Power Pucking Play (Chicago Blades)

18. Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Lexi

T he arena buzzes with pre-game excitement, but I might as well be underwater for all I'm registering it. I'm here, notepad in hand, ready to do my job. At least, that's what I keep telling myself.

But my mind? My mind is still on that yacht, waking up to cold sheets and a breakfast that felt more like a consolation prize than a romantic gesture.

I shake my head, trying to clear it. I have a job to do, and I can't let personal issues get in the way.

But as I settle into my seat in the press box, surrounded by other reporters and hockey fans, I can't help but feel like a fraud. How am I supposed to critique these players on their performance when my own performance as a journalist is falling apart at the seams?

The game starts and I try to force myself to focus on the action on the ice. But I can barely get my pen to move across the page, my mind still stuck on last night.

Mentally, I'm still on that yacht with Gio. Kissing him, touching him, feeling like I was flying.

That is, until Gabi plops down in the seat beside me, effectively dragging me back to reality.

"Hey there, chica. You planning on writing that article telepathically?" she says, giving me a playful nudge. "You do realize there's a game going on."

I blink, forcing a smile. "Sorry, just...focused."

"Focused on what exactly?" She blinks, green eyes widening. "Oh, don't tell me. You're still seeing that Maxwell guy, aren't you? I knew it!"

I can feel my cheeks flushing. Gabi has always been the one person who could read me like a book, and usually she's right on the money. But this time, she couldn't be further from the truth.

"I stopped dating Maxwell months ago," I say, trying to keep my tone light. "Just been busy with work."

"Seriously? That's it? I could have sworn I saw that 'look'?”

"And what look would that be?"

"The one you get when a man is knocking the Sonic coins out of your you-know-what."

"Sonic coins? Really?"

"Hey, I'm trying to keep this PG for any surrounding kiddos. Thank God my own are with Nonna, or they'd start asking what Sonic coins are and why I'm talking about man parts." She shakes her head, laughing. "But seriously, what's going on with you? Something seems...off."

My laughter fades as I look away from her piercing gaze, my mind drifting back to Gio and our forbidden rendezvous.

For a split second, I consider telling her everything. About the yacht, about Gio, about the mess of feelings I'm drowning in. But then I remember.

This is Gio's sister. My best friend.

The last person who needs to know I'm falling for her one and only brother. A man she warned me to stay away from years ago.

So, I plaster on a smile and shake my head. "Just nervous about the playoffs," I lie smoothly. "Big story, you know?"

Gabi nods, but I can tell she's not entirely convinced. "Right. Well, try to look a little more alive out there. You're making the interns nervous. Including the one you stole me from me."

"Ah, come on. I didn't steal Sophie. The Blades barely needed her anyway. Besides, she's the perfect PR liaison for the team."

"Sure. When she's not gawking at players or sneaking into the locker room to take selfies with them."

"She's just enthusiastic. Besides, I've already warned her about getting too close to the players." I swallow hard, glancing back at the ice. "It's a recipe for disaster."

Gabi follows my gaze, her eyes landing on her husband Jacob as he glides effortlessly across the ice. "Yeah, I've always said it's a dangerous game when you mix business with pleasure. But sometimes, it's hard to resist."

I feel like she's talking directly to me, but I force another smile as she changes the subject. "Welp, my stomach is telling me it's snack time. You coming?"

I shake my head, not hungry in the slightest. "I'll catch up with you later. I just need a minute to clear my head."

As she walks away, I turn my attention to the ice. The players are filing out for warm-ups, a sea of red and white jerseys gliding across the pristine surface.

And then I see him.

Gio.

Even from this distance, I can tell something's off. His usual pre-game swagger is muted, his movements almost robotic as he goes through his warm-up routine.

I lean forward, willing him to look up, to give me some sign that last night meant something. That this morning's disappearing act was just a blip, not a retreat.

But as the players circle the ice, Gio's gaze never once lifts to the stands. Never once seeks me out.

The knot in my stomach tightens. This isn't right. This isn't us.

Is it?

Before I can spiral further, I make a beeline for the bathroom. I need a minute. Just one minute to pull myself together.

As I splash cold water on my wrists, I can't help but wonder if this is all worth it. The constant uncertainty, the never-ending game of push and pull with Gio.

