Page 92 of Wrong Pucking Player

Her slow breathing confirms she’s already fallen asleep.

Mittens’ purr soon follows, making me relax.

I manage to put the alarm on my watch for an hour and fifteen minutes, and it’s not long before I’m slipping away into the realms of sleep.

Despite an odd morning, this is the most content I’ve felt in years.

What a way to start the hockey season.

NOT THE PUCKING IDOLIZED NURSE

~MACKENZIE~

“Coach Johnson, you’re the official coach for the Saskatchewan Pincer Blades. Already aware of the name conflict. You can figure it out with the team before things finalize next week. Equipment Manager will be Wyatt Cyrus and will broaden when we’re not at home base. Also to be announced next week. Your medical support team consists of Dr. Ralph Francisco, with two new team nurse interns, Caren Delilah Ross and Alexandra Mackenzie Andrews.”

It’s official.

I’m one of the team nurses for the newly formed hockey team, Saskatchewan Pincer Blades.

“Caren with C. Not a K.”

I’m not the only one who slowly looks to my apparent ‘nurse partner in crime,’ who I’m going to be stuck with for the entire internship. One look at her and I knew she’d be one of those ‘pain in my asses.’

Or everyone’s ass.

Since all eyes are on the blondish brunette, she’s forced to cringe at the attention before she stands a little taller.

“Just saying.”

“Right.” Mr. Champion actually rolls his eyes. “Anyway. Let me be the first to officially congratulate you on making it onto the newest teams representing Ontario and Saskatchewan. I hope that we, the administration staff alongside this newly funded facility, can aid each and every one of you in achieving your future goals in the world of hockey.”

He looks across the teams, giving off a sense of pride as he dwells on the reality that the men here were probably chosen from thousands of applicants.

“Each of you were handpicked based on multiple factors. Despite all of you being Canadian born in your retrospective provinces, we looked beyond that. We reviewed the various states, teams, and other areas of experience all of you carry in unique ways. Realize that being chosen to join these two teams is a privilege that shouldn’t be taken advantage of,” he stresses. “We had a total of five hundred thousand players from across the globe apply for these positions. Even with narrowing it down to Canadians, it still left us with two hundred thousand candidates. Remember that when things get tough in this industry, but also remember that what you do from here on out can pave your future in hockey and create careers that will have you going to press conference after press conference, signing jerseys with your names on it.”

The way he describes it makes it so easy to picture just how important this moment is to be handpicked and offered this chance to become NHL Champions.

“We’ll go through the detailed introductions regarding each of our roles tomorrow, bright and early in the auditorium room next to the cafeteria. Don’t be late.”

He takes one more look at the players on the rink and smiles.

“Welcome to Strattonville Stadium. Let this sports oasis help you all reach your goals and accomplish your dreams of being all-star players!”

We all begin to clap as we remain balanced on the ice, everyone seemingly overjoyed by the official news that this new hockey initiative is about to begin.

Now that the formalities have been exchanged, all of this feels real.

When I woke up this morning in Oscar Armani’s arms, I was still thinking this was some sort of imagined tale.

That I hadn’t worked my ass off the last few years to finally get an internship that’s even beyond what I thought could be manifested.

I guess that’s the amazing thing about manifestation and believing in the Universe. Your mind can think you’re going to reach a certain level in life, and the Universe will find a way to surpass what you thought was possible.

“Congrats, Bitch!” Mikayla crashes into me, which makes me laugh as I hug her back. “We’re officially starting our internships.”

“Never thought I’d witness two teams battle on the ice just to claim the coach’s daughter on their team,” I tease with an added wink, making my bestie flustered in seconds.

“Oh fuck, don’t even remind me. I can’t believe that happened.”

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