Page 7 of Power Pucking Play

I flag down a waitress, ordering my usual strawberry-basil margarita. "So, are we going to dance around it, or are you going to tell me what's really going on?"

She sighs, fiddling with her wine glass. "Gio's refusing to do the feature."

My stomach drops, but I keep my face neutral. "Can't say I'm surprised. He's never been my biggest fan."

"It's not that," Gabi says, leaning forward. "He's being...difficult. More than usual."

"Define ‘difficult’."

"He won't even consider it. Says he needs to focus on hockey, not 'play nice for the cameras'."

I snort. "Sounds like the Gio I know and loathe."

Gabi fixes me with a pointed look. "That's just it, Lex. You don't know him. Not really."

The words sting more than they should. I take a long sip of my drink, letting the tart sweetness wash over my tongue.

"Look," I say, leaning back in my seat. "If he doesn't want to do it, that's on him. I'll tell my boss it fell through and move on to the next story."

Gabi shakes her head. "You can't. This feature is huge, for both of you. For the team."

"What do you mean, for both of us?"

She takes a deep breath. "I might have...talked you up to the team owner—told him you were the only one who could get through to Gio."

"You did what?" I hiss, leaning forward.

"I'm sorry! I panicked. I'm head of public relations for the Blades, you know this. And the owner's been on my case about Gio's image, and when I heard about the feature, I thought it was perfect timing."

I close my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Gabi, you can't just volunteer me for things like this."

"I know, I know. But Lex, this could be huge for your career. And for Gio's." She sighs, her green eyes lowering before raising again. "Look, I'm not saying my brother doesn't deserve all those articles you've written about him over the years. The fights, the brawls on the ice, the constant stream of women. It’s why I've been chill about it. I would never want you to have to lie. Or dim your light. But…this time, I'm asking you not to dim his. I know that this shitty reputation is not all there is to my brother. And he needs a chance to prove that to his team. Just...please. Talk to him? You'd be doing us both a huge favor.”

I look at her, seeing the desperation in her eyes.

It's the same look she had when we were kids and she needed help sneaking out to meet Jacob. The same Jacob who is Gio's best friend. The Jacob that is now her husband and the father of the two cutest kids to ever live.

I sigh, knowing I'm going to regret this. But Gabi is right, this could be a big break for my career. And if I can help her and her family in the process, then maybe it's worth it.

"Fine," I sigh. "I'll talk to him. But I'm not making any promises."

Gabi's face lights up. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! You're the best, Lex."

"Yeah, yeah," I mutter, downing the rest of my drink. "Just remember this the next time I need a favor. I mean it. You'd better be ready to hide a body for me."

Gabi laughs, knowing I'm only half-joking. We've been through a lot together, and she knows that if I ever needed her, she'd be there in a heartbeat.

As we leave the bar, Gabi gives me a quick hug. "He'll be at the Blades' practice facility tomorrow morning. Early. You know how he is."

I nod, already dreading the confrontation. "I'll be there."

We part ways, and I make my way back to my apartment. The second I'm inside, I slump onto the couch.

My new kitten, Luna, comes bounding over to me. She's still small and fluffy, but she has a feisty personality, just like her mom.

I pet her as my mind races with all the possibilities and potential disasters. As I start typing out questions for the feature, one thought keeps nagging at me: how the hell am I going to survive two whole weeks with a man like Gio De Luca?

Chapter 3

---