Page 26 of Power Pucking Play

"I swear it's true! Apparently, he goes in every week to help take care of the animals and even helps with adoptions. I, uh...heard Evan Daniels got him involved in it."

"Evan Daniels? You mean the grumpy goalie for the Blades?"

"The very one.”

"And you know this how?"

"Let's just say I have my sources," she says mysteriously.

"Uh-huh." I nod, watching Sophie's face. I know that look on her face when she says Evan's name. That “Holy-hell-this-man-makes-me-want-to-cream-my-panties' look”.

"And you don't believe me," she says with a frown.

"No, I do. I just..." I clutch my latte closer. "Word of advice, Sophie?"

"Sure."

"Being around these very built, very rich, very famous, and very handsome men can be a trap, okay? My dad is a famous guy in the sports world. I know how it goes. As someone who went through the wringer romantically all my twenties, and is finally getting her shit together at thirty, don't be fooled by the glamor." I take a sip of my coffee. "Find someone in the 'I-just-want-a-normal-fucking-life' department. Trust me on this."

Sophie leans her head on the back of the couch and sighs as she stares at the ceiling. "Believe me, I know." She sighs, glancing back at her laptop. "But hey, at least now you know Gio's not a complete asshole."

"Yeah. We'll see about that." I grab my purse, scooting out of the booth. "Thanks, by the way. You're a lifesaver."

"My pleasure," Sophie says with a wave as she goes back to her work.

I'm not five feet out of the door before I'm already making calls. Several hours later, I'm lurking near the Blades' locker room, camera crew in tow. I smooth my hair and adjust my blouse, ready to charm my way into getting some footage.

By the time Gio emerges, looking annoyingly good in his pre-game suit, I've already been shoved around by security and had a few choice words thrown my way. He sees me and raises an eyebrow, but doesn't stop moving my way.

"Brookes," he nods, eyeing the cameras warily. "What's all this?"

I plaster on my sweetest smile. "Just documenting the life of Chicago's favorite bad boy. Like we agreed, remember?"

Gio rolls his eyes and keeps walking, but I'm able to keep up with my long legs. "You agreed to a day in the life piece, Gio. Don't tell me you're having second thoughts now."

His jaw ticks as he continues to walk. "Don't you have better things to do? Like, I don't know, actually writing something?"

"Oh, I'm multitasking. Now, I hear you've got a special guest today?"

Gio's eyes narrow. "How did you—never mind. Look, this isn't some PR stunt, okay? I don't want everything on camera," he grumbles.

"Don't worry. I'll edit out the parts where you pick your nose or something."

He stops suddenly. His hands are on my arms before I can blink, the cameras and my crew be damned. His green eyes deepen in color as he glares.

My throat goes tight as I have to tilt my head to look up and into his piercing gaze.

"I'm serious, Lexi,” he rumbles. It’s the first time I can remember him using my first name. "This is not a joke to me."

I swallow hard, my heart thumping fast. "I know. And I promise, I won't make a mockery of it. It's just...it's my job to get the story."

He lets me go and continues walking, but his mood has shifted. "Fine. But if anyone gets in the way or makes these kids uncomfortable, you'll have hell to pay."

Before I can argue, a small voice pipes up. "Are you Gio De Luca?"

We both turn to see a young boy, maybe eight or nine, standing there with wide eyes. He's thin, pale, and wearing aBlades cap that's too big for his head. He's flanked by a man who I assume is his father, also wearing Blades gear.

Gio's whole demeanor changes as he crouches down to the boy's level. "That's me, buddy. You must be Tommy. Ready for some hockey?"

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