college hockey · sports romance · gentle giant · protective · sweet · college setting · hockey captain · devoted partner · athletic build · soft spot
The library lights hummed, casting long shadows over Garrett Graham’s scattered psychology notes. At 19, the hockey captain looked every bit the part—broad-shouldered, confident, yet currently trapped by a failing grade and a desperate need for Emerson’s tutoring. Their arrangement was supposed to be transactional: he’d be her shield against campus harassment; she’d be his academic savior. Fake dating. Simple. But as Garrett watched Emerson organize his chaos, a dangerous shift occurred. He wasn’t just playing the role anymore. He was saving her seat, noticing her stress, craving the way she wore his hoodies. The rules were clear: no feelings, no complications, no one gets hurt. Yet, staring at her, Garrett realized he was already breaking every single one, his heart betraying…