Page 105 of Wrong Pucking Jersey

“I always pondered bout the past. Why we couldn’t make things work in our favor. One of the key problems was communication. We struggled with that. Even when things got hard, and our lives changed in various ways, we had trouble communicating with one another, and that’s why we drifted apart.” His attention is back on our Queen, and he’s kissing her forehead.

“If things become suffocating, I need you to say something, Mikayla. If you think one of us is struggling, you confront us about it. You’re scared of one of us spiraling out of control, you get me or one of the others to help you intervene. No matter what happens, we need to talk and be willing to share our insecurities if needed, so we remain on the same page.” He leans in close, delivering a slight peck to her lips followed by a gentle brush of his thumbs along her cheeks.

“Is that something reasonable to ask from you, Mkaykay?”

“That’s reasonable.” Closing her eyes, she takes a deep inhale and lets it out. “That’s something I want. I’m… I… well… confrontation makes me a tad nervous. I mean, regarding this topic, but I want to try this out, even if it’s just baby steps.” She looks hopeful.

I feel like this can actually work.

“Then that’s the plan,” Maddox confirms and kisses the tip of her nose. “Take it slow.”

I dare to reach out for her hand and scoop it up. My lips are next to pressing against the back of her hand.

Her eyes close for a single moment, as though she’s embracing the touch and sensations that ignite through her with my added touch.

It would be so easy to get lost in her.

The knock on the door surprises us, the three of us flinching before I’m up to unlock the door to let Dr. Bridgett in. I’m surprised to see the gothic nurse.

“How are you feeling, Mikayla? I checked our inventory but were out of that specific allergen medicine,” Dr. Bridgett reveals. “Dimitri’s willing to go on bike to another pharmacy a few blocks from here but wanted to check how you’re doing.”

“Hey, Dimitri,” Mikayla greets him.

There’s just something about her giving another guy’s attention that rubs at me the wrong way.

I’m not the only one frowning.

“Ace had some emergency tablets on him,” Maddox announces. “We won’t need Dimitri biking over to get her some.”

“Just trying to help,” Dimitri announces.

I can tell he’s not intimidated by Maddox in the slightest.

I don’t like that.

He seems harmless, but then again, never judge a book by its cover.

Damien is harmless on the outside, but he’s the slyest in our group and could steal anyone’s girl if he really wanted.

Korean Russians are scary.

“You okay, though, Mikayla?” Dimitri continues before walking right to where Mikayla and Maddox are to reach out and press a hand against her forehead. “You’re really hot.”

“Thank you,” she states with a knowledgeable smirk.

The way I’m scowling with Maddox only has our girl giggling while Dimitri shakes his head.

“Not your looks. Your temperature,” he mumbles and dares to add, “We all know Coach Johnson’s daughter is hot as fuck.”

“And off limits,” I say as a reminder with Maddox.

That has three pairs of eyes on us.

I mentally curse because that makes it rather obvious I’m just as overprotective of Mikayla as her actual boyfriend, Maddox.

“Can’t be letting anyone hit on our captain’s girl. We gotta be prepared for those other teams trying to hit on her. Make sure you let them know, Champion, that she’s taken.”

“Roger that,” he replies with an overexaggerated salute. “Mikayla? Why don’t I take you back to the dorm to rest? You’re not feeling dizzy or anything, yes?”