After a meteoric rise from third-string quarterback to projected first round draft pick, I’m a college legend. But she walks into the party like she’s the celebrity, not me. She says we share a connection. By the end of the night, I have every intention of proving her right. First Down Fake is a short, first introduction scene between Cassandra and Diego, set four years before the events in Second Down Fake.

Cinnamon Roll Hero (sin-a-mon roll he-ro): ( n ) a hero who is too sweet for this world…but will fight to the death for the people they care about Join twenty of your favorite romance authors on our journey to prove that cinnamon rolls can still be steaming hot! These sweet, sexy heroes (and heroines!) are here to save the day, whether it’s rescuing their partner from the ghosts of their past or just showing them that they deserve to be loved, cherished, respected…and, of course, pleasured. Noa Keawe was only supposed to be a vacation fling Fresh off a breakup, I took off to Barcelona to find myself…and ended up finding Noa. The hulking, tattooed man I met in a park turned out to be everything my ex wasn' sweet, considerate, kind. And despite the vacation ending much too soon, he found a way to see me again. I might have found the one. But then, my ex turned up… I can't have my heart broken again. When my NFL contract ended, I expected a new one, one that solidified me as a franchise player for the Norwalk Breakers. But when that new contract never materialized, my girlfriend walked. Hoping to occupy myself during the off-season, my teammates arrange a trip to Europe. A non-stop party to help me unwind. Except, partying has never been my scene. That's when I met Lena Rynel, a woman completely unconcerned with who I am and how much money I make. Mostly because I don't tell her. When we pick up back home, I have to tell her the truth. Or at least I should. Sidelined is a strangers-to-lovers football romance with a cinnamon roll player, a hidden identity, and a celebrity auction that threatens to unravel it all!

As Norwalk Breakers' star quarterback, I'm used to pressure. But nothing could prepare me for the media firestorm after my very public breakup. Now, sponsors are fleeing, and the fans are turning on me. Enter Cassandra Barton. Her fiery free spirit might be exactly what my fractured public persona needs, and as my trainer’s little sister, she’s completely off limits. But the more time we spend together, the more I don't want to keep her on the sidelines. My life has been one giant "maybe later." Maybe later on the career, maybe later on love. Maybe later has worked for me. Until Diego Salazar, superstar quarterback, scores a touchdown on my sense of adventure. Pretend to date football’s most eligible bachelor? Yes, please. He's everything I'm not - disciplined, focused, driven. And he’s making me think that “maybe later” could start right now. Second Down Fake is a Norwalk Breakers football romance with a confident, cocky quarterback, a free-spirited Jill-of-all-trades, and a fake romance that feels all too real.