It has been a few days since your date with Mitch and you are doing some more press stuff. This time you are at the TSN headquarters. You are impressed that they are taking you seriously. It's a pity that Mitch was busy with other stuff. At least you understand that you don't need Mitch to do all of the press stuff with you.

"Jaylyn if you wouldn't mind following me," One of the staff members asks.

"Sure," You reply. You are soon escorted to an office space. You are greeted by two eager interviewers. They are thrilled to have your company.

"Today we are joined by a very special guest Jaylyn Paris of the Toronto Maple Leafs and we are going to see if She can help Luca and Jesse settle some hockey debates," one of the men announces. It will be fun because you are able to share your opinion. You quickly sit down between the two men. It will be fun.

"Can I just say Jaylyn what an honour it is to have you here as the first female player in the NHL," Jesse remarks. At least he is meaning it with good intentions.

"I am happy to be here," You respond.

"So Jaylyn we will start off easy. Sock or clear tape?" A good question.

"I call it stick tape because I don't use it on my socks but if I had to choose one of the two I would call it clear tape for that reason," You explain your answer. Luca gives a small triumphant celebration. You are glad that they gave you the fun interview. Fifteen minutes later the debate has come to an end and you can feel the smile broaden on your face despite the fact that you feel sorry for Jesse.

"Thank you so much for joining us today," Luca remarks for the second time.

"No worries. It was fun seeing Jesse complain," You decide to add to the insults. You quickly get your microphone off. You quickly pass it to the camera operator. He gives you an appreciative nod. Fifteen minutes later you have made it back home and you are starting to wonder how the others went with their press stuff.

"Hello Jay," Your mum greets you.

"How was the interview?"

"It was enlightening. They had me do a fun debate. I'll have to show you when TSN publishes it," You fill her in on the details. You get the feeling she will enjoy seeing her little girl having fun with the interviewers. You head to your room. You get to work on making sure your gear is ready for tomorrow's game. You are going to have to replace the tape on your stick. You grab the tape from your bag. You quickly rip the tape off your stick. It comes off way too easily. At least you decided to do it now not before the game. You get to work on making sure the tape job is good. You hear the telltale thud of someone heading up the stairs. The thud is soon accompanied by a knock on the door.

"You can come in, dad. I'm just getting my gear ready for tomorrow's game," You respond. He will probably want to take over for you.

"How was the interview?" He asks as he sits next to you.

"It was fun how did the juniors go in their game?" You decide to talk to your dad about your old team.

"Let's just say they are not going to make college or youth teams," Your dad replies. You quickly finish the tape job.

"Anyway, dad can you check my tape job?" You decide to ask his opinion because you are unsure of the quality. He takes your stick from you and he carefully inspects it. He mumbles a few things before he passes it back to you.

"You have done a perfect job. I think you will be ready for tomorrow's game," He says as he gets up.

"Dad, will you and mum be coming?" You ask.

"Yes," He replies. It will be interesting. It is the day after your interview and you are in the locker room getting ready. You have beaten everyone again. You use the time to check your tape job.

"You don't have to worry about your tape job," Mitch makes you jump.

"Are you sure?" You respond.

"Yes I am," Mitch retorts. The others soon join you and Mitch. You start getting your gear on. It doesn't take you long. Ten minutes later you are on the ice warming up with Ilya and William. You are a little worried about the game because you are versing the Bruins again. Hopefully, it doesn't end in disaster like the last time.

"Jay are you alright?" William asks.

"I'm just thinking about our last game with the Bruins but I will be fine," You respond as William passes you the puck. You get to work on the drill. Your thoughts are soon occupied on what Mitch is thinking. Thirty minutes later the warm-ups have finished and the good thing is you haven't been chirped yet. You are now waiting for the umpire to drop the puck for the face-off. It feels like the umpire has dropped the puck in slow motion however you are able to get it from the other centre. You can tell that he is annoyed at himself for letting you get the puck.

"Mitch, William I need your help," You call out as the defence swoops on you.

