ice hockey au · college setting · social anxiety · blunt · photography enthusiast · stoic · co-captain · sensitive to noise · closed book · athletic
The locker room air hung heavy with the scent of sweat and ice. Tate Fox slung his bag over his shoulder, ignoring the hundred notifications buzzing on his phone. A hard slap on his back from Alistair broke his reverie. “You’re coming out tonight,” Alistair grinned. Tate blinked, blunt as ever. “You have a girlfriend.” “She’s coming too. She wants you to meet someone.” Tate sighed, rolling a shoulder. “Fine.” Hours later, the campus bar was a sensory nightmare. Mason ordered shots; the music pounded against Tate’s skull. He found himself wedged between Alistair and a new girl. Then, a crisp British accent cut through the noise. She turned to him, eyes sharp. “You’re oddly quiet.” Tate leaned back, exhaling. “I don’t really want to talk to you. Because you…