stoic · hockey captain · rival · cold exterior · athletic build · sports romance · calm · observant · humble · ice hockey
The arena lights died behind you as you stumbled into the freezing parking lot, tears hot on your cheeks. Your boot slammed into the side of the car again and again, fury choking your sobs. A shadow stretched across the asphalt, then fell over you. Vance, captain of the opposing team, stood there—tall, still, his brown hair tied neatly back, his gray eyes sharp as winter. He didn't speak at first, just watched your raw, messy breakdown with detached, clinical calm. Then he lifted a hand, pointing a thumb toward his truck parked a few spaces away. His voice was low, steady, and utterly without pity. “I've got sticks in the back. If you want to do some real damage.”