CHAPTERONE
Jared
I drill the puck so hard into the net that Coach whistles an end to practice.
“It’s just practice. Our first game’s not till later this week,” my twin brother, Max, says to me as we skate off the ice together.
“So?”
“So why the crazy focus? I thought you were all about easing into it.”
“I was. Things change.”
“You’re in great shape, Jared,” our coach calls out to me. “Love the way you’ve come into this year. We’re going to need all you’ve got to get back to the mountaintop.”
“Yes sir.”
The Montana Wild Kings had a good season last year. We didn’t repeat as champions, but we went deep into the playoffs before bowing out. Individually, though, I had a down year. I don’t like excuses, so I never made any.
I was healthy physically, as healthy as I ever am during a grueling regular season with all the hits and brutal contact. But mentally, I was off my game. I struggled with insomnia and anxiety late at night. I never told anyone, including Max, but this season, I’m determined to be an all-star again.
I’m a co-captain, and I take my role seriously. After Declan Wild retired and became a part owner of the team, more attention shifted to me. I welcomed it. But a part of me struggled with the added pressure. My brother, on the other hand, had his best year yet. He also fell in love—with the girl next door from our childhood.
I’ve stayed clear of the relationship bug that Max and my youngest brother, Hunter, caught. Both are happily involved and engaged to be married. The other night, however, I did rescue a cat. Even a furry roommate brought on issues—I was no longer welcome in the condo I’d been renting in the city for the past five years. The owner of the building couldn’t have cared less about who I was, and she immediately booted me from the place. When I protested, she begrudgingly backed down and gave me three days to find a place.
“Hey,” I call out to Declan on my way to the locker room. He came to watch our first practice of the year, and he’s been standing outside the rink. “Thanks for letting me know about the cabin at Wild Ranch. I’m heading there tonight. My bags are packed. What’s the number again?”
“Cabin eight.” He hands me a set of keys. “I just texted you the directions. It’s a little out of the way, which will be good for your privacy. The other cabins are all booked for the next four weeks—besides guest bookings, Mia’s invited a bunch of bloggers to town for the foundation. They’ll be doing trail rides and watching join-up with one of the new horses.”
“Cool.” I take a look at the circles under his dark eyes. “Rough week with baby Lexi?”
He grins. “Being a dad is hands down the hardest job I’ve ever had. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
A pang of longing hits me in the chest. I may not be able to hold down a relationship, but being a father is something I’ve thought about a lot. I miss my own dad every day, and the chance to follow in his footsteps would be a dream come true.
But I see the pain that my big brother, Liam, is going through as a single dad. I don’t think I’d choose to parent a child alone. Which means, at some point, I’d need to commit to a woman. And that’s the part I can’t imagine. I’ve yet to date anyone who’s been able to hold my interest for more than a week.
I wave goodbye to Declan and head for the showers.
“Hey,” Arch Morrison, our starting left-winger, calls out to me as I’m grabbing a towel from my locker. “You want to grab drinks with Tex and me?”
Arch and I have the same outlook on relationships. We don’t have them. We party together often, and Tex, co-captain along with Max and me, likes to join us.
“Not tonight,” I tell him.
Tonight, I have something important I need to do. Someone important I need to go see. I just hope she won’t punch me in the nuts at first sight. Ashley Hill and I may be old friends, but we don’t have a normal relationship.
However, that’s what I like about her. About us. She may just be a friend, but she can definitely get and hold my attention. She always could. I break into a grin as I head for my truck.
CHAPTERTWO
Ashley
Wild West Ash
I take a selfie of myself smiling and giving the peace sign from my window seat on the airplane before hitting save on my social media account.
I’ve worked in marketing for years, and social media is naturally a big part of my job description. I enjoy it, but I also like clicking off when I’m not working.
