Page 277 of Wrong Pucking Jersey

“HE GOT AWAY WITH IT ALL. HE KILLED MAMA, BUT ALL THANKS TO MONEY…POOF. THE PROBLEM WAS GONE.” I tremble, desperate to punch the lockers behind me again, even with my bleeding fist. “IS THAT WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN? I’M GOING TO WALK OUT OF HERE… OUT OF THE CAREER I LOVE TO SEE EVERYONE TURNING A BLIND EYE TO WHAT WINCHESTER DID?”

“No, Wolfgang,” Maddox whispers and takes a steady step forward. “He’s not getting away with it this time.”

“Why? Because it was done in public? Because he hit a woman out in the open instead of the shadows?” I don’t even know why I’m fighting this. Is it this triggered reaction that’s making me lose my fucking mind, or is the shock finally sinking in with everything that unfolded on the ice?

I can’t figure it out.

There’s not an inch left of capacity to think properly anymore.

“He’s hurt plenty of people, Maddox! Lied. Manipulated. Used his dad’s money to get everything he fucking wanted. What’s different now? What’s going to stop him from waltzing out of custody and getting back on the ice? No one will stop them. As long as you have money, you rule the fucking world, and all those who are poor pieces of scum are forced to be stepped on!”

“Wolfgang,” Maddox takes another step forward, his hand reaching out to gently press against my cheek. “He won’t get away with it this time.”

“Six years, Maddox. Six years of threatening me that if I dare got what I want, I’d lose it all,” I barely whisper. “This is it, right? My punishment for thinking I can be happy with you and Mishka, yes? That’s why all of this is happening. I’m going to lose… you and her… and the rest of our crew. The team… being a goalie… everything.”

“You’re not losing a single thing, dammit.” Maddox curses and cups my cheeks so he can kiss me long and hard.

The press of affection only opens the gates of fear, nervousness, sadness, and uncertainty, leaving me to sob uncontrollably as he pulls me into his arms.

“You know Oscar didn’t do that shit. He’s innocent, yet he’s in jail. They’ll make sure Jayce walks. That he’s free to do what he fucking wants. Again and again, while we suffer the end of the stick.”

“If that’s how this town wants to handle things, let them,” Maddox whispers as he rubs my back. “If an environment no longer serves you, we go somewhere that will.” He pulls back and kisses me again. “Whatever happens, we’re in this together, Wolfgang… the entire team. If it means it’s over for us, who fucking cares? We’ll move towns, cities, and provinces. We’ll leave Canada if we have to, if it means going to a country that will accept us and condemn violence, abuse, manipulation of services, and blackmail.” He presses his forehead against mine, his own tears falling as he takes a steady.

“No matter where we go, one thing has to be crystal clear. There’s nothing wrong with you, Wolfgang. There’s nothing wrong with loving many and being loved in return. If this little town can’t see it and supports what just happened on the ice, so be it. We’ll go where they don’t and start all over again.”

“You guys… can’t…” I can’t bring them down with me. I don’t expect the hand that grips my shoulder. My gaze moves to see Damien’s teary eyes. It’s clear he’s been crying, and I soon realize the remainder of the team is in the changing room, tears pooling and streaming down their cheeks.

“If we have to start over again,” Damien continues with Maddox’s words. “Then we do it as a team. No matter where we have to go.” He squeezes my hand and leans in to kiss my temple.

“As for Winchester, he’s not the only one who has Daddy’s money. If he wants to play fire with fire, let him. By the end, I, Damien Owens, will make sure there’s not a single penny left to his daddy’s name, then we’ll see how far he can get in this cruel world.”

I look around, seeing the support of the men who’ve become brothers to me over the weeks we’ve played together. None of them are backing down from this.

I know in my mind that this battle will be fierce and potentially get dirty, but I’m convinced we have a shot at ending this cycle.

“They’ll be no turning back,” I point out.

“We’re not running away, Augustus,” Coach Cyrus’ voice surprises me, as it does everyone to see him leaning against the door frame. Unlike his usual expression of encouragement and pride, his face presents a blank canvas of emotion. He’s hurting, just like all of us, but he’s holding it together so we can make this verbal pact.

“Is everyone in favor of sticking by Augustus and the path we’re about to go on to get Harvey and Nurse Johnson justice?”

“FUCK YES!” they all cheer, triggering a new set of tears as I can already envision Mikayla correcting us.

“Puck, yes,” I mutter with a sob.

“C’mon,” Maddox encourages as he takes my wrists in his grasp so he can show the damage to my fists. “Let’s get you wrapped up and head to the hospital.”

I lift my head enough to look up into his gaze.

“Once we ensure Ace and Mikayla are good, we bring Winchester down.”

The finals are no longer on our minds.

All that matters is justice.

Nothing Will Tear Us Apart From Being Champions

~MADDOX~

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