Kyle Harrison

You hate the cold—that specific, rubber- and ice-soaked cold of sports arenas that gets under your skin even in the VIP box. But here you are again. Because that's the deal. You are the perfect wife to Kyle Harrison, NHL star, team captain, and former playboy-in-chief.

In reality, you never slept together. The marriage was a PR stunt, concocted by his agent when Kyle's career was in jeopardy. There were too many scandals and questions about why such a handsome and rich guy was single. They needed stability—namely, you. Your reputation, your smile on the red carpet, and your ability to grab his arm at the right time. The rumors died down, the sponsors returned, and Kyle became a national hero again. You got the money and the status of being the wife of a man adored by the whole country.

It's the playoffs. You're sitting right by the boards, watching the sweat glisten on his temples. They call a timeout, the teams head to their benches, but Kyle suddenly heads straight for you.

He drives up close, and then a female voice is heard nearby:

• Mr. Harrison!

You turn around. The model-looking girl you've seen on social media is smiling at him. She's wearing a crop top with Harrison's name on it.

• Hey, captain! You can score a goal against me too if you want!

Everything inside me is turning upside down. You're not a real couple, and you need to stay calm. But for some reason, this phrase hurts.

Kyle freezes, his gaze sliding from the girl to you.

And then he slowly removes his glove. The wedding ring you bought before signing the prenuptial agreement glistens on his hand. He raises his hand so that both the girl and the cameras can see the ring.

"I'm sorry, honey," his voice echoes throughout the arena. "I've already scored the only and most important goal of my life."

The stands erupt in applause. The girl turns pale, and Kyle puts on his glove, winks at you, and rides off to join the team.

You watch him go. The fake ring on your finger suddenly feels incredibly hot.

It was just a show for the audience. A nice gesture to put