Page 56 of Wrong Pucking Jersey

“You’re right, Jayce,” he begins while his eyes never leave mine. I’m lost in the hypnotic expression as he helps me put my arms through the huge sleeves of his jersey that smells of sweat and rich cologne that can make a girl weak in the knees.

Trust me. I’m doing everything in my power not to go down like a typical hockey fan.

“To be a good loser is to learn how to win. I’ll keep that in mind for next time.”

With a saucy wink, he looks back to the man in question, who’s no longer smiling with victory. He’s frowning while noticing my flushed cheeks.

He’s obviously trying to ignore that I’m wearing his rival’s jersey.

I bet you he feels utterly stupid.

Poor guy.

“Though, I feel like I won this round,” Maddox whispers on purpose, knowing damn well only Jayce, Dr. Bridgett, and myself would hear him.

With a spin and a grab of his stick, he’s skating back to his boys, who begin hollering in pride.

“Got him!” Ace cheers.

“You’re a sly bastard, O’Riley!” Wolfgang teases. “Mishka! Stay right there and pose for us. We need advertising material!”

“I got my phone on me,” Damien admits, and now the rest of the team understands.

“Shit, you did that on purpose!!” Clayton is gawking in surprise.

“Wow, we got played,” Ethan admits.

“Listen up, boys,” Maddox is all captain ready, even as he’s shirtless and sporting all those sexy tattoos. “We may have lost, but we got the grand prize wearing our jersey.”

His group of players hiss and chant with pride, acting like they won a championship.

“Group pic with the coach’s daughter!” A guy with purple hair suggests.

“I like the way you think, Felix!” Maddox declares and is pointing my way before he turns his hand and brings that index finger in. “Nurse Johnson, we need a sore loser pic. Skate over here.”

“I can’t believe this,” I groan while Mack bursts out laughing.

“You guys are acting like you won the damn lottery! Just admit, you crushing hard on my bestie!” Mack doesn’t give a flying puck about professionalism in instances like these.

The guys whistle while Maddox shrugs.

“Maybe I do.”

“OH!!!” Now both teams are hooting and whistling at Maddox’s bold move.

I take the opportunity to get on the ice for my own sanity and get this skate of shame over with, so I know what team I’m on and get back into the swing of things.

Reaching Maddox, I skate around him while giving him an ‘I know what you’re doing’ look.

“?? ?????? ???.” You’re loving this.

“?????????? ????? ?????, ? ? ?????? ????, ??? ?????? ? ????? ???,” Meet me after this, and I'll show you how much I'm loving this. I watch the way he tilts his head up mockingly, even though his eyes are doing the opposite. Skidding to a stop right in front of him, I have my hand on my hips and get into authoritative mode.

“Gather here, Vipers! Unlike you sore losers, we got shit to do!” I declare and see the shock on their faces to see my short frame ordering around these six-foot-plus men. “If I count to five and you’re not here, you lose your chance to be in the picture! Fi—”

The way the men topple over each other just to skid my way has me snickering while Maddox is groaning in embarrassment.

“Get your balls out of a knot and get in number order!”

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