Page 231 of Wrong Pucking Jersey

This is huge for Mikayla.

Even bigger for us.

We potentially get to stay together after all this is over.

“Pucking,” she teases but is in a full bear hug as Maddox lifts her up and spins her around.

“You signed the contract.”

“I signed the contract,” she reveals before Maddox lowers her so he can look down to listen as she continues. “Coach Cyrus and Dad ended up coming into the conversation when they offered me the position. We moved to an office upstairs where the documents were already waiting to be signed. Dad made sure to ask all the legal shit and confirm it’s a good deal. Coach Cyrus also vouched that I get a higher salary at the end of my internship due to my educational background and achievements. Mr. Champion showed up to finalize things, and Mr. Hamilton agreed with the pay raise!”

“That’s absolutely amazing, Jagiya,” Damien announces. “How much of an increase did you get? I know the average salary for team nurses is 190,000, yes?”

“Yes. The initial contract was actually a 175,000 salary, but with everyone negotiating with me and Mr. Hamilton stating he’d love to create a Team Nursing Initiative that can start next season, I was offered 500,000!”

“Fuck, yes!” Ace cheers and collides with them. “Half a mil? That’s our girl! Snatching edges and grabbing deals.”

Mikayla laughs and shakes her head.

“Now, either you’ve been listening in on my conversations with Mack, or you’re learning our language,” Mishka laughs, but she’s being hugged by the three of them. “I can’t believe it! I didn’t think anything would have come out of this Fundraiser Ball. Actually, we weren’t supposed to come until we were invited last minute, so the fact my career is officially secured after this internship blows my fucking mind!”

“Pucking,” I correct as I approach her.

She laughs and unravels out of the three’s group hug just so she can give me a tight embrace.

“Are you proud of me, Wolfgang?” She leans back to look into my eyes and at how they sparkle so brilliantly. Her cheeks are so red, the blush from how ecstatic she is with this new opportunity. Her lips are even more tempting.

Plump. Red. Smooth.

I want to kiss her and congratulate her, so she won’t see the hidden emotions running through me.

The burning disappointment that I’m leaving tonight with nothing to show for it.

“Very proud, Mishka,” I say with a smile and end up kissing her forehead. “You’ve already shown many what a good team nurse you are. This is such a perfect opportunity that really sets you up for the future.”

Her smile can’t get any bigger as she hugs me tightly.

She slips from my grasp to hug the others until she’s hugging Maddox again, who doesn’t hesitate to do what my heart has been yearning to do since the moment I saw her.

He kisses her. A firm, passionate kiss that seals the deal that there’s more to them than even they want to admit.

I can see the phones recording from afar, and I realize neither of them cares about the public getting a permanent image of them expressing their love to one another. They’re done with the idea of hiding the truth from the world.

And though I’m happy… I’m also sad.

They break the kiss and smile at one another before Maddox grins from ear to ear and hugs her again.

“We have to celebrate like mad tonight.”

“As long as there’s good food,” she suggests. “I’m starving.”

“Can crackers and cheese appease you for half an hour?” Damien inquires as he comes from behind her to give her a hug. It’s like he’s been struggling to fight the urge to hug her again and lost the battle.

“I can survive,” she declares as she looks back at Damien. “Only if you get more of that awesome wine you let me sip last week.”

“Cabernet Sauvignon from the 1800s,” he reveals. “Our Queen has fine taste.”

“Anyone loves that red wine shit when it’s from the 1800s,” Ace teases and is at Mishka’s right side. “Why don’t we go around the tables and try a few appetizers? We have to get our group picture now that you’re back.”

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