Emmy and the All-Pro

Emmy Torres has one non-negotiable rule: never, under any circumstances, date an athlete.

After growing up as the daughter of a legendary football coach, she has seen exactly what the spotlight does to relationships. Now she is a physical therapist for the Austin Mustangs, and her entire career depends on keeping things professional. No locker room drama. No tabloid headlines. No falling for a player. Simple.

Then Cole Maddox limps into her treatment room.

The All-Pro quarterback is cocky, infuriatingly charming, and nursing a shoulder injury that could end his season. He also has zero respect for personal boundaries, thinks physical therapy is a team-bonding opportunity, and has somehow decided that Emmy's refusal to laugh at his jokes is a challenge rather than a verdict.

But behind the press conferences and the jersey number, Cole is carrying something heavier than a playoff run. And Emmy, who prides herself on fixing what's broken, is starting to realize that some injuries don't show up on an MRI.

When the team's front office scandal threatens both their careers, Emmy has to decide what matters more: the rule that has kept her safe, or the man who makes her want to break it.

A standalone sports romance with a hero who falls first, falls hard, and absolutely cannot take a hint.