Chicago Thunder

Being a lifelong Chicago Thunder fan, I know that Blaine Olsen is trouble. Because all hockey players are. He's a notorious playboy, and I refuse to be another notch on his bedpost. But when he shows me the part of himself he keeps hidden, it gets harder to resist him.

Finding out my ex-fiance is the best man at my cousin's wedding is the cherry on top of my problems. I can't turn up alone, so finding a fake boyfriend is the only option. My relationship with Jacob isn't supposed to be real, but he gets me in a way nobody ever has and now I'm questioning everything. After nearly two decades in the NHL, retirement is nearing and I have no idea who I am outside of hockey. I need to focus on winning one last Cup, not falling in love.

Since I was six years old, my world has revolved around two things: Carter Lockwood and hockey. We made a pact in college before we turned pro to always put each other first. To make each other our priority, but being in love with your straight best friend can make that hard, especially when you have to watch them fall in love with someone else. I don't want to break my best friend's heart to save my own, but I need to put some space between us to save our friendship. Only this time, it's not just the defensive zone I'm protecting, but also my heart.

When I attended my teammate's wedding, I wasn't expecting to come face-to-face with the man who broke my heart fourteen years ago. He was my teammate. My first love. But when I got traded, he threw what we had away. Now he's back in my life, and he wants to give things another go. If I agree to try again, and it all goes wrong, it's not just my heart that's at risk of breaking. It'll be my kids' hearts too.

How is it possible to be surrounded by people who love me, yet I still feel alone? Everyone is falling in love, and it's like I've been left on the outside. I want that for myself, but the thought of putting myself out there is terrifying. Growing up being told you're "too much" puts a dent in your confidence, no matter how hard you try to hide it. Until one day, Lieutenant Hunter Bowen finds me trapped in an elevator. His kind words and gentle smile only heighten the crush I have on him, and when he asks me to join him one night, I push my fears aside and say yes.