Faking it with the Grumpy NHL Alpha

CHAPTER 009

*WHAT THE HEAVENLY f**k?*

Flora's POV

“I’ve got an idea,” Lucille said, her eyes lighting up with that familiar chaotic sparkle as the last stragglers from the crowd brushed past us, the night air cool against my flushed skin.

I turned to face her fully, my chest still tight from Tyler’s cold rejection and Sean’s mocking laughter echoing in my head. Something inside me finally snapped.

“You know what, Lucille?” I said slowly, lifting my chin as I squared my shoulders. “ I love you very much, but I’m done.”

“Done?” Lucille's gaze fixed on me, her eyebrows raising softly.

“I’m completely done playing the nice girl who lets everyone walk all over her.” I said, my fists clenching in resolve. “I’m going to do things my way from now. I'm going after Tyler. I’m winning that stupid bet, getting my car back, and proving to every single one of them that I’ve always been ‘that’ girl.”

Lucille stared at me for a second, then her grin broke wide across her face. She grabbed both my arms and gave me a little excited shake, laughing. “There she is! Oh my god, my best friend is finally back.”

“Sure she is.” I grinned, high-fiving her mid air.

“That fire? Keep it burning. Sean’s going to choke when he sees you on Tyler’s arm, and Megan? That b***h is going to regret ever opening her mouth.”

The words settled in my chest like warm fuel. For the first time since Sean destroyed everything on that TV screen, I didn’t feel weak, I felt dangerous.

“So…what’s the plan?” Lucille asked, bouncing lightly on her heels, her eyebrows raised in anticipation as she leaned in closer.

I opened my mouth. Nothing came out. I tried again, but my brain stayed blank. The silence stretched awkwardly between us.

Lucille tilted her head, lips twitching into that signature sarcastic smirk. “So you dropped that whole warrior queen speech… and you’ve got zero actual plan? Really, Flo?” She crossed her arms, shaking her head slowly. “The drama was top tier. Oscar-worthy. But the follow-through? Damn, it's highly questionable.”

I let out a heavy breath and rubbed my temples, a tired laugh slipping out despite everything. “Okay, fine. You’re right. I'll probably need to jog and clear my head to get the ideas flowing.”

We started walking toward the exit, but we barely made it out of the arena grounds before my phone started ringing. Mom’s name flashed across the screen. I answered quickly and put it on speaker, holding the phone between us.

“Damn, Flora,” Mom’s voice came through sharp, laced with worry. “Did you run all the way to Chicago just to cause trouble back here for us?”

My steps faltered. I exchanged a quick glance with Lucille. “What happened, Mom?”

There was a pause on the other end. “Your HR lady called the house today,” she said. “Told us you were fired. Something about thirty thousand dollars missing and you needing to pay it back soon. What the hell is going on, baby?”

Dad’s calmer, deeper voice joined in. “Flora, baby, why didn’t you tell us what happened at work?”

I swallowed hard, my eyes stinging as I stopped walking completely. “I’m sorry, Dad. I was so crazy about Sean… I got myself into this mess. The money I used for his car got twisted into embezzlement charges. They fired me.”

The line went quiet for a long beat. That job had been huge for my family. They’d celebrated with cake and everything when I got the offer.

“You’re our baby, Flo,” Dad said gently, his voice soft but firm. “You should talk to us when things aren’t right. We’re here for you.”

Mom jumped back in, her tone rising with protective fire. “Yes, baby. I’m sorry I was too hard on you about Sean.”

“Thanks mom.” I said softly. “I'm sorry I—”

“Your father and I don’t mind selling his truck and that piece of farmland to cover the debt. But one thing I won’t tolerate is that old ass HR woman calling my daughter a thief.”

“Margaret, that’s enough,” Dad cut in quickly.

Tears blurred my vision. I wasn’t alone in this. They still had my back, no matter what.

“Mom, Dad,” I said, my voice thick but steadier now. “Trust me. I got this. I’m getting that money back. Leave it to me.”

Dad tried again, concern clear. “We can help—”

“I’m all grown now,” I replied firmly, wiping my eyes. “Don’t worry. I'll sort it out.”

“We love you, baby,” they said together, their voices warm before the call ended.

The second I dropped the phone, Lucille pulled me into a tight hug right there on the sidewalk. I hugged her back just as hard, letting the relief settle deep in my bones for a long moment.

The next morning, sunlight had barely touched the Chicago streets when my sneakers hit the pavement. I jogged hard through the quiet blocks, sweat building on my skin, the rhythm helping my thoughts race. By the time I slowed near a cozy little coffee shop, my mind was spinning with half-formed strategies on how to crack Tyler Sinclair’s icy walls.

66

I ordered an iced latte and claimed a quiet corner table, pulling out my phone. It had been way too long since I’d had any kind of normal routine. I typed into YouTube.

How to seduce a cold distant man.

The first video started playing — some overly peppy woman in full glam talking about “feminine energy” and dramatic eyelash batting. I lasted maybe five seconds before muttering, “This is absolute bullshit,” and slamming the app shut in frustration.

At the next table over, a group of five girls were talking loudly, laughing between sips of their drinks.

“—so I wore the red dress and just ignored him the whole night. Worked like magic,” one said, gesturing wildly with her hands.

“Tough men like that need the chase,” another added, leaning in. “Act too available and they disappear on you.”

I stared at them for a long moment, then stood up and walked straight to their table with zero hesitation or shame.

“Hi. Sorry to crash your table like a complete crazy person,” I said, gesturing awkwardly between all of them, my face probably flushed from the run.

“But I overheard you talking about how to get tough guys’ attention. I am in desperate, emergency-level need of seduction lessons. Like, right now. Can I join you? I’ll buy the next round of whatever you’re drinking. Please?”

The girls blinked at me in surprise, then burst out laughing. The one with curly hair and bright red lipstick waved me into an empty chair with a grin. “Girl, sit your ass down. We’ve all been there at some point. This sounds juicy. Spill the tea.”

I dropped into the seat, feeling ridiculous but strangely committed. “Okay, so there’s this guy.” I started, my gaze switching between every one of them. “He's an extremely cold, distant and arrogant hockey player. I need to seduce him properly and get him to announce me as his girlfriend in like six days. Any tips? I’m begging here.”

They all leaned in closer, suddenly fully invested. “Ooh, describe him more,” one said, stirring her coffee with interest.

“He's absolutely cold and Grumpy as hell.” I started. “Looks at you like you’re an annoying fly but he’s stupidly hot. Pure alpha energy that makes you want to grab your head and scream.”

The curly-haired girl started scrolling through her phone while the others threw out wild suggestions and tips. After a few minutes of lively back-and-forth, she suddenly shoved her screen right up to my face, eyes sparkling.

“I think I've got something that might help. The one thing that makes men like that fold.”

I stared at the image, my face contracting into a deep frown.

What the heavenly f**k.