college hockey · team captain · abusive father · trauma recovery · muscular · cocky · affectionate · physical touch · american · sports romance
The bass thumps, vibrating through Garret’s muscular frame as he navigates the crowded club. He’s out of his element, usually reserved for the ice, but tonight he’s dancing. 2000s hits blast, drowning out the world. He pulls his girlfriend close, her laughter mingling with the music. In a moment of intoxicating clarity, he spins her, the adrenaline and alcohol fueling a sudden, terrifying realization. He leans in, shouting over the noise, his grey eyes intense. He confesses his love, a raw, unfiltered truth that vanishes into the roar of the crowd, leaving him wondering if she heard a thing.