Power Pucking Play (Chicago Blades)

28. Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Lexi

O ne month later

“Babe, for the last time, we are not getting a life-size cardboard cutout of you for the living room," I say, rolling my eyes as I push our overloaded shopping cart down the aisle.

My oversized hockey player of a boyfriend grins at me, that infuriatingly charming grin that makes my heart do backflips even after four weeks of being inseparable.

He groans. “Come on, Brookes. Think of how impressed our house guests will be."

"Impressed? More like terrified. I don't need your cardboard eyes following me around the house."

We're spending Gio's rare day off during the playoffs shopping for our new place.

Truth be told, it's been a whirlwind month since we officially started dating and spending every non-work waking hour together.

When people ask about us, I admit we've known each for years. I leave out the part where we hated each other's guts for the majority of that time. No one needs to know the details of our tumultuous past.

And we've finally found a place we both love—a cozy house on the outskirts of Chicago with enough space for us and both of our raging egos.

We're slowly but surely settling into domestic bliss, even if it does involve arguments about home decor.

"Fine," Gio gives in, draping a well-developed arm over my shoulders. "Then how about a life-size cutout of you in your sexiest lingerie?" He waggles his eyebrows, and I can't help but laugh.

"Absolutely not. I am not objectifying myself for your amusement, Mr. De Luca."

"Who said anything about being amused?" he murmurs, his voice low and seductive.

I swat him with the back of my head, trying not to smile. “Stop it. We have a million things to buy for the house."

"I still say we should get that bronze hockey sculpture."

I lean into him, unable to keep the smile off my face. "We'll put it in your man cave. Along with all the other hockey paraphernalia you insist on keeping."

"Deal," he says, pressing a kiss to my temple. "See? Compromising already. We're nailing this whole moving in together thing."

As we continue our shopping adventure, my phone buzzes.

It's a text from Sophie. "OMG LEXI! The article is out and it's AMAZING! ??????"

I grin, showing the message to Gio. "Looks like your redemption arc is officially complete, De Luca."

He reads the text, a dark lock of hair falling forward. "Yeah? No more 'Gio the Goon' headlines?"

"Nope," I say, pulling up the article on my phone. "Listen to this: 'Giovanni De Luca: The Heart Behind the Hits. In an exclusive feature, we delve into the life of the NHL's most misunderstood player, revealing a man of depth, passion, and unwavering loyalty both on and off the ice’."

Gio's quiet for a moment, and when I look up, I'm surprised to see emotion in his eyes. "Well," he exhales, "you did it. You managed to make me look human."

I smile, leaning in to kiss him softly. "You were always human to me."

He kisses me back, and for a moment, we forget about the bustling store and all the items on our shopping list.

"In fact, you're more than human. You're my hero," I whisper, pulling him down for a kiss that probably isn't appropriate for the housewares section of Target.

When we break apart, both a little out of breath, Gio's grinning again. "So, does this mean I get to keep the cardboard cutout?"

"Not a chance, hotshot. Now come on, we still need to pick out curtains."

As we debate the merits of various window treatments—apparently, hockey defensemen like Gio have strong opinions on valances—my mind drifts to my next project.

Evan Daniels, the Blades' notoriously grumpy goalie and single dad, has agreed to an interview series.

It's a great opportunity, but there's something else brewing there that's caught my interest.

Hey babe," Gio's voice breaks through my thoughts. "You zoning out on me already? I know curtain shopping isn't exactly thrilling, but…"

"Sorry. Just thinking about the Daniels piece."

"Our Daniels? Goalie Daniels? You're doing a piece on him?"

I nod. "Yep. I thought I told you?"

"Hell no. Babe, if the man were paid to frown, he could retire and buy a damn island. I can't believe you got him to agree."

I shrug, trying to play it cool even though my heart is racing with excitement. "He owes me a favor."

"Must be a huge one. What's got you so distracted about that?"

I hesitate for a moment, then decide to just give up the deets.

After all, no more secrets between us. "It's not just about Evan. It's...well, it's Sophie."

"Sophie? Your intern Sophie?"

I nod. "Yeah. When I told her about the interview series, she got this look in her eyes. And then she said something about how Evan's not really as gruff as he seems, how he's actually really sweet with his kid...I don't know, there was just something in her voice."

Gio's eyes widen as he catches on. "Wait, you think Sophie has a thing for Daniels? Isn't he like, way fucking older than her?"

"Fifteen years. And yes, I think she might have a big crush on the guy. And I'm pretty sure he's not as oblivious to her as he pretends to be."

A slow grin spreads across Gio's face. "Oh no. I know that look. Lexi, no. You are not playing matchmaker."

"I'm not playing anything. I'm just...observing. And if my observations happen to bring two people together..."

"Brookes, I love you, but you need to stay out of this. It's complicated enough with the age difference and the whole intern-player dynamic. Don't make it worse."

I bite my lip, considering. He's right, of course. It is complicated. But then again, so were we. And look how that turned out.

