Page 202 of Wrong Pucking Jersey

“Maddox and the others are waiting for us,” I announce, knowing the mention of O’Riley in the picture would further piss Jayce off. He may be dating this new puck bunny for show, but I have a strong feeling he’s still smitten with our Mikayla and his secret yet obvious crush on Maddox.

“So, they are coming.” She beams at that, which makes me grin in return as I pull her against me in a side hug.

“Yup. Now, into the Jeep you go before Maddox calls me and wonders why I’m hogging you for the day.” I guide her back to the car and help her inside the passenger side. I know she doesn’t need it, but I enjoy pampering Mickey with some princess treatment.

She deserves to be spoiled in every way.

Buckling her seatbelt for her, I point behind the seat. “You can check that out if you want.”

“Huh?” She glances at where I’m pointing at. “Wait. Is that a photo album?”

“It is,” I reply and leave her to enjoy the bundled piece while I work on ‘wrapping’ this shit up with Jayce.

Ensuring Mickey is absorbed with the mini project I started at the beginning of the season, I confront Jayce one last time.

“We have important places to be, so hopefully, the next time I’m forced to interact with you, it’s on the ice,” I voice and make it obvious in my rough voice that this was a hindrance to deal with.

“You’re the one trying to act like love birds when it’s clear Mickey is with Maddox,” he complains. “And stop calling her Mickey. That’s the nickname I gave her.”

“No.” I don’t even try to cooperate with his demand. “I’ll call my girl whatever I see fit. As of now, Mickey suits her perfectly.”

“You really think you guys can keep doing this shit?” I don’t realize he’s in my face until I catch the mint scent of his breath. “Waltzing around and being all smitten around one girl. People are going to notice. Track your moves, one by one, until it all comes spiraling down and all your reputations are burned to the ground.”

“And what if it doesn’t?” I offer in return, standing my ground. “What if the world has finally accepted the idea that a girl can be loved by more than one guy? That she can be treated like a princess and pampered by a group of men who all love her for being the unique, empowering beauty she is?”

I take a step closer, noticing how he stiffens at my invasion of his personal space, but I know this only riles up his anger.

If it was Maddox, I’m sure he’d be hard and embarrassed at being seen in such a position.

“That’s the one thing I dislike about you, Winchester. You’re a risk taker. One who chases the thrills in life, but the moment you have to decide on doing something that makes you happy but is perceived differently by society’s rules, you chicken the fuck out,” I say nice and slow while my smirk grows. “We’re done with that bullshit. Done with having to act a certain way to please society’s dreams and fantasies for us. We went five years without our Heartbreaker Queen and were forced to carry the guilt and regret those actions delivered in return.”

I further tilt my head, so I can emphasize looking down at him.

As if I’m not the superior between the two of us.

“I’m done lying to myself. Done being a coward ass. I like Mickey. Just like Maddox, Damien, and Wolfgang do. Only we’re not fighting to be the victors of claiming her heart. Nah. We’re working together to share her, no matter if the world loves or hates it.”

I turn away before he can insult and argue, but my next words are loud and clear.

“If you just had the confidence and balls to put your feet down for what you want, everyone else would have no choice but to obey.”

I begin to leave, but Jayce huffs under his breath.

“You’ll be bullied into quitting before you guys can get far,” he emphasizes. “No one supports gay hockey players. Do you think they’ll support you, a bunch of freaks because you’re popular? Grow the fuck up.”

“I think you’re the one who has to grow up, Winchester,” I quietly admit. I’m not hiding the hint of pity in my voice because, deep down, I worry what Mikayla was saying earlier would indeed come true one day.

He’ll follow the path society wants him to walk on, even if it leads to his own demise…

“How long are you going to keep pleasing the world and not your heart?”

“I’m happy as fuck, Harvey,” he proudly declares, but it doesn’t feel believable to me. “Now, why don’t we go our separate ways? I have my new girlfriend to fuck.”

“Have fun,” I state while slipping my hands into the pockets of my shorts. “We’re going to enjoy a picnic together like old times.”

I leave him with that pictured scenario, knowing he’ll remember the old days when we spent those summer evenings watching the sunsets, drinking, smoking, and laughing our heads off.

I miss those, but we’re going to create our own now.

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