Collision of Egos

When physiotherapist Zach Hardaway meets football star Tristan DuVal, sparks fly—but not the good kind. Tristan, sidelined by a groin injury, resents being forced to work with a stranger, while Zach, renowned for his no-nonsense approach, refuses to coddle the spoiled athlete. Their first encounter is a battle of wills, with Tristan's charm and manipulation meeting Zach's blunt authority. Both are used to being in control, and neither is willing to yield. The tension is palpable, laced with mutual irritation and an undercurrent of something more volatile. As they size each other up, it's clear that this partnership will be anything but smooth, setting the stage for a relationship defined by conflict, challenge, and unexpected attraction.

Forced Proximity, Unwanted Sparks

Confined to his home and desperate to recover in time for the World Cup, Tristan is forced into daily contact with Zach. Their interactions are a series of provocations—Tristan's bratty defiance against Zach's clinical detachment. Yet, beneath the surface, both men feel a growing, unwelcome attraction. Zach's hands-on therapy stirs confusing feelings in Tristan, who is used to being desired but not by men like Zach. Meanwhile, Zach finds himself drawn to Tristan's vulnerability and beauty, despite his best efforts to remain professional. The forced proximity becomes a crucible, intensifying their animosity and igniting a slow-burning chemistry neither can ignore.

Power Struggles and Boundaries

As Zach enforces strict rehabilitation protocols, Tristan rebels, pushing boundaries at every turn. Their sessions become battlegrounds—Tristan testing limits, Zach refusing to yield. The dynamic is charged with dominance and submission, each man trying to assert control. Zach's refusal to be manipulated unsettles Tristan, who is used to getting his way. Yet, Zach's unwavering presence also offers a strange sense of safety. The power struggle is not just physical but emotional, as both men confront their own insecurities and the masks they wear. The tension between them grows, blurring the line between antagonism and desire.

Temptation and Denial

The physical closeness of therapy sessions becomes increasingly charged. Tristan's body betrays him, responding to Zach's touch in ways he can't control. Zach, engaged to a woman and identifying as straight, is disturbed by his own attraction. Both men resort to sarcasm and provocation to mask their confusion. Attempts to seek satisfaction elsewhere only highlight the unique pull they feel toward each other. The denial is fierce, but so is the temptation. Their banter becomes flirtatious, their arguments laced with longing. Each tries to convince himself—and the other—that nothing is happening, even as the evidence mounts.

Lines Crossed, Tensions Rise

The tension finally erupts when Zach, frustrated by Tristan's recklessness, physically intervenes—spanking him in a moment of anger and care. The act is shocking, intimate, and strangely cathartic for both. It marks a turning point: the professional boundary is shattered, and the emotional stakes are raised. Both are left reeling—Tristan humiliated yet aroused, Zach guilty but unable to regret it. The incident lingers between them, fueling fantasies and fears. Their relationship becomes a minefield of unspoken desires and unresolved conflict, with each encounter threatening to tip them over the edge.

The Spanking Incident

The spanking is more than punishment—it's a release of pent-up emotion and a catalyst for change. Tristan, who craves both control and care, finds himself oddly soothed by Zach's dominance. Zach, meanwhile, is disturbed by how much he enjoys exerting power over Tristan. The incident exposes their vulnerabilities: Tristan's need for attention and validation, Zach's struggle with his own desires. Both are forced to confront truths about themselves they'd rather avoid. The aftermath is a tense dance of avoidance and longing, as they try to reestablish boundaries that no longer exist.

Unraveling Control

In the wake of the spanking, both men attempt to retreat—Zach by becoming strictly professional, Tristan by lashing out and seeking control elsewhere. But the distance only heightens their obsession. Tristan's efforts to provoke jealousy by flirting with others, including Zach's brother, backfire, revealing the depth of his feelings. Zach's engagement becomes a source of guilt and confusion, as he finds himself unable to stop thinking about Tristan. Their mutual attempts at denial crumble, replaced by a grudging acknowledgment that what's between them is more than physical. The struggle for control gives way to a struggle for honesty.

