Known as the NHL’s grumpiest player, it’s obvious that I’ve always made it a point not to get to know anyone outside of my family or my team. After losing my dad as a kid, I never wanted to put myself at risk of feeling that kind of loss ever again. And it’s been easy to go through life this way—closed off. At least . . . until I'm forced to volunteer at a youth hockey clinic.

When I see Cash Hale take the ice, I know right away that he’s different than most players his age. And when his mother Freya comes to pick him up at the end of the session, I find myself immediately charmed. And I know one thing for sure—that won’t be our last encounter. I’ll make sure of that.

For a man who’s avoided getting to know people my entire life, I’m as shocked as anyone when suddenly I find myself going out of my way to be around not only Freya, but her three kids, too. And when her youngest, Aviana, is in dire need of a surgery that her mom can’t afford . . . I somehow convince Freya to marry me for my health insurance.

As my feelings grow deeper, what may have started off as just a marriage–of–convenience turns complicated fast. I just hope that Freya will let me love her like a true husband and stop pushing me away to keep living in the past.