Miller: When Talon left to play pro ball six years ago, the hole in my chest confused me. I focused my heartache into making my own NFL dreams come true, and by the time I was drafted, the longing I had for my best friend was buried deep. Now he wants everything to be like it was in college, but we can't have threesomes and be reckless like we once were. The media storm would be enough to break both our careers. That's not my biggest concern, though. The torch I had for him burns brighter after so long apart, and there's nothing I can do about it. Marcus Talon is straight. I need to stay away from him.
Talon: Years ago, Miller and I made a pact that we'd win a Super Bowl together. When I'm offered a position on his team in Chicago, I don't hesitate. I move across the country to chase a dream that's a decade old. Only, now that I'm here, he's avoiding me every chance he gets. If he was anyone else, I'd cut my losses. But this is Shane Miller-the guy who makes everything better just by existing in my universe. The guy I'd do anything for. The guy who's more to me than a brother, a friend, or even a teammate. I'm not going to let him get away.
Contains mature themes.
Ollie: Word of advice: don't come out to random guys in public restrooms. Even if they're charming and adorably nerdy and offer to help.
My family believes I can't be happy if I'm not out to the world. I have a bitter ex-boyfriend and an unstable NHL career to show for it. A fake boyfriend seems like an easy and quick solution to get my family off my back, and this guy is volunteering. I take him up on it without asking his name.
I really should've asked for his name.
Lennon: Word of advice: learn how to introduce yourself properly. In my defense, I don't recognize Ollie Strömberg right away. I cover football, not hockey. I'm not supposed to see him again, and he's never supposed to find out I'm a reporter. That all changes when my editor reassigns me.
It's a lesson I should've learned by now. Nothing's changed since high school. Jocks still hate nerds. But even worse, athletes hate journalists. Especially ones who know their secret.
Contains mature themes.
EZRA
Partying, dudes, and hockey. What more could a gay NHL player want?
If it weren't for Anton Hayes, my life would be perfect.
Not that he affects my life in any way. At all. That would imply I care what the winger from Philly thinks of me.
Which I don't.
Not even a one-night stand with him can thaw his misplaced animosity toward me.
He says I'm the one with the ego, but he can talk. He rivals me for most egotistical puck boy in the league.
I hate him as much as he hates me. Even if I crave a repeat.
ANTON
When it comes to hockey, I'm all about the game.
I've worked for years to be one of the best in the league, and l've done it without splashing my orientation all over the tabloids.
My hockey image is one I've carefully cultivated, and after one night with Ezra Palaszczuk, I risk it all.
He's cocky, obnoxious, and has an ego bigger than Massachusetts. And okay, maybe he's the sexiest man I've ever known.
We'll never get along. Not when we sleep together. Not even when my possessive streak awakens.
That doesn't stop us from falling into bed together over and over again.
BLAKE
Never make a bet with Jordan Brooks. That's how I've ended up here, doing a movie that risks my entire acting career. Taking on a gay role when I'm straight is problematic in its own right, but when production gets put on hold, and a fabricated story breaks out in the media, Jordan and I have to go into hiding.
Our livelihoods are put on the line all because of an ill-timed photo and Jordan's bitter ex-boyfriend. Scandals, lies, and PR nightmares. Welcome to Hollywood.
JORDAN
Why am I always drawn to the straight ones? You'd think I'd learn my lesson, but when our movie is delayed, I repeat old patterns. My plan to bury my hurt and anger toward my ex by 'method acting' with Blake Monroe is foolish. But Blake is as irresistible as he is good-looking, and he settles into his role easier than I thought he would. In fact, he likes it a little too much.
There are too many PR problems hooking up with Blake for real would bring, especially when the media thinks he's the reason my relationship fell apart. Yet, I can't walk away from him, and it seems, he can't walk away from me either.
Contains mature themes.
JACOBS:
For the last three years, I've lived and breathed hockey with one goal: team captain. There's only one thing standing in my way. TJ Beckett.
Beck is irresponsible and immature, and I've hated him since the moment we met freshman year. Yet, the coaches see something in him I obviously can't, and they refuse to choose between us. The captain spot is going to a team vote. And the team thinks that what we need are a bunch of challenges to prove our worth. Challenges that have nothing to do with hockey. Challenges that are throwing me and Beck together. And he's still as infuriating as ever.
BECK:
I have no idea why Christopher Jacobs hates me, and I can't say I care. I like pushing his buttons, but the guy needs to loosen up.
I'm going to win these stupid challenges easily and spend my senior year as hockey king on this campus. Tormenting Jacobs at the same time will just be a bonus. Even if I'm getting confusing feelings toward him, I won't let it hold me back. When it comes to competing, I'm all in, and nothing will get between me and the W.
Contains mature themes.
Maddox
The reason I rarely go home is three simple words: I'm a liar.
When the pressure to marry my childhood sweetheart became too much, I told her I was gay and then fled to New York like my ass was on fire.
Now, five years later and after a drunken encounter, I find myself invited to her wedding. And I have to bring my boyfriend-the boyfriend who doesn't exist because I'm straight.
At least, I think I am. Meeting the guy I'm bribing to be my boyfriend for the weekend makes me question everything about myself.
Damon
When my sister asks me to pretend to be some straight guy's boyfriend, my automatic response is to say no. It's because of guys like him people don't believe me when I tell them I'm gay.
But Maddox has something I need.
After an injury that cost me my baseball career, I'm trying to leave my playing days behind and focus on being the best sports agent I can be. Forty-eight hours with my sister's best friend in exchange for a meeting with a possible client. I can do this.
