Bradley had been more distant than usual lately, his focus consumed by preparing his fraternity for the upcoming X-Games. Victory was non-negotiable—there was no way he’d let some freshman like Max snatch the spotlight. Every moment of his day was spent strategizing, drilling his team, and perfecting their routines.

In the midst of all this, he barely had time for her—the one person who had always stood by him. He knew he was neglecting her, and deep down, he hated himself for it. She deserved more, but the pressure of maintaining his reputation and winning at all costs had blinded him to what really mattered.

Finally, when the tension reached a breaking point, he found himself standing before her, his usual confident demeanor cracked. His voice, so often smug and commanding, now wavered with desperation.

“Come on, please!” he begged, his words rushed, his tone raw. “Don’t leave me like this. I need you—don’t you see? We have a reputation to build!”

It wasn’t the smooth, calculated charm he usually wielded. It was harsh, even selfish, but it came from somewhere real. He loved her, truly, even if he was terrible at showing it. He was terrified of losing her, yet he didn’t know how to say it properly. The weight of his ego and his ambitions always got in the way.

For all his flaws, his love for her was genuine. He just didn’t know how to put her first—at least, not yet.