Brawler's Weakness

There's only one woman I truly care about: my daughter. Until Maisy Stratford flounces into the front office of the Tennessee Thunderbolts with a heartfelt smile and a tray of baked goods.

As the Bolts' newest hire, Maisy is optimistic, enthusiastic, and a goddess at manifestation.

Everything I'm not.

Known as Brawler, I'm a gruff, quiet, rough-around-the-edges, NHL defenseman. I haven't dated in decades. I've never been married and my daughter's a twenty-one-year-old mischief maker. I don't know how to talk about feelings or place my trust in the hands of a woman. Even one with a heart of gold.

With my daughter Lola egging me on, I finally ask Maisy out.

But I don't want to be her rebound; I want to be her forever. Even if I don't know how to tell her that. Even if she's not ready for me.

If I'm being honest, I'm not ready for her either.