Page 92 of Wrong Pucking Jersey

When Jayce arrives, Ace is already skidding to a stop off to the side to hear the ultimate verdict.

“Left leg, your calf specifically. It’s why you’re not able to fully extend when you need to speed down the ice,” Dr. Francisco announces as though it’s a common thing. Maybe it was, but having him speak only proves that I was not only right, but it’s something that can become a lot worse if not tamed. “Confirmed with the drills that you couldn’t finish because of the pulsing pain and bend of your leg. Intern Nurse Johnson is correct.”

Has to throw in the ‘intern’ part.

I stop myself from rolling my eyes, but my eyes lock onto Jayce as they fume. He hates when I’m right. Always has, even when we were dating.

Right now, he thinks I’m doing some sort of scheme. Payback for breaking my heart. I’m not sure what’s going through his mind, but it’s not something I want to make my business.

At the end of it, I’m just doing my job.

In this case, Mack’s job while she’s stuck on the toilet, shitting for her life.

“You heard Doctor Francisco’s report, Winchester. Off the ice,” Coach Johnson strictly states. “You’ll have to see Jefferson Mill Grayson of PT to get an assessment. He’s an intern but knows his shit. If you want a third opinion, I’ll call Loid Blackstone, Director of Physical Therapy, to take a look.” He pauses before he crosses his arms over his chest.

Honestly, we look almost identical if not the obvious fact I’m female and 5’5”.

“Now, why don’t you do the proper thing and apologize to Nurse Johnson for assuming her observation skills, education, and experience were inadequate to your standards?”

I fight off a smile because I know if I dare let my lips curl, this boiling man of fury will skate right off the ice.

He’s glaring at me, an expression I’m used to by now, but with the pressure of everyone waiting for his apology matched with the odd heavy silence that descends from Coach Johnson’s grand reveal, my ex can’t run away from this one without making himself look like a coward.

“Sorry.”

“For?”

I have to glance over at Ace to confirm he’s the one prompting Jayce to apologize ‘properly.’ It reminds me of preschool when one kid stubbornly says the apologetic word but doesn’t want to acknowledge the issue that led down that road.

“Sorry, Nurse Mikayla Johnson, for dismissing your expertise in the field of health and ignoring your warning to not skate on the ice with my injury.”

I know that took everything in him to say.

“And?” Ace persists and I arch an eyebrow at him. He smiles, sweaty and all, but he’s not backing down until he hears what he wants the rest of the audience to hear.

“And sorry for calling you a bitch,” he huffs.

“He called our nurse what now?” Marcus calls out, and I swear the man is going to come on the ice.

Maddox beats him to it as he’s skating toward our group and skids to a stop in three damn seconds.

“Do you guys just all carry inhuman speed?” I have to ask cause what the hell? I blinked, and Maddox is here.

Being held back by Ace, who’s far too amused by Maddox’s reaction.

“Alright, Captain. Before you get in a fistfight for no reason, I handled the situation and Jayce apologized,” Ace urges, but Maddox doesn’t think that’s enough with his grit teeth.

“Who do you think you are calling our nurse a bitch, Winchester?” He growls. “Did you go to school for fucking medicine, accelerated all your courses, finished kinesiology in one year instead of three, or commit to doing school all year long?”

Jayce mutters something under his breath but glances at Maddox.

“I apologized, O’Riley. What else do you want me to say?”

“Go on your damn knees and do it,” Maddox shouts, and Ace chuckles.

“He can’t, bro. He’s injured.”

We all sigh before I decided to calm Maddox down before he gets into an unnecessary fight.

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