Off Season: Alternative Version (Chicago Thunder Alternative Version)

Ethan Parkes is a hockey legend staring down the barrel of retirement, terrified that once he hangs up his skates, he will be a man without a purpose. With his ex-fiancé looming over his cousin’s upcoming wedding in England, Ethan is desperate to avoid a public meltdown. His solution? A fake boyfriend to serve as a buffer. Enter Jacob, a man desperate for a helping hand who is all too happy to play the role—especially since he has been nursing a secret crush on the grumpy hockey star for years. What begins as a strictly professional arrangement quickly spirals into something much deeper. As they navigate the glitz of the hockey world and the intimacy of the off-season, Jacob sees right through Ethan’s superstar exterior to the vulnerable man hiding underneath. While Ethan insists their time together is limited to a single summer break, Jacob is determined to prove that Ethan is worth building a future with, even if it means risking his own heart. Filled with simmering chemistry, an irresistible age gap, and the warmth of a found family, this story explores the terrifying beauty of letting someone see the real you—especially when you’ve spent your life hiding in plain sight.