Page 54 of Wrong Pucking Jersey

I’ve never been so mesmerized.

My eyes dart from left to right, fighting to track where the puck goes with each pass and command that’s bouncing through the air in this hollow stadium. My heart is hammering against my chest, my inhales taking longer to become exhales as I hold my breath when the puck nears either net.

I’ve seen hockey games in the past. My childhood revolved around them with peak teams that were famous across the world.

Yet this…

This is so pucking different because it involves men I know. Men I care dearly for and still worry about. I can’t help but be glued to this game that feels like both teams are fighting to decide which set of team medical support members they get to acquire.

A tiny part of me wants to assume that they’re fighting to claim me.

Biting my bottom lip for what has to be the tenth time, my eyes are on Maddox just as he steals the puck and races down the ice with everyone on his tail. I never knew Maddox was so fast on the ice. In the past, I’d see him casually skate here and there. He’d play a few games with the other guys, but it never got serious. However, here this massive beast was gliding down the ice like he weighs absolutely nothing.

What draws me in the most is how electrifyingly happy he is. The expression on his face, the thrill of burning excitement this casual game was delivering his endorphins with every passing second. He was alive, breathing heavily, and moving swiftly with purpose. This was delivering the satisfaction of being alive.

I once saw it when he first started firefighter training, but it dimmed just as quickly. This, however, is so different.

Special.

This was the sport—career—that made Maddox feel alive.

He looks my way at that very moment, those shining honeycomb eyes even more radiant than usual, and there’s a playfulness in his eyes. One that dances in joy while he’s admiring the way I’m staring at him in return.

He’s not being serious.

It dawns on me with a slight tilt of my head. He notices my every move, even as he’s almost at the net of his opponent and can finish them with a single move.

His smile only grows into a wide grin.

Then Jayce comes out of nowhere and tackles him to the board.

“Eyes on your enemy, Viper!” Jayce shouts and has the puck in his possession.

Some of the Vipers are cursing and chasing after Jayce, but Maddox just stays back, his smile still glued on his handsome face.

Wolfgang is at his side in seconds, asking him something, which makes Maddox shrug and laugh. Then they’re looking my way before they’re both grinning and joining back in the hockey shenanigans.

“What are these boys doing?” I mutter to myself as I cross my arms over my chest.

“Playing smart,” Dr. Bridgett declares as she glances down at me. She has long curly blonde locks that go into an ombre shift to turquoise blue. I feel like it’s risky for her profession, but I absolutely adore it.

“Don’t know how that looks smart to you,” Dr. Francisco huffs and glares our way. “Where’s your second team nurse?”

“Running late, it seems.” Dr. Bridgett doesn’t seem worried about it. “You know how hard it is to navigate this place during rush hour. He probably got lost.”

My partnering nurse is male. Cool.

Compared to hockey, which is predominantly male, nursing is predominantly female. It was nice to see a male nurse from time to time.

“No excuse,” Dr. Francisco complains and glances over his shoulder at his set of nurses. “Neither of you be late or don’t even bother showing up. I don’t have time to babysit.”

“Yes, Dr. Francisco,” the nurse next to Alexandra declares.

I still don’t know her name, but she’s a platinum blonde with short hair and gives me Karen vibes. She’s one those students you know would suck on their professor’s cock if it meant straight A’s and wouldn’t get them expelled.

“Got it,” Mack dryly comments.

From the look on Dr. Francisco’s face, I know he wants to talk back, but cheers ignite into the air, grabbing our attention to the ice once more.

---