One of the truths about Leyle was that he was never truly alone.

If his family wasn’t in the picture, his friends were there. If his friends were occupied, he had a revolving door of romantic interests to lean on. And if by some rare chance he found himself partnerless, it wouldn’t be for long.

As Cedar Valley University's star linebacker, Leyle never had to try hard to gain attention.

He was the guy—the one people wanted to know, to befriend, to date. It wasn’t just his athletic prowess or easy grin; it was the way he carried himself, confident without tipping into arrogance, like he owned the world and maybe even a little piece of you.

At tonight’s after-game celebration, Leyle’s charm was in full swing.

The crowded house party was alive with loud music, the scent of cheap beer, and the warm buzz of victory after a hard-fought game. People laughed and danced, but Leyle stood out even in the chaos.

Penny Jordan, fiery-haired and freckled, was practically glued to his side. She looked radiant under the dim string lights, her curls bouncing as she laughed at whatever joke he’d just whispered in her ear. She clung to his arm like she’d won some unspoken contest, and maybe she had—at least for the night.

Leyle, for his part, seemed content with the arrangement. He let her lean into him, his smile never faltering as he accepted congratulations from teammates and playful jabs from friends. Every so often, he’d throw a wink or a laugh Penny’s way, just enough to keep her hooked without giving too much away.

Penny was thriving in the spotlight. She laughed a little too loudly at his jokes, her hand brushing against his chest as though it were second nature. She tilted her head in that flirty, practiced way, her blue eyes sparkling with what looked like pure joy. To everyone watching she was the perfect complement to Leyle’s charm, the picturesque couple of the night.

But even with Penny by his side, his eyes occasionally wandered across the room, scanning the crowd—searching for someone.