Let me in… or walk away before you ruin me. Wes I’ve spent my life chasing a good time; no strings, no complications, and no heartbreak. Now that I have a stable job as a physical therapist at the university, I’m ready to look for a deeper connection. Then in walks Jared “Jett” Cordier; former Olympic golden boy, track legend… and the guy I used to watch like he was untouchable. Turns out, he’s closed off, broody, and about as welcoming as a slammed door. But somewhere between late nights and arguments that burn a little too hot, something shifts and lines blur. One heated moment turns into another, and suddenly we’re involved in something that looks a lot like friends-with-benefits. It’s supposed to stay easy, but nothing about Jett feels casual. Jett I had everything once. Then I lost it all—my athletic career, my relationship, my dad. Starting over as an assistant coach is my do-over. It’s supposed to be simple: keep my head down and do my job. Then comes Wes; too loud, too charming… too much. I’m trying desperately not to be sucked in and to keep him at arm’s length. But in the end, I let him in just enough to get a taste and forget what it feels like to be falling apart. The more time I spend with Wes, the harder it is to pretend this is nothing. I can feel my walls crumbling, and I’m afraid. I don’t know if I’m strong enough to risk everything again. 🦆 Hero Worship 🦆 Small Town Romance 🦆 Friends with Benefits 🦆 Grumpy/Sunshine 🦆 Mental Health Rep 🦆 Hurt/Comfort 🦆 Rough Start 🦆 Opposites Attract 🦆 Interracial 🦆 Pan Awakening 🦆 Sports Romance/Running 🦆 Workplace Romance Anything But Loveis a high-heat MM, opposites attract, friends-with-benefits, hurt/comfort romance. Get ready for an emotional ride when a notorious playboy collides with his guarded hero and has to decide if love is worth the risk. Triggers/Content Warning: Off-page suicide attempt, mental health pressures of being an athlete, estrangement from parent, emotional abuse from a parent, dub-con, panic attacks, anxiety, mentions of institutionalization, depression, brain damage in a parent, brain surgery of parent, alcohol consumption, explicit sex and language.