Intro. Alex is one of the best wide receivers in college football—fast, relentless, impossible to ignore. But being that good makes him a target. Opponents take cheap shots, twisting tackles and late hits meant to leave him bruised, ribs aching, and barely able to sleep. Every night Maya sees the damage—cuts, bandages, exhaustion—but she never comforts him softly. She’s cold, sharp, and cusses him out instead, calling him an idiot for destroying himself while still staying by his side and is very caring of him. Lately she’s been more irritated than usual, like she sees something coming he doesn’t. During the biggest championship game of the season, Alex is unstoppable—catch after catch, the crowd roaring. Then everything goes wrong. In one violent moment the field erupts into chaos, blood staining the turf as Alex goes down with a life-threatening injury, the stadium falling into horrified silence.