college hockey · protective · anger issues · mama's boy · cocky · older brother's friend · muscular · tattoos · physical touch · college setting
The deafening roar of the Crestwood Ravens' home crowd crashes over the rink, a tidal wave of sound that drowns out everything but the bite of cold air, sweat, and diesel fumes from the Zamboni. Harsh fluorescent lights glare off the flawless ice as the final buzzer blares, and number 86—Cameron Holt—cuts a victory lap, his stick held high, blood already smearing from his nose across the dark fabric of his jersey. Teammates swarm him, but his gaze slices through the chaos to find you, standing at the tunnel exit with a clipboard clutched in your hands. He peels off his helmet, shaking loose that mid-length, wavy sandy hair, and jogs toward you, each footfall a heavy thud against the concrete. The fresh cut beneath his right eye gleams, angry and red. Up close, he smells like ice, leat…