"I'm here," Mitch responds. You pass it to him. After some back and forth between you, Mitch and William you have finally gotten it down the rink. You are struggling to find an opening for you to score.

"Jay try to hit the crossbar," William calls out. You know exactly what he wants to achieve. You do as he says. The puck deflects off the crossbar and William is able to use the confusion to score. You have taken the face off again. You have to full-on wrestle the puck from the Bruins centre.

"Dang, it the princess won again," The centre tries to chirp you but it only fuels your desire to score.

"Well, this princess beat you," You retort as you weave past him. You pass the puck to Mitch so he can get it the rest of the way.

"Jay be ready," Mitch calls out.

"Ok," You get into position to receive the puck from him. He passes it to you and you line up for the slap shot. It sails over the goaltender's arm. You are surprised that the puck made it past his glove. You let loose the mother of all celebrations. It feels good to score against a team of bullies. At least Mitch is keeping his cool this time. Ten minutes later the period has come to a close but the Bruins have tied the game. You are off for the next period but it's a good thing because you need the break. You have taken the seat between Mitch and William.

"Jay, how are you doing?" Mitch asks. You can tell that he is concerned after what happened the last time you versed the Bruins.

"I'm fine," You respond.

"Just a little tired,"

"That's good. At least he hasn't mentioned the chirping. You can feel his gloved hand wrapped around yours.

"It's a good thing that the media can't see what you're doing," You whisper as you return the favour. You get the feeling that the press would have a field day with you and Mitch. You add your cheers to the crowd as Ilya scores however the lead doesn't last long because the Bruins' centre scores again. The period feels like it has dragged on. Sheldon has decided it would be a good idea to put you, Danny and Mitch, on. Hopefully, it is a line up that would work.

"Good luck Jay," Auston remarks as he sits down. You get the feeling that you will need it. You take a deep breath as you head back onto the ice. You get ready for the face-off. You can feel the burn of the Bruins centre's death glare. You feel like you are back in the youth games. As soon as the umpire drops the puck you snatch it from the bruins centre.

"Danny cover," You call out. Danny soon slips behind you and you get the puck to him between your legs. It is a good thing that Danny is a quick skater. Maybe he could take Connor McDavid's record. That's something you will leave for the all-stars skill competition. Danny passes the puck back to you but it was a bad idea. You are able to get it but the defence is quick. One of the defence tries to get the puck from you but you twirl around him.

"Mitch get open," You call out as you complete the turn. You pass him the puck and he is able to score. You are hoping to add to the score again. Seventeen minutes later you are racing against the clock to score another goal. You really do not want this game to go to overtime.

"Jay, Danny get ready," Mitch yells. You quickly break free from your defenceman.

"Mitch I'm open," You call out. He quickly passes you the puck. You send it flying towards the goal. Again you have scored a buzzer-beater. The others all pile on for the group hug. At least you didn't go into overtime. Ten minutes later you are in the locker room. There is an air of excitement.

"That was amazing," Frederik remarks.

"Well you had the harder job," You deflect the compliment. You glance at Mitch for help but he looks away. You know it's because the others are going to compliment you for your performance and there is nothing you can do about it. You are suddenly hit by a wave of tiredness. Fifteen minutes later you have made it to the car park. You are met by your dad who is just as excited about your win as you are.

"Jay you played so well tonight," Your dad pulls you into an embrace. You try your best to wiggle free.

"Dad we are going to have to do this tomorrow," You remark.

"I have to ask about you and Mitch though," He responds as he lets you go.

"What do you mean?" You are a little confused. You both get into the car.

"The on-ice chemistry between you and Mitch. Is it also office chemistry?" Your dad clarifies. Oh boy, how do you even begin to explain it?

"Not really," Hopefully you are able to hide the fact that you are lying. You know it's bad but your dad has a thing against the idea of you dating a teammate.

"We are just friends and teammates," You would rather be having this talk with your mum or Ilya because at least they know.

"Ok just checking," Your dad replies. You find yourself smiling the entire length of the trip home despite the fact that you are extremely tired