's happy with Cole, but I can't shake the feeling that we didn't end things the right way. I'm willing to try anything."
Harlow leaned back, her expression thoughtful. "Look, I'll be honest with you. Alessandra's in a really good place with Cole. She's found herself again and built a life that doesn't revolve around anyone else. I think the only way you could have a shot with her is if you respect that."
Joe nodded, digesting her words. "I don't want to mess things up for her. But if there's even a small chance...."
Harlow sighed, giving him a sympathetic smile. "Then you need to take things slow, Joe. If you're serious about this, let her see that you respect her independence and the life she's built. Maybe she'll reach out, but it has to be on her terms."
With Harlow's advice echoing in his mind, Joe knew he couldn't just waltz back into Alessandra's life and expect her to drop everything. For now, he'd have to prove himself from a distance, hoping that, if nothing else, he could be a better friend to her.
As for Alessandra, she remained blissfully unaware of Joe's feelings as she continued building her future with Cole. The upcoming football season loomed ahead, and she felt confident in her path forward. What she didn't know however, was that Joe's attempt to win her back was only just the beginning.
