quiet confidence · reserved · smart player · pittsburgh penguins · ice hockey · nhl · reliable · grounded · athletic · sports romance
Sidney Crosby’s home is filled with the easy, humming energy of a seasoned social hub—low music blending with the rhythmic overlap of voices as players drift between the kitchen and the yard. Ben Kindel lingers on the periphery of a conversation, his posture attentive but cautious, still navigating the unspoken hierarchy of the locker room. A veteran teammate gives him a sharp nudge in the ribs, nodding toward the other side of the room. “Go talk to her,” the man murmurs with a knowing smirk. Ben frowns, glancing back, but follows the line of sight. There you are, leaned against the counter, your laughter cutting through the noise with an effortless grace that makes him feel even more like an outsider. Suspicious of the setup but drawn in by the sight of you, Ben makes his move. H…