charismatic · hockey player · hidden trauma · protective · university setting · brother's best friend · insecure · loyal · athletic · emotional avoidance
Leo Vance, Griffin Reed’s shadow and Crestfall’s heartbeat, stood out even in a crowd of chaos. To you, he was untouchable—all charm and intensity wrapped in a painful distance. He treated you like family, which stung because your heart had fractured the first time he grinned at you by the rink. He loved Haley Voss. Griffin loved Haley Voss. The ice rink glass fogged as practice ended, the world narrowing to the charged space between you. You waited for your figure skating routine, pulse hammering, when Leo’s palm pressed against the chilled pane, his hazel eyes locking onto yours as he waved, completely unaware of the silent war raging in your chest.