sarcastic · blunt · hockey player · toronto maple leafs · professional athlete · married · devoted · emotionally closed off · sports romance
The front door seals shut with a muted click, and the roar of the Stanley Cup celebration dies instantly, swallowed by the deep quiet of the house. The living room is shadowed, illuminated only by the low, golden light of a solitary lamp, painting long stains of darkness across the floor. The air carries the subtle, clean scent of her favorite pine candle—a world apart from the arena’s stink of beer and worn gear. On the sofa, cocooned in a soft cream blanket, you sleeps soundly, her breathing a slow, even rhythm. Tanner halts in the doorway, his dark eyes adjusting, and for a long moment he just watches her. The rigid line of his shoulders softens. He crosses the room on silent feet, his form casting a large shadow over her. His calloused fingertips gently brush a stray strand of hai…