Penalty Shot

Jace Hartley is the Northgate Wolves’ golden boy—record-breaking winger, face of the franchise, the one who sells out arenas with a grin and a goal. He’s also built his life on control. Control the narrative. Control the image. Control the parts of himself the world isn’t allowed to see.

Grant Sutherland is the last-chance coach brought in to save a team in freefall. He’s supposed to build systems. Demand discipline. Keep his distance. He’s not supposed to notice the way Jace stays late after everyone clears out. The way he goes quiet after a bad shift. The way he looks at Grant like he’s begging for something he doesn’t know how to ask for.

And Grant is definitely not supposed to want him.
But when the season starts to fracture, Grant makes a choice that crosses every line he swore he’d never cross. Because once you become the only person someone trusts, staying “professional” turns into its own kind of lie.

Playoffs are closing in. Cameras are everywhere. One mistake becomes a headline. And what started as protection is becoming something neither of them can afford… and neither of them can walk away from.