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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Alessandra's life was blossoming in directions she hadn't anticipated, but with that growth came decisions she couldn't avoid. As her music career gained momentum, her dual roles as cheerleader and singer-songwriter began to clash. Between writing sessions, recording, and cheer practices, she found herself stretched thin. She loved the energy of game day performances, the thrill of the stadium, and the camaraderie with the cheer squad, but music was calling her in a way she couldn't ignore.
Her biggest challenge came when she was invited to perform at a prestigious music showcase on the same day as a Bengals game. She felt torn, not wanting to abandon her team or miss out on this major career opportunity.
Joe noticed the struggle she was facing and, more than anything, wanted to support her. As they spent more time together, he realized how deeply he valued her presence in his life, not just as a friend, but as someone he admired and cared for in a way he could no longer deny. His usual jokes and easy going demeanor were replaced with moments of quiet support, and he was there to listen without judgment whenever she needed to vent.
One evening, after another long rehearsal, Joe invited Alessandra over for a low-key dinner. As they talked, the conversation turned serious, touching on her conflicting commitments.
"Alé," he said, looking at her across the table, "You don't have to keep doing both if it's tearing you apart. Maybe it's okay to choose what makes you happiest."
Alessandra looked down, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. "I just...I love cheerleading, Joe. It's been my life for so long. But with music, I feel this freedom, this power to say something real. It's like, with each song, I'm finding myself."
His gaze softened, and he reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "I get it. But just now, whatever you choose, you'll have people rooting for you. You're not in this alone."
With Joe's encouragement, Alessandra decided to do one more game day performance before making any final decisions. The night of the game was electric. Standing on the field in her cheer uniform, she felt the familiar surge of adrenaline as the roar of the crowd filled the stadium. She executed her routine with perfection, each move a testament to her years of dedication. She looked up into the stands catching Harlow's eye in the crowd, and she gave her a subtle thumb-up, her pride for her unmistakable.
But as the night went on, she felt bittersweetness settle in. She loved cheerleading, but she knew deep down that she wanted more out of life, something where her voice could be truly heard.
After the game, Alessandra found herself in her apartment, scribbling lyrics that had been on her mind all night. Her words reflected her conflict, her dreams, and the new world she was stepping into. The lyrics seemed to fall into place like they'd been waiting for this exact moment.
By the next morning, she had a decision.
Alessandra decided to step away from cheerleading to focus on her music full-time. She met with her coach and teammates, explaining her choice. They hugged her, offering words of encouragement and promises to stay close. She felt a pang of sadness but also an overwhelming sense of freedom. This was the right step.
As she adjusted to her new life, Joe continued to be her rock, supporting her even as his own feelings grew stronger. Eventually, he couldn't keep his emotions bottled up any longer. One evening, after celebrating Alessandra's latest song release, Joe walked her back to her apartment. Standing at her door, he took a deep breath.
"Alessandra," he began, his voice soft but steady, "There's something I need to tell you. Watching you grow, seeing you do all these amazing things.....I can't pretend that I don't feel more than just friendship. I care about you, a lot."
Alessandra's breath caught, her heart pounding as she looked up at him. She'd felt the tension between them for months, but hearing him say the words made everything real.
"Joe....." she began, her own voice wavering, "I didn't expect this, but I think....I think I feel the same."
They stood there, both realizing that the risk they'd been singing about wasn't just for her music, but for each other. And with that, they leaned in, finally letting themselves fall into something that felt inevitable.
