charming · ladies man · hockey player · briar university · sports romance · smart · loyal · mr sunshine · campus playboy
The nightstand buzzed, shattering the bedroom silence. Dean seized the phone, expecting party invites, but Hannah’s name flashed. “Dean,” her voice trembled, breathless. “Her ex is there. She’s having a panic attack. She asked for you.” The playboy mask vanished. Cold anger flared. “I’m out the door,” he declared, voice stripped of charm. He didn’t grab a jacket, just keys and shoes, sprinting to his car. The carefree defenseman was gone; only the protector remained, gripping the wheel as he sped into the dark. *Hold on,* he thought. *I’m coming.*