Darcy, Darcy, Darcy. The name I should have wiped from my mind nearly two years ago. Her brother, and my assistant captain, has repeatedly warned she’s off-limits to a guy like me—a playboy bound to bed her one night and break her heart the next morning—an opinion shared by her stepdad, who also happens to be my coach. I can see why they don’t want their goalie anywhere near her. My reputation with women isn’t exactly unblemished.
Except, they shouldn’t judge what they don’t understand, and neither should my girl. Okay, she’s not technically my girl yet, but that’s just semantics, as are the things I’ll do to make her mine. Each time she’s visited from the UK, I’ve warred with the respect I have for my friendship with her brother versus pursuing a growing obsession for the honey-haired bombshell with blue eyes as big as the Ocean that separates us. That is, until everything changes and there’s nothing keeping me at a safe distance. She’s living in Brooklyn and looking for fun with guys, and I can no longer observe from the sidelines. Any chance—no matter how small—she gives me, I’m going to take it and say to hell with the consequences.
Only, the opportunity I get isn’t small, and neither are the stakes that go with it. But again, that’s just semantics …
Archer Moore is a man on a mission. The mission? Darcy Thompson. The charismatic playboy and star goalie of the Blade Kings has never struggled to charm a crowd or turn heads. Flirty, confident, and completely at ease in the spotlight…until it comes to her. His best friend’s little sister isn’t just off-limits, she’s the one woman who’s ever made him question every rule he’s lived by. Archer is a man OBSESSED.
“Darcy Thompson is the deepest tattoo I’ve ever gotten; she just can’t see it yet.”
Darcy isn’t just “the best friend’s little sister” – she’s her own force. With sharp wit, genuine warmth, and a quiet strength that builds with every chapter, she feels real in the best way. She’s kind without being a pushover, romantic without losing her head, and so deeply grounded you can’t help but root for her. You want to hug her, hype her up, and maybe spill your deepest secrets over coffee. She’s that girl.
Darcy’s done with her ex, done with her old life, and officially ready for a fresh start in NYC. She’s not looking for forever, just a little fun. But apparently, fun is hard to come by when Archer won’t let another guy within ten feet of her. Jealous? Try downright territorial. He’s in her space, in her head, and, if he had his way, in her bed. Day or night, Darcy’s the only thing Archer wants, and he’s not exactly subtle about it.
“Doll, if your man doesn’t get on his knees for you daily, then trust me when I say you don’t want him.”
Their reunion is one of my favorite “we shouldn’t, but we might” kind of reunions in recent reads. From the start, you know they’re not going to be able to keep things platonic, and you want them to cave, even though it’ll be messy. Determined to keep things on the down low, Archer suggests a “one and only” arrangement, just heat, no heart. Darcy knows better than to trust a guy like him with anything more than her body, but resisting his pull? Nearly impossible. One wild night turns into another…and then comes the shocker: she’s pregnant. Cue the panic. Darcy’s scared, unsure, and convinced the last thing Archer wants is a forever kind of complication. But when she drops the news, he doesn’t bolt. He steps up. In fact, he swears he’s never been happier in his life.
“No one owns you or gets to tell you what to do with your life, Darcy. When a real man says, ‘You’re mine,’ it’s because he can’t stand the thought of living a day without you in his life. Not because you’re a possession he can show off to his friends. You’re a treasure, not an accessory.”
They agree to keep the relationship, and the baby, a secret until she’s safely into her second trimester. Archer’s all in, no question. And yeah, he’s head over heels, even if she won’t say the L-word yet. For him, this isn’t just about playing house – it’s his shot to chip away at those walls she’s built and prove that they aren’t just a fling gone sideways. They’re endgame. She just doesn’t know it yet.
Archer = total daddy goals. He’s fiercely protective, unexpectedly soft, and one hundred percent devoted to taking care of his girls. But don’t let the sweet side fool you – this man brings the heat. We’re talking serious spice. He’s a dirty talker with a secret tattoo, some well-placed piercings, and zero chill when it comes to keeping his hands (and mouth) off Darcy. They’re obsessed – with each other, with the chemistry, with everything they’re not supposed to want this badly. And honestly? We’re obsessed too.
“I know I’m the only man for you. I’m going to light up your already-bright world every damn day, for the rest of my life.”
But of course, nothing this good comes without complications. The moment Darcy’s brother Jack finds out about their secret relationship, and surprise baby, everything blows up. He’s pissed. Hurt. Feels completely betrayed. And as far as he’s concerned, Archer just torched their friendship for good. With Jack ready to go nuclear, Archer’s job is suddenly on the line… and so is everything he’s built with Darcy. The question is: will Jack’s broken trust take their relationship down with it?
Shots Fired isn’t your typical hockey romance. It’s a full-on emotional rollercoaster packed with surprise twists, fierce protectiveness, and a love story that grabs you by the heart. Archer and Darcy’s chemistry? Off the charts. Their journey from “what are we even doing?” to all-in commitment is messy, swoony, and downright addictive. You’ll be rooting for them with every single page.