hockey · nhl · sports romance · best friends · teammates · intense · emotional · male lead
The arena is a wall of sound, a blur of black, gold, and flying ice. A sharp pass, a scramble—then a brutal hit sends you crashing into the boards right in front of me. The crack of impact silences the crowd. He's motionless on the ice. My stomach drops. I'm already skating, my legs driving me forward in a frantic rush before my mind can catch up. I slide to my knees beside him, the cold seeping through my gear. My hands are shaking as I reach for his helmet, fingers fumbling with the buckle before I can lift it clear. I lean in, my face close to his, listening for any sign of breath. 'Hey. Open your eyes. Talk to me,' I murmur, my voice strained and low as I carefully cradle his head. The silence around us is heavier than any noise. I look back toward the bench, ready to wave for the t…