He lay there for a second, stunned, the roar of the crowd muffled in his ears as the taste of dirt and grass mixed with the sharp sting of his ribs. Slowly, he tried to sit up, his arms shaking with the effort, but his chest felt heavy, like he couldn’t quite catch his breath. Every instinct screamed to get back up, to fight through it, but Caden knew better than to rush it. He leaned back on his palms, taking a long, steady breath as he tried to center himself, the pain radiating through his body like an electric shock. His teammates were already crowded around him, offering words of encouragement, but Caden waved them off. He needed a moment—just a moment—to reset. He could feel the sting of the hit still pulsing through his body, but it was the mental weight that threatened to crack him. Football wasn’t just about physical strength; it was about resilience, and Caden knew that was the real test now.

(Nice writing!)

Rose waited, watching as the game came to a pause while Caden gathered his bearings. She sighed, hoping he wasn't hurt.

As he took another deep breath, the world seemed to slow. The crowd's noise faded to a hum, and his vision cleared. The pain was still there, but it was manageable. Caden pushed himself slowly to his feet, feeling the familiar pressure of the pads on his shoulders, the weight of the game bearing down on him once more. His gaze swept over his teammates, their faces filled with concern, but he gave them a reassuring nod. There was no room for weakness here—not in this moment. He was a lineman, a captain, and this was just another battle to win. He cracked his neck, rolled his shoulders, and jogged back to the huddle, forcing the pain out of his mind. The whistle blew, and the game went on.

Rose watched the game

Caden’s body collided with the running back in a bone-crushing hit, driving him into the turf with a force that echoed through the stadium. For a moment, the crowd fell silent, the sheer impact hanging in the air. But as the dust settled and the running back slowly tried to rise, Caden was already there, extending his hand to help him up. His grip was firm, not out of dominance, but out of respect—for the toughness it took to get back up after a hit like that. As the running back grasped his hand, Caden pulled him to his feet with a quick nod, silently acknowledging the struggle they both knew so well. The hit was a statement, but this moment was one of mutual recognition. With a final slap on the back, Caden jogged back to his line, ready to get back to the battle, the crowd’s cheers still ringing in his ears.

Rose sighed and closed her eyes for a brief moment as Caden got up, relived he was okay. She watched as the game continued and finally came to a close. She didn't say anything to Katie as she turned on her heel and walked to wait outside of the lockers for Caden

(Night, bestie)

Rose kissed him lightly before nodding. She walked with him, fingers intertwined, to the car before getting in and placing his hand on her leg. She smiled, watching out the window as the city flew by and they arrived home. She sighed as they walked inside, tired but not nearly as much as Caden. She walked upstairs, not bothering to eat anything, before climbing into bed and curling up with Caden. She sighed again, this time because of contentment and happiness from his presence. She closed her eyes and dreamt of their future again. A future where she could be with him forever, tied together by the bonds of marriage and eternal promise. Rose woke the next morning, head hurting. She didn't move, just stayed with Caden until her phone buzzed and she saw it was Luke.

---

Caden felt the soft pressure of Rose’s lips against his, and for a brief moment, the world around him seemed to pause. The kiss was light, a fleeting gesture, but it held so much—so much tenderness, so much unspoken affection. It wasn’t the kind of kiss meant to ignite passion or stir desire; no, this one was calm and steady, like the promise of something deeper, something lasting.

His heart skipped a beat, and he drew in a slow breath, trying to steady himself. He watched Rose as she pulled away, her eyes meeting his with a gentle smile. There was something in her expression that made him feel both vulnerable and secure at the same time, like she had unlocked a part of him he hadn’t known he was holding back.

“Goodnight,” she whispered softly, her fingers intertwining with his as they began to walk toward the car. Caden nodded, still lingering in the sweetness of that brief kiss. He squeezed her hand as they climbed into the car together, the city lights flashing by as they made their way home.

The entire drive, Caden couldn’t stop thinking about it. Rose’s kiss. It wasn’t just the physical sensation—though that in itself was enough to stir something deep within him—it was the emotion behind it. The way it felt like a promise, a soft assurance that no matter how hard life got, they would face it together.

By the time they arrived home, he was still floating in that same sense of contentment, his mind spinning with thoughts of her, of their life together. He hadn’t realized how much he needed this—her, the stability and peace she brought into his life—until that moment.

They walked into the house, Caden’s exhaustion catching up with him, but he didn’t want to let go of the connection they’d just shared. He followed Rose upstairs, his fingers lightly brushing hers as they moved through the house. When they reached the bedroom, he noticed how the space between them had narrowed, how everything felt just a little bit closer, more intimate, in the stillness of the night.

As Rose climbed into bed beside him, Caden couldn’t help but sigh, a mix of relief and happiness flooding through him. The weight of the day, of everything they’d been through, seemed to fade away when she was near. And as she curled up beside him, her presence a soothing comfort, he felt a profound sense of peace settle over him.

Her warmth was a balm for his soul, and as he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer, Caden closed his eyes, his mind filled with thoughts of their future—of what was possible between them. They were connected now, not just by their shared moments but by something deeper.

That kiss earlier had said so much without saying anything at all. It had been a promise, yes, but also a signal that they were already in this together—this life, this love. Caden felt a swell of emotion rise in his chest, one he hadn’t fully realized he was capable of until that moment.

He kissed the top of her head gently, feeling the rhythm of her breath against his chest. In that peaceful silence, all his doubts seemed to dissolve. The future, with Rose by his side, felt more certain, more attainable, than ever before.

And as he drifted off to sleep, her presence was the last thing on his mind—the warmth of her touch, the gentleness of her kiss, and the love that was quietly blooming between them, in ways neither of them had to speak aloud.

(Holy shit! That's fucking good, Fern! 🤩)

Rose glanced at her phone and blocked Luke, preventing him from calling or texting her. She closed her eyes again for a moment before opening them and looking up at Caden's sleeping face. She smiled, noticing how at ease he was. She tucked back into his side before sighing and falling back asleep.