Page 146 of Wrong Pucking Jersey

I glance at James in the rearview mirror, our eyes meeting a moment before he nods and presses a single button that rolls the glass between us. Once it’s in place, I say what needs to be said.

“He still loves you, Maddox.” It’s weird to say those words out loud.

Especially when it makes me feel a certain way.

“I can see it in his eyes. I bet Jagiya sees it, too, She tried to get it out of him. For him to be honest with her, but if I hadn’t gotten involved, I feel like Jagiya would have had a panic attack.”

“He knows not to pin her.” Maddox is more angered about that than the truth.

Meaning he knows already.

“He’s using Mikayla to try to get what he wants. He enjoys riling me up, and I know it all comes down to those feelings he buries inside. I see the way he watches us interact. He misses what we had.”

“They all do,” I whisper and narrow my eyes on Mikayla. “Which is why they rather sabotage us than watch us be successful.”

“You think?”

“The threats Felix got,” I begin. “Looked like Oscar’s writing.”

“Fuck,” Maddox curses. “You don’t think they’re trying to make some sort of hate train?”

“The more pushback they can ignite in the community, the harder it’ll be to introduce a poly group of hockey players dating their team nurse, don’t you think?”

“Do you think we need to get Coach Cyrus and Mr. Champion involved?” He asks as the car comes to a stop.

“If I was in Pincers’ shoes, or at least half of our Heartbreaker Crew, they’ll assume we’d keep things among ourselves. They don’t have the confidence in us actually taking this to the higher-ups.”

“You want to see how far they’re going to take it?”

“I need to see how far they’ll take it,” I counter and meet his serious gaze. “I want to know what’s at risk and how badly they want to sabotage us. We know this involves more than just hockey and our chance of reaching the finals. They want what’s in our possession. Want our girl and fantasize what they could have if she’s willing to take things to the next level.”

“Mikayla wants it,” Maddox acknowledges. “She wants us. To feel that emotional connection and explore things she never would with anyone else. She’s only scared because it’s unknown territory.”

“And from the way things are playing out, her relationship with Jayce wasn’t all ‘perfect’ as they portrayed it.”

“Not everything that glitters is gold.”

“You’re right,” I agree. “But how we’ve wished to be this close.”

“Close to the idea of sharing one girl?” Maddox asks for clarification.

“Yes. It feels like a dream you have in high school, wishing you could all be with that one popular girl everyone has eyes on, but you want to share her with just your boys. The crew you trust. I always wanted that when Mikayla entered our lives, but we all assumed it was impossible.”

“Creating nothing but friction and anger between us.”

“Not anymore,” I remind him. “You talked to Ace and Wolfgang?”

“I sent them a quick text, saying I’m with you and Mkaykay. I asked them to let the team know we’re okay and that I’ll check with them when I can. I’ll check again when we get inside, then I’ll call Coach Johnson and Coach Cyrus.”

“You should check on Dimitri, too,” I suggest. “Looks like they’ve become good friends.”

“Hmph,” Maddox looks away but mutters, “I’ll call him after.”

“Good.”

I signal James, and we get out of the car.

Maddox ends up scooping Mikayla in his arms, which I don’t mind. Taking off my coat jacket, I lay it on top of her to keep her warm.

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