\\Final Shot was originally published as a part of the Scoring Over The Holidays Anthology. It is an OPTIONAL prequel novella to Game Changer, that does NOT have to be read first, but does help storyline. Lizzie Winston has been my best friend for years, but it’s been a year since we last spoke and she ghosted me. Now, we’re stuck on a plane together and I have three days to repair our friendship. This might be our final shot to save what’s left of us. I might still want everything, but I’ll take whatever she’s willing to give me as long as she’s back in my life.

Falling for your best friend is one thing, accidentally getting knocked up by him is another… Hockey hottie Garrett Dubiak has been my best friend since college and the one constant in my life the past seven years. Through distance, career changes, and other relationships, we’ve always found our way back to each other. Including one wild weekend this winter, when he finally told me he wanted more… wanted everything from me. Too afraid to admit I felt the same, I told him I needed time. Twelve weeks later, here I am, pregnant with his baby, alone, and terrified. He’s my best friend. He deserves to know the truth. So I swallow my fear, my pride, and I shoot my shot. I just hope he’s still willing to have me—and our baby.

Hooking up with my best friend’s little sister is one thing, getting drunk and marrying her in Vegas is another… My team just won the Stanley Cup. I should be out on the town celebrating. Instead, I’m nursing a broken heart, courtesy of my ex-wife. Next thing I know, I’m waking up with my teammate’s sister in my bed wearing a rock the size of the Grand Canyon on her finger. Neither of us remembers saying, I do… but turns out the marriage is as real as the diamond on her finger. The press is going crazy. The team is pissed. And her brother… well he just might kill me. So, at the advice of my agent, we do the only thing that makes sense—make a plan to stay married until this madness blows over. It might have started out fake, but Gabby is the one making my dreams come true and showing me what real love is. Now I just need convince her to stay my wife forever.

Spending the night in jail isn’t exactly how I planned to spend Christmas, but I’ve had worse holidays… Now that I’m out, it’s time to accept my real punishment. Coaching ten-year-old terrors on the ice, in my non-existent free time. My Coach thinks it’d be good for me. Remind me where I came from. He should know I’ve tried every day of my life for the last ten years to forget. The youth hockey league is a hell I didn’t plan on and the worst penalty possible… Until the day a sweet, single mom cracks a joke about her kid, and then all bets are off. I’m the best defenseman in professional hockey, but I didn’t see her coming… now what in the hell do I do? I’m not equipped for a relationship. I’m definitely not ready to have a kid depending on me, but I can’t deny she makes me feel things—want things I never imagined I could have. I should save us both the trouble and stay far away from her. But rules were made to be broken, and I was never good at following them anyway.

A week away for brother’s wedding was supposed to be a chance to unwind, not get tangled up with a bridesmaid… I have an injury that could end my career—and unless I’m ready to hang up my skates and become a hockey has been, the only thing I should be focusing on is getting healthy and playing my next season. Kimmy saunters into my life at the worst possible time, but when she proposes a “what happens in Vegas” type situation, I figured what could it hurt. Especially when we’re both on the same page—one week and then we go our separate ways… three hundred miles apart. Before I know it, I’m all wrapped up in her—and not just her body. Her smiles. That wild, untamable hair. Her laughter. Confidence. Hell, she’s everything I’ve been looking for and I can’t keep my hands off her. It was supposed to be a fling, but now I want more. Even if it means I’m in for the fight of my life. This might be my only shot… and I’m taking it.

When my ex-wife walked out our door, she didn't just take her belongings with her, she took my heart. I was pretty sure it would never work again, but that was before my sister’s best friend showed up at my door. Beaten. In need of serious help. And my sister sent Emmersyn to me, knowing I’d do whatever I could to help. Except doing whatever I can means getting married. Again. We both know the score though, which means Emmersyn knows I’ll never love her. I can help protect her and our marriage secures her inheritance, but love? I’ve already ruined one woman. I refuse to hurt another. We say I do, and almost immediately I realize spending this much time around Emmersyn will be my downfall. I might be breaking my promise to her already. Turns out, when it comes to love and women, I’m wrong about a lot of things.

What started as a typical night out with my team, became the best night of my life. Picking up a smoking hot blonde, I take her back to the hotel, expecting the evening to go down like any other. But nothing about her is average… she’s sassy, witty and throws me off my game. After one incredible night, I wake up wanting to see her more than I want to go to hockey practice. Then another first happens, she kicks me out – wearing only a sheet and a frown. The next time I see her, three months later, I knock her on her ass. Literally. Even dripping in tears, she’s still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. Then I find the source of her tears. Her father. My hockey coach. Turns out, I’ve gone and fallen for my coach’s daughter. Our attraction is undeniable. It’s also unavoidable since she’s now travelling with our team. I have more to lose than a spot on my hockey team if he catches us… like my heart. Good thing I’m a pro at keeping secrets.