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.
Started: October 12, 2024
Finished: May 18, 2025
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The final rays of sunlight spilled through the windows of the riverside restaurant in downtown Cincinnati, casting a golden glow over the warmly decorated private room where the rehearsal dinner was taking place. Long wooden tables were draped with soft ivory runners, delicate tea lights flickered in glass holders, and vases of white roses and eucalyptus filled the room with a soft scent.
Alessandra stood near the window in a silky champagne-colored dress, her hand loosely wrapped around a glass of wine as she watched guests trickle in. Her nerves hummed, but not from fear — from the weight of it all. This moment. This night. The last before her last name changed and her life truly shifted.
Behind her, the sound of laughter filled the air — Ja'Marr Chase giving Joe a hard time near the entrance, Harlow in a fitted navy jumpsuit chatting with Alessandra's brother, and Coach Taylor raising a glass from the other end of the room.
Joe caught Alessandra's eye across the space and smiled in a way that made everything else melt away. He crossed to her with two fingers wrapped around the neck of a water bottle.
"Nervous yet?" he asked, handing it to her.
She grinned. "Only about tripping down the aisle."
Joe leaned in, voice low and tender. "Even if you do, I'll catch you. Always."
Her eyes softened. "You know, you've been saying things like that a lot lately."
He shrugged. "It's wedding week. I'm allowed to be extra sappy."
They shared a quiet laugh before someone called Joe over to join a toast. Alessandra watched him go, heart swelling with the kind of love she used to write sad songs about, hoping one day she'd understand the kind that stayed.
Dinner passed in a flurry of laughter, warm plates of steak and pasta, and shared memories. When it came time for the toasts, Joe's dad stood up first.
"Joseph has always been steady," he said, raising his glass. "But it wasn't until he met Alessandra that I saw him light up — in a way that had nothing to do with football. That's how you know it's real. Alessandra, welcome to the family. And Joe... don't mess this up."
Laughter filled the room.
Then Harlow stood, champagne in hand, eyes glassy but smiling.
"Alé has always had this fire in her. She burns for what she believes in. She loves with her whole soul — sometimes to a fault." She turned to Alessandra, eyes shining. "You taught me that strength doesn't always mean walls. Sometimes, it's letting people see you break. You let Joe in... and he stayed. You deserve that. You deserve forever."
