Page 250 of Wrong Pucking Jersey

“No, Westley! Look at my girl. Look at your captain! You’re lucky the only injuries he got were a fracture in his right leg and needing a damn sling for his left arm!”

“Isaac, I’m not blind. I was there when the doctors emphasized how lucky Mikayla and Maddox were to be alive. Heck, we’re lucky Maddox even got there on time by stealing your car and recklessly driving to the dorms.”

There’s a loud huff, which kindles a deep sigh.

“I get it, Isaac. I understand you. Please don’t try to think I’m against your reasoning. Out of everyone, you know I’ll always be on yours and Mikayla’s side.”

“Sh-She could have died, West.” The heartbroken depths of the voice make me sad just listening to it. “I drove so fast. I ran as fast as my old limbs would take me. What if Maddox didn’t get there on time? What if...”

“Thankfully, he did get there on time, Isaac. He arrived and put all his firefighter training into full motion, even when the Chief wasn’t allowing anyone else into the building. He fought to every length and didn’t even take regard that if he didn’t hit that net properly, he could have died instantly.

“We’ve known from day one that out of their crew that began to dwindle away, Maddox loved Mikayla and would do anything for her. They only broke up because things weren’t right. They had to go their separate ways and walk on different paths. I guess the universe wanted them to come back together when the time was right. Thanks to this internship and hockey opportunity matched with Maddox’s heroism, they’re both alive and will make a full recovery.”

“Wh-When they were on the balcony… for a moment… I saw Jessica.”

The silence is haunting.

“Standing right next to Maddox. On the very rail, he balanced upon while holding our girl in his grasp. She had a hand on his shoulder, gripping him as if to keep him steady while attempting something so frightening. I begged her with all my heart to protect them. To not… let me experience that intense pain of heartbreak of losing our only child. I asked her to protect O’Riley, too. He’s not only a savior, but his well-being would either make or break Mikayla. When they crashed into the net and they announced both of them were breathing, I could barely hold it together.” There’s a struggling breath. “She was gone before I could say thank you.”

“She knows you’re grateful. She’s always around us when we need her the most.”

“I regret it… you know.”

“Regret what?”

It takes what feels like a few minutes for the conversation to continue.

“Us.”

“Us?”

“Us… not being as brave as Mikayla,” he confesses.

“Isaac… the timing wasn’t right back then.”

“But what if we were doing what those four boys are doing? No. Not boys. Men who’ve made it clear with each week that passes that they’re absolutely smitten with our girl.”

“Maddox, Damien, Ace, and Wolfgang, yes?”

“You noticed before they split apart, didn’t you?”

“Just as I noticed the way Jayce looked at Maddox and how Oscar looked at Jayce. I pick up on a lot of things, but you’ve noticed the past events of scrutiny that erupted with Mr. Champions’ case to the growing acceptance in various countries regarding LGBT and the topic revolving around partnership. It’s only a matter of time before this small town of Strattonville has no choice but to give up its judgemental ideologies and accept that love has no boundaries. That love can very well be shared and blossom between a group of grown adults.”

“But what if we did that way back then? That we took the initiative of being pioneers and not being so frightened of losing all that made us the successful coaches we were? When you think about it… I lost everything, anyway. I sacrificed the idea of happiness and loving you… and Jessica because of pride, money, and fame. But look at my end. Did I not lose it all, anyway? Lost the love of my life. Tossed to the side in the sports industry after all the contributions and success I brought to the table.

“All those CEOs got bonuses beyond average salaries, yet the moment I could barely afford food for my family, they all turned around. Their backs faced me when they once fought to be in the same room. If it wasn’t for this new job opportunity and having Mr. Champion supporting our drive, I’d be nothing but ‘that coach who lost it all.’ They still mock me even now, those achievements all forgotten, so why did I sacrifice what meant to me the most in the world?”

The laugh that follows is nowhere near lighthearted but filled with sadness.

And regret.

“Why was I willing to put my life… and love on the back burner? If I’d been bold to do what O’Riley is trying to pull, I would have been fucking proud of myself. Would have understood my worth and realized this position of ours is nothing but that. We’re all replaceable. Anything can happen today, and by tomorrow, they’ll be setting up your position to be taken by another. In this business, money runs the show, so why didn’t it click in my brain earlier?” He sounds so puzzled, as though having an epiphany that finally makes sense in his frazzled mind.

“If I loved… the way I wanted to back then, I would have still lost everything, but at least, I would have been proud that I stood my ground for myself and those I cherished.”

An inhale that seems so loud in this quiet room, the exhale even louder.

“Jessica… she would have been happier.”

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