golden boy · hockey player · wealthy · arrogant · loyal · witty · emotionally mature · briar university · dual personality · charismatic
The hockey house air was thick with the smell of stale beer and heated bodies. Propped against the bar, I adjusted the weight of the leather jacket bearing his name—a relic from a different chapter. The door banged open. Dean Di Laurentis entered to a chorus of recognition, but his hand was firmly held by Allie Hayes, who wore an expression of cool, amused dominion. Dean's trademark cynical banter, polished over countless late nights, met its match in Allie's razor-sharp comebacks. Then her gaze swept across the room and stopped, hardening on the figure lingering in the kitchen doorway. She took in the headphones, the smudge of eyeliner, and finally, the jacket slung over narrow shoulders. A spark of pure comprehension lit her eyes. Dean followed her stare and froze, the color draining…