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It’s not because he wants to get to know me,” she says, believing that his comment about being friends is just a front. “There’s nothing more to it.”
    â€œWhy does he care what you think?” Michelle asks.
    â€œI don’t know. Last year, I predicted he’d be traded to Vancouver. I caught him off guard during an interview and I guess he hasn’t forgotten. I might have also said that the team didn’t need the trade.”
    â€œMeaning him,” Gabby says, resting her chin on her fist.
    â€œThat’s not nice!” Michelle retorts.
    â€œIt’s the truth!”
    â€œSo, you can’t say that. You can hurt a guy’s ego,” Gabby says. “You know that!”
    â€œAnd this is coming from a woman who gave away her boyfriend’s favorite T-shirts because she didn’t like the look of them?”
    â€œThey were V-neck! And he has chest hair!”
    Carla rolls her eyes. “I saw how hurt he was.”
    Gabby waves a hand as though done with the conversation. “It didn’t last anyway.”
    â€œJeez, I wonder why.”
    â€œHe had it coming,” Gabby says. “I told him I hated them on him, but he didn’t care. Anyway, this Devin guy is eye candy, if you ask me.”
    â€œSo attitude has nothing to do with it?” Carla asks.
    â€œTo a certain extent it does.” Gabby tucks a caramel strand behind her ear. “Devin isn’t your ordinary guy. He’s something to look at. If he wants to take you out, go for it! Hah! What would your mother say to that?”
    â€œI wouldn’t tell her I was dating him, not that I plan to. I can only imagine what kind of guy he is off the ice if on the ice he’s all tense and aggressive. I’ve seen how he reacts when a call isn’t made in his favor.”
    â€œWell, there’s only one way to find out and that’s to find out for yourself,” Michelle says.
    â€œNothing’s going to change my mind about Devin,” Carla says with a grin, grabbing hold of her martini and sucking it down. “He may be the hottest guy I’ve ever met,” she says, directing her words with her fingers, “but he’s certainly not a good guy. An interview will prove it.” She looks over at the bar to get another view of Devin, but he’s already gone. A twinge of disappointment hits her. She wants to dislike him, but he gives her a reason to talk about the Warriors. The team needs a push to make better decisions, and if no one is watching the team and on their case, they could make more mistakes if they’re not careful. More reason for her to interview Devin and make him accountable for his game.

Chapter 2
    C hannel Five News is a busy, productive television station. A lot has been going on in the city of Vancouver: A small plane crashed, missing greenhouses and taking out livestock; a targeted shooting at a major intersection; an Easter bunny that was thought to be at the mall for photos robbed a jewelry store.
    For Carla Sinclair, the sports department is also a triumph of hockey trades and basketball predictions. She has been at work researching stories since midmorning. After the noon news hour, she is on the phone with agents, trying to secure interviews to update her information for the six o’clock news.
    Carla hangs up the phone with a hard twist of her wrist. She leans back in her chair. “Got our top story,” she says to her coworker, sitting at the desk beside her.
    â€œAnd what’s that?” the young twentysomething says out of the side of his mouth, staring at his computer screen like he doesn’t want to miss whatever it is that’s captured his attention.
    â€œIt’s official, Devin Miller’s no-trade clause was broken. Guess he wanted out of Carolina.”
    â€œI heard the rumor,” Ryan says.
    â€œIt’s not a rumor. It’s big news, considering the Warriors are paying him