Emotional Fault Lines

As their relationship intensifies, old scars are revealed. Tristan's childhood rejection by his father and feelings of inadequacy come to the fore, explaining his need for validation and his fear of vulnerability. Zach, too, is forced to examine his own motivations—his sense of responsibility, his fear of losing control, and his reluctance to hurt his fiancée. Their emotional baggage collides, making intimacy both healing and hazardous. Moments of tenderness are interspersed with conflict, as both men test the limits of trust and self-disclosure. The emotional stakes are now as high as the physical ones.

The Siren's Call

Despite their best efforts, Zach and Tristan are drawn back together, their encounters growing more passionate and less guarded. What began as antagonism has become a consuming need. They find solace in each other's arms, even as they insist it's only temporary, only physical. The secrecy and risk only heighten the intensity. Yet, the more they give in, the harder it becomes to let go. Their connection is undeniable, but so are the obstacles—Zach's impending marriage, Tristan's public image, and their own fears. The siren's call of desire threatens to wreck them both.

No-Strings Entanglement

What starts as a no-strings arrangement quickly becomes complicated. The more they try to keep things physical, the more emotions intrude. Jealousy flares, especially when others enter the picture. Small acts of care—Zach's concern for Tristan's health, Tristan's need for Zach's approval—betray deeper feelings. Both are terrified of attachment, yet unable to walk away. The pretense of indifference becomes harder to maintain, as each realizes the other has become essential. The entanglement is messy, fraught with misunderstandings and unspoken longing, but neither can break free.

Jealousy and Confession

The arrival of Zach's fiancée and family, as well as Tristan's interactions with Zach's brother, force hidden feelings into the open. Jealousy exposes the depth of their attachment. Zach's fiancée, Donna, confronts him about his feelings, prompting a crisis of choice. Tristan, meanwhile, is forced to confront his own self-worth and the reality of his feelings for Zach. Confessions are made—some direct, some through action. The cost of honesty is high, but the alternative is unbearable. Both must decide what they truly want, and whether they're brave enough to claim it.

Family Shadows

Tristan's encounter with his half-brother James, and the revelation of their shared father, brings old wounds to the surface. The contrast between James's easy acceptance and Tristan's lifelong sense of rejection is stark. Tristan is forced to reckon with his past, his identity, and his capacity for connection. The family dynamic also mirrors the central relationship: the longing to belong, the fear of being unlovable, and the struggle to accept love when it's offered. Zach, witnessing Tristan's pain, gains new insight into the man he's come to love.

Breaking Points

The tension reaches a breaking point as Zach's engagement unravels and Tristan's career is threatened by a devastating injury. Both are forced to confront what truly matters. Zach must choose between duty and desire, between a safe, predictable future and the risky, passionate love he feels for Tristan. Tristan, facing the end of his football career, must decide whether he can accept love and support, or whether he'll retreat into old patterns of self-sufficiency and isolation. The stakes are higher than ever, and the choices they make will define their futures.

The Final Game

Tristan's triumphant return to the pitch is cut short by a catastrophic injury, shattering his dreams and sense of self. The loss is profound—not just of his career, but of his identity and the adulation he craved. In the aftermath, he is forced to confront his deepest fears: of being unworthy, of being alone, of being unloved. Zach, devastated by Tristan's pain, must decide whether he can be the support Tristan needs, even as his own life is in turmoil. The crisis strips away all pretense, leaving only raw truth.

Shattered Dreams

Hospitalized and facing an uncertain future, Tristan is at his lowest. The mask of arrogance and bravado falls away, revealing a young man desperate for love and acceptance. Zach's presence becomes a lifeline, offering comfort and hope. Their reunion is tender, marked by confessions and promises. For the first time, both allow themselves to be truly seen—flaws, fears, and all. The shattering of Tristan's dreams becomes the foundation for something new: a relationship built not on need or lust, but on mutual understanding and care.

