Breaking Point: A Fake Dating Ice Hockey Romance (IceHawks Book #1)

by Mads Rafferty

This book is a love letter to the hopeless romantics, never let them turn your heart cold

“You need to fill up your own cup, B. You can’t keep pouring when you have nothing to give.”

It’s a broken record at this point. Because he’s right, I do have more to lose, it just doesn’t feel like I have anything left to give.

If you want to burn your life to the ground, I’ll be beside you while you do it, but I’ll also be there to help you when you want to repair it.”

“I know I said I could handle it and I can, but do not ask me to give up on you. There are no circumstances where I would ever willingly give up on you.”

“I’m not some puck bunny!” “Who said anything about puck bunnies?”

“Are you going to stand there staring at me all day or are you going to put on some clothes and tell me what you need from me?” A choked burst of laughter escapes me. “I don’t think a woman has ever asked me that before.” Her brow arches. “Maybe you need to reevaluate who you surround yourself with then.” “Bit of a harsh assessment from our short five minutes.”

Then the bastard came downstairs in gray sweatpants—I repeat, gray sweatpants. Doesn’t he know that’s every woman’s kryptonite?

“I’m surprised you’re not being more judgmental.” I give him my sweetest smile. “Oh, I am…on the inside.” Clapping my hands, I declare, “Let’s get started.”

“Gentlemen! Are we going to fix this shit storm or eat candy?”

What do you think I am, a glorified prostitute?

Something tells me I’m going to drive myself mad with that four-letter word—fake.

Bella turns to Valenti, who’s frowning at Ellington, and slides her glass of wine toward him. “Here, some sweetness to brighten up your sourness.”

“Oh, Jesus Christ,” I mutter under my breath. “Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain!” I look at her dubiously. “Mom, you’re not religious.” “Maybe that’s where I went wrong in life! I will not sell my child!” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Mom, you’re not selling me, and yes, I will continue to do it if it means it saves your life.”

“Don’t pan to me, pan to her. I want everyone to know Bella Stratford is my girlfriend!”

“You’re a menace!” I call out. He winks. “I may be a menace but I’m all yours, Blaze.”

“He claimed you like a caveman.” “More like a gorilla! Have you ever seen the memes of the gorillas pointing at their food?”

“Damn, you weren’t lying when you said your coordination is shit.” That’s putting it nicely. She’s like a wobbly newborn giraffe.

There’s my girl, my blazing wildfire.

“What are you, Satan?” “I prefer archangel or fairy godmother, but if you want to call me your devil then I’m happy to oblige.”

“Thank you for doing this for me. For giving me back a part of my soul.”

“She’s going to push you away.” Closing the book, I rest it on my lap as I give her a sad smile. “I know.” “You do?” she says, her brows high in shock. “Yes, she has runner written all over her.” “Well, she may be a runner, but she isn’t a long distance one. Give her time and she’ll come back.” Her head turns, and following her line of sight, I see her staring at her wardrobe. “Bella has a good reason to fear a relationship, but that isn’t my story to tell. With time, she will open up and share it with you.” “Patience is a virtue,” I say. “That it is.”

“He’s back, baby! The devil twins are fucking back!”

“I can feel it in my fucking balls we’re going to win.”

What is it about her in my jersey that has shattered my control and made me utterly feral for her?

“You revived my hunger.” For not only food, but life.

Get your gossip from reality TV and not my life.”

“I wouldn’t say I’m a man whore, per se.” “Then what would you call it?” I ask. His smile is full of satisfaction. “Spreading love throughout the world.”

“I’ll stop punching people when they stop saying stupid shit.”

“You don’t see it, do you?” “See what?” “How much I love you.” “Do you really mean that? Those are big words⁠—” “I do, and I’ll continue to prove to you that I love you every day until you realize how much you mean to me. That even the world ending couldn’t tear me away from you, because the love I have for you is all-consuming.” His gaze softens. “For as long as you’ll have me, I’ll prove to you every day the love you deserve because I am unconditionally and irreversibly in love with you.” He smiles down at me, brushing his finger down my cheek. “And I don’t need to hear it back from you. I’ll wait however long you need.”

Do not let the cold actions of another turn your heart cold.

You are a lover, a romantic, and a fighter. It would be a cruel waste of a beautiful heart to let the actions of another destroy it.