Best Friend, Wrong Heart

Kelly Cannon, a physics professor, is content with his life—except for his love life, which is a disaster. The reason: he's in love with his best friend, Britton "Blue" Montgomery, a star NFL tight end. Their friendship, forged since childhood, is deep and easy, but Kelly's feelings are anything but simple. He knows the cardinal rule: don't fall for your straight best friend. Yet, he can't help it, and it's quietly sabotaging every other relationship he tries to have.

Public Proposals and Private Truths

Kelly's relationship with his boyfriend Robert implodes spectacularly when Robert proposes to him on the jumbotron at a basketball game. Kelly, mortified and unprepared, says yes in public but breaks it off in private, realizing he can't marry someone he doesn't love. The breakup is ugly, and Robert accuses Kelly of being in love with Blue. The accusation stings because it's true, and Kelly is forced to confront the reality that his heart has always belonged to his best friend.

The Blueprint's Burden

Blue, nicknamed "The Blueprint" for being the ideal tight end, is under immense pressure: from his demanding father, his coaches, the media, and the expectations of fans. He's also dealing with the emotional fallout of his mother's abandonment and the physical toll of his football career. Blue's life is a carefully constructed plan, and he's determined not to let anything—including his confusing feelings for Kelly—derail it.

Lines Crossed, Lines Drawn

After the breakup, Kelly and Blue's friendship is tested as their emotional intimacy deepens. Kelly tries to pull away to protect himself, but Blue resists, not understanding why Kelly is suddenly distant. Their dynamic shifts as jealousy, longing, and unspoken attraction simmer beneath the surface. A drunken night leads to a kiss and more, blurring the lines between friendship and something more, but Blue's confusion and fear of what it means for his identity create new barriers.

Coming Out, Coming Home

Kelly visits his family, dreading coming out to them, only to discover they've known for years and love him unconditionally. This acceptance is a relief, but it also highlights the contrast with Blue's family, especially his father, who is emotionally distant and obsessed with Blue's football career. The warmth of Kelly's family becomes a safe haven for both men, but it also underscores the risks of living authentically in a world that isn't always accepting.

Stuck in the Friend Zone

Kelly tries to move on, even attempting to date others, but his feelings for Blue remain. Blue, meanwhile, is oblivious to the depth of Kelly's love, seeing him as his anchor but not yet recognizing his own attraction. Their friendship becomes strained as Kelly's attempts to create distance are met with Blue's possessiveness and confusion. Both are stuck—Kelly in unrequited love, Blue in denial about what he truly wants.

Jealousy and Mixed Signals

Blue's jealousy flares when he sees Kelly with other men, but he can't admit why it bothers him. Their physical boundaries are crossed again, leading to passionate encounters that leave both men more confused. Blue's internalized fears about sexuality and public perception clash with his growing desire for Kelly, resulting in mixed signals and emotional whiplash for them both.

The Limits of Friendship

As their physical relationship intensifies, the emotional stakes rise. Blue insists on keeping things casual, refusing to label their connection or come out, while Kelly wants more. The secrecy and ambiguity take a toll, and Kelly is forced to confront whether friendship with benefits is enough—or if he deserves someone willing to love him openly and completely.

When Love Isn't Enough

Kelly reaches his breaking point and gives Blue an ultimatum: he can't continue as just friends with benefits. Blue, terrified of losing Kelly but unwilling to risk his career or public image, tries to offer sex without commitment. Kelly refuses, knowing he deserves more, and they part ways, both devastated but unable to bridge the gap between what they want and what they're willing to risk.

The Injury and the Aftermath

Blue suffers a serious knee injury during a game, forcing him to confront his own vulnerability and the impermanence of his football career. Kelly rushes to his side, and their bond is rekindled in the face of crisis. As Blue recovers at Kelly's home, the enforced proximity and dependence strip away their defenses, but the underlying issues remain unresolved.

Roommates, Lovers, Liabilities

Blue's extended stay at Kelly's house blurs the lines between roommates and lovers. They fall into domestic routines, sharing meals and quiet moments, but the secrecy and lack of definition in their relationship create tension. Friends and teammates notice the closeness, and the risk of exposure grows. Both men are forced to consider what they're willing to sacrifice for love—and what they're afraid to lose.

The Cost of Secrecy

The pressure of keeping their relationship secret—especially in the hyper-masculine world of professional football—begins to erode their happiness. Kelly is tired of being a secret, and Blue is torn between his love for Kelly and his fear of coming out. The cost of secrecy becomes clear: it's not just their relationship at stake, but their sense of self and integrity.

Facing the Team, Facing the Truth

Blue's teammates and friends begin to suspect the truth, and some, like Ivanovich, confront him about his feelings for Kelly. Blue realizes that hiding is no longer sustainable, and that his teammates care more about his happiness than his sexuality. The fear of rejection and career loss is real, but so is the possibility of acceptance and a life lived authentically.

Ultimatums and Unraveling

Kelly gives Blue a final ultimatum: he must choose between a life of secrecy and a life together. Blue, after much soul-searching and advice from friends, realizes that he can't imagine a future without Kelly. He decides to come out to his team and family, risking everything for the chance at real love.

The Choice to Love

Blue confesses his love for Kelly and asks to be with him openly, regardless of the consequences. Kelly, wary but hopeful, agrees, and they begin to build a life together as a couple. The process isn't easy—there are challenges, setbacks, and moments of doubt—but their commitment to each other is unwavering.

