WHITNEY

When the flirty, fast-talking guy I met gaming online suggested we meet in person, I took a chance. But then, he ghosted.

Two months later, I'm back in Coral Cove, training with the Carolina Current, when a pair of tattooed arms and an easy, dangerous smile have me one bad glance away from swimming into a lane rope.

Connor Fisk.

He's charming, cocky, and absolutely off-limits thanks to his history with my brother. I should know better than to get pulled in, but Connor has a way of showing up when I least expect him-and every time he does, I find myself more intrigued.

I didn't come back to Coral Cove to play it safe or live in my brother's shadow. I came to trust my gut, even when it points straight at the one guy I'm supposed to avoid. Connor's bad-boy image is only part of the story, and when the truth finally comes out, I want to keep my distance. But holding onto my anger gets a lot harder when we're forced to travel together and keeping my guard up feels impossible.

CONNOR

I built my career on headlines, sponsorships, and pretending I have everything figured out. The only place I ever get to be myself is gaming anonymously with a girl who makes me laugh when everything else feels empty.

When I show up to our real-life meeting, I don't expect to see Whitney Shields-my rival's little sister-waiting there for me. So, I panic and bail, telling myself I'm protecting her, that the truth would only make a mess of everything.

Two months later, we're teammates. And from the moment she smashes cake into me and swipes frosting off my bare chest with her finger, I know staying away from her is going to prove impossible.

Soon, we're gaming, going on grocery store runs, and walks on the beach. For a moment, it almost feels like I could make it right, then she finds out I'm the guy who earned her trust online and broke it in real life.

I've made plenty of mistakes, but I'm learning that owning them is a hell of a lot easier than walking away from her.