Mark Preston has always played hard, but being an openly gay NFL star means every move is under a harsher light. His skills keep him on the roster, yet the whispers and open hostility in the locker room make him a target his teammates would rather push out.

Instead of breaking, Mark digs in. When the tension boils over, he throws out a challenge no one can ignore a scrimmage between his team of openly gay athletes and the straight players who doubt them. The prize isn’t just bragging rights but pride, respect, and vital funding for the LGBTQ+ community.

As the rivalry builds, Mark’s fight becomes bigger than football. It’s about belonging, about proving his place, and maybe even finding love where he least expects it. The pressure grows, the hits get harder, and the stakes climb with every play.

When the final whistle blows, will Mark walk away with more than victory or lose it all chasing a game worth everything?

The Azure Grotto