It started with a crush. The best stories always do. Our story sounds predictable, short-lived, and destined for failure. Lincoln Beckett is the star wide receiver at Brighton University—smart, funny, and, like many would guess, heartbreak shines in his dark eyes and is etched across his jaw. He's popular, a guaranteed draft pick, and, worst of all, my brother's best friend. I tried not to like him. I have an entire list of reasons. Reasons that have become my rules for dating. Rules that Lincoln continues bending.

Someone is stalking Audrey Young. And she has no idea why. Complicating matters is her landlord and new neighbor, Josiah Haven. She doesn’t usually go for the big, surly lumberjack type. But there’s something about that broody man. He intimidates her a little, but she kind of likes it. She could totally handle the mess that is her life, except the strange feeling of being watched is just the beginning. Next thing Audrey knows, she’s a target, and she doesn’t know who’s behind it or why. For Josiah Haven, none of that makes her his problem.

Easton Hayes has been my knight in shining hockey skates since he saved my life. This devastatingly handsome grump may be everyone's favorite goalie, but to me, he's my strength when demons haunt my dreams. And okay—so maybe he's also the only man I've ever loved. But he doesn't need to know that. We're friends. It works for us.

What can I say? I got cocky. One drunken bet and now I've gotta go girl-free for a whole frickin' month. A bet's a bet, though, and now I have to man up and take it… but it's gonna be impossible after last night. Ever since I saved that sassy little freshman from a carload of sleaze bags, she's been under my skin. It's not just the fact she's a hottie. It's more about the fact that she didn't bat her eyelashes or flirt with me. If anything, she insulted me to my face and told me she could take care of herself. And now I'm hooked.

When Grayson Nash walks into the bar, he has no idea I'm little Ava Maxwell, the one he promised to look after when he moved to Vegas. After a sizzling, sheet-clutching first experience of my dreams, we exchange numbers and a plan to extend our undeniable connection into something more. I promise myself I'll tell him the truth about who I am… eventually. He finds out before I tell him, and he wants nothing to do with me. But when my ex won't take the hint, Grayson swoops in pretending to be my new boyfriend.

Chase Lovett. Star of my (unrequited) fantasies. Hottest guy on campus. Hockey god. Too bad he has no idea who I am. Literally, I’m so invisible to him that he once sat on me in class. No thanks to a fire in the dorms, he just became my accidental roommate. Did I mention the hotel room our university moved us to has only one bed? Not ideal.

There are a million reasons why I shouldn’t date Fletcher Huxley. He’s a growly-faced, stubborn-streaked, international rugby legend trying to revive his flailing career in the US after being canned by his team overseas. While he might have the good kind of thunder thighs, intriguing tattoos, and a booty of steel, he also holds the top position on my very short nemesis list thanks to what happened the first time we met.

For as long as I can remember, Lachlan West has been my brother’s best friend and the love of my life. Trouble is, he kissed me four years ago and then never spoke to me again. I was doing great pretending he doesn’t exist until I was assigned to write an article about former college athletes and I learn that the sexy single-dad is my first interview. Determined to wow my editor with an amazing sportsball piece. (Have I mentioned I know nothing about sports?) I head to Ember Falls, ready to face my fears—and the man I love.

It was supposed to be a regular day out. Three couples celebrating the last days of summer. When tragedy struck. I thought I was going to marry her. Instead, I was burying her. I blamed the world for my pain. I buried it all. I became a man I didn’t even recognize.

No one but me knew why I was actually in the California desert that day. Nestled deep within the desolate, rocky area was a recording studio. When a door suddenly opened, a man mistook me for someone he was supposed to be interviewing for a job. The next thing I knew, I was whisked inside. The position? An assistant on the upcoming tour for one of America’s most famous rock bands. Pretty exciting opportunity for a twenty-two-year-old, just out of college. Not surprisingly, I bombed the interview.