Page 27 of Rookie Attraction

“A relationship is way better coverage then the paps snapping pics of you coming out of a club every other night of the week with a different person.”

“Judgemental much?” I snap. “First off, I’m not out every night, because I take my career seriously. And second, who and how many people I sleep with is my business.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Right,” I hiss.

“So, we’re good? No problem?” Hugo adds.

“I don’t know, it’s just that⁠—”

“That what?”

I’m so exhausted I can’t even find the words to explain how I feel.

“Nothing.”

“Good. I’ll set it up and get the NDA ready. And don’t start shooting your mouth off to anyone on the team about this arrangement, got it?”

“Or what?”

“Don’t.” Hugo shakes his head. “Keep it private for now, alright?”

“Like the guys won’t know what’s up when this news suddenly hits the press?” I scoff. “Come on.”

Hugo offers me a glare, but I don’t give a fuck.

“Be as discreet as possible with your personal life.”

“Do I need to report back to you on who I’m having sex with? Do you want to add a tracker to my phone to make sure I’m not meeting up with every available man and woman in the tristate area?”

Hugo bites his lower lip.

“Or am I expected to stay celibate until me and my ‘fake boyfriend’ break up?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Just be careful.”

“I’ll do my best,” I counter with a smirk. “But I have a demand of my own.”

“You can ask.”

“Whoever this guy is, he needs to know some basics about hockey. And be discreet in return.”

“Of course.”

“Is that all?” I grumble, standing up.

I’m done here.

“What did you expect Sel? Really, tell me the truth. Did you think this would be easy?”

“I don’t know what I thought,” I snarl. “Oh yeah, I thought people would have evolved by now and accepted my bisexuality and realize it has nothing to do with my job. And I thought I’d also have some measure of privacy.”

“We have accepted you. But come on, the hockey world hasn’t evolved. How many out players are there?”

I can think of one rookie in Philadelphia, but I keep my mouth shut.

“You know this, and yes, it sucks.” Hugo sighs. “But I told you, New York wants be the forerunner in changing the narrative in the league. It’s time. You’ll be paving the way for other queer athletes. Plus, you’re a public figure. Fuck’s sake, you’ve played for nine years, and you still don’t know that your privacy isn’t the same as it is for everyone else?”