Page 54 of Power Pucking Play

I'm about to reply when an unknown number flashes across my screen. I almost ignore it, not wanting to talk to a random person right now.

But something inside me nudges me to answer.

"Hello?" I say as I step onto the yacht, balancing the food bags in my other hand. "De Luca speaking."

"Gio De Luca! Parker Altman here, fromSports News Now. Got a minute to chat?"

My frown deepens. Another reporter from Lexi's network? I don't have time for their drama.

"I'm a little busy at the moment, Mr. Altman. Can this wait?"

"Sorry to bother you during your celebrations, but I wanted to get your thoughts on making the playoffs. This is a big achievement for the Blades and our viewers are dying to know how you feel."

I pause, considering his request. It wouldn't hurt to give a quick statement, right?

"Sure, I can give a quote."

"Well...I was hoping for a little more than that, Mr. De Luca. You see, I'm just following up on some leads for a story we're working on. Nothing major." His tone is casual, but there's an undercurrent of something that sets my teeth on edge.

"What kind of story?"

"So, we're doing a piece on the personal lives of NHL stars. You know, the stuff fans don't usually get to see. I was hoping you could confirm a few details for me."

Alarm bells start ringing in my head. I don’t even know this guy. What details could he possibly even want to confirm?

Unless...

"What kind of details?" I ask.

"Oh, you know. Childhood stuff, family dynamics. I heard your parents weren't really in the picture growing up. That must have been tough."

I feel like I've been sucker-punched. How the hell does he know about that? The only person I've talked to about my parents recently is...

Lexi.

My steps slow, the light morning air suddenly feeling suffocating.

My grip on my phone tightens and I swallow hard. "Sorry, I don't discuss my personal life with the press," I say, my voice tight. "If you have questions about hockey, feel free to send them over to my agent." I start to hang up, but he interrupts me.

"Oh, come on, Mr. De Luca We both know there's more to you than just hockey. What about your grandmother? I heard she practically raised you and your sister. Must have been a real saint, taking on two kids like that."

I swear. My cell phone almost disintegrates in my hand. "I said, I don't discuss my personal life. If you have any other questions, you can direct them to the Blades' PR team. Now, kindly get the fuck off my phone.”

I hang up, my good mood evaporating like ice under a heat lamp.

How did the fuck did this Altman guy know about Nonna? About my parents? The only person I've opened up to about all that is Lexi. I told her things I've never told anyone…like how it really felt to be abandoned by your own parents. And how it's made me someone that always has to prove himself at all costs.

Lexi, who works for the same network as this Altman guy.

Lexi, who's supposed to be writing a feature on me.

Lexi, who I thought I could trust.

My steps quicken as I make my way back to the marina. My mind is racing, trying to piece together what the hell just happened.

Talking to Lex about my family, my parents, is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. The thought that she could be engaging in “work pillow-talk” about me is more than I can bear.

What, was my family history juicy gossip to share with her colleagues? A topic of water-cooler conversation about poor, angry, misguided Gio De Luca?

---