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C O P Y R I G H T

Copyright of Luisa Dituri ©

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S Y N O P S I S

When Ella Gillard finds her high school sweetheart across the country and in bed with another girl during her freshman year, she makes a promise to herself to never date another hockey player–no matter how tempting it may be. Law school is complicated enough without the distraction of a relationship. But her plan proves to be difficult when she's met with the very persuasive goalie of the Fenton Falcons.

Fenton University's hockey team is full of pre-game rituals, and their starting goaltender, Hendrix Tate, is as superstitious as they come. When the team's losing streak is broken after he finds Ella's bracelet minutes before a vital mid-season game, Hendrix is adamant on keeping his good luck charm around. Especially with his position being threatened by the team's new pickup.

The question is will Ella break her promise to herself or shut him out?

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S T A T U S

Start Date: July 14, 2023

End Date: February 9, 2024

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G E N R E S

New Adult

Contemporary

College Sports Romance

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T R O P E S

Fake Dating

Forced Proximity

Athletic Hero

He Falls First

Given Up On Love

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E X C E R P T

Once Liam had disappeared back into the crowd, Ella sagged next to me. I removed my arm around her shoulders, opting to rest my hand on the small of her back. She twisted her body, propping herself up on the bar again.

"Ex boyfriend?" I asked, moving my hand once I believed she was alright.

She gave me a side glance. "High school sweetheart."

"Damn," I whistled.

There was definitely history there. History that I wasn't sure I wanted to delve deep into.

"Damn is correct," Ella murmured, taking another sip of her drink. "And to answer your previous question, he's the reason why."

I offered her a slow nod. "The reason why you hate hockey players."

The corner of her lips tilted up in a smile. "The reason why I don't date hockey players."

I repaid her, flashing her a coy grin of my own. "Can't say I blame you. But as a member of that very exclusive club, I can assure you we aren't all human piles of garbage."

"Maybe," she murmured, searching my face as I took a swig of beer. "How do you know he's a garbage person? You don't even know what he did."

"I trust your judgement."

Growing up my father always told my brother and I that the way a man treated a woman was a true testament to his character. And for Ella to act the way she did the moment Liam came around, I was sure that whatever he did was bad enough for me to be weary.

Ella regarded me for a moment. It was like she was seeing me for the first time.

The trance she was in broke by her name being called across the bar. We both peered back over towards the crowd around the mechanical bull. The three girls she came with were still where she left them, waving their hands in wild movements to signal her over.

"I'm being summoned," she announced, finishing the last bit of her drink before collecting the three others in her hands.

"Need any help with that?" I offered, jutting my chin out towards the triangle grip her hands were in.

Ella shook her head. "I can manage. I worked as a waiter my sophomore year. Nothing prepares you for juggling drinks and hot plates like the service industry," she paused to offer me a smile. "I'll see you at your next game then?"

"Game?" I mused with a twinkle in my eye. "Practice is tomorrow morning at 6am sharp," Ella's face transformed into one of horror at the sound of an early wake up call. My grin split wider. "I hope you like rising before the sun, darlin'."

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P L A Y L I S T

01. Thinkin' Bout Me by Morgan Wallen

02. Pretty Little Poison by Warren Zeiders

03. Joy Ride by Hueston

04. that way by Tate McRae

05. uh oh by Tate McRae

06. boyfriend by Ariana Grande

07. 3:15 - Slowed Down + Reverb by Russ

08. I Wouldn't Mind by He is We

09. Yes or No by Jung Kook

10. That Part by Lauren Spencer Smith

Taking Suggestions!

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C O N T E N T   W A R N I N G

Profanity

Sexual Content

Cheating Assholes

Discussion about Women's Health & Abortions

Hot Hockey Players

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C O N N E C T   W I T H   M E

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