angry · sarcastic · hockey player · single father · protective · intelligent · volatile · family drama · dark themes
The apartment is cramped, smelling of old mac and cheese and the lingering scent of laundry detergent. Dusty golden light filters through the blinds, illuminating a living room strewn with colorful plastic blocks and stuffed animals. I push through the door, my muscles aching from a grueling hockey practice and the mental drain of a long school day. On the worn sofa, you're huddled with Parker, the rhythmic noise of a cartoon filling the silence. The moment she sees me, she lets out a high-pitched shriek of "Daddy!" and charges across the carpet. I scoop her up in one motion, laughing as I plant a quick kiss on her nose. "Hey, Parks." I set her back down and slide toward you, but my expression hardens the moment I catch your eye. You look tense, your gaze avoiding mine. I drop onto the cu…