Page 173 of Wrong Pucking Jersey

“Two and a half million. Fifty percent advance with a first-year contract. Once it’s up, I can ask for an increase, and if we end up not reaching the end of the season as a team, I have the option of being with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but I firmly stated if the Vipers don’t make it, we want to try again and become an established team.”

“Wait,” I have to interrupt because I’m trying to wrap my head around what he decided upon. “You picked the option of keeping the Strattonville Vipers together versus going to the Toronto Maple Leafs?”

All eyes are once again on O’Riley. He shrugs as if it’s not as big of a deal as it really is.

“Toronto Maple Leafs got to fame because they worked together and grew as a team. Sure, they’ve been playing for years, but so many players come and go. It’s experience and the thrill of being together that pushes them to do well and be a solid unit,” Maddox explains. “Why can’t Strattonville Vipers do the same?”

I’m genuinely speechless because he’s right.

Why can’t they do the same or even better?

“Everyone loves to invest in the team they already know can score plenty of goals and potentially soar through the playoffs to the Stanley Cup, but there are even more organizations and people willing to invest in a team that wants to become the next big thing. We can reach the same level as the Toronto Maple Leafs. We can even do better. What’s stopping us from one day holding that Stanley Cup? Nothing. We can reach the top if we train and build each other up. So as captain, why would I set myself up for smooth sailing into this world of hockey and leave my team behind?”

I glance over to the Vipers to see their moved expressions. Some are actually on the verge of tears and doing everything to stop them from falling.

“My team’s success is my priority as Captain of Strattonville Vipers. As long as we give each game our all, that’s all that matters to me. I’m not here for the money or the fame, and if Mr. Champion had allowed it, I would have taken a pay cut. However, they said I can always donate money to charities or back to our team to further improve our path toward success. Either way, my goal when entering that meeting room was to secure my team’s future and make sure everyone was happy with the results. I think I did exactly that.”

I’m surprised by the light kiss he presses to the top of my head before he lets go and turns to face his teammates.

“You guys satisfied with the deal? I can’t really do anything to change it now since advances are going to be sent out tonight after the game, but—”

He doesn’t finish because he’s being hugged by the masses.

I take a few steps back to give them space, watching as grown men begin to actually cry at the news.

“Fuck, O’Riley,” Marcus doesn’t hide his emotions as he’s sobbing like crazy. “You know how much this means to me? Fuck… half a mil? I can clear my dad’s medical bills.”

“I can help clear my family’s home and retire my parents who work on a farm,” Clayton admits.

“It’s more than enough to help with my mom’s chemo treatments,” Ethan whispers as he fights to wipe away his tears.

Knox walks over to him and pats his shoulders.

“Fuck, Maddox. This advance alone can help all of us, whether it’s medical bills that aren’t covered by OHIP to clearing our family’s homes and debt. Why the hell would we not be satisfied?”

“I… don’t know,” Maddox admits. “I just wanted to make sure you guys are happy.”

“Beyond happy,” Sebastian whispers as he’s fighting off his own tears. “I can sponsor my parents to come here and get proper healthcare.”

“I can clear my siblings’ educational debt. Heck, my sis can go to fucking medical school and not be working as a server at the bar that treats her like shit,” Garret admits.

“I can make sure my dad can get the best hospice care.”

I search for Felix, who’s the culprit of that admission, many Vipers doing the same.

Even Dimitri looks surprised by his words, but Felix has a genuine smile as he looks at his mates.

“The surgery my dad needed was way out of our budget, and if we went to the United States, it would be triple the cost, so we had no choice but to put him in hospice care. Sadly, the facilities are full unless you’re well off, so he’s been uncomfortable at home, barely getting proper meds,” he reveals to us while his eyes grow glassy. “It’s probably too late now to get him that surgery, but the fact I can make his final days or even months comfortable makes this a lot easier, you know? It’s hard enough being open about your sexuality and getting hate, but my dad has always been my number one supporter, so I wanted to enter this with being authentic and true to myself. He’ll be happy it’s paying off.”

“Felix,” I whisper.

Dimitri moves to give him a hug while Marcus, Knox, Sebastian, and Garrett walk over to give him words of encouragement.

“Yo, Felix. Can’t you check if your pops can be qualified for the surgery now that you have the funds?” I’m surprised the question comes for Mitchel, who moves from his crew of quiet Pincers to where we’re gathered.

“I could,” he admits but doesn’t look hopeful. “But I doubt even with money, we could get in. I remember at the time the waitlist was a few months down. Now, it’s probably two to three years.”

Mitchel is looking at his older brother, the two of them sharing a look before Damien asks, “If I could get your dad a surgery date this week, would it be possible?”

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