Page 148 of Wrong Pucking Jersey

“Damien,” he whispers. “I-I can’t afford such an investment. I don’t have that money. Like… I know if it was Jayce, or Oscar, or maybe even—”

I take three steps, and I’m right in his personal space, forcing him to stop because my mouth covers his greedily. He’s stunned by the move, but he doesn’t push me away.

No. He pulls me closer until we kiss as roughly as we can.

With a grunt, I release his lips because I need to breathe.

“It really pisses me off when you compare yourself to those douchebags,” I grumble and don’t hide the anger that floods my darkened eyes.

He holds his tongue and fights the urge to move his eyes away from me.

I remember when Maddox was that kid everyone made fun of.Pushed over because he wasn’t like the cool kids with the perfect physique.

They should all see Maddox O’Neil Wilson now.

Captain of Strattonville Vipers.

“We don’t say can’t in this house,” I instruct. “You can afford it because when I’m done talking to Mr. Champion, you’re each going to be walking out with a million each in your accounts.” I need to make Maddox understand what industry we’re in. That hockey is more than just pucks and sticks.

There are so many fucking layers to this world.

“Hockey is like any sport, Maddox. They have big pockets, very big pockets. The hockey industry makes eleven billion annually. You think they can’t pay their players properly?” I know that blows his mind because he’s still speechless. “You see the hockey players that we admire… McDavid, Crosby, Ovechkin. From the beginning, they knew what they brought to the table. Knew that they could carry the team.

“Don’t you see how excited people are to see you as the Captain of the Vipers? To see the player they’ve watched play on different teams across America come to his hometown and represent us as we fight to get a chance to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs. Hockey teams are going to be blowing up our phones when they see how good we are on the ice, yet you don’t realize just how financially beneficial you are?“

“I… I just never saw myself worth that much,” he quietly admits. “You know… after Dad died…” He pauses and takes a deep breath. “After Dad died, I felt like I had to do anything for validation, you know? During the five years we were apart, I started to find myself. Gain confidence as I gained muscle and left the ‘me’ that was so affected by everyone’s opinion. The only thing I realize hasn’t changed is my viewpoint of money and its connection to my worth.” He looks into my eyes, showing his vulnerability before he runs his hand through his hair.

“It doesn’t mean I don’t believe I’m worth all these good things—the nice mansions, the beautiful cars, the luxury designer brand suits or to be fought for by league legends who are willing to pay top dollar to have me on their team. It’s just… I’ve been waiting for that moment, that opportunity… that allows me to believe it’s time I received all those things.” He shrugs. “I’m not sure I’m making much sense, but I’m confident in my game, performance, and which steps I take next in life, but I wasn’t ready to acknowledge and convince others that I deserve more.”

I slowly nod as I lower my glass of gin on the patio table and give him my full attention.

“Then that’s what we’re going to work on,” I vow. One thing I regretted five years ago was not fighting harder to keep my friends together.

Despite our immaturity and uncertainty regarding our relationship with Mikayla, I didn’t try to stop us from being torn apart by Jayce and the others. I let their negative words ruin me until I questioned if I was a freak for having a liking for Maddox yet crushing on Mikayla.

It took me those years to rebuild myself. To reconstruct my mindset while I worked hard to grow my wealth. I quickly learned, in this world, people have a lot less of an opinion when you have money behind your name.

That’s why I did everything in my power to reach this point of financial abundance.

“You have confidence in our team’s worth. The confidence in your relationship with Mikayla. The confidence in us trying this sharing thing, but you need to be more confident in yourself, in what you bring to the table. In this industry, that’s what they’re looking for. They search for it in your eyes while you firmly shake their hands. They watch our strides when we walk into the press conference auditorium after winning a game and listen to the stern boldness in our voices when we speak highly of our accomplishments. All of it is accounted for when determining how much we bring to the table, and trust me when I say, if they believe what you’re projecting, they’ll bow to whatever whim you ask for in return.”

I place my hands on his shoulders and firmly squeeze.

“They don’t say ‘fake it till you make it’ for no reason. Around your friends and the people you love, you’re our protective, loving leader Maddox. To those outside that circle, you show them the fearless, confident, ruthless-on-ice Maddox, who deserves nothing short of a two million initial contract with plenty of bonus potential and additional perks that will ensure you won’t go to any other team. You do that, and trust me, you’ll not only achieve what you’re destined for, but you’ll feel good that you didn’t let your fear stop you from getting everything you deserve and more.”

“You know, you always had a way with words that can inspire the fuck out of anyone,” Maddox whispers. “I don’t know whether to be proud or envy you?”

“You could feel both?” I suggest and lean in close. “Be proud of me and let that envy come out in other ways.”

He rolls his eyes before looking at my lips.

“If I unleashed my envy the way I wanted to, you wouldn’t be talking at all,” he dares to mutter.

He has to know that his deep voice is like sinful chocolate wrapped in the finest gold foil.

“Oh really?” I tease and let my own voice dip further as I outstretch enough to whisper in his ear. “Then what would I be doing, O’Riley?”

He meets my side glance, the two of us having a staring match.

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