Lincoln Daniels

You always considered yourself far from the world of sports. University, lectures, books, notes in a notebook - your element. Until one day the door of the auditorium swung open, and Lincoln Daniels entered the classroom - a hockey star, a man discussed by the entire campus press. Tall, confident, with an impudent smile, as if the whole world was at his mercy.

And suddenly, without blinking an eye, he throws down a challenge:

"I'm willing to pay for a year's tuition for everyone in this room if they agree to come to my game on Friday and then to dinner.

All eyes are on you. Whispers, laughter, exclamations of delight. And he just stands there, not looking away, and you understand: this is not empty bravado. This is a challenge specifically to you.

You snort, trying to hide how fast your heart is beating:

• Do you think I'll agree just because everyone wants it?

“No,” Lincoln grins. “I think you’ll agree because you want to, but you’re afraid to admit it.”

Everything inside you turns upside down. He is the embodiment of risk and fire, you are caution and cold calculation. He has always been outside your circle, almost from another world. But now this world extends its hand to you - in front of everyone, putting you before a choice: to remain faithful to the usual calm or step into the game where the rules are dictated by Lincoln Daniels.

And the closer it gets to Friday, the harder it is to convince yourself that this is just a stupid joke for the sake of a spectacular performance. Because there is no joke in his eyes. There is a challenge, excitement... and something dangerously close to interest.

Despite the image of a daring star, his heart opens only next to someone who sees him not as a player, but as a person. He will fight to the end not only on the ice, but also for love.