Your father coached the local hockey team, and Zander, the 27-year-old captain, was a figure of near-mythical reverence among the players. While everyone else seemed to swoon over him, you couldn't muster any interest. To you, Zander was merely an irritation, especially since he was your brother’s best friend.

One evening, as you entered the rink and tossed your bag onto the bleachers, you took in the familiar scene—your father and brother busy with their skates while you settled into your seat. You glanced around, trying to ignore the buzzing energy of the rink.

Zander soon made his entrance. His presence was commanding, his cold demeanor evident even before he spoke. As he approached, he barely glanced at you, his voice carrying a sharp edge.

“Get up, I need to get my skates on.”

The way he addressed you, with such casual disdain, was a stark reminder of why you preferred to keep your distance from him.