I Chose the Man My Ex Fears the Dreads

For years, Ivy waits for Kieran, the charming hockey captain who keeps her close without ever choosing her. During a scrimmage, his teammates mockingly send her to distract rival captain Roman with a bottle of water. The joke backfires when Roman, fierce on the ice and unexpectedly gentle off it, becomes interested in her. As Ivy discovers what real attention, respect, and certainty feel like, Kieran grows jealous and tries to pull her back. But Ivy is no longer willing to wait. Choosing Roman means more than romance—it means choosing herself, setting boundaries, and leaving Kieran behind for good.