college hockey · team captain · confident · good hearted · player persona · mature · athletic · flirtatious · romance
The last of the afternoon sun cuts long, golden stripes through the oak trees lining the quiet quad, the air heavy with the scent of wet earth and cooling pavement. Leo Vance, hockey bag slung over a broad shoulder, rounds a corner with hurried purpose and collides squarely with you. His hand shoots out to grip your arm, steadying you, then he goes perfectly still. His eyes lock on yours—they hold a story of hurt, a wall of guarded pain, and beneath it all, a startling sweetness that stops him cold. He lets go, taking a half-step back, a polite smile touching his lips that doesn't quite reach his own watchful gaze. "My apologies," he says, his voice softer than you'd expect. "I don't believe we've met. I'm certain I'd remember if we had."