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

by Mads Rafferty

Because he’s right, I do have more to lose, it just doesn’t feel like I have anything left to give.

“It’s always perfect weather for Gilmore Girls,” I mutter under my breath. I’ll never admit this to him since he’d never let it go, but I do secretly love the show.

He likes gilmore girls 🥹

I don’t know what’s worse. Never getting the chance to say goodbye to someone as they experience a sudden quick death, or watching them waste away, losing who they are at their core as they fade into nothing, day by painful day.

He ordered me to take a year off to grieve, but I still haven’t stopped. I don’t think you ever do. No one can put a time on grieving. I don’t even think the pain ends; you just get used to it.

That would be my breaking point. One I know I couldn’t return from.

But then Grayson Crawford had to walk down in a towel and suddenly my mind completely forgot that men can’t be trusted.

The feminism leaving her body hahaha

just because our present has changed it doesn’t take away from the happiness we felt in the past.

I just need to keep reminding myself that despite him appearing shy and adorable and ruggedly sexy with his wavy brown locks and perfectly chiseled face, he is still a man, and he will break my heart if I don’t remember that everything moving forward is fake.

'he is still a man' LOL

“You can get through this, Bella, and if you can’t, I’m right here to pick up the pieces of your heart.”

The power of friendship 🤝

“Get your fucking hands off her before I break every bone in your body!”

😮‍💨

I’m just unsure if it would be a stretch to send police to her house for a welfare check. I can just imagine her expression and the look on the police officer’s face as she has to explain her boss has a crush on her, spent four hours picking out red and yellow gummy bears for her, and won’t stop calling after he left because she was uncomfortable.

“Let me take care of you, Bella. You need someone to take care of you.”

Emotion clogs my throat. “It’s just a book.” She shakes her head as she smiles at me. “No…you’ve given me back something that I thought I wouldn’t get to experience again before I died. To hear about a world created from another person’s mind. You’ve given me joy, Grayson, and I will be eternally grateful to you for that.”

I hope anyone who treats animals with such malice in their hearts gets hit by a truck.

🗣️🗣️

“She’s radiant, Bambi. I have no doubt you’ll spot her in the crowd. She has this pull that can’t be ignored, and you’ll love her smile.” I scratch her ear, one corner of her lip lifting as I hit a spot. “She’s beautiful, inside and out, and I’m going to do everything in my power to get her to feel a fraction of what I feel for her.”

He's talking to a dog 😭

“She’s like a wildfire. A burning blaze that I have no plans of extinguishing. I don’t care if I get burnt, so long as I can be near her.”

Kieran clutches his chest as if wounded, his jaw open a little as he turns to us. “I’m going to marry that woman.”

and as Grayson kneels, giving her attention and love, I tsk. “No, don’t go being cute with Bambi. What the fuck, Grayson?” He flashes me a crooked smirk. “You think I’m cute?”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “For the love of god, Grayson, focus on what’s important.” His eyes never leave mine as he whispers, “I am.”

“How does he stare at me?” “Like you’re his reason for breathing.”

My entire body feels heavy and suddenly I don’t want to do anything. I don’t want to move from my spot on the floor. I don’t want to get up and turn the camera off. I don’t want to work. I want to crawl into my bed and cry. But I can’t do that.

“My heart is breaking for you, but that’s not pity.” He frowns at that. “Why is it breaking?” Figuring he’s too drunk to remember this in the morning, I whisper, “Because it hurts me to see you hurt.” He scoffs, saying the words that crack my heart further. “But I hurt all the time.”

“Will it go away?” “Will what?” His eyes open now, and the bottomless pit of despair steals my breath. “The pain. Will it ever go away?”

That ache is still there, forever present, but it isn’t trying to drown me anymore.

“This was fake. We agreed that this was never real.” “Then just keep pretending,” he breathes. “What?” “Keep pretending that what we have isn’t real, pretend that this is for practice. I don’t fucking care what you tell yourself to feel less fear but pretend,”

“I need you like I need air, Bella, and if you stop, I’ll cease breathing. So please, just keep pretending.”

“Pretend that you want me as badly as I want you, even if it’s just for one night.” “You want me?” I whisper softly. His chest heaves. “I have wanted you since the moment I laid eyes on you.”

If you wish to spew bullshit write a note and mail it.”

Clocked 🫢

because I am unconditionally and irreversibly in love with you.”

Bella swan, that you?