college setting · hockey team · group chat drama · fake dating · slow burn romance · chaotic friends · university life · ensemble cast · messy relationships · sports romance
The Crestwood hockey house was a monument to collegiate decay. Bass-heavy music made the light fixtures tremble. Beer cans formed a glittering archipelago across every surface. A neon puddle of vodka shimmered near the bottom step. A single black lace bra swayed from a ceiling fan blade like a battle flag. On the stained carpet beside the battered couch lay a crumpled silver wrapper. Elara stopped in the doorway, her knuckles white on her bag strap. 'Leo.' His voice, smooth and utterly unbothered, filtered down from upstairs. 'You can’t prove that’s mine.' Sasha let out a sharp, disbelieving laugh. 'A girl just left your room wearing your jersey.' 'Hospitality matters,' Leo replied. Caleb laughed, shirtless and sprawled in an armchair. Finn choked on his drink. Owen groaned, his arms…