MasukWhat if Bonus Chapter 15: What If They Were Seated Next to Each Other on a Long Train Ride? Dante POV The overnight train from the city to the coast was nearly full, the lights dimmed for the long journey. I’d claimed my window seat in the quiet car, legs stretched out as far as the space allowed, earbuds in but no music playing. At six-three, train seats were never comfortable, but I’d learned to make do. A few minutes before departure, someone slid into the seat beside me. “Hi… sorry, I think this is my spot,” he said softly. I looked over. Eli. Slimmer build, messy hair, silver nail polish catching the low overhead light on his fingers. He was noticeably shorter than me, carrying a worn backpack and a paperback that looked well-loved. He gave a small, apologetic smile as he settled in. “No problem,” I replied, shifting to give him more room. “Dante.” “Eli.” The train pulled out of the station, lights of the city fading behind us. Conversation started small — the usual train
What if Bonus Chapter 14: What If They Met at a Gym Sauna/Showers? Dante POV The gym was nearly empty at 10 p.m., just the low hum of treadmills and the occasional clang of weights. I’d finished a heavy leg session and was headed for the sauna to loosen up sore muscles. Steam already billowed from the wooden door as I pushed it open, towel slung low on my hips. Inside, the heat hit like a wave. One other person was already there — sitting on the top bench, head tilted back, eyes closed. Slimmer build, same height as most guys but noticeably shorter than my six-three frame. Messy hair damp with sweat, silver nail polish chipped on his fingers, a simple towel wrapped around his waist. He looked peaceful, lost in thought. I took the bench across from him. The heat wrapped around us both. “Long day?” I asked after a minute. He opened his eyes and smiled faintly. “Eli. Yeah… thesis work and too much caffeine. Needed to sweat it out.” “Dante. Football. Same reason — sore legs and to
What if Bonus Chapter 13: What If They Met Volunteering at an Animal Shelter? Dante POV The animal shelter was loud with barks and meows on a rainy Saturday afternoon. I’d signed up for the volunteer shift to walk the bigger dogs — something to clear my head after a tough week of practices. I was toweling off a massive German Shepherd when the volunteer coordinator brought in a new helper. “This is Eli. He’ll be helping with the cats and smaller dogs today.” I looked up and felt something shift in my chest. Eli was my height but slimmer, with messy hair and silver nail polish that was starting to chip on his fingers. He wore an oversized shelter volunteer shirt that hung loose on his frame, a soft smile on his face as he cradled a tiny orange kitten against his chest. There was a quiet, gentle chaos about him that instantly drew me in. “Hey,” I said, straightening to my full height. “Dante.” “Eli. Nice to meet you. I’m more of a cat person, but I’ll try not to get in your way w
What if Bonus Chapter 12: What If Eli Was a Delivery Guy – Wrong Address? Dante POV The doorbell rang just as I stepped out of the shower. I wrapped a towel around my waist, still dripping, and padded barefoot to the door. When I opened it, a guy stood there holding a large package, looking slightly frazzled. “Delivery for 4C?” he asked, checking the label. “That’s next door,” I said, leaning against the frame. “Wrong building number. Happens all the time.” He sighed, pushing damp hair off his forehead. Silver nail polish was chipped on his fingers, and his uniform shirt clung to his slim frame from the light rain outside. He was my height but slimmer, with that quiet, slightly chaotic energy that immediately caught my attention. “Eli,” he introduced himself, offering a small smile. “Sorry about that. Long day of wrong addresses.” “Dante.” Instead of just taking the package and leaving, he lingered for a second. “Mind if I borrow your pen? Mine ran out and I need to note the m
What if Bonus Chapter 11: What If They Shared a Cab in a Storm? Dante POV The storm hit the city without warning, turning the evening rush into chaos. I’d just finished a late practice and was trying to get home when the app showed every ride was surging. I grabbed the first available cab and slid into the back seat, rain still dripping from my hair. A minute later the door opened again. Another guy climbed in, soaked, clutching a soaked backpack. “Mind sharing?” he asked, voice slightly breathless. “Everything else is thirty minutes out.” I nodded. “Go ahead.” He settled beside me. Same height as me but slimmer build, messy hair, silver nail polish chipped on his fingers. The cab driver pulled away, and the storm intensified, rain hammering the roof. We sat in comfortable silence for a few blocks until traffic ground to a halt. That’s when we started talking. “I’m Eli,” he said. “Lit major. Terrible timing, apparently.” “Dante. Football. Also terrible timing.” Conversation
What if Bonus Chapter 10: What If They Met Because of a Flat Tire on the Highway? Dante POV The rain was coming down in sheets, turning the highway into a slick, reflective nightmare. I was driving back from an away game, muscles still sore from the hits I’d taken, when the SUV in front of me suddenly swerved and pulled onto the shoulder. Its hazard lights flashed weakly through the downpour. I slowed, then stopped behind it. Couldn’t just drive past. I grabbed my jacket, stepped out into the rain, and jogged over. The driver was already crouched by the rear passenger tire, soaked to the bone, trying to figure out the jack with clumsy hands. “Need help?” I asked, voice cutting through the rain. He looked up. Messy hair plastered to his forehead, silver nail polish chipped on his fingers, wearing a hoodie that was now completely drenched. Same height as me but slimmer, with that quiet, slightly chaotic energy that made something in my chest tighten. “Yeah… I have no idea what I
Chapter 60 – Shared Dreams (Dante POV)The guest room was quiet except for the faint tick of the wall clock and the occasional creak of the house settling.Eli was asleep—curled against my good side, head on my chest, one leg thrown over mine like he was afraid I’d disappear if he let go. His br
Chapter 63 – Long-Distance Rules (Eli POV) I wrote the rules on a sticky note. Not because I actually believed sticky notes had magical jurisdiction over human emotion, but because writing things down has always made me feel like I have a fighting chance against chaos. The paper was neon yellow—i
Chapter 62 – Rookie Reality (Dante POV) The locker room smelled like Bengay, new cleats, and adrenaline that hadn’t burned off yet. I sat on the bench, elbows on my knees, towel draped over my head like a hood. Water dripped from my hair onto the tile. Drip. Drip. Drip. Steady. Predictable. Unlik
Chapter 64 – First Fight 2.0 (Dante POV)The call dropped at 10:47 p.m.Not on purpose. Not exactly.I’d been in the film room until almost ten, then dragged myself back to the apartment the team put me in—still smells like new carpet and someone else’s cologne. I showered fast, sat on the edg







