Page 30 of They All Puck Me

"If you say you're having an orgy with the whole team then I'm involuntarily committing you into a clinic somewhere."

I snort from the other end of the line. Leave it to her to make a joke out of something like this.

"Not the whole damn team, just the main three problematic men."

There's a beat of silence before Sophie bursts out laughing. "Three? Liv, two is company, three is a threesome!"

"Get your mind out of the damn gutter Sophie! This is serious!" I groan. "I'm in deep here. There's Liam—he's the captain and so damn intense. Then there's Noah—he's funny and sweet and we just click. And Ethan...God, Ethan is like this brooding mystery that I can't help but want to solve."

"Wow, that's quite the roster, coach." she says thoughtfully. "So I'm waiting for the part where you tell me what the problem is?"

"What the problem is? I shout. "The problem is I'm supposed to be professional! I can't be swooning over them while writing this feature. It's my big break, Soph! If my Hartgrove catches wind of this...I could lose everything."

"Okay, first off," she says firmly, "breathe. Second, it's natural to feel attracted to people you spend time with. Especially if they're hot hockey players."

"But it feels like more than just some school girl crush," I admit. "Every time I'm with one of them, it feels like there's something real there. Something I didn't feel with Matt. And it's not just physical—I mean, yes, they're all incredibly good-looking, damnit—but it's also about who they are."

"So you're worried about your integrity?" Sophie asks.

"Exactly," I reply. "How can I write an unbiased piece when I'm involved with my sources?"

Sophie hums thoughtfully on the other end of the line. "Liv, you've always been honest in your writing. That won't change just because you're dealing with some complications."

"Ugh, you're supposed to be my voice of reason here. Tell me to stop thinking like a puck bunny."

Sophie’s laughter fades into a more serious tone. “Liv, you know I’m always on your side, but just consider that this could get messy. You need to be careful."

“I know,” I cut in, my voice tight. “I can't lose my job.”

“Exactly. And it’s not just about your job. Think about the players too. If things go south, it could affect their careers and team dynamics.”

My stomach churns at the thought. “So what do I do?”

“Take a step back,” Sophie advises. “Gain some perspective. You’re too close to this right now.”

“Easier said than done,” I mutter.

“Look, you need to figure out what you want—not just for your career, but personally too,” she says gently. “Spend some time away from them, clear your head.”

I nod, even though she can’t see me. “You’re right.”

“I usually am,” she teases, lightening the mood.

A small smile tugs at my lips. “Thanks, Soph.”

“Anytime. And Liv?”

“Yeah?”

“Be honest with yourself about your feelings. It’ll make things clearer in the long run.”

After we hang up, I stare at my laptop screen, Sophie's words echoing in my mind. She's right—I need space to sort out my feelings and focus on the article.

Determined to salvage what's left of my professionalism, I sit down on the couch, armed with a fresh cup of coffee and my laptop. I decide I need to limit my interactions with the team to strictly necessary interviews. No more late-night chats, no more almost-kisses. My career depends on this.

I spend the night outlining a new approach to my article. Instead of personal profiles, I'll focus more on the team's history and their journey to the playoffs. It's a rich tapestry of triumphs and setbacks, one that deserves to be told without my personal feelings muddling things up.

"Alright, Olivia," I mutter, fingers poised over the keyboard. "Time to get back to basics."

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