"Fine," I concede. "I won't interfere. Much."

Gio laughs, pulling me close. "That's my girl. Always stirring up trouble."

As we make our way to the checkout, our cart laden with the beginnings of our new life together, I can't help but marvel at how much has changed in just a month. The article's out, painting Gio in the light he deserves.

His career is soaring, the trade rumors long forgotten.

And me? I'm happier than I've ever been, both personally and professionally.

"Hey," Gio says softly as we load our purchases into the car. "You okay? You've got that look again."

I smile, leaning into him. "More than okay. Just...happy. Really, really happy."

He wraps his arms around me, and I feel that now-familiar surge of warmth and safety. "Yeah? Even with all the chaos and the media circus and the fact that we still can't agree on a color scheme for the bedroom?"

I laugh, tilting my face up to his. "Especially with all of that. Because at the end of the day, I have you."

"And I have you," he replies, brushing his lips against mine.

As we drive home, hand in hand, I can't help but think about how easily things could have gone wrong. How easily Gio and I could have missed our chance at happiness because of fear or pride or stubbornness.

But we didn't. We took a leap of faith and it paid off in ways we never could have imagined.

By the time we park in front of the new house, I'm still debating whether to tackle the kitchen first or start figuring out what we need for our home office.

As we unload the car, our bickering reaches new heights of ridiculousness.

"Gio, for the last time, we are not putting a hockey stick coat rack in the entryway," I say, exasperated.

He grins, that infuriating smile that still makes my heart skip a beat. "Come on, Brookes. It's practical and on-brand."

"On-brand for what? The Hockey Hall of Fame gift shop?"

"You're killing me, Brookes. Fine, no coat rack. But I get to keep the signed jersey display in the den."

"Deal. As long as it's not front and center."

As we carry boxes into the house, our conversation shifts to his teammates' love lives again.

"I'm just saying," I insist, "Who knows? Sophie and Evan might be perfect for each other. Maybe they just need a little...nudge."

Gio shakes his head, but he's grinning. "All right, Cupid. That's enough. What's next? Setting up Coach with the team nutritionist?"

"Ooh, that's not a bad idea actually..."

"No! Absolutely not. You are banned from matchmaking. Stick to sports reporting, Brookes."

I stick my tongue out at him, feeling ridiculously happy despite our bickering. Or maybe because of it.

This is us after all.

Teasing and challenging each other. Making each other laugh and grow.

We may not always agree, but we have each other's backs on and off the ice.

And as I watch Gio wrestle with an oversized box labeled "kitchen appliances", I know that no matter what life throws our way, we'll face it together.

Because that's what family does. And whether by blood or by choice, Gio is my family. He places the oversized box inside the foyer, heading back out to the car for another load.

I pause for a moment, taking in our new home. I can already picture the memories we'll make here, the laughter and the love.

I open my eyes just as Gio's voice reaches my ears.

"All right, last box," Gio calls out, coming in from the car. "And then we can finally relax and order some takeout."

I grin, opening the front door wide, waiting for hm to pass through.

But instead of the heavy lifting I'm expecting, he's holding a small, velvet box in his hands.

My heart stops.

"Gio?" I breathe, hardly daring to believe what's happening.

He smiles, softer now, his emerald eyes filled with love. "I lied earlier. There is one more thing I want to add to our new home."

He looks nervous, but determined.

"Brookes, I know we've been through a lot together," he begins, "but I can't imagine my life without you in it."

He gets down on one knee, and suddenly I'm crying and laughing all at once.

"Alexandra Brookes," he says, opening the box to reveal a stunning diamond ring, "you drive me crazy in all the best ways. You're the best teammate in this thing called life that I could ever ask for. You're my best friend, my partner in crime, and the love of my life. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?"

For a moment, I'm speechless. And then I nod, tears streaming down my face. "Like I could say no to that," I manage to say through my laughter.

Gio slips the ring onto my finger and stands up, pulling me into a tight hug. "I love you," he whispers.

I laugh, wiping the tears from my cheeks. "You really couldn't wait until we unpacked more?"

His smile widens, that charming mix of boyish mischief and deep sincerity. "You know me by now. I'm not exactly known for my patience."

"Oh, so that's why we rushed through unpacking that last box. You had ulterior motives!"

He chuckles, shrugging his muscular shoulders. "Caught me red-handed. But, in my defense, I couldn't keep such a 'heavy' secret any longer."

My fingers thread around his neck. "You know, this doesn't mean you get to keep that hideous hockey stick lamp I didn't agree to."

"Hey now, that lamp is a work of art," he protests with a laugh. "But I'll make you a deal. We can keep it in the man cave…if you let me have that lingerie cardboard cut-out of you in the bedroom."

I roll my eyes, but there's no denying the joy bubbling up inside me. "Maybe. We've got a lifetime to negotiate."

"That we do, future Mrs. De Luca," he says, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "And I can't wait for every moment of it."