Out in the Open

Blue and Kelly navigate the challenges of being an openly gay couple in the public eye. They face scrutiny, support, and the occasional backlash, but their relationship grows stronger. Blue's teammates and family come to accept and support them, and Kelly finds fulfillment in being loved openly and without reservation.

Building a Life Together

The story ends with Blue and Kelly fully embracing their love, building a home and a future together. They've faced their fears, overcome obstacles, and chosen each other—proving that love, when chosen bravely and lived authentically, is worth every risk.

Characters

Kelly Cannon

Kelly is a physics professor whose intelligence is matched by his vulnerability and wit. He's openly gay in most areas of his life but struggles with the pain of loving his straight best friend, Blue. Kelly is the emotional center of the story—compassionate, self-deprecating, and fiercely loyal. His journey is one of self-respect: learning to demand the love he deserves, not just the love he's offered. His relationship with Blue is the axis around which his life turns, and his willingness to walk away rather than accept less than he needs is a testament to his growth.

Britton "Blue" Montgomery

Blue is the NFL star known as "The Blueprint"—the ideal tight end. Outwardly confident and physically imposing, he's privately burdened by family expectations, career pressures, and a deep fear of vulnerability. Blue's journey is about self-discovery: confronting his sexuality, his feelings for Kelly, and the cost of living a lie. His love for Kelly is genuine but complicated by internalized homophobia and the realities of professional sports. Blue's evolution from denial to acceptance is the emotional heart of the novel.

Robert

Robert is Kelly's ex-boyfriend whose public proposal and subsequent breakup force Kelly to confront his true feelings for Blue. Robert's need for control and appearances contrasts sharply with Kelly's authenticity, and his jealousy of Blue exposes the emotional triangle at the story's core.

Kennedy

Kelly's sister, Kennedy, is a voice of reason and familial love. She provides comic relief, tough love, and unwavering support, helping Kelly navigate his coming out and relationship struggles. Her presence highlights the importance of chosen and biological family.

Ivanovich

Blue's teammate and friend, Ivanovich, serves as both a mirror and a mentor. He challenges Blue to be honest about his feelings and provides a model of acceptance within the hyper-masculine world of football. His warnings and support are pivotal in Blue's journey toward authenticity.

Connor O'Rourke

Kelly's colleague and friend, Connor, is a source of humor and perspective. He's one of the first to see through Kelly's defenses and encourages him to pursue happiness, even if it means risking heartbreak. Connor's own romantic entanglements provide a counterpoint to Kelly's struggles.

Andrew McAdams

The rookie tight end who threatens Blue's position on the team and briefly dates Kelly. McAdams represents both the professional and personal insecurities Blue must overcome. His presence forces Blue to confront his jealousy and the reality that Kelly could move on.

Britton's Father (Randall Montgomery)

Blue's father is a source of pressure and unresolved pain. His focus on Blue's career and lack of emotional support highlight the challenges of living up to external expectations and the longing for unconditional love.

Kelly's Parents

In contrast to Blue's family, Kelly's parents are warm, supportive, and accepting of his sexuality. Their home is a place of comfort and belonging, and their acceptance is a model for the kind of love both men seek.

Tomas and Graham

Tomas (the bartender) and Graham (the veterinarian) are potential love interests for Kelly, representing the possibility of moving on. Their presence underscores the central question: will Kelly settle for less, or hold out for the love he truly wants?

Plot Devices

Dual First-Person Narration

The story is told in alternating first-person chapters from Kelly and Blue's points of view. This structure allows readers to experience the internal conflicts, misunderstandings, and emotional growth of both protagonists. The dual narration creates dramatic irony, as readers see how much each man means to the other long before they admit it themselves.

Friends-to-Lovers, Slow Burn

The novel uses the friends-to-lovers trope, with a slow build of sexual and emotional tension. The slow burn is punctuated by moments of humor, jealousy, and vulnerability, making the eventual union feel earned and cathartic.

Public vs. Private Selves

The tension between public image and private truth is a central device. Blue's status as a professional athlete in a homophobic environment forces the couple to navigate secrecy, fear, and the cost of living authentically. The coming out process is both a personal and public act, with real consequences for their careers and relationships.

Symbolism of Injury and Recovery

Blue's knee injury is both a literal and metaphorical turning point. His physical vulnerability forces him to confront emotional truths, depend on Kelly, and reevaluate what matters most. The process of rehabilitation parallels the work required to build a healthy relationship.

Ultimatums and Turning Points

The story is structured around key ultimatums—Kelly's demand for more than secrecy, Blue's choice between fear and love, and the decision to come out. These moments of crisis force the characters to grow, make hard choices, and ultimately choose each other.

Humor and Banter

The novel's witty dialogue and playful banter provide relief from the emotional intensity, making the characters' bond feel real and lived-in. Humor is both a defense mechanism and a sign of intimacy.

Analysis

The Blueprint is more than a sports romance or a friends-to-lovers story—it's a nuanced exploration of what it means to live authentically in a world that often punishes difference. Through Kelly and Blue's journey, the novel interrogates the price of secrecy, the fear of rejection, and the transformative power of unconditional love. The story's heart lies in its insistence that real happiness requires risk: the risk of being seen, of being vulnerable, and of choosing love over comfort or safety. The book's humor, emotional honesty, and well-drawn characters make it a standout in the genre, offering both escapist pleasure and a resonant message about the importance of being true to oneself and to those we love.

Last updated: June 4, 2025