It has been a couple of days since the game against the Sabres and you and Jaylyn are doing some press stuff. The interviewer is on the ice with you but he is a little wobbly on his skates. You are trying your best not to laugh. It is difficult.  

"Sorry about this I haven't been on the ice for while," He is a little flustered. You understand that not everyone can skate like you or Jay.

"Don't worry about it," you respond. You are trying not to laugh at his misfortune. He soon gets better.

"Mitch, how do you feel about Jaylyn being the first female player to join the NHL? And Jaylyn, how do you feel about it?" he decides to get the easy questions out of the way. At least you know the answer straight away. You can tell that Jaylyn needs to think about her answer.

"When I saw Jaylyn play in the youth games I knew that we needed some change and I made sure that it would happen," you respond. You hope that he isn't off-put by Jaylyn's answer because she still looks like she hasn't come up with a good idea.

"How about you Jaylyn," He prompts. You are glad that he is not one of those interviewers that comes across as a jerk. 

"To be honest I haven't got much to say because I haven't thought about my situation," Jaylyn replies. You can tell that she has been too occupied with other thoughts.

"Anyway let's do a goal-scoring challenge," he says as he directs your attention to the goal which has some targets set up. You are glad this will be one of those interviews where they get you to do stuff.

"I suppose it is ladies first?" Jaylyn remarks. The interviewer nods. You can tell that Jaylyn is aiming for the top left. She goes high which completely obliterates the plate. You can tell that the interviewer is impressed. You high five her as she moves out of your way. So does the interviewer. You are glad that he is treating Jaylyn like a normal NHL player.

"Good shot Jaylyn," the interviewer compliments her.

"It was a little easy. Maybe you should hang a plate in the center of the net?" Jaylyn suggests. You can tell that he is considering her suggestion. You line up for your shot. You are aiming low. You shoot and there is a loud crash as the plate is destroyed. You have hit the bottom right plate to make the diagonal.

"So how do you two feel about the leafs' strong start?" The interviewer asks as he lines up for the shot. You still think he looks a bit wobbly on his skates.

"Hopefully that the strong start will equal a strong finish," You respond. You avoid mentioning the Stanley cup because you don't want to come across as cocky. 

"This is going to be interesting," He muses as he takes the shot. He narrowly misses the bottom left plate. It was a good try for someone that hasn't played for a while. Thirty minutes later you have done with the interview and you are thinking about what you could do for the rest of the day. You decide that lunch with Jaylyn may be a good idea. 

"Why don't I treat you to some lunch," You offer. Hopefully, she will agree with you

"Um sure," she hesitates. You can tell that she is thinking about how the fans will react if they find out about the outing. Sixteen minutes later you have taken her to one of the nicer restaurants in Toronto. You are both looking at the menu.

"You handled that well," you try to make small talk.

"I think he was the kind of interviewer that wanted to say that he played with some NHL players," Jaylyn responds. You have both made up your mind and so has Jaylyn.

"Thank you, Mitch," she catches you off guard.

"What do you mean?" you reply. You can tell that you are getting defensive even though you know she is trying to thank you.

"Making sure I joined the NHL," she remarks.

"Don't worry about it. Let's talk about something different," Don't worry about it. Let's talk about something different," You say because you really want to get to know Jaylyn a little better. An hour later you have finished with lunch and you are thinking about how lucky the team is to have someone like Jaylyn. However, your thoughts are interrupted by a giggle from Jaylyn.

"What's funny?" You are confused by her sudden outburst of laughter.

"Should we call this a date?" she asks. You have to think about it.

"Umm sure," you respond hesitantly. You feel like you are slowly embarrassing yourself. It has been a couple of games since your first date and you are getting ready for your next game. You can hear Jaylyn whistle Queen's we are the champions while she is getting ready.

"I didn't know you could whistle," John remarks. He beats you to it.

"Yeah, it's a skill that I keep to myself because I've been told that it can get annoying sometimes," She replies. You can tell that she has been hit by a wave of embarrassment. You try to defend her but William beats you to it.

