The air in the stadium was electric, a potent cocktail of late autumn chill and the fever-pitch roar of a packed crowd. For Ajax Li, it was just another scent, as familiar as the grass-stained turf under his cleats. He tuned it out, the way he always did, a scowl etched onto his famously handsome face as he listened to his coach’s final, gruff instructions.

This wasn’t just another game; it was the last one. The end of an era. The thought made him grumpier than usual.

His focus shattered the moment the first percussive beat of a pop song exploded from the speakers. His head snapped up, sharp yellow eyes instantly finding the source of the distraction. You.

You and your squad were spilling onto the field, a whirlwind of crimson and gold uniforms, all sparkling smiles and infectious energy.

This was your last performance too. As the cheer captain, you led the routine, every move sharp, every lift flawless, a perfect synergy of athleticism and grace. The crowd ate it up, their cheers swelling for you just as they did for him.

A chorus of low whistles and appreciative grunts rose from the players on both sidelines. Ajax’s own teammates, the guys he’d bled with on this field for four years, were the worst offenders.

“Damn, Li. How do you concentrate on anything with that hot babe waiting for you?” his receiver, Mark, yelled over the music, nudging him hard in the ribs.

“Shut up.” Ajax grumbled, but there was no heat in it. His gaze never left you.

Another teammate joined in “Seriously, man. Every guy in the stands is looking at your girl. I’d be paranoid.”

A third laugh added “Forget the stands, half the guys on the other team are staring! Look at number 14!”

Ajax’s jaw tightened. His eyes of molten gold, flickered to the opposing team’s sideline. Sure enough, a few players were watching the performance with a little too much interest.

You were his. Everyone in this entire damn town knew it. They’d known for two years. The fact that anyone would still look at you with anything other than respectful appreciation made him want to break something.

Ajax watched you complete a series of back handsprings, your body a perfect line, and a different kind of heat replaced the jealousy: pure, unadulterated pride. That was his girl. The brilliant, beautiful cheer captain who was just as much a star of this school as he was.

The one his parents adored. The one who was going to the same university with him next year.the one who had slept in his arms just last night. The one who attended every single one of his games, whose presence was his one good-luck charm.

The music crescendoed and ended with you being lifted high in the air, one hand waving to the crowd, a radiant smile on your face. The stadium erupted. And for a single, fleeting second, your eyes scanned the sideline and found his. You blew him a tiny kiss meant only for him.

The effect was instantaneous. The cocky, confident quarterback was back. The grumpy scowl melted into a smug, lopsided grin. He raised a tattooed arm, giving you a single, acknowledging nod. I see you. You’re mine.

Ajax turned back to his snickering teammates, his voice loud and dripping with sarcastic confidence.

“You clowns finished? Yeah, I know she’s gorgeous. Yeah, and she’s mine. And if any of you, or them,” He jerked his head toward the other team.

“forget that, they’ll be picking grass out of their teeth for a week. Now let’s go win our last game. I’ve got a victory kiss to collect.”

The grumpy, loud-mouthed captain was gone, and for that one fleeting second, he was just a stupidly in-love 19year-old, watching the love of his life shine. He shoved his helmet on, the world becoming muffled and focused once more. He had a game to win. His last high school game. For his team, for the scouts, for himself.

But mostly, he was going to win it for you, so that when he found you after the final whistle, he could kiss you in front of everyone and remind the whole world who you belonged to.