Grace Reilly

A secret friends-with-benefits arrangement with the coach’s daughter shouldn’t have a shot in the dark of leading to more…

Cooper

As a pro-bound college athlete with a good-time reputation, I usually have my pick of puck bunnies. But lately, I’ve been in a dry spell that feels more like a curse, and the stress is affecting my game–the one thing that can’t happen if I’m going to keep building my case for a future in the NHL, starting with making team captain. 

Enter Penny Ryder. 

She’s my coach’s daughter, but the moment she pulls me into that ice rink closet and lets me have my way with her, she’s the one thing on my mind besides hockey. She wants me to introduce her to all the things she’s been dying to experience with a guy, and by looking at her list? We’re kindred spirits in the bedroom. If I say yes, I’ll be relaxed on the ice again —but if her dad finds out what we’re up to, I’ll be forced to say goodbye to the chance at being captain and finally earning my own father’s approval. 

Penny

Thanks to the ex from hell, I’m a long way from being ready for a relationship–but after an unfortunate morning involving my roommate and a flying–ahem–personal toy, it’s clear that it’s finally time to reclaim my agency, one long-sought-after experience in bed at a time. 

Enter Cooper Callahan. 

He’s the most casual guy I can think to be with–but he just so happens to be my hockey coach dad’s star defenseman. An arrangement with him will force me to keep yet another major secret from my father, but the agreement we strike is simple: secret friends-with-benefits until he makes captain… and I cross off all the experiences on my list in order to finally move on from the incident that ruined both my life and my figure skating career at sixteen. 

Yet the longer our connection goes on, the more we trust each other, and the less I want to say goodbye. I know love leads to heartbreak, but what if it can also clear the ice for a breakaway?


 Beyond the Play Book #2 : A Coach's Daughter College Sports Romance

Breakaway

nanafark

To Richard Callahan, mistakes are a one-time thing, and making the same one twice is stupidity.

he’s so cute and he doesn’t even know it yet!

“Cool. Are you going to just stare at me, or are you going to help?”

I stand up. “Sorry. I wasn’t sure who to expect.”

She gives me a look, almost like she’s offended, which is weird, because I’ve never seen this girl in my life. 

I wouldn’t forget a girl with hair like fire and eyes like the sky in early spring.

I need to escape before I make a real ass of myself. Like argue with her a bit more, or even worse, kiss her. I still very much want to do that; the fact she’s Ryder’s daughter hasn’t magically erased the attraction I’m feeling.

I peer into the hallway to make sure the coast is clear. “I’ll see you around.”

This time it really is her; she’s looking hot as fuck in a tight sweater dress and tall boots, her hair half-up, half-down, braids framing her face like a crown. She’s hanging on the arm of some random fucking guy, letting him push her up against the wall as she laughs with a cute snort.

I can’t breathe for a second. I thought I was on edge before, but now I’m on the verge of fucking losing it. I wish I could rip the image of her in that dress out of my mind. Or save it for later, but without that prick in the picture.

I have no claim to her. In fact, I actively try to avoid having a claim over any girls at all, especially when their last names are Ryder.

But something about seeing her with another guy makes my chest hurt, and when I swallow, it’s like I have a bone stuck in my throat.

Seeing him with two brand-new puck bunnies shouldn’t hurt. It’s not 

 to hurt. Here I am with a guy of my own, after all, and an agenda just like him.

But it does hurt, and that realization is enough to push Alfred away.

“Callahan,” I say. I have no idea where I’m going with this. What do I even want? All I know is that if he kisses either of those girls in front of me, it’ll hurt worse than wiping out while attempting a triple axel.

I sidestep the implication that I’m someone she’d never catch feelings for to say. 

Her assessment of the situation shouldn’t hurt, but it does. If I wanted to be in a relationship with someone, I totally could, I just haven’t wanted to tie myself down. 

 to be in a relationship and not being boyfriend material. I’d be a fantastic fucking boyfriend if I wanted that.

Part of me desperately wants to say yes, if only for the chance to kiss her again, 

but I’d be playing a dangerous game. When a hookup goes on for too long, feelings inevitably get involved.

“He doesn’t want to say yes because he thinks you’re too good for it. He’s not annoyed, Pen, he’s being protective.”

. He doesn’t want to be the big bad wolf sullying Little Red Riding Hood.”

“So, which is it? Was I really such a bad hookup?”

The bark of laughter he lets out startles me. “Sweetheart, nothing about that was bad except the fact it had to end,” he says; there’s a low note in his voice that makes my belly quiver. “I’d have spent forever with you in that closet, dust bunnies and all.”

Breakaway quotes

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