Playing to Win

When did my job become fake dating the rookie screwup instead of playing hockey myself?

I'm a professional hockey player, and an Olympic champion, but I've always taken second place to my brother. Male hockey trumps women's anything in my family. While my knee is heeling and I'm waiting to get back on the ice, I'm doing PR work for the Blaze and seeing all the advantages they get closeup.

The frustration pays off when I arrange for my teammate to play during a men's game. Just one period, but still - a triumph! Unfortunately, it's tainted by the rookie goalie's rant about it being unfair. With the trade deadline passed, and the playoffs coming up, the team needs him, so they add fake dating him to my job description, hoping to prove that he supports women's hockey.  I'm a hockey player, not a WAG!

He shocks me when he shares the reason behind his blowup - a secret he's keeping to protect my teammate. He's not the misogynist I thought. Now I just have to I convince people I'm interested in this guy, without falling for him, or betraying his confidence.

Obviously I won't do either.