Power Pucking Play (Chicago Blades)

2. Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Lexi

S ix Weeks Later

"Brookes! My office, now!"

I freeze, Charlie Holcomb's booming voice cutting through the chaos.

The bustling newsroom of Sports News Now pulses with energy, but I barely notice. My fingers fly over the keyboard, finishing up my latest article on the Chicago Blades' recent losing streak.

In response to the summoning scream of my boss, I weave through the maze of desks, clutching my coffee like a lifeline. The bitter aroma helps clear the fog from my brain after a late night of writing.

It also helps distract me from the few curious glances following me as I make my way to the corner office.

I step inside, my heart pounding. This can't be good.

"Close the door," he barks as I step inside.

I comply, setting my coffee cup down, trying not to fidget in my blue blouse and pencil skirt. "You yelled for me, sir?"

"Yes, I did. Have a seat."

I settle into the chair in front of his desk, mentally preparing myself for whatever punishment or impossible task is about to be thrown my way.

"Brookes, you've been with us for two years now, and you've made quite an impression. Your writing has improved, and your work ethic is commendable," he starts off with surprising praise. "Which is why we promoted you to the co-lead sports correspondent spot in the first place."

My heart lifts slightly at the compliment, but I know there's still a “but” coming.

"However, we're looking to shake things up around here. We need fresh ideas and new talent. So, I'm assigning you a special project," he says, leaning back in his leather chair, his balding head gleaming under the fluorescent lights.

I lean forward, intrigued. "What kind of project?"

He opens his mouth but then stops. "I think it's best you see for yourself."

He slides a file across his desk. I pick it up and flip through the pages, my eyes widening with surprise.

I can feel my eyes straining as I stare at the photo of the familiar face looking back at me.

Dark hair. Green eyes. A smirk that's equally saying “fuck you” and “fuck me” at the same time.

Giovanni De Luca.

My best friend's brother. Star defenseman for the Chicago Blades pro hockey team.

And the man I slept with just six short weeks ago.

I swallow. "You want me to do a feature on Gio De Luca?"

"Exactly. Exclusive access. Two weeks of a behind-the-scenes look at the life of one of hockey's biggest stars. On and off the ice."

"But...why me? I mean, I haven't exactly been flattering in my previous coverage of him. Plus, it's not like he'll agree to this. The man's as loyal to the press as my cat is to a bath."

"Well, I don't know much about the bathing rituals of felines, but we need someone who isn't afraid to push boundaries and ask tough questions. Plus, you have personal connections to the De Luca family, which could make for an interesting angle in your piece."

I nod slowly, thinking of all the interesting angles Gio had hit within my body that night.

I cough. “Yes, Gio’s sister, Gabi, is head of PR for the Blades. And my best friend. But…what about my co-lead position?"

"Don't worry, we'll have someone covering your usual beats while you work on this project. Consider it a chance to prove yourself even further and to get a deeper look at the man behind Giovanni's bad boy image."

"Uh-huh. And what if there's nothing behind that image?"

He chuckles. "Then you'll have a juicy story to write. Win-win, right? So, do we have a deal?"

I hesitate for just a moment, my mind racing with the possibilities. An exclusive feature on Gio De Luca could be a huge career boost for me.

But at what cost?

Gabi already has to constantly navigate the tense relationship between me and her brother. Every time I'm around Giovanni De Luca, I'm reminded that he's just as much of an ass off the ice as he is on it.

The man is arrogant and thinks the world revolves around him.

And has skills with his tongue that should be illegal.

But saying no to this opportunity would be career suicide.

With a deep breath, I paste on a smile. "You got it, Charlie."

"Wonderful." Charlie points at the “Gio” file still in my hands. "I'll set up a meeting with Gio's team and we can discuss details." He pauses. "Don't look so happy, Alexandra." His sarcasm is thick. "I'm only offering you the chance of a lifetime."

I take a deep breath and remind myself that this is what I signed up for when I chose this career path.

As I leave Charlie's office, my mind races.

Two weeks with Gio. Two weeks of pretending that night never happened. Two weeks of proving myself all over again.

Scurrying back to my own, much-smaller office, I collapse into my office chair, the file burning a hole in my hands.

I glance down at Gio's picture inside the file. He looks arrogant and cocky, a smirk on his lips as he holds onto his hockey stick the way he held onto other things that night.

I snort, my eyes falling on his face on the page. "Jackass. You just won't go away, will you?"

"I'm sorry?"

I jump, slamming the file shut. Sophie Bennett, our bright-eyed and bushy-tailed public relations intern, blinks at me from the doorway.

"Uh, hi." I straighten in my seat. "Sophie, can I help you?"

"I was just dropping off some papers for you," Sophie says, holding up a stack of files.

I take them from her and give her a small smile. "Thanks, Sophie."

She lingers for a moment, looking like she wants to say something else.

I blink. "Was there something else? Or do I have lipstick on my teeth?"

"Nothing. I...well, I was wondering if it was all true."

"If what was all true?"

She leans in, lowering her voice. "The feature." She pauses, and my small office grows silent. "Giovanni De Luca."

I raise an eyebrow. "Um, you weren’t up in the A/C vents again, were you?"

"N-no." She fidgets with her blouse. "News travels fast around here, you know."

"Boy, does it ever." I sigh, leaning back in my chair. "But to be completely honest...yes. Looks like I'll be spending a few weeks with Chicago's favorite bad boy."

"Wow. You're lucky. Really. That guy's gorgeous."

I reach for the papers on my desk. "Oh, trust me. He's aware." I peer over at his file, an idea forming. "Now that you're here, Sophie, I actually could use some help with background research. You up for it?"

Her blue eyes light up. "Absolutely! What do you need?"

