Page 15 of Power Pucking Play

I know she's trying to get a reaction out of me. But maybe going with her would be a good way to show Coach that I can handle myself and still perform on the ice.

I shower, throw on some pants and a black collared shirt I had stashed in my locker, all for a night I'll very possibly regret.

As I adjust my collar, Jacob saunters over, his sandy-brown hair a mess and his grin shit-eating as always.

"You clean up nice," Jacob says, blue eyes alight. "Hot date with a puck bunny?"

I snort. "Hardly. Just some PR thing Gabi's making me do."

He raises an eyebrow. "This wouldn't happen to involve a certain blonde reporter, would it?"

I freeze, my hands stilling on my collar. "How did you…"

"Gabi might have mentioned something," he says, grinning. "Come on, man. It's not that bad. Lexi's cool."

I grunt, grabbing my jacket. "Yeah, well, you're not the one she's been ripping apart in print for the past two years."

"Are you kidding me? Lexi's definitely ripped into me a time or two," Jacob says with a laugh. "But she's also pretty good at her job. And if you play your cards right, maybe you can get her to ease up on you."

"Or I could just skip the party and avoid all of this drama," I mutter.

Jacob claps me on the back. "No way, man. You need some fun after that game tonight. Plus, who knows? Maybe you'll actually have a good time."

"You going, too?"

"Nah. I've got Gabi and two kids under two to take care of. Not exactly party material," Jacob says with a smirk.

I chuckle and shake my head. "Settling down with my sister really tamed you, huh?"

You'll see, man. One day you'll find someone who makes even partying seem boring. Someone who makes you want to stay in and cuddle instead."

"Jesus. Gabs has turned you into a walking marshmallow."

"Trust me. There's nothing 'soft' about me when Gabi's around."

"All right. That's enough, bro. That's still my baby sis you're talking about."

"Hey, I'm just saying. You'll see for yourself one day. You'll meet a woman who's not afraid to be your match. A woman who challenges you, who pushes you—on the ice, off it, in the house, hell, the bedroom. A woman who can give as good she gets it."

I glance up, seeing the sincerity there, and the hint of unbridled desire.

For a moment, I'm tempted to tell him everything. About the All-Star party. About the real reason I can't stand to be around Lexi.

But I don't. I can't. Some things are better left in the past.

I swallow hard. "Yeah," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "Maybe one day."

Jacob claps me on the back again before heading out of my room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. He's right, of course. Maybe Lexi is just doing her job, and I'm overthinking things. But there's also a part of me that can't help but wonder if there's something more to her constant criticism.

I try to shake off the feeling as I finish getting ready for the party. As much as I hate parties, Jacob is right about one thing—I could use a distraction from my thoughts.

"I gotta go," I mutter, heading for the door. "Don't wait up." I hear Jacob chuckling behind me and give a quick wave without looking back at him.

As I make my way to the party, I can't help but feel a twinge of guilt for lying to Jacob. But at this point, it's easier than admitting the truth. The truth about why I can't stand being around Lexi.

The drive to the event is a blur of city lights and nervous energy.

The early March Chicago air is still crisp, still cold this time of year. I open the window and let it rush into the car, knowing that a few minutes outside will help clear my head before I have to face the crowd inside.

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