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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Taking Harlow's advice to heart, Joe approached his attempt to reconnect with Alessandra carefully. He knew barging into her life wasn't an option, so he opted for small gestures, hoping to show he respected her space while reminding her of their history.
One day, he sent her a simple message, congratulating her on the Bengals latest win and subtly asking if she was enjoying her time back in Cincinnati. Alessandra was surprised to see his name pop up on her phone but replied politely, feeling grateful for the friendly tone. They exchanged a few more casual texts over the next few weeks, and Joe kept things light, never overstepping or mentioning her relationship with Cole.
Meanwhile, things with Cole were going smoothly. His support continued to be steady, and the two had even started talking about attending a few charity events together as a couple, marking the first time Alessandra had felt so comfortable publicly committing to someone. However, as Joe's messages to Alessandra continued sporadically, Cole couldn't help but notice.
One night, while they were cooking dinner together at Alessandra's place, Cole finally brought it up, trying to keep his tone casual. "So, you've been talking to Joe a bit lately?"
Alessandra glanced up from chopping vegetables, giving him a slight smile. "Yeah, just here and there. It's nothing serious, he's just checking in."
Cole nodded, though a flicker of concern crossed his face. "I get it. You two have a lot of history. I just want to make sure you're okay with him reaching out."
Alessandra appreciated Cole's openness and gently took his hand. "I'm completely okay, Cole. You've been nothing but supportive, and I'm with you because I want to be. Joe's just....in the past."
Her reassurance soothed him, but for a part of Cole couldn't shake a slight wariness. He cared deeply for Alessandra, and he didn't want their growing relationship disrupted by her ex, especially when that ex was still so obviously invested in her.
Joe continued with his small gestures, gradually finding more ways to pop up in Alessandra's life. After a particularly intense game where Alessandra's squad performed, Joe left a note in her bag, thanking her for the support and telling her how much her energy helped drive the team. It was a simple, heartfelt note, and Alessandra found herself smiling at his words, surprised by the nostalgic warmth it brought her. She tried to shrug it off, focusing on the present, but Joe's continued interest kept slipping into her mind.
One weekend, the Bengals organized a charity fundraiser, and Alessandra and Cole were both invited as guests. Joe, knowing they would be there, made an effort to attend, hoping for an opportunity to speak with Alessandra in person. As the evening unfolded, Joe noticed Alessandra across the room, looking radiant as she laughed with Cole. He felt a pang of jealousy but took a deep breath, reminding himself to be patient.
Finally, during a quieter moment in the evening, Joe approached her, keeping his tone light. "Hey, Alé! Mind if I steal a minute?"
Cole was nearby, and while he didn't make a scene, he watched carefully as Joe led Alessandra a few steps away.
"Good to see you here," Joe said, giving her a soft smile. "I'm glad we can talk like this again."
"Yeah, it's nice," Alessandra said, genuinely happy to see him but maintaining her boundaries. "I hope things have been going well for you."
He nodded. "Yeah, they have. I just want you to know....no matter where things go, I'll always care about you, Alé."
Before she could respond, Cole came over, offering a polite but firm smile to Joe. "Hey, everything good here?"
Joe gave him a nod, sensing that Cole's quiet confidence held a warning of its own. "Absolutely. Just catching up." He offered a brief goodbye, walking away with a sense of bittersweet satisfaction.
Later that night, as they drove home, Cole finally broke the silence. "It's clear Joe's not just checking in, Alé cat. I'm here with you, and I'll always be open about my feelings. But if he's really trying to reconnect with you, I think we need to be honest about it."
Alessandra sighed, feeling the weight of Cole's words. "You're right. I do think he still has feelings for me. But that doesn't mean I'm not committed to us, Cole. you've been amazing, and I want you to know how much I appreciate that."
He reached over, taking her hand in his. "As long as we're on the same page, that's all I need to know."
Alone in his apartment, Joe stared out the window, replaying the night in his mind. For the first time, he felt the limits of what he could accomplish with Alessandra. She was happy with Cole, and if he wanted her back, he'd have to accept that it would take more than a few kind words and gestures.
As Joe weighed his next move, he knew that if he wasn't careful, he'd risk losing her completely. And that realization was enough to make him pause, wondering if he was truly prepared for the consequences of his actions.
