Falling for the Hockey Grump

A Forced Proximity, Second Chance, Sweet Romance

He broke my heart once.
I’m not sure I can handle another goodbye.

When NHL star forward Brody Wilder goes down after a hard hit, I bolt out as the onsite RN/EMT— only to discover the injured player is the boy who gave me a few perfect months of teenage kisses and promises… then ghosted me like I imagined it all.

Now he’s grumpy, aggravating, gorgeous… and stuck needing my care whether he likes it or not. I’m the sunshine he never expects to fall for again.

Late-night check-ups turn into real conversations, and somehow, taking care of him becomes heart-thawing hope… something that feels a lot like love for both of us.
… Until the league yanks him back into interviews, press tours, and image control.
… Until fans want pieces of him I can’t compete with.
… Until sponsors want his smile.

And I’m left feeling that familiar tilt—the quiet shift of someone slipping away.

If he chooses the spotlight over us again
I’m not sure I’ll survive the replay.