Forbidden Redemption

Chapter 1: Midnight Confessions

The door to Bria’s Duncan College room clicked open with a sound that seemed to reverberate through the stillness of the night. She strode in, dropping her navy Rice Athletics backpack with a heavy thud that vibrated the floor. She didn’t bother with the lights, letting the harsh glow from the hallway spill in before the door swung shut, cloaking the room in shadows.

Ashton sat on the edge of her bed, a bundle of white lilies wrapped in crinkling plastic resting in his hands. 'Hey,' he said, his voice a low, steady murmur that cut through the tension.

Bria froze, her hand lingering on the door handle. Her sharp gaze flicked to him, then to the flowers, before darting away to her desk. No smile. No warmth. Just a sharp, frustrated exhale through her nose. 'I told you I’d be late,' she snapped, brushing past him to the window. Her fingers attacked the laces of her cleats with aggressive jerks. 'Coach kept us for film. Then the trainer had to poke at my ankle. It’s been hours.'

'I didn’t mind waiting,' Ashton replied, shifting slightly, the plastic wrapper rustling like a whisper. 'Saw the stats. Two goals? That’s a hell of a game, Bria.'

'It doesn’t matter,' she muttered, kicking off a shoe. It slammed into the wall with a dull thwack.

'It matters to the team. It matters to you.'

'Does it?' She spun around, her eyes blazing in the dim light, exhaustion and something darker etched into her features. Her hair was a wild mess from the game, her eyes rimmed with a redness that wasn’t just from exertion. 'Please, just… don’t. Not tonight.'

Ashton set the flowers down on the nightstand with a deliberate gentleness. He stood, closing the small distance between them, but halted when she took a pointed step back. 'Bria, what’s going on?'

'Nothing. I’m tired. I want to shower and crash. You should go.' Her voice was a blade, cutting through any softness.

'You haven’t answered a text in two days.'

'I’ve been busy! Practice, labs, I have…' She trailed off, gripping the back of her desk chair until her knuckles whitened. 'I have to pretend everything’s normal.'

'It is normal,' Ashton said, stepping closer despite her walls. 'It’s over. You’re safe. We handled it.'

'We?' Her laugh was sharp, brittle, slicing through the air. 'You mean *you* handled it. You and your little crew, your RAT whatever. You had your people do… whatever the hell they do. And I just stood there like a damn statue.'

She turned away, staring at her reflection in the darkened window. 'I was walking off the field tonight,' she whispered, her voice raw. 'This little girl, maybe eight, wanted a picture. Wearing my jersey number. Her dad was grinning, snapping the shot. And I smiled too. Big, fake smile.' She wiped at her cheek, furious. 'All I could think was I’m a liar. A fraud. If they knew I was nearly expelled last week…'

'You weren’t supposed to be expelled,' Ashton cut in, firm. 'The system tried to crush you for something that wasn’t entirely on you. The punishment was bullshit.'

'I did it, though!' She whirled on him, tears spilling over. 'I cheated. I had ChatGPT open. I was in that group chat. I knew what I was doing. And you…' She gestured helplessly. 'You didn’t even screw up. Yet you took the hit. I’m the guilty one, walking free, getting flowers?' Her voice shattered into a sob. 'I don’t deserve them. I don’t deserve you here. I don’t deserve any of this.'

She collapsed onto the bed’s edge, face buried in her hands, shoulders shaking. The fierce athlete who’d owned the field hours ago was gone, replaced by raw vulnerability. Ashton didn’t speak. He sat beside her, placing a hand between her shoulder blades, feeling the tremors ripple through her.

'I don’t care about what you deserve,' he said softly. 'I care about you.'

'Why?' she choked out. 'I’m a mess. A cheater. I almost lost everything.'

'But you didn’t,' he countered. 'People make mistakes when they’re desperate. You’re not just the worst thing you did on your worst day.'

His arm slid around her shoulders. She stiffened, clinging to her guilt, but then melted into him, burying her face in his neck, clutching his hoodie. 'I was so scared,' she wept. 'I was packing boxes. I had the tape gun out. I was done.'

'I know,' he whispered, chin resting on her head. 'I saw.'

'You saved me,' she said, pulling back to search his face. 'I don’t even know how. You just… fixed it. Why?'

Ashton met her gaze, thumb brushing a tear from her cheek. 'Because I couldn’t watch them tear you apart. And I’d do it again.'

Her breath hitched, the weight of his words silencing her self-hatred for a moment. She surged forward, arms wrapping around his neck, pulling him close. 'Thank you,' she breathed into his ear. 'I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.'

'Shh,' he soothed, hands tracing slow circles on her back. 'Just be here.'

They stayed like that, time slipping away, until exhaustion claimed her. 'Don’t go,' she murmured, grabbing his hand as he helped her shed her gear.

'I’m not going anywhere.' He lay beside her on the bed, her body curling into his, tension finally draining. Darkness enveloped them as he clicked off the lamp.

Hours later, past two in the morning, Ashton stirred awake. The faint glow of Martel College’s lights seeped through the blinds. Bria slept beside him, her breathing soft, her face exquisite even in shadow. He traced her cheekbone, marveling at her strength, her vulnerability.

Leaning down, his lips brushed her ear. 'Bria,' he whispered, voice husky. 'I love you.'

Her eyes fluttered open, a soft smile curving her lips as she nuzzled his nose. 'I love you too,' she murmured, her gaze intense. 'I want you.'

His pulse quickened, heat surging through him. He captured her mouth in a slow, searing kiss, her lips parting eagerly. The kiss deepened, urgency building as emotions poured out. His hands roamed, tangling in her hair, tilting her head to claim more of her. She tasted of salt and need, her heartbeat racing against his chest.

She tugged at his shirt, nails grazing his skin. He shed it quickly, tossing it aside. She mirrored him, peeling off her top, revealing the smooth curves of her breasts. His hands cupped them, thumbs teasing her hardened nipples, drawing a sharp gasp from her. 'You’re driving me crazy,' she hissed, her voice a mix of command and desire.

'Good,' he growled, lips trailing down her jaw to her neck. He kissed the sensitive skin there, sucking lightly, feeling her shiver beneath him. 'I want you dripping for me.' Her hands gripped his shoulders, nails digging in as she arched into his touch. 'Keep going,' she demanded, her tone fierce, 'don’t you dare stop.'

His mouth moved lower, nipping at her collarbone, tongue tracing the pulse point at the base of her throat. Her breath came in short, panting bursts, her body pressing against his, hungry for more. 'You’re gonna feel every inch of me soon,' he promised, voice rough with want, as her fingers slid down his back, pulling him closer, her own desire as commanding as her presence on the field.