Choosing Sides

Zach's decision to end his engagement and choose Tristan is both liberating and terrifying. The fallout is real—hurt feelings, broken expectations, and the challenge of building a life together in the face of public scrutiny and personal doubt. Tristan, still healing physically and emotionally, must learn to trust that he is enough, even without football. Zach, for his part, must prove that his love is steadfast, not just a reaction to crisis. Together, they navigate the complexities of commitment, family, and self-acceptance.

Vulnerability and Truth

In the aftermath of trauma, both men learn the power of vulnerability. Tristan, once terrified of needing anyone, allows himself to be cared for. Zach, once certain of his own rationality, embraces the messiness of love. Their relationship is far from perfect—marked by bickering, teasing, and the occasional power struggle—but it is real. They find joy in small moments, in shared laughter, in the comfort of each other's presence. The journey from enemies to lovers is complete, not because their problems are solved, but because they choose each other, every day.

Healing Together

Months later, Tristan and Zach have built a life together—imperfect, unconventional, but theirs. Tristan's future in football remains uncertain, but his sense of self is stronger. Surrounded by friends and family, he is no longer defined by rejection or fear. Zach, too, has found a new sense of purpose and belonging. Their love, forged in conflict and tested by adversity, endures. The story ends not with a fairy-tale resolution, but with the promise of continued growth, healing, and the daily choice to love and be loved.

Characters

Tristan DuVal

Tristan is a young, prodigiously talented footballer whose public persona—charming, confident, adored—is a carefully constructed mask. Beneath it lies a history of abandonment, deep insecurity, and a desperate need for validation. Rejected by his father as a child, Tristan has learned to manipulate and perform to earn affection, but he fears true vulnerability. His injury and forced dependence on Zach expose his fragility, while his brashness and wit serve as both armor and invitation. Over the course of the story, Tristan's journey is one of self-acceptance: learning to trust, to ask for help, and to believe he is worthy of love, even when stripped of fame and physical prowess.

Zach Hardaway

Zach is a highly respected physiotherapist, known for his discipline, competence, and emotional reserve. Engaged to a woman and identifying as straight, he is blindsided by his attraction to Tristan—a patient who challenges his authority and self-image at every turn. Zach's sense of responsibility is both his strength and his prison; he struggles to reconcile duty with desire, and to admit his own needs. His journey is one of surrender: letting go of rigid control, embracing vulnerability, and choosing love over obligation. Zach's relationship with Tristan forces him to confront his own fears and prejudices, ultimately leading him to a more authentic, passionate life.

Donna

Donna is Zach's long-term partner, a successful sports journalist who values independence and honesty. Their open relationship is built on mutual respect and practicality, but lacks deep passion. Donna's reaction to Zach's affair with Tristan is complex—hurt, but not vindictive. She insists on emotional honesty, refusing to settle for a marriage without true commitment. Donna's maturity and self-respect provide a counterpoint to the emotional chaos of the central relationship, and her willingness to let Zach go is an act of strength, not weakness.

Gabriel DuVal

Gabriel, Tristan's adoptive brother and fellow footballer, shares a complicated, often antagonistic relationship with Tristan. Both are products of abandonment and trauma, but where Gabriel finds solace in a loving partnership with Jared, Tristan remains emotionally isolated. Gabriel's journey with Jared serves as a foil to Tristan's struggles, highlighting the importance of vulnerability and the possibility of healing through love. Gabriel's confrontations with Tristan are sharp, but ultimately rooted in a shared understanding of pain.

Jared Sheldon

Jared is the team physician and Gabriel's partner, embodying empathy, integrity, and quiet strength. He serves as a confidant and advisor to both Zach and Tristan, offering guidance without judgment. Jared's own unconventional relationship with Gabriel provides a model of acceptance and resilience, and his presence grounds the story in a sense of hope. He is the rare adult who sees through Tristan's defenses and offers unconditional support.

Lydia

Lydia is Tristan's personal assistant, often the target of his bratty behavior. Her wit and resilience make her more than a mere side character; she provides comic relief, but also a grounded perspective on Tristan's flaws. Lydia's skepticism about Tristan's capacity for change is a challenge he must overcome, and her eventual acceptance signals his growth.

