The week passed by in a rush for Atlas after returning home Monday. He arrived at the airport with the others around eleven after a slight snow delay in Denver and found Savannah waiting outside his apartment. The pair had spent their day off curled up on his couch for another round of superhero movies, slowly chipping away at the sizeable franchise and only moving to retrieve the food from the door. Atlas had sunk into the singer’s arms readily, leaning against her slow-rising chest as her nimble fingers ran through his hair, and he barely remembered closing his eyes before he was out. He hadn’t slept that well in years.

The rest was needed as Coach ran them harder than ever Tuesday in preparation for the next game against Indianapolis. Atlas barely saw Savannah during the week as he was already at practice by the time she woke up, and she didn’t slip through his unlocked door until he was half-asleep. The rookie had known that their schedules would make things difficult as they adjusted to the new dynamic, but it didn’t mean he had to like it.

“Hey, we’re all going out after the game tonight,” Alex said, stepping in front of the young man as he tugged at the laces of his cleats. “You’re gonna come, right?”

“Yeah, we’re not flying back tonight, so I have no plans.”

“No pop star tonight?” Lamar threw over his shoulder teasingly.

“Not that I know of. I mean, she hasn’t been to an away game yet this season.” While Atlas would love nothing more than to see his maybe-girlfriend in the stands, he wouldn’t get his hopes up. She had been just as busy as him this past week, so he didn’t mind if she chose to stay home after spending an absurd amount of time in her studio.

“Well, I guess you’ll just have to make do with your other thousand fans,” Alex replied simply, though his smirk was teasing. Atlas didn’t bother with a reply as he finished dressing, and instead, he looked around for their quarterback.

Colin had been keeping his distance the best he could with them seeing each other for ten hours a day, but Atlas didn’t understand why. He had accepted the Texan’s apology and expected they would be more friendly, but the other man hadn’t spoken to him if it wasn’t about football. As Atlas studied him, he realized that Colin didn’t talk to any of the team besides a few guys he had started with. The rookie hadn’t noticed anyone being outwardly hostile toward the quarterback, so Atlas made a mental note to finally ask Alex about it since their outing tonight was the perfect chance. Until then, Atlas pushed his forming plan from his mind and joined his teammates as they were released from the locker room.

The Indianapolis Patriots were ranked number three in the league, two spots ahead of the Lightning, so Coach Taylor was looking to make a statement by ending their eleven-week winning streak. Atlas had spent hours watching film with the guys and was confident they could deliver as their opponent elected to receive the kickoff. Despite his confidence, the game could have been off to a better start as they neared the end of the first half. Indianapolis had gained an early lead after a lucky interception from one of their cornerbacks and a field goal, but the Lightning weren’t phased even with the score ten to zero.

Atlas was twitching with nerves when he retook the field alongside Alex, and the rookie dropped low as the teams readied themselves. He took a second to push everything else to the back of his mind as Colin called the play, and the noise quieted to a low hum as he focused on winning. Atlas ran the route and waited, but the blow of the whistle brought him back just two yards from where they started. Time was running out on the second quarter with only fifteen seconds left in the first half, and the rookie met Colin’s eyes as he signaled for a hail mary.

Their center snapped the ball, and the rookie took off down the field with a cornerback hot on his tail, but he just powered toward the endzone with a purpose. Atlas passed the thirty and then the twenty, but he didn’t stop as the Patriots rushed to greet him in the paint. The receiver glanced over his shoulder as Colin slung the ball and saw one of the Indianapolis safeties, Jamal Tyler, tense up. Atlas hugged the sideline as Jamal lunged for him and threw himself forward to sail right past the defender, reaching out to scoop the football before it hit the ground.

The rookie rolled to his feet and signed the cross, thanking his brother under his breath as his teammates rushed him. Atlas looked up at Lamar’s insistence toward the jumbotron and felt his heart stutter as Savannah’s copper hair appeared. She hit her hands against the glass alongside Kayla, screaming wildly in their matching Tennessee Lightning hoodies.

“Looks like we both have another reason to win today,” the blond commented, bumping shoulders as they jogged to the bench to wait out half-time. Atlas hated to admit when he was right, but the young receiver knew he played better with Savannah watching. There was something special about her choosing to see him that just made the rookie push his limits as far as possible. Atlas’s energy didn’t dissipate during their thirty-minute break; instead, he shifted nervously as he devoured a few protein bars and stared up at the suites, hoping to catch a glimpse of red.

