CeeDee Lamb had always been a player who let his performance do the talking. He never liked to boast or make a spectacle of himself, preferring to keep things low-key. But now, with the weight of being the Cowboys' star receiver, it was hard to stay out of the spotlight. And then, there was her—Sierra.
Sierra had been part of the team's nutrition staff for a few years, always in the background, never getting caught up in the whirlwind of media and interviews. But CeeDee had noticed her long before she noticed him. The way she moved around the facility with a quiet confidence, always focused, always steady.
It wasn't until a team charity event that they had a real conversation. CeeDee had been floating around, giving his time to the fans, when he spotted Sierra standing off to the side, away from the crowd. He made his way over, his heart racing in a way he didn't expect.
"You know, you're hard to find around here," he teased, offering her a smile.
Sierra raised an eyebrow. "I prefer the background. Keeps me out of the limelight."
"I get that," he said, his voice softening. "But you shouldn't stay in the background forever."
They talked for hours that night. Sierra spoke about her passion for nutrition, how she had been working to improve the team's performance by making subtle changes in their diets. CeeDee was impressed, more than he thought he would be. But what struck him the most was how she didn't seem to be trying to impress him. She was just... herself.
As the event ended, CeeDee walked her to her car. He was hesitant to speak, but he couldn't hold back. "I'm glad we finally talked."
"Me too," she said, her voice softer than before. "Maybe we could do it again sometime."
CeeDee smiled, the weight of his role as a star receiver suddenly feeling lighter. With her, he could just be CeeDee.
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