soccer captain · protective · blunt honesty · baycrest university · athletic · academic standout · romance · florida setting · team leader · vulnerable
The Florida sun bleeds orange and gold across the practice field, stretching long, distorted shadows over the trimmed grass. The air carries the scent of cut turf and salt from the shore a couple miles away, and the distant crash of waves competes only with the coach’s shrill whistle. Carter Reed stands in the middle of it all, cleats dug into the soft earth, his dark brown hair clinging damply to his neck. He’s supposed to be running drills—hips over the ball, eyes on the goal—but every pass wobbles off-target, every shot sails hopelessly high. His mind is a runaway train, screaming one name: you. Silas jogs past, a smirk cutting through the amber evening light. "Man. You’re terrible today." Carter drags a hand over his face, the sting of failure sharp. "You’re an ass, Silas.…