Page 33 of Power Pucking Play

As soon as we step inside, I can feel the tension between us. It's thick and suffocating, and I hate it. I hate that we can't even be in the same room without arguing. But more than that, I hate that it's all my fault.

I take a deep breath and try to push away the negative thoughts. This is just for one week. We can handle it.

I take a seat toward the back of the bus, trying to distance myself from her as much as possible. But Lexi has different plans and plops down right next to me.

"Seriously?" I ask incredulously.

She just shrugs and pulls out her phone, completely ignoring me. I let out a frustrated sigh and decide to do the same, pulling out my own phone and scrolling through social media mindlessly.

It's not until we're almost at the hotel that I finally break the silence. "So, what's our plan for tonight?"

Lexi looks up from her phone and raises an eyebrow at the setting sun just outside the windows of the bus. "Pardon me?"

"I mean, did you have plans to rifle through my bags? Set up camp in my hotel room, in case you missed a scoop?"

"You really think I'm that desperate for a story?" She shakes her head. "No, no. Tonight's a no-pressure kind of night. You invited me here to get the full story, so I'll let you lead the way."

Before I can respond, our bus pulls up to the hotel, and we're both distracted by checking in and getting settled into our rooms.

The second the bag boy sets my luggage in my suite, I wind up fucking pacing my room like a caged animal. Even the fancy hotel shower isn't enough to take the edge off.

I can hear the pressroom voices in my head, mocking me for being such a mess over this. But she doesn't understand. This is more than just a story for me—it's my life, my reputation on the line.

I finally emerge from the bathroom, feeling slightly calmer and more composed in a collared shirt and jeans.

The game's not until tomorrow, which means I have a whole evening stretching out before me with nothing to do but think. Dangerous territory for a guy with as many regrets as I have.

Before I can talk myself out of it, I'm knocking on Lexi's door. She opens it with a bemused expression, no doubt wondering what the hell I'm doing.

"Let's go out," I blurt out before she can even say hello.

She blinks. "Seriously? I thought we were both clear about this. No scheduled meetings or interviewing between us tonight."

"This isn't about that. I just need to get out of this room and clear my head." I shove my hands in my pockets, suddenly feeling like an awkward teenager. "In fact, you hungry? I thought maybe we could grab dinner. You know, get this 'exclusive thing' started before I wind up changing my mind."

Lexi narrows her eyes, like she's trying to figure out my angle. "Sure," she says finally. "Give me five minutes to change." She shuts the door, and I'm left standing in the hallway, wondering if this is a good idea or not.

But when she comes back out, all fresh and put together in a sexy off-the-shoulder sweater and heels, I know it was the right decision.

Twenty minutes later, we're seated at a hole-in-the-wall Italian place I found on Yelp.

Looking almost approachable with her silky golden hair down and a glass of red wine in hand, Lexi leans forward. "So, what's the real reason you wanted to go out tonight?" She unfolds her napkin, placing it in her lap. "Is this where you try to butter me up with carbs and charm?"

I smirk. "Please. If I wanted to butter you up, I'd have taken you somewhere with an open bar."

"Ah, so you do have a strategy." She eyes the menu. "And here I thought you were just winging it."

"Me? Wing it? Never," I deadpan. "I've got spreadsheets for my spreadsheets, Brookes."

She snorts. "Right. And I'm secretly a champion figure skater."

"You know, that explains a lot about your footwork."

Lexi kicks me under the table. "Watch it, puck boy. I can still make your life miserable with my pen."

"More miserable than spending a week with you? I doubt it."

She clutches her chest in mock offense. "Ouch. And here I thought we were becoming besties."

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