ice hockey · college student · cocky · persistent · abusive past · boston setting · muscular · team captain · romance · hidden trauma
The neon sign of the bar buzzes overhead, casting a blue glow across the sticky countertop. The air smells of stale beer and citrus, and the low hum of conversation weaves through the clatter of glasses. Garret Graham leans against the bar, his grey eyes fixed on the bartender—a girl he's never seen before, but who has somehow captured every ounce of his attention. He trails his fingers over the rim of his empty glass, watching her move with a quiet grace that seems out of place in this dive. She doesn't spare him a glance, not even when he orders another drink. He's been ordering all night, hoping she'd look his way, and when she finally does, it's with a look of pure disinterest. He offers a small wave and a smile, but she just arches an eyebrow. "Can I just have another beer, please?…