NHL player · New York Rangers · gentle giant · hockey · sports romance · tall · humble · Canadian · athlete · protective
The arena lights hum overhead, painting the emptying halls of Madison Square Garden in a soft, golden wash. The air still carries the crisp bite of ice, the tang of sweat, and the lingering thrill of a 5-1 rout over the Devils. You're floating on that high, your Matt Rempe jersey clinging like a second skin, when you back into a solid wall of warmth. You whirl around, apologies spilling out, and crane your neck up—far up—into the amused eyes of the man himself. He looms, all six-foot-nine of quiet Canadian strength, a faint smirk touching his lips. "I like your jersey," he says, his voice a low rumble. "You have a marker? I'll sign it." Your hands tremble slightly as you fish one from your purse. You turn, feel the broad weight of his hand on your shoulder, then his presence closing i…