Broken Stick

When your best friend pretends to love you to help you win someone else…but he's the only one you've ever truly wanted.

I asked my childhood friend Jaxon Sheffield—a hockey star who's sworn off relationships—to fake it for a little while. Just long enough to make the guy I thought I wanted to notice me.

But I'm a reporter. I build stories. And Jaxon's been burned by reporters enough to swear he'd never trust one—especially not with his secrets. When the plan worked, it should've ended there but I asked for more.

Because the truth I've kept hidden?

I've loved him forever.

Now we're tangled in late-night touches and whispered promises that weren't part of the deal. He thinks this is just a game.

But if they only knew… I'm risking the only relationship I can't live without.

And if I lose him?

It won't just break my heart—it'll mean I ruined the one thing that was never supposed to be fake.