Page 258 of Wrong Pucking Jersey

“I don’t know whether the culprit of the fire and the one texting you for six years are the same people, but you can’t let them win by destroying your happiness,” I stress.

“Wolfgang,” Maddox begins and grabs our attention as he gives a warm smile.

“You’ve known what you’ve wanted for years. Known deep down that your emotions and feelings are valid and not simply something used to define a sort of insanity. Whoever this douche is, he doesn’t want you to get the end game you deserve. Whether it’s because they don’t have the balls to be as confident, or they’re pissed that despite the years that have gone by, their actions haven’t gotten under your skin.”

“Whatever the case, Wolfgang, this isn’t your fault. I don’t want you to think it’s your fault or that I love you any less. We’re the Heartbreaker Crew. We’ve gone through ups and downs together, and this is no different. Maddox and I are fine. We’ll make a full recovery. If Maddox follows all the instructions from the doctor and physio with rehab, he should be able to get back on the ice before our final games, and everything will be back to normal. The harm is done, survivable, and now there are the professionals and resources that can track down this individual who’s been threatening your wellbeing on all levels for six years.”

“You should have told us that, Wolfgang,” Maddox points out. He sounds a bit hurt, but his expression is understanding.

“I know,” Wolfgang admits and shakes his head. “I thought it was a prank, you know? It felt that way in the beginning. It started before our crew went our separate ways, so I doubt it’s one of the other guys. It wasn’t frequent, either. One year, there was only one text. Another, it was every week. I couldn’t focus on that. I had dreams to fulfill. Places to be. People to meet and make connections with to help me reach this point where I’d even get the chance to be chosen for this hockey opportunity. I started to get more texts when it was announced I was on the Vipers. More persistent and emphasizing how unworthy I was to be a part of the team.”

He sighs and sniffs while wiping away the lingering tears that escape his blinking eyes.

“I noticed as the rumors grew revolving around Mikayla dating you or Jayce, they became more aggressive. More demanding and reminding more of what a failure I am. The negativity kept swimming in my mind, even though I never took it seriously previously. Then there was the idea of Mikayla dating more than one Viper, and instead of social media being against it, their reaction was the complete opposite.”

“Wait… what?” I ask in surprise because I didn’t see that part of social media. Frankly, I was more focused on all they were saying about me and my appearance than the possibility of me dating more than one guy.

“You didn’t see it, Baby Girl?” Maddox asks. His free hand reaches over to place the spoon in his possession into the oatmeal bowl—confirming how he managed to get it to begin with—before his hand trails along my left thigh until he’s able to grab my hand in his.

“Threads, videos, whole YouTube discussion talking about the potential of you dating more than one of us. This was blowing up before the Fundraiser Ball, and I’m sure after our interview and our lack of hesitation in expressing ourselves in the public eye, I bet it’s gotten even more popular.”

I slowly nod before looking at Wolfgang.

“So, you’re saying the increase discussion of me potentially dating more than one Viper ignited a positive discussion online that essentially went viral and pissed off this stalker because he wanted the world to be against it, not for it.”

“Essentially,” Wolfgang admits and sighs. “It’s why I’ve been so hesitant. I knew there was a growing possibility that this stalker would use our past and the fact I like Maddox against me. It frightened me further with how Felix was getting death threats when he not only openly revealed he was gay but was obviously in a relationship with Dimitri. I also didn’t ignore that Mr. Champion and the other administrators were perfectly fine with the idea of gay couples or the potential of poly relationships, but it made me feel like this was riskier.”

“Riskier?” Maddox is trying to understand Wolfgang’s logic. “Why would that be riskier? You have the administrator’s approval. The potential public support for the idea of dating more than one person, despite gender. Why would it increase the risks?”

“It’ll increase the risk of either of you getting targeted or hurt,” he admits as his eyes dance between us. “Think about it. I’m getting everything I wanted. The support from the public that I thought would crucify the very idea. The hockey administrators ensure this opportunity won’t be robbed from me if the news does surface that I’m gay, bisexual, or in a poly relationship. The six years spent building a pillar of lies that emphasizes I can’t get what I want is being undone in real-time. I’m being proven wrong without this stalker’s constant nagging, and it’s only a matter of time that the reality that he’s losing leads to a destructive reaction.”

“Which you think is why he set me up to die in the dorms.”

Wolfgang nods and runs his hands through his hair.

“When you guys were recovering, I had a talk with Damien and Ace. They’re getting Dimitri involved in tracking and confirming the phone used to text me these messages, but what Damien and Dimitri picked up is the style of wording is similar to the paper threats Felix has been getting for weeks since his arrival.”

“It’s the same person?” I’m not necessarily surprised, but you must carry a lot of hate in your heart to target more than one person over being able to love the same sex or more than one individual. It feels like a vendetta hovering over the idea, but there has to be a bigger coincidence for them to be on the same team.

“That’s what they believe. With the reports of the threats, Mr. Champion encouraged us to look for housing outside of the dorms after our contracts were signed and confirmed. We obviously had intentions like many, but not everyone was going to leave. A lot of the guys didn’t mind the dorm conditions. It was a lot better than what we’ve dealt with in years just to gain our hockey experience. However, Mr. Champion didn’t like the continued threats Felix was getting. Dimitri told him every time they received another one. The frequency was too often when the building had security and only approved residents were allowed entry.”

“Meaning it has to be either someone on our team or on the other team,” I acknowledge.

“Are they thinking it’s Jayce?” Maddox brings up, and it gets my attention. “He tried to stop me from entering the building to get to Mikayla. I went off on him and punched him in his eye. I’ll probably be suspended from the team for violence.”

“Y-You punched him?” I can’t help but be shocked because Maddox rarely loses his cool to the point of violence. It didn’t mean he wouldn’t protect me with his life if someone threatened me in any way, but you really had to push every button of patience to the brink of destruction to get a reaction.

Then again, the woman he loved was in a burning building. I guess if the roles were reversed, I’d punch, kick, or toss anyone out of my way so I could get to Maddox and save him from the hands of death.

“Honestly, I barely remember it. I don’t even remember what I said,” Maddox admits and looks into my eyes. “All I cared about was getting to you.” His eyes briefly lower to my neck, where I’m still wearing his necklace. “Time was everything, and any seconds spent uselessly would increase the risk of me not reaching you. I didn’t want him further interfering in stopping me.” He pauses as he squeezes my hand.

“The Chief of the Fire Department that night is the same one who told me years ago that we’d never work as a team in circumstances like these. He belittled my ideology of being a team and being swift as a unit to save lives. One of my colleagues had a similar philosophy of teamwork, and we’re proving time and time again that by working together in desperate times, it’s possible to save everyone before the fire takes a life. The chief hated that our partnership was being praised and was beginning to say shit like we were gay, and that’s why we were trying to taint the station with all these new laws and LGBT-approving stances. We didn’t have feelings for one another in the slightest, but he was no doubt a dear friend to me. Someone I could actually rely on.”

I can see the sadness in his eyes as he tries to smile.

“Our last rescue ended up with him getting stuck on the top floor. I went in to help him, not knowing there was a child that was stuck. No one else wanted to go back in there to help lift the pile of wood that had fallen on the kid, trapping them in place, and when I confronted the chief right there, he told me he wouldn’t sacrifice any more of his men over a child. The window was closed, and we just had to accept our losses.”

“Maddox,” Wolfgang whispers.

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