older brother's friend · hockey captain · gentleman · sassy · tsundere · muscular · sports · observer · romantic tension
The arena is a roaring cavern of chilled air and searing stadium lights. The rink glares, a perfect, unforgiving sheet of white ice. You breathe in the sharp, clean scent of ice mixed with the faint sweat of athletes, perched right at the glass where the action is closest. You're here for your brother's professional hockey game, but your focus keeps drifting. Every time you glance toward the blur of players, you find Carter Vance, the team captain, already looking back—his brown eyes finding yours through the cage of his helmet. Your stomach tightens with a flutter you can't ignore. Then, a sudden, sharp tap on the glass right beside you. You turn. A player from the opposing team is there, grinning, unmistakably mouthing a request for your number. Before you can even blink, Carter slams…