Page 174 of Wrong Pucking Jersey

That surprises everyone.

We all stare at Damien, then move our gazes back to Felix, who can’t even hide his utter shock.

“I-It’s possible,” he whispers. “I can wire the money to you the moment it deposits.”

“Not necessary,” Damien declares and pulls out his phone. “I’ll pull some strings. Keep your money for aftercare and stuff.”

“D-Damien,” Felix’s lip is trembling as his eyes are flowing with tears.

“We’re a team, yes?” Damien offers as a reminder as he dials his phone. “When every team member has some peace of mind, we can perform our best. I’ll do what I can. Just prep your dad with the news and the potential idea of getting into the surgery room ASAP. I should have an answer by noon,” he assures him.

“Score!” Mitchel cheers and punches his bro’s shoulder. “Thanks, Bro! Umma is going to be so proud of you!”

“Ugh, go back to your team,” Damien groans and pushes him out of his way. “I’m busy!”

“No. I have to cling to you now because you got like ten times the pay deal than me, so because I’m your favorite sibling ever, I want compensation money.”

“You’re his only brother,” Mack points out.

“Which is why I’m the favorite,” Mitchel argues. “He has to spoil me!”

“You make it seem like you weren’t paid,” Ace teases.

“The moment my parents find out my pay and Damien’s pay, they’re going to say hockey isn’t for me and send me to medical school,” Mitchel whines. “Damien!”

“I’ll give you half of my advance if you just shut up,” Damien groans.

“I’ll be quiet forever,” Mitchel exclaims and hugs his brother with the biggest smile on his face.

“Why do I feel like he extorted the money from Damien?” Wolfgang questions with an unimpressed expression.

“You know Mitch. He knows how to get his brother to spoil him,” Wyatt points out.

“So it was all a ploy,” Ace concludes.

“Has to be,” I comment.

“They’ve always been like that,” Maddox admits. “Are we done being emotional? We got a game to prep for.”

“Vipers,” Coach Cyrus calls down to us. “Get cleaned up. Lunch on me.”

“YES!” The team cheers, but before they head to the changing rooms, each player gives Maddox and Damien hugs.

“C’mon, guys. You don’t all need to give me and Damien hugs. Go hug Ace and Wolfgang,” Maddox tries to get out of more bear embraces.

“We were just moral support,” Wolfgang argues. “It was all Damien and Maddox.”

“That’s true,” Ace agrees. “Damien was talking business logistics, and Maddox was the backbone with all his confidence. He had some of those executives shaking. It’s like they feared saying no to him.”

“Now you’re just exaggerating,” Maddox announces and is next to me once more. “Nurse Johnson. I need your expertise on something.”

“Huh?” I reply and lift my head enough to look into his eyes. “What’s up?”

“Not here,” he encourages with a nudge to his head to the side. “Outside.”

“Coach Johnson. O’Riley’s trying to hit on your daughter,” Mitchel calls out, and a few of the guys jokingly punch the dude.

“Stop tattling, dummy,” Marcus huffs.

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