Parker (Face-Off 1)

I glance up at him, confused. “You’re thanking me for saying yes?”

“Yes. If you hadn’t let me into your apartment and your heart back when I needed someone most, I have no clue where I’d be right now. I love you so much, baby.”

“I love you, too. I can’t wait to be Mrs. Parker.”

“Charlotte Parker,” he mutters.

I nod. “Coach Parker.”

“Just like my dad.” He smiles wide and presses his lips to mine. “I like the sound of it already.”

Life and love are a lot like hockey. Some of it, you can plan, but most of the time, you have to improvise. The day I let Alex see Charlotte and not Coach left an indelible mark on my soul, forever changing the scared little girl inside me.

When I came up with the idea for Parker, I had no idea that I would incorporate so much of my personal life into this book. While I was in college, I had a chance at a full sports scholarship that I lost because of an injury. I never played after that, and I always felt incomplete until I started to pursue writing as more than a hobby.

Like Coach, I channeled that missed opportunity into a new career. My personal experiences inspired so much of Coach’s character. I chose to touch on addiction, a subject that is very personal to me because my brother is a recovering addict.

For over ten years, he struggled with addiction. Now, he coaches little league basketball, like Coach, and he even started his own business. Chris, I am so proud of you. And thank you to Sarah for being the “coach” my brother needed.

Mom, Mama Dukes, Mooshie, expert proofreader, Starbucks delivery woman, and best friend—Thank you for everything. I am probably the biggest pain in the ass, and you are always there for me. I know Chris will agree when I say you’re ride or die.

Dad, you’re awesome. That’s a given. You inspired the character of John Parker, even in name. While you will never read my “smutty” books, I know you’re one of my biggest fans. And thanks for leaving on the air conditioner while I was writing Parker. I really don’t like the heat down here in Florida.

I’d also like to thank my bestie, Donna, who is also a book blogger at Chocolatenwaffles Blog, for all her devotion to my books. Your friendship and encouragement finally convinced me to go through with publishing my books. Thank you for the kick in the ass I needed to jumpstart my writing career.

“He always said the right things at the exact time you needed to hear them.” Alex said this about his father in the novel, but I wrote this line for you. You are my writing and life coach, Bestie. Anytime I feel like giving up or need a push, you are always there and know exactly what to say. No amount of time or distance will ever come between us. Thanks for beta-reading, proofreading, copyediting, and listening to me when I had to vent about my day. Love you, girl!

Publishing a book is much harder than I originally anticipated when I released Corrupt Me. It takes a team of amazing people to make this a reality. My team is incredible and they deserve so much love and respect for all their hard work and dedication.

A big thank-you goes out to my beta reader and good friend, Amanda, who also blogs at Hanging with Amanda, for not only fitting in my books last minute, but also for helping me to spread the word. Thank you for being so passionate about my writing and my books. I love that blogging and books brought us together, and I am so happy we are friends.

To my editor, Jovana Shirley at Unforeseen Editing, you have been with me the longest. I have no idea what I would do without you. Thank you so much for squeezing me in with almost no notice and for being so patient when I consistently push the dates back. I rely so much on your editorial and publishing advice that I could not do this without you. Thank you for everything.

Another massive shout-out and thank you goes to my PA, Lauren Valderrama. I know I am such a crazy mess the closer I get to the pub date, and you have made this transition from writer to published author so smooth and easy for me. You do so many things behind the scenes that I probably don’t even realize. I can’t thank you enough for everything you do. Also, thank you for reminding me to eat when I am in lunatic writer mode. I have zero life skills when I’m writing. You rock!

To Britt at Geronimo Reads and Larkin at Wonderfilled Reads, you were the first friends I met through blogging, and you will be my friends for life. You two have kept me sane and functional on my worst days and have somehow managed to make me laugh, no matter how tough the day. Thank you to Larkin for obsessively fangirling over hockey with me and to Britt for putting up with our insanity. I bet you can't wait until hockey season is over. Our friendship inspired the next two novels in the Face-Off Series, and I promise I will write that novella for you one day. I expect lots of inappropriate sexual humor until it's completed because the novella is going to happen at some point. Love you both!

I cannot thank the blogging community enough for all their love and support. As a blogger, I have met so many wonderful people who have been so amazing and welcoming. Thank you for signing up for my blog tours, reading my books, and pimping my books on your blog and social media. Most of all, thank you for your continued friendship.

And thank you to all the readers for sticking with me and showing me your love and support. It means the world to me.

Note: Kennedy Lockwood mentions the NHL trade deadline to Coach when referencing that the Flyers used up their available cap space to sign Alex. Given the number of years Alex has played in the NHL, he would not be eligible for waivers, and as far as I know, he would not be eligible for another trade within the same season, so the truth was somewhat stretched to emphasize the point I wanted to make in the story.

It’s also standard practice for a traded player to receive a phone call from the general manager of the team. I chose to have Mickey call Alex to introduce his character and to show their relationship. Some players have found out via social media about their trade. The part where the kids at Georgetown already knew about Alex’s trade was also factual because it does happen.

And, of course, GO FLYERS!