Nick Hardaway

Nick, Zach's brother, is openly gay, confident, and unafraid to pursue what he wants—including, briefly, Tristan. His flirtation with Tristan serves as a catalyst for Zach's jealousy and self-realization. Nick's easy acceptance of his own identity contrasts with Tristan's internalized shame, offering a glimpse of what self-acceptance might look like.

James Grayson

James is Tristan's half-brother, the son their shared father chose to acknowledge. James's easy charm and secure place in the world highlight the wounds Tristan carries from his own rejection. Their brief, awkward interactions force Tristan to confront his past and the possibility of reconciliation, or at least acceptance.

Ryan Hardaway

Ryan, another of Zach's brothers, is a supportive presence, offering friendship and humor. His close relationship with James and Nick creates a found-family dynamic that contrasts with Tristan's isolation. Ryan's warmth and acceptance help create a space where Tristan can begin to heal.

The DuVal/Grayson Patriarch

Though largely offstage, Tristan's biological father looms over the narrative as the origin of Tristan's deepest wounds. His rejection shapes Tristan's worldview, fueling both his ambition and his fear of intimacy. The shadow of this relationship must be confronted for Tristan to move forward.

Plot Devices

Enemies-to-Lovers

The story's central device is the classic enemies-to-lovers arc, where initial animosity masks deep compatibility and attraction. The friction between Tristan and Zach is both external (power struggles, professional boundaries) and internal (fear, denial), creating a dynamic that is as emotionally charged as it is erotic. Their journey from adversaries to partners is marked by small acts of care, escalating tension, and eventual surrender.

Forced Proximity

Tristan's injury is the mechanism that forces the characters into close, sustained contact. The necessity of daily therapy sessions strips away pretense and accelerates intimacy, while also providing a plausible reason for physical touch and emotional vulnerability. The injury also serves as a metaphor for the characters' emotional wounds, and their mutual healing.

Power Exchange and Discipline

The recurring motif of spanking and discipline is more than kink; it is a way for both men to express needs they cannot articulate. For Tristan, it is a form of care and attention; for Zach, a way to channel desire and concern. These moments blur the line between punishment and pleasure, highlighting the complexity of their dynamic.

Jealousy and Third Parties

The presence of Zach's fiancée, his brothers, and Tristan's half-brother introduces external pressures that force the protagonists to confront their feelings. Jealousy is not just a plot complication, but a mirror for their own desires and insecurities. These third parties also serve as foils, highlighting what is unique and irreplaceable in the central relationship.

Family and Identity

The revelation of Tristan's family history, and his encounter with his half-brother, deepens the emotional stakes. The story uses family as both a source of pain and a potential site of healing, exploring how identity is shaped by acceptance and rejection. The contrast between found family (Zach's siblings, Gabriel and Jared) and biological family underscores the theme of chosen belonging.

Narrative Structure

The story is structured around cycles of conflict and reconciliation, with each confrontation peeling back another layer of emotional armor. Foreshadowing is used to hint at deeper wounds and future crises, while the pacing ensures that moments of intimacy are earned through struggle. The narrative arc moves from external obstacles (injury, engagement) to internal ones (fear, self-worth), culminating in mutual vulnerability and commitment.

Analysis

Alessandra Hazard's Just a Bit Wrong is a masterclass in the enemies-to-lovers trope, using the high-stakes world of professional football as a backdrop for a deeply psychological exploration of intimacy, vulnerability, and self-acceptance. The novel interrogates the masks we wear—public personas, professional roles, emotional defenses—and the courage required to let them fall. Through the collision of two strong-willed, wounded men, Hazard examines how love can be both a source of healing and a terrifying risk. The story's eroticism is inseparable from its emotional arc: power play, discipline, and physical care become languages for needs that cannot be spoken. The narrative refuses easy resolutions; instead, it insists that true connection is forged through struggle, honesty, and the willingness to be seen at one's most unguarded. Ultimately, the novel suggests that love is not about perfection or certainty, but about the daily, imperfect choice to show up for oneself and another. In a world obsessed with image and achievement, Just a Bit Wrong is a celebration of flawed, messy, transformative love.

Last updated: October 31, 2025