Page 90 of Wrong Pucking Jersey

“Winchester. You pull something?”

“I didn’t pull shit,” Jayce argues, speaking far too loud for a simple issue of not stretching.

“Then let’s race,” Ace brings up. “You beat me. I won’t say shit.”

“Racing shouldn’t determine shit,” Jayce argues.

“You’re the fastest on your team, aren’t you? What? The Pincers are getting soft now when a challenge hits them in the face?” Ace mocks and takes a step in front of me before he leans into Jayce’s space. “Beat me, and I let you off. Lose, and you’re going to quietly sit your ass on this fucking bench for the rest of your game and remember to stretch from now on.” Then his voice further dips while his expression is so cold, I suddenly feel how frigid it is in here.

“Call our Heartbreaker Queen a bitch again, and I’ll knock you out so fast, you’ll wish we never crossed paths, Winchester,” he threatens. “Don’t forget, when I win, you’re going to apologize to our girl.”

Our girl.Did he literally just say that in front of so many people?

No one says a single thing in response.

He leans away and looks to his left.

“Dr. Francisco? You can observe and confirm if Nurse Johnson is right or not, yes?”

The man looks annoyed at being called by someone who isn’t on their team, but he huffs. “Fine. Make it quick. I’m a professional. I don’t need to waste my valuable time.”

“Certainly, Doc. Apologize in advance,” Ace states and has a sinister grin on his face as he looks back at Jayce. “Let’s race, shall we?” He turns back, gently pats my head like I did some kind of job well done, and is on the ice before anyone can say something to stop him.

Jayce curses but follows, leaving Dad to give me another look.

“Not my fault,” I defend and cross my arms over my chest. “Just doing my job.”

“He’s stunting you guys,” Wyatt agrees with me as he shrugs. “Noticed but figured Doc would have the final say.”

“Doctor Francisco is brilliant. Of course, he’s going to point out any injuries and flaws before we do,” Caren with a C declares.

I didn’t even see she was there. If she was standing there the whole time, she isn’t doing her job.

That annoys me.

“Then what are you doing?” All eyes are on me, but I don’t back down when Caren is pouting her lips and glaring my way.

“I’m paying attention. Jayce has been skating just fine.”

“Left leg. Watch it,” I declare and look forward as I notice Ace and Jayce are ready to race.

The other guys end up moving to one side of the rink, noticing something is going on, but look unsure about the context of this competition with one of the Vipers.

“Observe, and maybe you won’t fail your internship.”

“What?” Caren begins, but Doctor Francisco raises his hand to silence her.

“Focus.”

Coach Johnson gives me one final look before he skates over to the two men, ready to race down the line. He grabs two pucks and places them on the ice in front of them.

“You’re doing two drills. Race down with the puck is the first drill. Second, skate crisscross like you’re going between pylons. That’s it.” He looks between them and adds, “No complaints about no markers. You two are grown-ass men who’ve played hockey for years. You know how to do these drills by now.”

He has a point. Fair enough.

Coach Johnson skates backward, his eyes on the two competitors before he raises his hand.

“Three. Two. One. Go!”

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