Page 77 of Power Pucking Play

I freeze, recognizing Sophie's voice. Slowly, I swivel my chair to face her. "Sophie? What are you doing here?"

She steps into the room, closing the door behind her. There's an excitement in her blue eyes that makes me instantly wary.

"I've got news," she says, practically bouncing on her toes. "Big news. About Parker Altman."

I sit up straighter. Parker Altman, the slimy excuse for a journalist who's been gunning for my job... and who nearly ruined everything with his "scoop" about Gio and me.

"What about him?"

Her dark hair bounces against her shoulders as she grins, looking far too pleased with herself. "Let's just say our friend Parker hasn't been very...professional lately."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning...the man was caught with his pants down. Literally. All that talk of professionalism. Turns out he's been having an affair with one of the Blades' interns. And I've got proof." Sophie pulls out her phone and taps at the screen before turning it towards me.

On the screen is a grainy photo of Parker, in flagrante delicto with a young woman who looks barely out of college.

I can't help but laugh. "Sophie, this is amazing. You're amazing. But...how did you…"

"Don't ask." She winks. "The point is, this is huge, Lexi. We can use this to discredit Altman completely. Make all those rumors about you and Gio disappear like they never happened."

For a moment, hope blooms in my chest. A way out.

A chance to salvage my career, my reputation. Maybe even...

But no. I shut that thought down before it can fully form. There's no going back with Gio. I made sure of that.

"I don't know, Soph," I say slowly. "Using someone else's personal life to cover up our own mistakes...it feels wrong."

Sophie's excitement dims a little. "But Lexi, think about it. This could fix everything. You could keep your job, finish the feature with Gio…"

"We'll finish it but it won't be what I'd hoped it would."

She studies me for a long moment, her expression softening. "It can be though. Right?"

I look away, unable to meet her eyes. I don't want this to be over.

Not in my heart, at least. But it has to be. For both our sakes.

"Look," Sophie says gently, "I know it's not my place. But...I've never seen you like this. You're always so strong, so in control. But with Gio...you're different. Softer. Happier."

I close my eyes, fighting back tears. "It doesn't matter how I feel, Sophie. This can't happen. It's too complicated, too risky."

"Says who? Some stuffy network rules? The court of public opinion? Since when does Lexi Brookes let anyone else dictate her life?"

Her words hit me like a bucket of cold water. When did I become this person? This scared, rule-following shell of myself?

"You have a choice here," Sophie continues. "You can use this info on Altman, squash the rumors, and move on with your life. Pretend none of this ever happened. Or..."

"Or?" I prompt, even though I'm not sure I want to hear the answer.

"Or you can fight for what you want. For who you want. Consequences be damned."

I stare at her, this intern who suddenly seems wiser than her years. "When did you get so smart, Bennett?"

She grins. "I learned from the best."

As Sophie leaves, her words echoing in my head, I turn back to the screen. To Gio's face, frozen mid-laugh during an interview.

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