Chapter 2

Sky

I opened my social media feed the moment I got home. My hands shook a little. Photos of Drake and me filled every page. That paparazzi had taken shots from every angle. He took photos of us pressing our lips from each other. He caught Drake looking my way. He even caught the split second Drake and I looked up at him in surprise.

My chest felt tight. I knew how fast rumors spread. But I never thought it would blow up this big this fast. I scrolled down to read the comments. My heart sank lower with every line.

Some people wrote nice things.

"They look good together."

"Maybe they really are a perfect match."

"I wish this were true."

But most comments were sharp and cruel.

"She is just a new actress. She wants fame so bad."

"Drake would never pick someone like her."

"This is all her trick."

"She is chasing his name and his money."

"His team should keep her far away."

"Stop using him to get noticed."

Tears stung my eyes. I gripped my phone tight. How could they say such things? I did not plan any of this. I just went to that hotel hoping to land a role. Now everyone acts like I am some kind of thief.

I thought of how I worked hard just to get where I am now. Did all that mean nothing now?

Then I saw Drake’s own fans saying worse stuff. They said I ruined his image. His side threw hate at me.

My own small group of supporters fought back hard. Soon people were yelling at each other online. Bashers jumped in too. They made up lies neither of us could stop.

Two hours later my manager called. Her voice was sharp and tense. "The sponsors are pulling out, Sky. The investors are furious. They say this mess hurts their brand. They will leave for good if we do not fix this within twenty four hours." She cut the lines before I could answer her.

My stomach twisted into knots. This was terrible. My first big project could end before it even really started. My hope to earn money for Grandma's medical bills was gone.

The next morning, Drake and I, together with his coach and my manager, met at a quiet hotel conference room. I sat across from Drake. His stares were cold. He looked just as angry and tired as I felt. His coach sat beside him. My manager sat right next to me. No one spoke for a long minute. The air felt heavy and cold.

Drake broke the silence first. He crossed his arms tight over his chest.

"This is ridiculous. I have a game coming up. I cannot waste time on gossip."

My manager leaned forward slowly. "There is only one way to calm everyone down right now. Everyone thinks there is something between you two. If you say it is not true, people will call you a liar. It will ruin Sky's reputation as a woman. The attacks will get worse. Our partners will leave for sure."

"Then what do we do?" I asked softly. Fear twisted inside me.

His coach looked straight at both of us. "Pretend it is real. Say you two have been dating secretly for months. It stops the rumors. It looks sweet and honest. It saves both your names. It saves our contracts too."

I stared at them in shock. Pretend to love this man? This man who acted like I was dirt under his shoes?

"No way," Drake said right away. "Why would I lie about that?"

"Do you have a better plan?" My manager asked quietly. "We lose everything if this keeps going."

I looked down at my hands. My heart ached. I did not want to do this. But I had no choice. I needed this work. Drake looked at me. He looked at his coach. He let out a long rough breath.

"Fine. I will do it. But this is all your fault," he spat at me.

I bit my lip hard so I would not cry right there.

An hour later, we stood before cameras. Bright lights burned my eyes. My heart beat so loud I thought everyone could hear it. Drake stood closer to me and placed one hand on my hips. We looked sweet, but deep inside our hearts, we want to push each other away and run.

"We have something to tell everyone," he said with a fake sweet smile on his lips. A smile that could deceive everyone.

"We have been in a relationship for some time now," I added, a fake shy smile curved my mouth. "We kept it private because we wanted to protect it."

"We ask everyone to respect our space," Drake finished before giving another fake sweet smile.

After the presscon, Drake offered to drive me home as part of his role as a loving boyfriend. Although I don't want to be with him alone, I have no choice but to agree. Eyes were everywhere. We'll look suspicious if we separate after the presscon.

Drake's car was big and dark. Only his driver sat up front. As soon as the doors shut he immediately turned to me. His eyes burned with anger.

"You got me into this mess."

"What? I did nothing wrong!" I answered back.

"Did not you?" He leaned closer. "You wanted attention. You wanted people to know your name. You planned to get seen near me. Now your little game hurts my career and my team."

That stung deep. All my tiredness and fear turned into sharp heat.

"How dare you?" My voice shook. "I ran lines for weeks. I practiced late every night. I do not steal fame from anyone! You act like you are better than everyone else. Maybe people are mad at you because you are so rude!"

"I am rude?" He laughed sharply. "You drag me into lies just to get famous."

"I know it's my fault, but I never asked for any of this!" I shouted back. "I just want to escape from those bad people chasing after me. Is it wrong for me to ask for a little help from you?"

"And these are the consequences of your so-called "a little help". He stared at me like he wanted to eat me alive.

I didn't argue with him anymore and just remained silent. He also said nothing more for the rest of the ride. When we reached in front of my house, I got out of his car without glancing at him.

The next day I had no filming. I should have stayed home. I wanted to stay home. But my manager texted me again and again. She reminded me that Drake has a practice game with the rival team, the Ice Breakers, and I need to be there to be his supportive girlfriend.

I don't like hockey. I don't even have a single interest in that game. But here I am, sitting at the bench with the other crowd and cheering Drake and his team, Blizzard Kings, for the people to see.

The two rival teams were inside the ice rink. It is a wide flat space covered with smooth hard white ice. Thick clear glass walls wrap all around to keep pucks inside. The air feels very cold and smells crisp and fresh.

All players wore big heavy helmets with clear face shields. They had thick padded uniforms in dark blue and white. Hard elbow pads, knee pads and shoulder pads kept them safe. On their feet were long sharp skates that bit into the ice. Each one held a long curved hockey stick. They chased a small hard black rubber disc called a puck.

I watched them move fast. Skates scraped loud on ice. Sticks clacked hard. My eyes stayed locked on Drake. He moved with speed and power. He looked like he owned every inch of that slippery ground. But Steve, the rival's team captain, stayed close. He blocked Drake at every turn. He pushed way too hard.

Then it happened. Drake rushed fast over the ice, leaning low and gripping his hockey stick tight to reach the puck first. Steve came from the side way too fast. He intentionally slammed his shoulder hard right into Drake’s unguarded leg. Drake lost his balance. He fell hard on the ice. A sick crack sound reached my ears.

My heart stopped. I jumped up so fast my chair tipped over.

"Drake!" I cried out.

Players stopped. Coaches ran over. They helped carry Drake off the ice. He could not stand on his right foot at all.

I immediately followed them straight to the hospital. I waited outside the exam room for what felt like forever. When they let me in his leg already sat in white plaster cast. He lay back on pillows. His face was pale and twisted in pain.

The doctor said no major breaks. He just needs to rest for a week. No playing for at least two weeks.

As soon as we were left alone Drake shot angry looks my way.

"Happy now? I cannot play the practice game. My season hangs by a thread."

"Why blame me?" I walked closer. "I did not push you!"

"You are bad luck. Ever since that photo came out nothing goes right."

"This is not my fault! That Steve played dirty!" Why blame me? He's so unreasonable.

"Maybe he knew you would distract me," Drake snapped.

All my worry turned into sharp anger. I stepped right to his bedside. I lifted my hand and hit his shoulder hard.

"Stop acting like a child! I am here because I have to be! I hate this as much as you do!"

The door suddenly swung open fast. Steve was standing at the door with a sharp smile on his lips.

"What do you mean by what you said, Sky? Are you two really together? Or was your relationship just a show?"