The offense was in high spirits when they took the line of scrimmage, each player thrumming with tension as they waited for the snap. Atlas could feel the excitement crackling in the air as their drive began and surged forward to clash with his defender as he provided coverage for Lamar. He caught a glimpse of the running back zipping between them as he pulled the cornerback to the ground and cheered alongside his teammates as Lamar brought the score up to 14-10.

Their sudden comeback threw the Patriots off-kilter, and everyone could tell they had difficulty regaining their bearings. It only got worse when Atlas ran 43 yards for another touchdown in their next drive and Lamar twice after that. The Indianapolis fans were steadily growing resigned as the clock wound down, and by the fourth quarter, a majority had decided to take an early exit. The Patriots called the game with thirty seconds left on the clock, and the boys whooped proudly as they overtook one of the top teams in the league.

Atlas celebrated with his teammates, hopping around as they migrated toward the tunnel, but paused at the edge of the field. Jamal was lying in the endzone where Alex had shoved his shoulder through the cornerback’s stomach, but he looked sad more than injured. The rookie approached slowly, waiting patiently as cautious eyes studied him, and then held his hand out to the other man. Jamal was weary as Atlas hauled him to his feet with a firm yank, so he stepped back and smiled.

“Good game,” he offered, knowing that a loss was always tough to bear, especially at their level.

“Yeah, man, you too.” After giving the receiver a half-smile, Jamal walked away, so Atlas jogged off to join his teammates in the locker room. He slipped in silently, Coach Taylor just beginning the post-game briefing, and waited by the door until the older man dismissed them for the night.

Alex was grinning ear to ear as the pair dressed for the night out, phone in one hand as he tried to tug his shirt on with the other.

“I can’t believe your girl brought Kayla with her,” he gushed, tone soft and tinged with affection. “I totally owe her one. I don’t know what I can give her besides my firstborn, but I’m sure I’ll think of somethin’.”

“While their friendship is slightly terrifying, I am glad they get along,” Atlas replied, looping his belt in one fluid motion. The black jeans were a bit tight, but he knew Savannah would appreciate them and the plush navy sweater he pulled on next. While it wasn’t terribly cold to the rookie, he figured it would be good to have on hand just in case, as he slipped his leather jacket on as well.

“Kayla told me that she doesn’t have a lot of friends, so I think those two will stay in contact even if y’all fall out.”

“Well, they’re waiting for us by the entrance, so let’s hurry and get out of here before they leave us behind,” Atlas corralled, tugging the laces of his Converse tight and hopping to his feet. Alex threw his hair into a haphazard ponytail, slung his duffel bag over one shoulder, and practically shoved the rookie from the room. The athletes ran through the hall, their laughter echoing off walls as they slid around the corners and found their girls waiting by the entrance with identical hoodies and smiles.

“Surprise!” Kayla greeted, the lawyer dissolving into giggles when Alex surged forward to pick her up and spin them around.

“What are you guys doin’ here? I thought you had another meeting,” the blond said, a beaming grin on his face as he held his wife close.

“Well, they canceled at the last minute, and Savannah just so happens to own a jet, so here we are. I have to say, a lot nicer than flying commercial,” Kayla chuckled. “I heard we were going out with the team tonight, right? We already have an Uber waiting.”

“Then let’s get going.”

The four left the building with the bodyguards trailing close behind and took a fifteen-minute drive downtown to a crowded restaurant. A few of their teammates were milling around out front as they stepped inside, and the group was greeted by rowdy shouts from the players already inside. Atlas followed the others across the packed floor to a tiny table by the bar, and Savannah gave him a gentle shove toward one of the two armchairs. He watched her perch on the plush arm of the chair and instinctively wrapped an arm around her waist, hand settling comfortably on her denim-covered thigh.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“I saw you talking to Jamal Tyler earlier,” Savannah murmured in his ear, her arm sliding around his neck where her fingers rested heavily against his chest.

“Didn’t say much; I just helped him up.”

“While everyone else celebrated another big win,” she pointed out.

“Like you said, we already won. Didn’t cost me nothin’ to be nice.” Atlas turned slightly, peering up into the redhead’s crystal blue eyes. “My ma once told me that people always remember the negatives more than the positives, so I should make sure I give ‘em the right things to remember.”

“What prompted that little nugget of truth?” The rookie bit his lip.

