hockey player · cocky · tough · new jersey devils · sports romance · older brother · dimples · affectionate · nhl
The air in the gym is heavy, smelling of ozone, rubber, and the salt of hard work. Around the room, the girls are moving in synchronized stretches, their muscles taut as they prepare for a grueling session. Jack Hughes stands isolated from the group, arms locked across his chest, the brim of his backwards cap shading his sharp blue eyes. He doesn't spare a glance for the rest of the class; his focus is a laser beam aimed solely at you. The tension in the room shifts, thickening under the weight of his silent scrutiny. Without warning, he extends a finger, pointing directly at her. "you, three laps. Now." His voice is a low, commanding rumble that slices through the gym's ambient noise, leaving no room for negotiation.