The Right Move

Liz Tomforde

The Right Move

Liz Tomforde
59 pages1-hour read
Fiction
Novel
Adult
Published in 2023

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Ryan is a 27-year-old point guard and the intensely private captain of Chicago's NBA team. He lives in a minimalist, heavily controlled apartment that serves as a fortress against public scrutiny. Having avoided romantic entanglements since college, he focuses entirely on his athletic career and finds it difficult to form connections with his teammates.

Key Relationships

Pretend Girlfriend of Indy Ivers

Twin Sister of Stevie Shay

Friend of Evan Zanders

Employee of Ron Morgan

Teammate of Ethan Jeong

Captain of Leon

Ex-Boyfriend of Marissa

Indy is a 27-year-old lead flight attendant for the Chicago Raptors hockey team. Reeling from a devastating breakup with her boyfriend of six years, she faces the prospect of leaving Chicago unless she finds affordable housing. She is emotionally expressive, colorful, and naturally nurturing, often prioritizing others' needs over her own.

Key Relationships

Roommate of Ryan Shay

Ex-Girlfriend of Alex

Best Friend of Stevie Shay

Daughter of Tim Ivers

Daughter of Abigale Ivers

Childhood Friend of Maggie

Friend of Rio DeLuca

Stevie is Ryan's twin sister and Indy's closest friend in Chicago. She recognizes her brother's unhealthy isolation and actively pushes him to open up. Fiercely loyal, she provides crucial emotional support for both protagonists as they navigate their respective challenges.

Key Relationships

Twin Sister of Ryan Shay

Romantic Partner of Evan Zanders

Best Friend of Indy Ivers

Supporting Characters

Evan, known as Zanders, is a professional hockey player in Chicago and Stevie's partner. He understands the scrutiny athletes face because he manages a high-profile relationship himself. He offers a level-headed perspective and acts as a sounding board for Ryan.

Key Relationships

Romantic Partner of Stevie Shay

Friend of Ryan Shay

Friend of Indy Ivers

Ron is the General Manager of the Chicago Devils. He values a traditional, family-oriented public image and doubts Ryan's fitness for leadership due to his lone-wolf reputation. His skepticism directly motivates Ryan to enter into a fake-dating arrangement with Indy.

Key Relationships

Husband of Caroline Morgan

General Manager of Ryan Shay

Acquaintance of Indy Ivers

Caroline is Ron Morgan's wife and a highly influential figure within the basketball organization. She observes the players and their partners closely, and her favorable opinion helps secure her husband's trust. She quickly takes a liking to Indy during team events.

Key Relationships

Wife of Ron Morgan

Acquaintance of Indy Ivers

Acquaintance of Ethan Jeong

Alex is Indy's childhood friend and former boyfriend of six years. His infidelity shatters their long-term relationship and forces Indy to rebuild her life. He remains integrated in their mutual friend group, creating social obstacles for Indy in Chicago.

Key Relationships

Ex-Boyfriend of Indy Ivers

Friend of Maggie

Maggie is one of Indy's childhood friends who is currently planning her February wedding. She prioritizes the comfort of her established social group over supporting Indy, expecting her wronged friend to simply forgive and forget for the sake of group cohesion.

Key Relationships

Childhood Friend of Indy Ivers

Friend of Alex

Ethan is a veteran shooting guard for the Chicago Devils. He understands the political landscape of the team and advises Ryan on how to earn the general manager's respect. He enjoys a stable family life that contrasts with Ryan's isolation.

Key Relationships

Husband of Annie Jeong

Teammate of Ryan Shay

Annie is Ethan's wife and one of the few people aware of the true nature of Ryan and Indy's relationship. Her friendship with Caroline Morgan helped secure her husband's favorable standing with team management.

Key Relationships

Wife of Ethan Jeong

Acquaintance of Indy Ivers

Rio is a professional hockey player for the Chicago Raptors and a close friend of Indy's. Having taken ballroom dance lessons to improve his skating, he frequently banters with his teammates and provides Indy with companionship during her work travels.

Key Relationships

Friend of Indy Ivers

Teammate of Evan Zanders

Tim is Indy's father who lives in Florida. He is deaf, and his family communicates with him using American Sign Language. He cares deeply for his daughter's well-being and seeks reassurance that she is safe in her new living situation.

Key Relationships

Father of Indy Ivers

Husband of Abigale Ivers

Acquaintance of Ryan Shay

Abigale is Indy's mother. She provided her daughter with a temporary haven in Florida following a devastating breakup and continues to offer emotional support from afar as Indy rebuilds her life in Chicago.

Key Relationships

Mother of Indy Ivers

Wife of Tim Ivers

Kai is a professional baseball player for the Warriors and a neighbor in Ryan's building. He is a single father who was left to raise his infant son after his ex-partner disappeared, making him a recognizable figure in the local sports community.

Key Relationships

Father of Max Rhodes

Neighbor of Indy Ivers

Neighbor of Ryan Shay

Max is Kai's infant son. He lives in the same apartment building as Ryan and Indy and requires occasional babysitting from the neighbors.

Key Relationships

Son of Kai Rhodes

Leon is a rookie player for the Chicago Devils. He struggles on defense and finds Ryan's cold, demanding leadership style deeply intimidating, which initially hinders his performance on the court.

Key Relationships

Teammate of Ryan Shay

Dave is the doorman at Ryan's luxury apartment building. He quickly befriends Indy and benefits from Ryan's quiet generosity, specifically a secret scholarship that funds his granddaughter's piano lessons.

Key Relationships

Acquaintance of Indy Ivers

Acquaintance of Ryan Shay

Dom is a basketball player who transferred to the Chicago Devils to be closer to his mother while she undergoes cancer treatment. He represents the personal struggles that athletes navigate behind the scenes.

Key Relationships

Teammate of Ryan Shay

Connor is an opposing basketball player with a long-standing rivalry against Ryan. He is aggressive on the court and deliberately attempts to provoke Ryan by targeting his apparent weaknesses.

Key Relationships

Rival of Ryan Shay

Acquaintance of Indy Ivers

Marissa is Ryan's ex-girlfriend from his college years. Her manipulative actions and deception caused Ryan to spiral into a deep depression, prompting his fiercely guarded adult lifestyle.

Key Relationships

Ex-Girlfriend of Ryan Shay