Page 279 of Wrong Pucking Jersey

“Those text messages are on the extreme side of bullying that made Augustus’ life hard. That and a harder upbringing can be very triggering emotionally and mentally, but Augustus decided the text messages weren’t worth acknowledging. That was until a text received prior to the dorm fire near Strattonville Stadium a few weeks ago.”

Taking a deep breath and letting it out, I carry on.

“I’m not going to waste my time going through that incident. You’ve all had weeks to review it and wonder what could have happened. What I do want to address is that Oscar Armani of the Saskatchewan Pincers was arrested and originally blamed for these text messages.”

A few gasps confirm not everyone knew about that, but I move on.

“However, we personally believe, as a unit, Oscar Armani is innocent of these charges.”

I can see the confusion on many faces, but I lift my hand just slightly from the table so anyone who wishes to question me holds their thoughts.

“The police are still undergoing their investigation, which is why I won’t bother elaborating my thoughts. We just wanted to emphasize our opinion of that situation and where we stand, but we’re sure with the cooperation with the police, the answer and ultimate truth will reach the public’s ears in due time,” I summarize. “This brings me to the circulating ‘photos’ from an unknown photographer on the night of the semifinals. Right before the incident that occurred on the ice.”

That was another reason why this conference was inevitable. Photos of me, Damien, Ace, and Wolfgang with Mikayla were being spread all across various social media platforms. Moments where we just held hands to more intimate moments, like when we were with Mikayla at the hospital after the car crash incident. It was very clear someone had been stalking us this entire time. Taking photos of any chance they could get when one of us was with Mikayla.

A set up to expose us at the right moment.

“The intention of this individual or group that decided to expose these pictures, which are innocent with a few more intimate scenarios, is really unclear. However, I’m using my own judgment to assume their intentions were to reveal some sort of scandal which involved myself, Owens, Harvey, and Augustus. It was a direct invasion of privacy to share these photos that were mostly on Strattonville Stadium property, as well as at Clemency Gardens Hospital. I’m sure many of you as interviewers know the rules regarding these specific public places and that certain photos taken and shared without context are against the law and can be legally pursued.”

That gets them whispering because I’m sure whoever had the intention of leaking those photos thought they would get away with it.

Too bad Damien knows how to deal with a game of cat and mouse.

“I will allow the administration to reveal who this individual is and the consequences of their actions, but I’d like to address what I’m quite sure many of you wish to ask me,” I announce. “Am I in a relationship with Nurse Johnson? Yes.”

I stop briefly to emphasize my point.

“I’ve actually been in a relationship with Nurse Johnson since I arrived in Strattonville. See, Mikayla and I were once in a very strong relationship with one another. We were happy and grateful to fall in love which other, despite our age gap. However, our lives became chaotic, a common tendency when you look at how life works, and we began to realize the paths we were taking were going in two different directions.”

I look at my hands, smiling at the thought of our past.

“There comes a moment in life when you love someone so much, you’re willing to acknowledge you’re slowing them down,” I whisper. “Instead of becoming the leading force in encouraging their success, you’ve turned into an anchor that’s stopping them from sailing.”

I lift my head and scan the room, noticing Coach Johnson is now joining us as he emerges to stand next to Coach Cyrus, with Dr. Bridgett in tow.

“I loved Mikayla hard back then. My Sweet Kay. My lovely Mkaykay. The girl who really helped me realize the sky is the limit, and despite my upbringing, I can become whoever I wish to be. I’m sure she loved me just as hard, but we came to the unanimous conclusion that we had to go our separate ways to achieve what was destined for us,” I reveal. “If we were really meant to be together, the Universe would ensure we’d meet again. That’s exactly what happened five years later. I told myself that day, when I laid my eyes on her from afar, I’d never let her slip away from me again. I wouldn’t lose the light that has been my motivation in getting this far in life. With her agreement and, of course, Coach Johnson’s blessing, I made it official to date Mikayla.”

I can see some interviewers are emotionally moved by my words.

“Why wasn’t it brought to the public then?” one asks.

“It wasn’t necessary,” I admit with an added shrug. “Our relationship status is not a requirement to share with the public. We did, however, sign a contract to acknowledge our relationship with the administration. Since Nurse Johnson is an intern and wouldn’t necessarily be performing life-saving procedures on me as a doctor would, it doesn’t go against the ethics code. We also ensured we’d be professional during our work hours. Anything afterward is approved of, which is why, in some photos, you see me holding Mikayla in a hug in the hallway in the stadium or sharing a kiss of comfort. Forms of affection that are allowed in relationships.”

“Then what about the other men involved? Aren’t you appalled the woman you’ve dedicated your love to has been seen with more than one of your fellow players?”

“Appalled? Not at all.” I laugh at that one. “Why would I be offended when I’m the one who approved them to share my girl?”

That surprises a few people, and they gasp.

“I’m not going to sit here and give you the long story of my life and my close relations with Owen, Harvey, and Augustus. What I will share is that we’ve been friends for years and used to be a part of a crew. We all had a crush on Mikayla, like any group of boys who gets a peek at the cutest girl in town. All the men have been there. Watching the popular girl walk by and hoping you’re going to be the lucky guy to score her heart. Then you find out she’s taken by the popular jock of the school, breaking your heart and hope. That’s no different from what happened to us. Only this time around, I wanted to see if we could do things differently. If we would be willing to share the girl we all loved since we went our separate ways.”

“Weren’t you worried in any way that this information would come out to the public and be criticized?” A female interviewer questions.

“Of course. As someone who takes their career very seriously, our public image is vital. However, this is something that we were taking the time to explore privately. That’s a right we’re allowed to have as civilians of Strattonville or any city, town, province, or country. Anyone is allowed to try something and see if it works. Just because my relationship with Mikayla was solid didn’t mean we were ready to be public about opening our relationship to specific people,” I explain. “We wanted to explore the option where my girlfriend would date me and three other men she’s interested in. This would be reinforced with my approval of them. So, not just anyone could be with my Sweet Kay. All of this experimenting doesn’t break any part of signed contracts, and I made sure to explore further options and validate my intentions and protect us with Owens in company. With the CEO of this hockey initiative present to listen to our claims and plans, there was no sign of disapproval.”

“I-It was approved,” an interview clarifies. “Meaning he was well aware of your intentions to share Miss Mikayla with your comrades.”

“Yes,” I say loud and clear. “Further proving we were supported and would eventually bring it to the public if things reached a level of seriousness we approved of.”

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