"Look on the bright side it makes this part of the games more interesting," You are glad that the team is supportive of Jaylyn. You both are finished at the same time. Two minutes later the team got their instructions from Sheldon. You are warming up with Jaylyn.

"You know she should be in the WHl," One of the fresh faces that belongs to the Boston Bruins remarks as he skates circles around you.

"You belong in the youth tournament," Jaylyn retorts. You can feel the anger start to bubble away. You death glare at him as he finishes his circle around you both. At least you know you will be glad that you will beat these jerks.

"Mitch, don't worry he's just chirping," Jaylyn can tell that you are getting angry. She is trying to calm you down.

"But that was uncalled for," you retort. You feel bad for snapping at her but you are feeling protective.

"So is getting worked up over a tiny remark," Jaylyn responds. She is right but you can't help it. You know you will feel better once the game starts. After thirty minutes the face-off is about to happen. The umpire places the puck between Jaylyn and the other centre. Jaylyn breaks free with the puck.

"Auston," Jay makes her intentions clear. She slips the puck to him. He makes his way up the rink with you and Jaylyn following closely. Auston then passes it to you. You can feel the defenseman bearing down on you.

"Jay cover," You say as she falls in behind you. You slip the puck between your legs. Jaylyn gets ready to shoot but the defenceman slams his elbow into her. She falls to the ground. Your anger has reached boiling point. You are struggling to keep your anger in check.

"Oh, she is where she belongs," The defenceman remarks. You know you are going to regret it later but you pull your gloves off and in a blind fit of rage, you strike him in the face. It starts an all-out brawl. You are soon ripped apart by your respective teammates. You are clutching the bruised part of your face.

"Should we call an ambulance?" Sheldon asks. The medic nods. You take a seat next to Jaylyn. You can tell that she is angry at you. The medic passes you some ice and you place it on your face.

"What the hell were you thinking Mitch," She screams at you in a fit of anger. There is one problem. You weren't thinking. The only thing you can do is hang your head in shame. An hour later you are tossing up whether you should apologise to Jaylyn now or later. You start running through the options that you have. You start to pace around. You are stopped by a knock on your door. It's William. Ten minutes later you have made it to the local bar. You are distracted by your thoughts.

"Look Mitch the guy deserved it," William looks you in the eyes.

"Yes but it was still stupid," You respond. You know he is right.

"You know what your problem is. You think of Jay as your little sister," Another good point. You stare wistfully at your drink. You know the only way that you are going to feel better is if you apologise to Jaylyn.

"Thank you, Will," you remark as you down what is left of your drink. It is the day after the game and you are summoning the courage to knock on the door. You do and you are greeted by Jaylyn's dad.

"What can I do for you, Mitch?" He gestures for you to come in so you do.

"Can I talk to Jay please?" you ask. You hope she will want to talk to you. Your nerves are building.

"I'll let her know," Jaylyn's dad responds as he goes up the stairs. You go over what you have to say in your head and hopefully it works. A minute later Jaylyn has made it down the stairs. You are hit by a wave of uneasiness.

"Look Mitch I'm sorry I shouldn've snapped at you," She apologises to you first. At least that should make it easier to say what you have to say.

"No, I'm sorry. I should've not lashed out," you respond. You hang your head in shame again.

"It's just it feels like you're my little sister when you are on the ice and I have to protect you," You decide to use Willam's explanation. Hopefully, it makes sense. You pull her into a gentle embrace. She winces.

"Well, your little sister would appreciate it if you were a little more careful," Jaylyn remarks as she buries herself in your embrace. Your nose is suddenly hit by the smell of food. Jaylyn pulls herself free of your embrace. At least you hopefully hugged it out.

"Are we forgiven?" you feel like double-checking just in case you are wrong.

"We will see what happens when I get back on the ice," she replies. She seems more cheerful.

"So are you staying for Dinner Mitch?" Your dad asks. You give Jaylyn a glance that is asking for permission and she nods.

"Yeah sure," You respond. You are glad that you are somewhat forgiven.