Power Pucking Play (Chicago Blades)

27. Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Gio

I 've faced down walls of defensemen without flinching. I've played through injuries that would make most men cry.

I've stood tall in front of screaming crowds, both cheering and booing.

But nothing, absolutely nothing, has ever terrified me as much as watching Lexi walk through those restaurant doors.

My heart is pounding so hard I'm surprised it hasn't burst out of my chest.

My palms are sweating like I'm a rookie at his first pro game. And my mind? It's a whirlwind of every moment I've shared with Lexi, every laugh, every argument, every late-night conversation.

I have no idea how she'll react to seeing me here, or if she even wants to see me at all.

But when our eyes meet and her face goes from shock to anger to something that looks almost like relief, I know I need to try.

"Hey, Brookes," I manage, shoving my hands into the pockets. "Fancy meeting you here."

She takes a step forward, then another, her eyes wide with disbelief. "What...what is all this? Where's Charlie?"

I can't help but smile, drinking in the sight of her. God, she's beautiful.

Even with her hair messy from the wind, even with that confused furrow between her brows that I've come to love so much.

"He just left," I say. "I figured after giving him a piece of my mind about doing what it takes to keep the best damn sports news correspondent in the game, he could use a break."

Lexi's blonde brows lift towards the ceiling. "You did what?"

"I basically told him that if he isn't willing to fight for you, then he doesn't deserve to have you on his team. And if he doesn't want you, there are plenty of other networks who would kill to have you. After that, I could see reason setting in for him. Think he left to lick his wounds in private." I shrug. "And besides, it would be best to have this conversation without him here."

"Conversation? What conversation?"

"The one where I tell you the truth."

"About what?" Her voice is low, but I can hear the tremor in it. She knows exactly what I'm talking about.

"About us. About how I feel."

And suddenly, all the carefully prepared speeches I had planned fly out the window.

All the flowery words. All the cliché lines. All the reasons why she's perfect for me and how I can't imagine my life without her.

They all seem so...inadequate. Because when it comes down to it, there's no words that could fully capture how much I love this woman standing in front of me.

Because the truth is simple, and it's been staring me in the face for longer than I care to admit.

"Because the truth is, Alexandra Brookes, I'm in love with you. Because the thought of going another day—hell, another minute —without you by my side is more painful than any hit I've ever taken on the ice. Because you make me a better man, and I can't imagine my life without you in it."

I take a deep breath, hoping that she'll say something, anything. But she just stares at me with wide eyes, her mouth slightly open.

"I've actually been in love with you since the day we met. And I can't keep pretending like I don't feel this way anymore. You mean everything to me."

Lexi's eyes widen, and I see tears starting to form. But I'm not done. Now that I've started, it's like a dam has broken, and everything I've been holding back comes pouring out.

"I know we've had our issues," I continue, taking a step closer to her. "I know I'm not an easy man to love. I'm stubborn, I'm hot-headed, and I've got more baggage than a hockey team on a road trip. But Lex, you make me want to be better. You challenge me, you call me on my bullshit, and somehow, miraculously, you still look at me like I'm worth something."

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what comes next. "I've been afraid of this for so long. Afraid of letting someone in. Afraid of risking everything. But you know what scares me fucking more? The thought of losing you. Of watching you walk away and knowing I didn't fight for us with everything I have."

Lexi's crying now, silent tears streaming down her cheeks. But she's smiling too, and it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

"Gio," she starts, but I hold up a hand.

"Wait," I say, my voice rough with emotion. "There's something I need to ask you. Something I should have done a long time ago."

And then, ignoring the protest of my battered knees, I lower myself to one knee. Lexi gasps, her hands flying to her mouth.

"Alexandra Brookes," I say, pulling out a small notebook and pen from my pocket. "You are the most infuriating, brilliant, beautiful woman I have ever met. You drive me crazy in all the best ways. You make me want to be a better man, a better player, a better everything. And I want to give you the story you deserve...the real story."

I take a deep breath, my heart pounding so hard I'm sure she must hear it. "So, what do you say, Brookes? Will you do me the honor of a re-do? A behind-the-scenes feature, no holds barred. No secrets. Just you, me, and the truth. I promise to give you full access, answer every question honestly, and maybe even throw in a few exclusive scoops for good measure."

Lexi laughs through her tears, and the sound is like music to my ears. "Is that supposed to be a proposal, De Luca? Because I've got to say, your game needs some work."

I grin, relief and joy bubbling up inside me. "What can I say? I'm better with a hockey stick than I am with words. But I mean every one of them, Lex. I love you. Will you write our story? The real one this time?"

For a moment that feels like an eternity, she just stares at me. And then, just as I'm starting to wonder if I've made a colossal mistake, she nods.

"Yes," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. Then louder, "Yes, you big idiot. Of course I'll write our story."

I'm on my feet in an instant. I grab her off her feet, sweeping her into my arms and spinning her around.

She laughs, bright and joyous, and I think my heart might fucking burst at the sound.

When I finally set her down, I press the notebook and pen into her hands. "So, star reporter, where do you want to start?"

"How about at the beginning?" She clears her throat and holds the pen near my mouth. "Tell me, Mr. De Luca, when did you first realize you were falling for the nosy journalist who was making your life hell?"

I grin and lean in, my lips just inches from hers. "Oh, that's easy. It was the moment she walked into my life and rocked it to its core. And I haven't been able to get her out of my mind since."

She rolls her eyes but there's a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Cheesy, but I'll take it."

And so, we start our story, the real one this time.

No more lies or hiding behind fake personas. Just two imperfect people who fell in love despite all odds.

As we settle into a nearby booth, Lexi poised with pen in hand and me ready to bare my soul, I can't help but marvel at how we got here. From adversaries to lovers, from distrust to something that feels an awful lot like forever.