The Hotshot

The Dugout #1

by Piper Rayne

Raising my cousin’s three kids wasn’t in my five-year plan.
Actually, it wasn’t in any plan.

One minute I’m a single labor and delivery nurse living a quiet life and the next, I’m navigating guardianship hearings, meltdowns, and homework I’m pretty sure requires a math degree.

Enter Hayes Carlisle.

My best friend’s older brother.
Chicago Colts newest catcher.
And the man I once kissed and immediately pretended I didn’t.

So, when the custody battle I’ve been dreading becomes a reality, I shouldn’t be surprised that Hayes swoops in with a wild idea—a fake relationship. According to him, pretending we’re together will polish his image and prove to the court I’m not taking on an instant family alone.

But pretending to be Hayes’ girlfriend is a terrible idea.

Because he remembers how to make me laugh.
Because he looks at me like our kiss wasn’t a one-time mistake.
Because the kids start asking him to read bedtime stories.
Because my heart starts wanting things my life doesn’t have room for.

I can manage the chaos. I can fight for these kids.
But pretending not to fall for Hayes Carlisle?

That might be the one thing I can’t do.

Genres: Romance, Sports, Sports Romance, Baseball

Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 17, 2026

About the author

Piper Rayne is a USA Today Bestselling author duo. Our goal is to bring you romance stories that have "Heartwarming Humor With a Side of Sizzle" (okay...you caught us, that's our tagline). A little about us... We both have kindle’s full of one-clickable books. We're both married to husbands who drive us to drink. We're both chauffeurs to our kids. Most of all, we love hot heroes and quirky heroines that make us laugh, and we hope you do, too.

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Our Books: We do things in 3’s. Three best friends. Three hot heroes. Three HEA’s.

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Reviews

[Piper Rayne]

Releasing February 17th!

Pre-order your copy today!
https://books2read.com/thshot

Following release, this title will be available exclusively in #kindleunlimited

Audiobook: Coming Soon

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/41QEV0V

[Amanda]

Colts Baseball player named Hayes he's a new trade tot he TEAM (We first meet Hayes in the Bonus scene of Mr. Charming *re-read before book release*)

Love Interest: sister's best friend (she was a nurse for Teddie and Sweetie when they had their daughter)

Side characters : Decker He's Teddies twin brothers best friend and baseball player
Easten: Funny character also baseball player they all live at the NEST

[Tracy Barbour]

Let’s go Chicago Colts!!!!

[Sharon]

Purchased in epub format from Barnes and Noble for my Nook.