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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Joe found himself in a haze of frustration and longing. Watching Alessandra and Cole together at the charity event had been harder than he expected. He missed her presence in his life, her unwavering support, and their easy chemistry. Yet every time he saw her with Cole, he was reminded that she was happy, perhaps even happier than she'd been with him.
Joe threw himself into training and team obligations, trying to focus on the upcoming season and let go of the persistent pull toward Alessandra. But it was easier said than done. At night, when everything was quiet, memories of their time together flooded his mind, taunting him with what he'd let slip away.
After another sleepless night, he reached out to Harlow, hoping to gain clarity. Over coffee, he asked her the question he couldn't stop thinking about. "Do you think Alessandra's happier without me?"
Harlow gave him a sympathetic look. "Honestly? She's doing great. But it doesn't mean you're irrelevant to her, Joe. I think you just need to let her find her own way, and if it's meant to be, it'll work itself out."
Though her words were hard to hear, he knew she was right. Still, that didn't make the ache any easier to ignore.
As her relationship with Cole blossomed, Alessandra felt a deepening sense of contentment. Cole's warmth and support grounded her, and he encouraged her to pursue her goals and passion without hesitation. The couple had begun sharing weekend road trips, exploring small towns and hidden hiking trails, and they had a mutual ease and appreciation for each other that made Alessandra feel incredibly fortunate.
One night, after a cozy dinner at his place, Cole looked at her with an affectionate smile. "You know, I think you bring out the best in me, Alé cat."
Alessandra smiled back, reaching for his hand. "I could say the same about you." She hesitated, then continued, "I know my past with Joe hasn't made things easy. I want you to know I'm fully committed to us."
Cole kissed her forehead, appreciating her honesty. "I trust you, Alessandra. We're a team. I just want you to be happy."
Their relationship was built on mutual respect, and for Alessandra, that security and trust meant everything.
Hockey games with Harlow had become a highlight of Alessandra's week. The intensity of the games, combined with the raucous energy of the crowd, allowed her to unwind in a way that was different from cheering at football games. She loved watching Cole in his element, strong, focused, and completely immersed in the sport. And Harlow, as always, was there to hype her up, calling out plays and cheering loudly for Cole.
One night, they grabbed seats right behind the bench decked out in Blue Jackets gear and cheering at full volume. When Cole scored a goal, Alessandra and Harlow jumped up, high-fiving and laughing as the stadium erupted in cheers.
"He's on fire tonight!" Harlow yelled, nudging Alessandra. "It's the 'Alessandra effect,' I'm telling you."
Alessandra laughed, grateful to have Harlow by her side. They spent the rest of the game laughing, taking selfies, and hyping up the team, creating memories that would stay with her for a long time.
After the game, Cole met up with them, grinning as he saw the excitement on Alessandra's face. "You two might just be my good luck charm," he joked, pulling Alessandra in for a celebratory kiss. The warmth and pride in her gaze made Cole feel like the luckiest guy in the arena.
Joe heard about Alessandra's enthusiasm for Cole's games through mutual friends, and every mention of it twisted something inside of him. Despite his best efforts to stay focused, the thought of Alessandra's happiness with someone else became a gnawing presence he couldn't ignore.
One night, after a tough training session, he found himself lingering in the locker room, avoiding heading home to an empty apartment. He couldn't shake the feeling of loss. Maybe Harlow was right, maybe he should let Alessandra find her own happiness without interference. But there was still a part of him that hoped, deep down, that she might return.
As he drove home, a resolve settled in. If he wanted a shot at a future with Alessandra, he'd have to confront his regrets openly and accept that, for now, she was moving forward without him. And maybe, just maybe, if he could show her that he truly respected her choices, she'd seen him as someone worth letting back into her life one day.
Alessandra had no idea that Joe was still grappling with his feelings as her life in Cincinnati felt like a fresh start. She'd planned a night out with Cole and Harlow, heading to a local sports bar to celebrate a Blue Jackets win. The trio shared drinks, laughed, and traded stories as the evening stretched on, with Harlow providing her usual comic relief and Cole making Alessandra feel like the most important person in the room.
As they shared stories of their wildest game day experiences, Alessandra felt a surge of gratitude for the people around her and the life she was building independently. She was no longer defined by her past with Joe, and that freedom felt empowering.
