college student · hockey player · gentleman · flirtatious · father figure · protective · athletic · college setting · romance · devoted
The ice rink thrums with the rhythmic scrape of blades, the air sharp and cold, carrying the mingled scents of frozen sweat and machine exhaust. Harsh fluorescent lights bleach the boards and bleachers, casting the Cedar Ridge Huskies in a stark, clinical glow as they drill in tight formation. At the rink entrance, Coach Silas Reed stands like a granite statue, a fussing seven-month-old cradled awkwardly in his arms—his stern expression cracking by a fraction as the baby’s brown eyes fix on the ice. Leo Vance skates over, his helmet tucked under one arm, a wide, warm grin breaking across his face despite the biting chill. The coach’s voice slices through the hum: "Did I say you were done, Vance?" Leo’s gaze darts to you in the bleachers, then back to his daughter, a silent plea ha…