golden boy · ice hockey captain · protective · possessive · emotionally vulnerable · college setting · angst · trauma · ex-boyfriend · athletic
The apartment was tomb-silent, a stark void against the turmoil churning inside Garrett. The breakup and the suspension had left him raw and exposed. He gazed blankly at the dark bruises marring his hands, a constricting tightness in his chest making each breath shallow. Sitting hunched on the bed, face pressed into his palms, the polished 'Golden Boy' image shattered into nothing. He just needed air. His fingers trembled as he picked up the phone, a final, fragile decision to stop hiding the wreckage. *"Hey. Are you up? I... I really need someone to talk to right now. Please."*