"Everything you can find on Gio. His stats, his history, all the scandals and controversies."

"Consider it done," she says, practically bouncing with excitement. "I'll have it on your desk by tomorrow morning."

As Sophie scurries off, my phone buzzes, a text from Gabi lighting up the screen.

"Heard about the assignment. Grab a drink? We need to talk."

Jesus. Did a PSA about me doing a feature with Gio go out to the whole building?

With a groan, I type back a quick response, knowing exactly what this conversation will entail. "Sure. 7?"

Her reply is immediate: "Perfect. And try not to panic. It's just Gio."

Just Gio. Right. As if anything about Giovanni De Luca could ever be “just” anything.

I turn back to my computer, pulling up my past articles on Gio.

The words jump out at me, harsh and critical.

I never held back my disdain for him in my writing, always painting him as the arrogant, entitled troublemaker that he is. But now, with the prospect of spending weeks in close quarters with him, those words feel like they're coming back to haunt me.

"De Luca's reckless play style endangers not only himself but his teammates."

"Another game, another fight. When will the Blades realize De Luca is more liability than asset?"

I wince, closing the browser. How am I supposed to write an unbiased feature when our history is so...complicated?

By the time the workday ends, I'm practically vibrating with anxiety.

I gather my things, my mind spinning with questions. As I head for the elevator, Sophie calls out, "Good luck! Can't wait to read your feature!"

I force a smile, silently praying that there will actually be a feature to read when this is all over.

I make my way to our usual spot, an Italian restaurant called La Trattoria that serves the best lasagna in town just a few blocks from the office.

I spot Gabi at our usual corner booth, her dark hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail. Her green eyes are fixed on a glass of red wine in her hand.

When I walk up, she looks up and smiles. "Lex."

"Gabs." I set my purse down in the booth, giving my bestie a kiss on the cheek. “You look great, babe.”

“And you…look like you're about to throw up," she says, giving me a knowing look.

"I might be," I reply, taking a seat across from her. "For once, you look like you're not getting ready to throw up. Not being pregnant for the first time in a while agrees with you."

Gabi laughs, taking a sip of her wine. "I have to enjoy it while it lasts. Jacob wants to start trying again soon."

"Uh-huh. Like the two of you actually ever stop trying," I tease, trying to ease the tension in my own chest.

"You know me too well." Gabi grins, but the smile doesn't quite reach her eyes.

I flag down a waitress, ordering my usual strawberry-basil margarita. "So, are we going to dance around it, or are you going to tell me what's really going on?"

She sighs, fiddling with her wine glass. "Gio's refusing to do the feature."

My stomach drops, but I keep my face neutral. "Can't say I'm surprised. He's never been my biggest fan."

"It's not that," Gabi says, leaning forward. "He's being...difficult. More than usual."

"Define ‘difficult’."

"He won't even consider it. Says he needs to focus on hockey, not 'play nice for the cameras'."

I snort. "Sounds like the Gio I know and loathe."

Gabi fixes me with a pointed look. "That's just it, Lex. You don't know him. Not really."

The words sting more than they should. I take a long sip of my drink, letting the tart sweetness wash over my tongue.

"Look," I say, leaning back in my seat. "If he doesn't want to do it, that's on him. I'll tell my boss it fell through and move on to the next story."

Gabi shakes her head. "You can't. This feature is huge, for both of you. For the team."

"What do you mean, for both of us?"

She takes a deep breath. "I might have...talked you up to the team owner—told him you were the only one who could get through to Gio."

"You did what?" I hiss, leaning forward.

"I'm sorry! I panicked. I'm head of public relations for the Blades, you know this. And the owner's been on my case about Gio's image, and when I heard about the feature, I thought it was perfect timing."

I close my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Gabi, you can't just volunteer me for things like this."

"I know, I know. But Lex, this could be huge for your career. And for Gio's." She sighs, her green eyes lowering before raising again. "Look, I'm not saying my brother doesn't deserve all those articles you've written about him over the years. The fights, the brawls on the ice, the constant stream of women. It’s why I've been chill about it. I would never want you to have to lie. Or dim your light. But…this time, I'm asking you not to dim his. I know that this shitty reputation is not all there is to my brother. And he needs a chance to prove that to his team. Just...please. Talk to him? You'd be doing us both a huge favor.”

I look at her, seeing the desperation in her eyes.

It's the same look she had when we were kids and she needed help sneaking out to meet Jacob. The same Jacob who is Gio's best friend. The Jacob that is now her husband and the father of the two cutest kids to ever live.

I sigh, knowing I'm going to regret this. But Gabi is right, this could be a big break for my career. And if I can help her and her family in the process, then maybe it's worth it.

"Fine," I sigh. "I'll talk to him. But I'm not making any promises."

Gabi's face lights up. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! You're the best, Lex."

"Yeah, yeah," I mutter, downing the rest of my drink. "Just remember this the next time I need a favor. I mean it. You'd better be ready to hide a body for me."

Gabi laughs, knowing I'm only half-joking. We've been through a lot together, and she knows that if I ever needed her, she'd be there in a heartbeat.

As we leave the bar, Gabi gives me a quick hug. "He'll be at the Blades' practice facility tomorrow morning. Early. You know how he is."

I nod, already dreading the confrontation. "I'll be there."

We part ways, and I make my way back to my apartment. The second I'm inside, I slump onto the couch.

My new kitten, Luna, comes bounding over to me. She's still small and fluffy, but she has a feisty personality, just like her mom.

I pet her as my mind races with all the possibilities and potential disasters. As I start typing out questions for the feature, one thought keeps nagging at me: how the hell am I going to survive two whole weeks with a man like Gio De Luca?