The Hockey Problem

He's the NHL's most guarded single dad. She's the one woman who can't afford to fall for him. Tori Wells didn't fight her way into the NHL just to become another cautionary tale. As a team physical therapist, she lives by strict rules: heal the players, protect her career, and never-ever-cross the line with a hockey player. Then she's assigned to Zayden Bishop. On the ice, he's untouchable-a French-Canadian superstar with a reputation for being cold, private, and impossible to read. Off the ice, he's a devoted single father running on discipline, stubbornness, and too little sleep. Until a serious shoulder injury threatens his season-and the stability he's built for his six-year-old daughter. Tori is in charge of his rehab. Full oversight. Daily sessions. No room for mistakes. No room for attraction. Except Zayden isn't what she expected. The more time they spend together-early mornings, quiet road trips, late-night conversations-the harder it becomes to pretend this is just professional. Because Zayden doesn't just need his shoulder fixed. He needs someone who sees the man behind the jersey. And Tori is dangerously close to becoming that someone. Crossing the line could cost her everything she's worked for. And Zayden can't risk bringing anyone into his daughter's life unless he's certain they'll stay.

He's the NHL's most guarded single dad. She's the one woman who can't afford to fall for him. Tori Wells didn't fight her way into the NHL just to become another cautionary tale. As a team physical therapist, she lives by strict rules: heal the players, protect her career, and never-ever-cross the line with a hockey player. Then she's assigned to Zayden Bishop. On the ice, he's untouchable-a French-Canadian superstar with a reputation for being cold, private, and impossible to read. Off the ice, he's a devoted single father running on discipline, stubbornness, and too little sleep. Until a serious shoulder injury threatens his season-and the stability he's built for his six-year-old daughter. Tori is in charge of his rehab. Full oversight. Daily sessions. No room for mistakes. No room for attraction. Except Zayden isn't what she expected. The more time they spend together-early mornings, quiet road trips, late-night conversations-the harder it becomes to pretend this is just professional. Because Zayden doesn't just need his shoulder fixed. He needs someone who sees the man behind the jersey. And Tori is dangerously close to becoming that someone. Crossing the line could cost her everything she's worked for. And Zayden can't risk bringing anyone into his daughter's life unless he's certain they'll stay.