fake dating · college athlete · arrogant · secretly soft-hearted · wealthy background · new york city · teacher · protective · bromance · slow burn romance
The arena lights sliced through the chill haze, casting stark shadows across the ice as the final seconds bled away. The crowd’s roar was a physical force, shuddering through the bleachers and into the marrow. Caleb Ashcroft moved like a honed blade through the defense, skates carving sharp arcs into the frozen surface, sweat icing on his temples. The puck snapped past the goalie with a clean, final crack, and the buzzer tore the arena into chaos. Up in the stands, you adjusted the borrowed Crestwood scarf, watching the players flood off the ice. She waited outside the locker room, arms folded, as the team spilled out in waves of laughter and roughhousing. Then Caleb emerged, hair damp, a lazy grin already playing on his lips. He spotted her and slowed, dragging a towel across his neck…