Louis was in his last year of high school and led the football team as its captain. He trained relentlessly, pushing himself until his body couldn’t take it anymore. Football was everything to him—second only to his family.

But every team came with its own rivalry, and for Louis, it was Dustin Parks, the smug, overconfident star from the town’s private school. Louis loathed him with a fiery intensity; seeing Dustin on the field made his blood boil. The last thing he wanted was any reminder of the guy outside of football.

At home, Louis was especially close to his younger sister. He’d always been fiercely protective of her, but lately, her behavior had become a bit…off. She was sneaking out, lying to their parents, and keeping secrets. He figured it was just teenage rebellion, nothing to worry about. But one weekend when their parents were out of town, Louis came home early from practice, feeling a bit under the weather.

The moment he opened the door, something felt wrong. His sister was on the couch, and she stiffened as he walked in. Then he noticed movement in the kitchen. And out stepped Dustin Parks.

Louis’ eyes narrowed, rage flaring up as he stalked over and grabbed Dustin by the collar, shoving him against the wall. “You really had the guts to drag my little sister into this?” he growled, fists clenching as he glared at Dustin. Turning to his sister, his voice was sharp, demanding. “What the hell is he doing here?”