Book One of the Checked Series ♡ Aubrey Carr doesn't do athletes, especially not hockey players with egos bigger than the rink. As a rising star in the journalism department and a legendary campus partier, she's used to being the one in control of her stories, her image, and definitely her heart. Easton Black doesn't do rules. Late to practice, always one punch away from suspension, and carrying more baggage than he lets on, he's a walking headline waiting to happen. He's also the best player on the team, and he knows it. When Aubrey gets stuck shadowing Easton for a make-or-break feature story, sparks fly in all the wrong (and right) directions. He's cocky, infuriating, and way too observant. She's bold, untouchable, and exactly the distraction he doesn't need. The only thing they have in common? They'd rather lose the game than fall for each other. Too bad life and love don't play fair.

Completed • First Draft - not edited. || "You gonna sit there all night?" Luka glances at me, smirking. I glare back. "I was enjoying the last few seconds of peace before having to spend an evening pretending to like you." "That's funny," he says, unbuckling his seatbelt. "Why?" I snap. "Because I was thinking the same thing." || The rules? Easy enough. 1. Pretend to be the perfect couple. 2. Keep it professional. 3. And whatever you do, don't. catch. feelings. Simple, right? Sofia Calloway never planned on going viral for throwing a drink in Luka Mikhaylov's face. But one video, one pissed-off hockey star, and one furious university later... she's suddenly stuck in a fake relationship with the guy she can't stand. He needs to clean up his image before the NHL draft. She needs the free tuition that comes with the deal. All they have to do is smile for the cameras, hold hands at the games, and act like they don't want to strangle each other. Then come the late-night arguments that last too long. The stolen glances that feel too dangerous. The moment where "pretend" starts looking way too real. Because when you break the rules, someone's bound to lose. And this time, it might be both of them.