“I was, uh, I was really mad when I started high school. I was always so angry and short with people, and it was multiplied tenfold on the field, even if it was just practice. I can’t tell you how many times I got benched for unnecessary roughness,” he admitted quietly, pretending to look over the drink menu so he didn’t have to see the inevitable disappointment. “Coach threatened to cut me from the team a few times, but as the best player, I knew it was an empty threat. It wasn’t until my mom transferred hospitals and I moved schools that I cleaned up my act and learned to accept help when offered.”

“You made the best of a fresh start.”

“I didn’t wanna be remembered as a bully,” Atlas whispered, his fingers flexing in the fabric of her hoodie. “I didn’t want my parents to be ashamed of the son they chose.” Gentle fingers interlaced with the hand on Savannah’s waist, her sharp nails running across the back comfortingly.

“I think they care more about who you are now versus the version of you filled with teenage angst,” she offered. “I used to think my parents were disappointed that I chose to pursue music.”

“Really? I mean, you’re one of the biggest names in the industry.” Savannah chuckled, the sound barely heard over the conversations around them.

“Oh, of course, they’re fine now, but I’m talking about when I first started. When I begged them to drive across the country so I could try out for a show with no guarantee that I’d even make it through the first round,” she replied, her tone gaining a wistful edge. “My parents were supportive, don’t get me wrong, but I always felt like they were waiting for me to fail so we could go back home.”

“I used to think it would be easier if I had chosen a less expensive or time-consuming dream.” Atlas paused, watching a waitress set a round of blue cocktails on their table with a polite smile. “I didn’t realize it then, but football is a pricey hobby for a nurse and a high school teacher. Things would have been a lot easier without all that to worry about, but it all led me here, so I guess it worked out in the end.”

“I’m glad you got to see your dream become reality, too,” Savannah remarked, lips pulled up as she stared down at him.

“I’m happy I get to see it with you.” The singer inhaled sharply and turned her head, but not before Atlas caught a familiar blush rising to her freckled cheeks.

“I’m gonna drag Kayla to the bar for another drink; I’ll be back in a second.” Savannah slid off his lap, pressing a featherlight kiss to his cheek quicker than he could blink, and whispered something in the lawyer’s ear that made her giggle and clamber off Alex’s lap readily. Atlas’s face burned with a reminder of her lips, and he knew the veteran receiver had noticed from his beaming grin.

“Looks like you guys are doin’ real well,” he commented. “You seem happy.”

“I thought I was before, ya know, but it’s different now,” Atlas breathed, his heart fluttering as he watched the two women chatting at the bartop. “Vanna has never once made me feel like I was just a football player. She actually cares about all my other stuff, too.”

“You think you guys will come out to the public soon?” Alex asked quietly, his voice muffled by the glass raised to his lips.

“I think I want to. I guess I just need to figure out where we’re standin’ right now,” the rookie shrugged. The idea of serious conversions always made his stomach twist painfully, and unfortunately, Savannah was no exception.

“It’ll be fine. You like her, and she definitely likes you if she’s traveling all this way for a game. All you gotta do is open the dialogue, man.” Atlas finally looked away from the two women as he considered his options and glanced around the restaurant instead. His teammates were scattered about in small groups, the drinks and conversation free-flowing, but two figures in the back caught his attention.

“Who’s that with Colin?” Atlas inquired, eyes squinted as he tried to get a better look. The pair were half-hidden in an alcove behind the bar, sitting shoulder to shoulder, and the dark-skinned man had a content smile that people rarely wore around the quarterback.

“Oh, um, that’s Colin’s-” Alex inhaled awkwardly. “That’s Joshua, Colin’s boyfriend.” The rookie whipped around to face his friend.

“Colin’s gay?” Alex’s gaze gained a steely edge.

“That’s not a problem, is it?”

“No, no, I just wasn’t expecting that! My parents always said that love was God’s gift and that it wasn’t our place to question or judge God’s expression.” Really, he had been fortunate to live in such a tolerant household. “Oh jeez, does he think I’m a homophobe or something? Is that part of why he hates me? I swear I’m not!” Alex reached over to pat his shoulder and shook his head.

“Colin’s like that with every new person we get in. He puts up that wall so people won’t say things to his face. He wasn’t always such a hothead.”

“What changed?” Atlas questioned, still eyeing the surprise couple across the room.