I just wish he wasn't so hot. Or that he didn't kiss like he means it.
Wait . . . why is the straight guy kissing me?
Contains mature themes.
Denver: Everyone remembers the night the boy band Eleven broke up. Hearts shattered around the world, including my own.
I made a mistake, and I've been avoiding bandmate Mason Nash ever since.
At first it was hard, but eighteen months ago, he made it easier by leaving Hollywood and disappearing.
When Eleven reunion talks start, I'm against it completely. I could really do with the publicity, but I don't want to face Mason again. I'm sure he won't want to see me either.
Mason: I don't miss LA or anyone in it. Not even the guys from Eleven. So, when they turn up on my doorstep talking about reunions, the last thing I want to do is hear them out.
I hold strong too. Until my eyes land on Denver Smith. My ex-best friend.
Two and a half years ago, he ghosted me, and I still don't know why. I want answers-I miss him-but I don't want to let him back into my life if there's a chance he'll walk away again.
Contains mature themes.
If you never fooled around with someone of the same gender, did you even go to high school?
PEYTON
My whole life I’ve had the pressure of being Marcus Talon and Shane Miller’s football prodigy. I’ve been destined to follow in my NFL-playing fathers’ footsteps since the day I was born. I usually thrive under pressure, but as senior year looms, it all gets too much, and I need an outlet. The last place I thought I’d find my release is at Levi Vanderbilt’s graduation party. In his bed. With him.
It’s a one-time thing. An experimentation. And while it was fun, we agree that being with guys isn’t for either of us. I’m happy to accept that until he turns up in California.
I haven’t had to think about him for four years, but now I can’t get him out of my head.
LEVI
Coming to Franklin University for grad school to follow a boy I hooked up with once is the stupidest thing I could have done.
We said that high school didn’t mean anything, but the truth is, that night made me realize who I truly am, and since then, I’ve been trying to find that sense of freedom again.
I’m hoping it can be with him, but everything I’ve heard around campus points to Peyton not having the same life-changing revelation I did.
And if that’s the case, did I just move across the country for a straight guy?
Cohen: It turns out making out with my best friend in high school could be considered gay. Who knew? Apparently, everyone but me.
Now that it's been pointed out, I can't help reliving it in my head. Repeatedly. Goodbye Denial Town, hello Confusionville.
When my path leads me down the gay dating app route, I don't expect to meet anyone I like, but then I meet him. He can't be more opposite than me. He's smart, he hates hockey, and he identifies as demi-something I've never heard of. Yet I can't deny something's there.
Seth: All my life, I've felt broken. Sick of being asked if I could be gay by ex-girlfriends, friends, and even my parents, I join a gay dating app to prove a point.
I don't expect to find what's always been missing. A real connection. The problem is, I'm too scared to meet him in person. He's a hockey player, and I fear when he finds out my twin plays for the NHL, I'll be overshadowed by my overachieving brother. Again. Worse yet, what happens if we meet and that connection isn't the same?
When I tell him I'm not ready, he's disappointed but supportive. Fate, on the other hand, isn't as accepting.
Contains mature themes.
Soren
You know what's not fun? Going on a Fiji vacation with four other couples. Especially when recently single. What's even worse is when a past hook-up arrives unannounced. Not only do we have a history, but he's ten years younger and a famous rock star. Most importantly, he's my friend's little brother. Being trapped on an island with Jet Jackson is going to be sweet torture because all I want is another chance. I just don't think he's going to give it to me.
Jet
You know what's not fun? Escaping one guy who broke my heart only to run into another. Being on the road for three years has left me exhausted. The last thing I want is for Caleb 'Soren' Sorensen to try for round two. I can't fight my draw to him. I've never been able to. I'm suddenly back to being the naïve kid who stupidly lusted after a hockey player. All I can think is if I let Soren get close, I'll walk away from this vacation with a double broken heart.
Contains mature themes.
A straight guy gives gay hookup tips to a virgin. What could go wrong?
When I first met Whit, I couldn't get away from him fast enough. He's a hockey player, and I hate everything to do with the sport that broke my heart.
But I can't help feeling sorry for the guy. He's newly out and desperate to meet someone, but his eagerness seems to scare potential hook-ups away.
Agreeing to be his wingman should've been simple. Watching him flirt with other guys made things complicated.
Whit challenges me in every aspect of my life, from my hatred of hockey to the new questions I'm asking myself. Like why a straight man suddenly can't stop thinking about kissing another guy.
I think the answer lies somewhere on Whit's lips . . .
Contains mature themes.
TRIPP
The worst part of being in love with my straight best friend is the fact he’s too oblivious to see it.
Years of pining have left me exhausted, and I need a break from Dex. I need space to get over my feelings. But when his relationship falls apart and he turns to me for comfort, I cave immediately.
If there’s one thing I hate more than being hurt, it’s seeing Dex struggle. I can’t leave him in a time of need, even if my friends say it’s my biggest downfall.
They say Dexter Mitchale is my weakness, but if that’s true, I don’t want to be strong.
DEX
I’ve always been the dumb one. It’s what I’m known for, and usually I don’t let it get to me.
I have hockey, and I have my best friend, Tripp. What more do I need? To settle down? No thank you. Marriage? Hard pass. According to ex-girlfriends, that makes me “irresponsible.”
But the solution I come up with to get over my fear of commitment might be my dumbest idea yet. Not only does it have team management breathing down my neck, but it puts a strain on my friendship with Tripp.
This PR nightmare could lose me the only person I’ve ever loved. Losing girlfriends is nothing. Losing Tripp? It’s not an option.
I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him.
