Barely Worth It

tw's: loss of loved one, abandonment, parental neglect, descriptions of abuse and panic attacks, dyslexia rep, anxiety rep, PTSD rep, endometriosis rep

Leo Hunter has been fighting his whole life. Fighting his dad. Fighting the grief that the death of his mom left him. Fighting his fears. But as the captain and star center for Atlantic Crest University's hockey team, it seems like nobody can see past the perfect image. Struggling to deal with his trauma along with dyslexia, sports medicine studies, and a demanding job, he decides to move in with his teammate and teammate's twin to ease the stress. But what he doesn't know is that his newest roommate is also the girl he barely avoided crashing into on the way to practice...

Kailani Rhodes has never had it easy. Her mother abandoned her family, leaving a young Kailani and her twin brother feeling alone to fend for themselves. On the daily she battles with anxiety and PTSD, left from the scars of a past abusive relationship. Unable to deal with all of it, she hides behind the cover of being captain of the ACU volleyball team, a dedicated marine biology student, and the routine that comes with it all. But when her newest enemy also ends up becoming her newest roomate, her world turns upside down. Leo's sudden presence disrupts her perfect routine, reopening old wounds and stirring an unexpected attraction.

As time goes on, the tension between the two begins to die down. They share vulnerabilities and begin to form a bond, finally realizing that maybe they understand each other more than either ever thought possible. But, they still must confront their past traumas and fears.

Will they be able to find strength in one another to move forward together, or will their pasts force them apart? Leo and Kailani must decide if they are ready to fight for one last thing -- each other.