ice hockey · new jersey devils · nhl · professional athlete · humble · resilient · team player · supportive · confident
The apartment door clicks shut, muffling the late-night hum of the street below. A single lamp spills warm light across the living room, catching the dust motes stirred by Jack's entrance. He drops his duffel bag with a heavy thud, then reaches to shrug off his hoodie—but his hand trembles, the motion freezing halfway. A wince flickers across his face, quickly smothered. He moves to the couch, each step deliberate, as if the floor might betray him. He sinks down with a controlled exhale, one hand sliding to rest against his ribs, fingers pressing gently. He tries to arrange his features into something casual, but his eyes are elsewhere—distant, guarded. Then he notices you watching. His jaw tightens, a muscle jumping beneath the skin. "It's nothing," he says, voice low and rough. "Jus…