Shot in the Dark

What happens on the road stays on the road... right?

Hard-of-hearing star winger for the Ottawa Loons Riley Clapton has faced his share of challenges. Meningitis as a teen? No problem. Abysmal dating scene? He still has hope. Sharing hotel rooms if the building lacks deaf-accessible alarms? Riley knows how to be an unobtrusive roomie.

Until new teammate Haf Runarson screws up.

When the aromantic—but not asexual—Icelandic defenseman misses curfew following a hookup, the team’s captain hands him the perfect “punishment”: share a room with Riley for the rest of the season.

Neither Riley nor Haf is prepared for their gametime chemistry to transfer off the ice. After one awkward encounter, they can’t ignore their attraction any longer. So they make a deal: keep it on the road and off the ice—and Riley will keep his feelings in check. But the closer they get as friends, the messier their situationship becomes. As Riley struggles to find the line between sexual and romantic attraction, Haf wonders—what if he’s a Rarely instead of Never type? And how can he know?

Sometimes the toughest shot isn’t one you take on the ice... it’s a shot on forever.