Jalen Hurts had always been a man of focus. From his time in college to his breakout year with the Eagles, he never let anything distract him. Football was everything. But then, she came into his life—Ava.
Ava was new to the team's medical staff, a quiet, focused woman who didn't flinch under the spotlight. Jalen first noticed her during a routine physical, her calm demeanor putting him at ease when everything else around him felt chaotic.
As weeks went by, their interactions grew more frequent. Jalen found himself looking for her after practices, just to hear her thoughts on the game or to talk about something completely unrelated to football. There was something about her that made him feel grounded, as though she could pull him out of the rush of the game and remind him of the little things.
One night, after a big win, Jalen found her alone in the training room, organizing equipment.
"You're still here?" he asked, his voice gentle.
"I always stay late," she replied, not looking up from the paperwork she was sorting.
Jalen walked over and sat beside her, not saying a word at first. Just being there felt like enough.
"You know," he started, his voice serious, "I never thought I'd find someone like you."
Ava looked up, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Someone who keeps you grounded?"
"Yeah," he said, his smile matching hers. "Someone who reminds me there's more to life than football."
For the first time, Jalen let himself imagine a future where football wasn't the only thing driving him. Ava had given him something to hold onto beyond the field.
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