Maverick Miller is the novel’s other co-protagonist and narrator. Although he initially presents as a classic playboy athlete archetype, this façade is methodically deconstructed throughout the novel. He is a dynamic and round character whose internal conflict stems from the gap between his public persona and his private insecurities. On the surface, Maverick is the D.C. Stars’ captain and the league’s golden boy—confident, charming, and a notorious womanizer. He leverages this persona to navigate his fame and protect a deeply vulnerable core that he rarely allows anyone to see. His initial interactions with Emmy, where he defaults to flirtatious arrogance, encapsulate this public-facing identity.

Contrasting sharply with his outward confidence is a deep insecurity born from his traumatic childhood in the foster care system. This past has instilled in him a deep-seated fear of abandonment and a desperate need to be wanted. He eventually confesses to Emmy that his womanizing is a coping mechanism, explaining that one-night stands “soothe that need to be wanted, to have someone who wants to keep [him], even if it’s only for a few hours” (288). This revelation reframes his character entirely, exposing his playboy behavior as a symptom of his unresolved trauma. His more private interests, such as his love for puzzles and his quiet, consistent charity work, further reveal a gentle and introspective nature that he carefully hides from the public eye. His journey illustrates that genuine connection is only possible through Vulnerability as the Foundation of Intimacy.

Maverick’s most defining trait is his fierce and unwavering loyalty. As team captain, he is deeply committed to his teammates, creating a strong sense of camaraderie through traditions like the weekly team dinner. His relationships with his team and close friends develop the theme of Found Family as Emotional Anchor and offer him a stable unit he never had growing up. Maverick’s protective instinct is most clearly demonstrated in his relationship with Emmy. He defends her against a sexist reporter during her first press conference and later physically assaults her abusive ex-boyfriend in an act that solidifies his role as her protector. His evolution from a man who uses women to feel wanted to a man who wants to protect and cherish one woman is the central arc of his development.

Hudson Hayes is a key supporting character who functions as Maverick’s best friend, teammate, and moral compass. As a static and round character, he embodies unwavering loyalty, kindness, and emotional maturity, often serving as a foil to Maverick’s initial immaturity. From the start, Hudson is presented as a “relationship guy” who values genuine connection over casual flings. He is the first of the D.C. Stars to welcome Emmy without reservation, immediately offering friendship and support. His gentle and rational nature makes him a stabilizing force within the team, particularly for Maverick, whom he frequently advises and holds accountable for his actions. Hudson shows a healthy, stable form of masculinity that contrasts with both Maverick’s playboy persona and the toxic masculinity of antagonists like Cole Meyers.

Piper Mitchell is a supporting character who serves as Emmy’s primary confidante and anchor in her new life in DC. Having reconnected with Emmy after they were friends in high school, Piper provides an immediate sense of home and belonging. As a static character, her primary role is to be a source of unwavering support and optimism. Working in the Stars’ broadcasting department, she also acts as a bridge between Emmy’s personal life and the professional world of the team. Fresh from a divorce from a controlling ex-husband, Piper is on her own journey of rediscovering her independence and desires. Her bright, sunny disposition acts as a counterbalance to Emmy’s initially guarded and stormy personality, and their friendship provides Emmy with the kind of supportive female bond she was missing, reinforcing the theme of Found Family as Emotional Anchor.

Grady Whitlock is a minor but significant supporting character who functions as Emmy’s best friend and platonic anchor at the beginning of the novel. As her teammate on the San Diego Iguanas, he’s aware of the unique pressures she faces and is one of the few people who has broken through her prickly exterior. He is a mentor figure, offering advice and unconditional support as she transitions to the NHL. It is Grady who establishes the rule against sleeping with teammates, a piece of protective advice that sets up Emmy’s initial conflict with Maverick’s advances. Though his physical presence in the story is brief, his influence is lasting, representing the stable, respectful male friendship that provides a foundation for the healthier relationships Emmy later forms.