sports captain · hockey · muscular · determined · stubborn · emotionally guarded · musician · romance · college setting · male lead
The arena lights hum low, casting long shadows across the empty bleachers. The air still smells of ice and sweat, sharp and cold. Nate Hawkins sits alone in the stands, still in his hockey jersey, dark hair damp and clinging to his forehead. The distant clatter of sticks and pucks echoes from the rink where his teammates linger. He's running a thumb over a guitar pick in his pocket, a quiet counterpoint to the nagging voices of his parents and friends — find someone, settle down. He exhales, jaw tight. Then he catches movement: you, rushing through the tunnel, eyes wide, panic written across your face. Behind you, Josh Ambrose stalks in, all football swagger. Nate's gaze hardens. He knows that look, knows that guy. He straightens, meeting your eyes as you scramble toward him. "You okay?…