“There was a, uh, incident a few years back with a wide receiver,” Alex began, leaning over and lowering his voice a notch. “He had overheard Colin talking to Joshua on the phone, and somehow, they started brawlin’ in the locker room after practice. I was traded to Nashville a few weeks later, and all the guys, I mean every single one, dragged me out to the field one night to see if I was gonna be a problem.”

“What’d you do?”

“I showed them the pics with my moms at Pride. Kay and I go with them every year downtown,” Alex said softly. “At first, it was because I wanted to make sure they were safe, but then I started to really enjoy the atmosphere. I tried to talk to Colin once about going with us, but he just told me to fuck off. I guess he thought I was tryna make a joke or somethin’.”

“I’m gonna introduce myself,” Atlas stated with determination, already on his feet and weaving through the tables before the blond could stop him. Typically, the rookie did not go out of his way to speak with strangers, but the two-point-five drinks in his system made it seem like a good idea. He almost abandoned his mission when Colin’s eyes snapped toward him with cautious curiosity but continued until he stood before the pair with his attempt at a welcoming smile.

“Hi, I haven’t seen you around, and I wanted to introduce myself. I’m Atlas Graham,” the rookie stated, rocking nervously on his feet as Joshua gave him a grin full of sparkling teeth.

“Joshua. I think everyone in the country knows who you are, though, Atlas. Colin ensured I did with how much he talks about you.” The quarterback shot his boyfriend an affronted look.

“I’m gonna assume you mean how much he complains about me, but I’ll admit some of it is justified. I can be a handful,” Atlas shrugged, glad that the Texan hadn’t threatened him away yet. “I’m sure you’re tired of hearing my name by now.”

“All part of the game. There’s always one player that irks him every season. It just happens to be you this time,” Joshua replied, bumping Colin’s shoulder with a sly smirk as he sipped his drink. “Your girlfriend seems to be looking for you.” Atlas spun around, and true enough, Savannah had returned to their table and was peering around the room in search of him.

“Well, looks like that’s my cue. It was really nice to meet you, Joshua. I hope you guys can join us more since I’m sure we stress Colin out to high hell,” he joked, leaving the man to laugh while the quarterback grumbled at Atlas’s retreating form. The rookie managed to weave through the small groups and gave Savannah a gooey smile when their eyes locked.

“I booked a room at your hotel, and they offer room service,” she murmured, fingertips trailing over his arm as she stared at him. “It’s not too cold to walk back if you want to call it an early night.” Atlas nodded without hesitation, barely pausing to wave at Alex and Kayla before they headed to the back door, with Savannah giggling at his side.

The pair burst out into a thankfully empty alleyway, their laughter echoing off the brick walls, and the redhead leaned against Atlas until he threw an arm over her shoulder. They stumbled down the cracked pavement as they tried to match the other’s stride, but Savannah paused and fixed him with darkened eyes the young man knew well.

“I’m really proud of you, Atlas.” His body hummed as she wound her arms around his waist, hands slipping beneath his sweatshirt to grasp his heated skin. Savannah leaned up to kiss him, and it gave the rookie a buzz that no drink could, his mind going blank as he lost himself in the taste of her lips until she sadly stepped away. Atlas observed her for a minute, wondering what people would say if they could see the pretty picture they made in that dingy alley. Their skin flushed with a dangerous combination of lust and liquor, shirts askew, and chests heaving as they tried to catch their breath.

“Are we dating?” Atlas hadn’t meant to say those words aloud, but it seemed like his mouth and brain were not in agreement. Savannah’s eyes glittered under the yellowed lights as her rosy cheeks dimpled.

“Are we?”

“I mean, we do all the couple things,” he said slowly, the buzz in his brain making him unsure. “We go out, we talk all the time, we-”

“Have a lot of sex,” Savannah finished helpfully, her enjoyment evident.

“Yeah, that. I would say we are two people who are dating, but what do you think?” Atlas was partially afraid that she would reject his view of their situation, but she twined their fingers together, and the harsh edge of desire on her face faded to something far softer as the singer caressed the back of his hand.

“I think we should call our families to warn them about the media storm coming their way then,” Savannah said, and Atlas couldn’t contain himself anymore as he lifted her off the ground with a thrilled smile. The redhead’s laughter echoed in his ears as they spun around, and he didn’t hesitate to kiss her again, uncaring of who could see. The world would know soon enough.