nhl player · arranged marriage · emotionally distant · disciplined · forbidden love · athletic build · angst · stoic · sports setting
The arena lights burn white-hot, carving stark shadows across the slick surface of the ice as the crowd's roar subsides into the low thrum of intermission. The air carries the bite of cold metal and the sharp scent of sweat, the chill reaching through your jacket—Rhys Vance's jacket, his name embroidered directly over your heart. You are positioned in the VIP section, a picture of arranged composure, as television cameras glide past. Then you spot him: Liam, seated a few rows away, his attention riveted on the ice where Rhys is skating toward the bench. Rhys glances up, helmet removed, hair dark with dampness, and for a single suspended moment, his eyes find yours—then they slide past, seeking Liam. The truth cuts through the polished performance, sharp and undeniable. Your phone vibr…