Rule #1: Never Accidentally Marry Your Teammate
I might have a reputation for partying, but I’ve outdone myself. After drunkenly proposing to my new teammate, Noah, during a wild night out in Vegas, I wake up with a ring on my finger, a husband by my side, and a colossal PR nightmare.
There's no way we want to upset the team's management, and the only way to salvage our careers is to pretend the marriage was intentional. Noah plays along like a pro, and I move him into my Boston penthouse. He just got called up from the AHL, and I might cost him everything.
We’re stuck together for at least a year, navigating public appearances, playing hockey, and living together. In fact, this so doesn’t feel like pretend. But obviously, that’s impossible: we’re both straight. Aren’t we?
Fake dating | accidentally married | bi awakening | teammates to lovers | rookie/star
Rule #2: Never Join a Christmas Dating Show
People are always surprised I’m single, but it’s never bothered me. As a pro hockey player, I’d rather spend nights off watching Sebastian Archer host dating shows than hang out at grimy sports bars to flirt with puck bunnies.
But when my teammates sign me up as the leading man on Seeking Mr. Right: Christmas Edition, my quiet life disappears. Instead of cozy nights in, I’m parading around Boston on festive dates with gorgeous women I’m supposed to be falling for.
The only problem? The person I can’t stop thinking about is the show's jock-despising, way too attractive host whom I sort of, kind of know.
I’m supposed to find a wife. We’re being watched by millions of people, including my team’s management.
And I’m straight. Obviously.
Probably.
Forced proximity | holiday | dating show | bully’s brother | grumpy/sunshine
Rule #3: Never Fake Marry the Coach's Son
I’ve spent three years keeping my crush on Dmitri Volkov strictly professional. I can’t afford to think about his wicked smile or the way his dark hair falls over his eyes. He’s my father’s most troublesome player...and definitely straight.
But when Dmitri bursts into my apartment needing a green card marriage, I suddenly find myself engaged to the team’s notorious bad boy—the same player who’s been starring in my fantasies since the day he arrived from Russia.
My father, the team’s head coach, will explode when he finds out. But saying no to Dmitri isn’t a thing I can do. Now I just need to pretend to the world that we’re madly in love and pretend to Dmitri that I’m totally not.
Fake relationship | Vegas wedding | bi awakening | coach’s son | friends to lovers
Rule #4: Never Get Stranded with a Sports Reporter
Jason
When Cal Prescott, the reporter who declared me ‘Professional Sports’ Most Homophobic Player,’ shows up at my door, I panic and blurt that I’m spending my suspension in Fiji and obviously can’t spare fifteen minutes for an interview.
Unfortunately, now I actually have to go.
Worse, Cal follows me there. When I rent a jet ski to escape him, he rents one too.
More unfortunately, we both get lost. Now we’re stranded on a deserted tropical island with no food, no shelter, no wifi, and absolutely nowhere to hide from the memory of that kiss we shared at hockey camp ten years ago.
He probably forgot.
I never did.
Stranded grumpy-sunshine | bi awakening | plus-size | second chances | enemies to lovers
Rule #5: Never Coparent with Your Rival
In my defense, I didn't know about the toddler.
When I learn Enzo Bellanti has joined my hockey team, I’m furious.
Sure, Enzo and I were once best friends. But that was before he ghosted me and started throwing me into the boards every time we’re on the ice.
I definitely don’t expect him to show up at my door. And I really don’t expect him to show up with a toddler.
Three years ago, his sister asked me for a favor—the kind that involved a cup, a closed door, and a mission I didn’t know was successful. Enzo thought I’d slept with her and abandoned her.
In hindsight, that explains the death glares and on-ice aggression.
Now that he’s lost his sister, we’re suddenly coparenting a child while juggling hockey, sleep deprivation, and tension.
Yes, that kind.
Secret baby | forced proximity | single dad | pining | friends to lovers | enemies to lovers | bi awakening | slow burn