Page 14 of Power Pucking Play

"You're trying to seduce me with Sal Carmine? I'm flattered," he says with a smirk.

"Gio De Luca fact number six," I say, holding up five fingers. "You have a weakness for old-school hockey players with bigger hockey sticks than yours."

He barks out a laugh, and I can see him start to relax, a lock of dark hair falling forward onto his forehead. “Well played, Brookes. I’ll think about your little event," he finally says. "But I'm not making any promises."

Relief washes over me. It's not a yes, but it's not a no, either. It's about as good as I can get for now.

"Good enough for me,” I say. "I'll send you the details."

As I turn to leave, Gio calls out, "Brookes?"

I look back, raising an eyebrow.

"This doesn't change anything between us," he says, his voice hard. "We're not friends. We're not even colleagues. This is business. Nothing more."

I nod, ignoring the twinge in my chest. "You're sorely mistaken if you think I have any intention of being friends with someone like you, De Luca."

As I walk out of the rink, I can feel his eyes on me. I straighten my shoulders, keeping my head high.

This is just the beginning, I remind myself. The real challenge starts now.

But as I step out into the sunlight, I can't help but feel a spark of excitement. Gio De Luca might think he has me all figured out, but he has no idea what he's in for. And I can't wait to show him what I'm capable of.

Chapter 5

Gio

The roar of the crowd fades as I step off the ice, my muscles aching from another brutal game against San Francisco. My mind is still replaying the last few minutes, the anger and frustration simmering just below the surface.

A near-fight with one of their players, a missed shot that almost lost the game. It's been a tough night.

We won, but it was close. Too close.

I can tell it's the same thought on Coach's mind as he pulls me aside for a quiet word.

"We need to talk about your focus, Gio," he says, his voice low but stern. "You're getting too caught up in the drama off the ice."

I bristle at the implication. "I can handle it."

Coach shakes his graying head of hair. "It's affecting your game, son. And if it continues, I'll have no choice but to bench you."

My jaw tightens and I force myself to nod, not trusting myself to speak.

But inside, I'm seething.

Because he has no idea what it's like to have someone like Lexi Brookes constantly trying to get under my skin. He doesn't know how much self-control it takes for me not to snap and give her exactly what she wants.

But I can't let that happen. Not again.

I've worked too hard for this, for my place on the team and in the league. And I refuse to let some woman who thinks she knows me bring it all crashing down.

Taking a deep breath, I shove away my anger and head back to the locker room with Coach's words ringing in my ears.

Focus. That's all I need to do. Keep my focus on the game and block out any distractions.

Sal Carmine's party would definitely be a distraction. But on a night like this, with the tension and adrenaline still coursing through my veins, I need something to take my mind off of hockey. Sal's party won't accomplish that.

But Lexi's offer to go to the party is still tempting.

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