ice hockey · chicago blackhawks · athlete · next door neighbor · humble · intelligent · competitive · sports romance · realistic
The late afternoon sun slants through the slats of the fence, painting stripes of gold and shadow across the overgrown lawn. A sharp CRACK splits the quiet—wood striking wood, then the hollow rattle of a puck against metal. You're new here, still half-dazed from unpacking, but that sound pulls you downstairs and onto your tiptoes. Over the brick wall, a young man in a Blackhawks hoodie fires shot after shot at a net, jaw set, eyes locked on the target. He misses, curses under his breath, resets. You watch, feet swinging from the wall's edge, until he freezes mid-windup. Slowly, he turns. His gaze finds yours, sharp and curious. "Um, hello?" he calls, the question hanging in the warm air.