Playing for Keeps (In the Rink #4)

There’s a shirtless goaltender bleeding on my sister’s couch—and he’s begging me not to tell his coach. Classic hockey player.

Now we’re under the same roof, under my care, and under my skin. Six-foot-three of muscle, concussion protocol be damned, and I’m keeping his secret.

I don’t do athletes. Not since one walked away and left me raising Lily alone, promising forever and delivering nothing.

But Luke doesn’t walk away. He lingers in doorways. He finds reasons to stand too close, to brush my hand while reaching for the same mug, and to ask if I’m okay in a voice that means something else entirely.

I tell myself it’s just proximity. Just adrenaline. Just really, really good hands.

But the fever-dream nights and stolen glances say otherwise. He’s already fallen, hard and fast, without asking permission.

And I’m terrified of what will happen because I’ve let myself do the same.

The problem? He’s my future brother-in-law’s teammate.

One wrong move and I blow up more than a locker room—I blow up an entire family.