Page 272 of Wrong Pucking Jersey

No.

He collides with the one man standing in his way between Wolfgang and the net.

Ace.

The colliding force doesn’t knock Harvey down. It sends him flying off the ice.

The fierce crash is obviously intentional as the tackle is done by Jayce shifting his body at the last second to his dominant side that further dips enough so he can use his muscled top half to his advantage.

I don’t breathe.

No one does.

We’re all stunned as our eyes trail Ace as he glides through the air until he hits the ice with so much force, I hear a sickening crack that ignites a wave of numbness that washes over me. His stillness isn’t what has me on the ice and arriving at his body in mere seconds.

It’s the pool of blood immediately oozing out the back of his head.

“EMERGENCY MEDICS!” I scream before I quickly check Ace’s pulse. Dimitri is skidding to a stop and dropping down on my opposite side. “ACE? ACE?!” I scream his name again and again as I struggle to find his pulse.

“Fuck. DEFIBRILLATOR!” Dimitri screams just as Doctor Bridget, two other emergency medics, and even Dr. Francisco arrive to help.

The stadium is still completely silent, the shock further descending upon the crowd as everyone watches the mayhem unfolding. It’s as though everyone’s waiting to hear the beat of Ace’s heart, the one I’m desperately trying to ignite as I do compressions while they unpack the defibrillator.

“A-Ace?”

I can hear that quiet whisper of fear, and I know it comes from Wolfgang. I have to ignore it, my compressions quick as Dimitri gives him breath. There’s no room to panic or think.

Only action.

Until I know my Heartbreaker King is no longer in the valley of death.

By the time I’m pulling back, everything is set up, and we’re forced to watch the only machinery that may have a chance to get Ace’s heart working again.

“CLEAR!” Doctor Bridgett exclaims, and we tense up as shockwaves course through Ace’s body.

I hold my breath, unable to take another, as I quietly pray for a miracle.

Please, Ace. Please. Breathe.

I blink away the tears that threaten to fall.

The second shockwave is as unsuccessful as the first.

Mom… please help Ace breathe!

The third shock that goes through him ignites a gasp that sets all of us in motion. Paramedics are immediately on the ice and surrounding Ace to secure his body alignment to further reduce injury or trigger paralysis, so they can get him on a stretcher.

I know without a doubt he won’t be going to the hospital by ambulance. He’ll be airlifted to the hospital that can tackle sports injuries like this in a swift manner to prevent permanent injury.

“You son of a bitch!”

My head is darting in the direction of the growling scream, my eyes landing on Wolfgang.

“YOU DID THAT ON PURPOSE! WHY THE FUCK DID YOU DO THAT? BECAUSE YOU LOST?!”

“SHUT THE FUCK UP, YOU GAY PIECE OF SHIT!”

That takes Wolfgang aback. Jayce is skating toward him, his face so furious, I don’t even think he’s processing what’s happening.

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