New England Bay Sharks

As a single father, I often feel like the weight of the world sits on my shoulders. When my daughter's nanny gives me her two weeks' notice, I'm sweating bullets. Fear that my NHL season with the New England Bay Sharks could be derailed consumes me. Finding a replacement seems impossible when, suddenly, Maci McKenzie-a struggling author who's running from some deep, dark secret in her past-steps into the picture. She needs a change of scenery to help her write, and I just need someone who isn't a complete weirdo to watch my kid when I'm not around. As we grow closer, I learn she's struggling to write the so-called "spicy" scenes. And, well, me being the nice fella I am, I offer my assistance and show her how a real man should treat a woman in between the sheets. It's the perfect deal really. I get off, and she gets the inspiration she needs to write a book. And not just any book… a hockey romance book. But like all deals, it's not black-and-white. Soon, I find myself falling in love with the woman. But the closer I get to her… the further she pulls away. Then, I finally find out what's haunting her from her past. Whoever says the truth will set you free has never heard a secret like this one.

For better or for worse. When I said those words in front of the pastor, I meant them. But that was before everything changed. Before it became clear that my wife would be better off without me. I had no choice but to sabotage us, and that was exactly what I did. Even though I pushed Paige to leave, it still hurt like hell, watching her do it. I'd never love another woman for as long as I lived. She was it for me. I guess those are the sacrifices we make for the people we love. And if I couldn't make her dreams come true, I had no right to keep her. Not completely anyway. Fast-forward to a year and a half later, and not a day has gone by where I don't miss my wife. But I made my bed, and now, it's time for me to lie in it. And while the rest of my life might be in ruins, my career on the ice has never been better. At least, until a direct hit to the chest almost kills me. And just like that, my wife, who is my emergency contact, is back. But she isn't happy with me-because those divorce papers she sent months ago? Yeah… they somehow landed in the trash. Realizing I will lose her again before I truly have her back, I offer her a deal. Ten days to prove we should have never separated. Ten days to redeem myself. And ten days to come clean about everything I've been hiding. Should be easy enough, right? Yeah, I didn't think so either. Shoot Your Shot features mature themes and content that may not be suitable for all audiences. Reader discretion is advised. Content warnings include: infertility, substance abuse, mental health, sexual content, and some violence.

It's true what they say, you really are wiser when you're older, because I've hated my younger self for years. After leaving behind the girl that I spent my entire life loving from afar, younger me deserves the hate, though. But when her dad told me I was ruining her life, I let my own insecurities consume me and knew I had to set her free. Now, I'm a defenseman for the New England Bay Sharks, living my dream. At least, that's what everyone thinks. Inside, I'm haunted by past mistakes, wishing I had a clock to turn back time and right my wrongs. Just as I lose hope that she's ever coming back, she shows up in Portland, bruised and battered-claiming she was in a car accident. She isn't the same strong-willed girl with the bright eyes she was before. No, replacing that girl is a woman in pain. A woman who's scared. And a woman who really hates my guts. Right away, I knew there was no car accident. No…those bruises were put on her perfect body by a monster. One that was supposed to care for and love her till the end of time. Worried for her safety, I craft a plan to keep her safe. One that includes her living in my house while pretending to be my girlfriend. After what I did to her all those years ago, I'll do anything to earn her forgiveness. I may have promised her that it's all for show and that I have no motive for wanting to keep her so close, but the truth is…I never stopped wanting her, and that's not about to change now. . . : & , , , .

Life as a professional hockey player keeps me plenty busy, and yet it often feels like I'm on autopilot as the world passes me by. I suppose I can't complain. I have the honor of calling myself a New England Bay Shark, so I have more than enough money to buy some form of happiness. Sleeping around with beautiful women may come with the territory, but I've never taken the time to actually get to know any of them. In fact, there's only one I've relentlessly thought about, but she's off-limits. Everyone knows you can't go after your best friend's little sister. Especially if he's already forbidden it. I've had a crush on Saylor Sawyer since I met her years ago, and even though I've spent many showers and nights alone creating my own fantasies, starring her, I know I can't act on those… filthy thoughts. No matter how hot they are. When a teammate hurts her badly, Saylor's on the warpath, looking for sweet revenge. I just happen to be the lucky bastard sitting at the other end of the bar. One hookup gets entangled with a lie, and things get complicated fast. But the lie wasn't mine, and I'm going to make damn sure she knows it too. See, the night she used me to get back at her ex awakened a beast inside of me. A beast that only wants Saylor Sawyer. A beast that won't stop until she's mine.

Known as the NHL's grumpiest player, it's obvious that I've always made it a point not to get to know anyone outside of my family or my team. After losing my dad as a kid, I never wanted to put myself at risk of feeling that kind of loss ever again. And it's been easy to go through life this way-closed off. At least . . . it was until I'm forced to volunteer at a youth hockey clinic. When I see Cash Hale take the ice, I know right away that he's different than most players his age. And when his mother Freya comes to pick him up at the end of the session, I find myself immediately charmed. And I know one thing for sure-that won't be our last encounter. I'd make sure of that. For a man who's avoided getting to know people my entire life, I'm as shocked as anyone when suddenly I find myself going out of my way to be around not only Freya, but her three kids, too. And when her youngest, Aviana, is in dire need of a surgery that her mom can't afford . . . I somehow convince Freya to marry me for my health insurance. As my feelings grow deeper, what may have started off as just a marriage–of–convenience turns complicated fast. I just hope that Freya will let me love her like a true husband and stop pushing me away to keep living in the past.