But then I remember his smile after the Blades won the last game. The way he wrapped me in his arms and spun me around like we were the only two people in the world.

That's why I'm here. That's why I put up with the long hours, the travel, the gossip and drama.

For moments like that. When everything falls into place and it's just him and me.

Not the famous hockey player and the journalist chasing a story.

Just Gio and Lex.

I sigh, and start inspecting my makeup when my phone rings.

I glance down at the name on the screen. Speak of the devil...

I take a deep breath, preparing myself for the chipper mood on the other line. "Hi there, Sophie."

"Hey, boss lady! How's the game? Any juicy details for the next broadcast?"

I stare at my reflection in the mirror. The woman looking back at me seems like a stranger.

Eyes too wide, cheeks too flushed.

When did I become this person?

"Um, Miss Brookes?" A long pause, followed by a clearing of her throat. "Lexi? You there?"

I take a deep breath. "Yeah, Soph. I'm here. Listen, can I ask you something? Off the record?"

There's a pause on the other end. "Of course. Is everything okay?"

"I..." I start, then falter. How do I even begin to explain this? "Have you ever found yourself falling for someone you absolutely shouldn't?"

Sophie's quiet for a moment, and I'm about to backtrack when she speaks. "Is this about Gio De Luca?"

My heart stops. "How did you...?"

"I had a hunch. And then I saw the way you two looked at each other during his last office visit."

I groan, leaning against the sink. "That obvious, huh?"

"Only to someone who's paying attention. But, um, I can pretend I didn't notice, if you want."

"No, it's fine. I guess my emotions were pretty obvious."

Sophie pauses for a moment before speaking again. "So, what are you going to do about it?"

"Honestly? I have no idea."

"Maybe you should talk to him. Clear the air, figure out where he stands. Do you...know where he stands?"

"No, not really. He's so closed off about his personal life."

"Maybe that's why you're drawn to him. You like a challenge. It's why I was so excited to work beside you at Sports News Now ."

"You were excited because you thought I was going to be a challenge? And here I thought 'challenge' was a code word for 'big bitch'."

Sophie laughs. "No way, Lexi. You're driven and ambitious, but you also know when to let loose and have fun. That's a rare balance in this industry."

I smile, feeling a little better about the situation. I might have been too hasty in assuming my intern saw me as a cold, unapproachable boss.

Haven't I been, though? Cold and unapproachable, I mean.

Especially when it comes to work. I've always been laser-focused on my career, letting it consume me and push aside any personal relationships. But now that Gio has entered the picture, I'm realizing how much I've been missing out on.

Sophie's voice brings me back to the present. "So, are you going to talk to him?"

"That's personal, Sophie."

"Of course, Miss Brookes. I didn't mean to…"

"I'm kidding, Sophie. You've given me a lot to think about."

"Would some of that thinking involve a raise?"

"You're learning far too much from me. We'll see." I pause. "And thanks again."

As I hang up, I catch sight of myself in the mirror again. This time, the woman looking back at me seems...stronger. More determined.

I straighten my shoulders, fix my hair, and head back out to the rink. The game's about to start, and I've got a job to do.

The first period is a blur of action and missed opportunities. The Blades are playing like a team possessed, but something's off with Gio. He's not taking his usual risks, not playing with that edge that makes him so electric on the ice.

This time, I don't join Gabi in the press box. Instead, I sit near the tunnel, watching.

As the second period starts, I try to focus on the game, on the story I'm supposed to be writing.

But my eyes stayed glued to Gio.

And it's during a particularly tense power play that I see it. Gio's got the puck, he's lining up for one of his signature slapshots. But at the last second, he hesitates. Passes instead of taking the shot.

The crowd groans, and I can see the frustration on Gio's face even from here.

As the final buzzer sounds, signaling a narrow victory for the Blades, I'm on my feet before I even realize it. My heart's pounding, and not just from the excitement of the win.

I watch as Gio disappears down the tunnel toward the locker room, not even glancing in my direction. The distance between us feels like a chasm, growing wider with each passing moment.

Something's changed between us in the last fourteen hours or so, and I have no fucking idea what it is. And I'm not going to let another hour go by without finding out.