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 always has been 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 as 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 herself living in the past.
