Ali started avoiding her dorm suite. Only going back to sleep and shower. She’d wait until Daisy was gone before unlocking the door. Sometimes she stayed out past midnight just to be sure.
Dylan knew something wasn’t right. He wasn’t clueless.
He knew his sister didn’t approve— and wasn’t subtle about it. He just didn’t know how bad it had gotten. Ali wouldn’t let him.
She didn’t want him caught between them. Didn’t want to be the reason he pulled further away from his sister, no matter how awful she was being. So she smiled and told him everything was fine, and he let her. For now.
Then came the biggest game of the season.
Conference championship. Magnolia Bluff against a top-seeded rival. ESPN cameras. Stadium packed.
Ali watched the entire game from the front row in her oversized hoodie, her heart pounding every time Dylan stepped onto the field. He was unstoppable. Calm under pressure. Fire in his veins. And when the clock hit zero, the crowd erupted.
Dylan McKenzie had just led the Sharks to a conference title. They were bowl bound.
Everything after that felt like slow motion. The confetti. The roars. The players lifting him onto their shoulders. She wasclapping, trying to blend into the celebration— when he spotted her.
He jumped up into the stands, weaving through the crowd, helmet still in one hand.
“Dylan—” she started, confused.
But then he reached her.
Grabbed her waist.
Pulled her in.
And kissed her.
Right there.
In front of the entire student section.
The camera crews.
The cheerleaders.
The world.
He kissed her like no one else existed.
And when he pulled back, she was breathless.
Stunned.
The stadium was screaming.
Someone on the mic said her name.
People were cheering.
Dylan just smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear.
“About time,” he whispered.
And Ali… Ali didn’t know how to feel.
Except safe.
