Page 96 of Wrong Pucking Player

Coach Johnson follows my gaze and observes exactly what I’m emphasizing.

“Armani’s build is most promising for the goalie position. You can tell from the others on the team that he’s the best fit. I haven’t been able to assess the others and their designated positions, but we’ll do so all this week.”

I give him my full attention as he looks between Caren and me.

“I’ll need both of your assessments to aid in finalizing their positions. I know as the coach of the team, it’s my final say. However, I believe when building a team, getting a second, third, and even fourth opinion matters tremendously. I’m counting on both your expertise as well as Dr. Francisco’s observation and assessment of their physical and medical carts to determine what will be best for the team and put us in a strong enough standing to get through this new initiative and be the last team standing.”

When he says it like that, it makes me excited for what’s to come.

“Understood,” I declare with an added head nod.

“We’ll do our best, Coach Johnson,” Caren with a C sweetly declares.

“You two can meet me in front of my office,” Dr. Francisco encouraged. “Have your documents ready so we can finalize and get everything else sorted.”

“Yes.”

We leave the ice, both of us taking our skates off and proceeding to Dr. Francisco's office.

It’s not until we’re completely alone in the hall that I give Caren a side-eye.

“What’s the deal?”

“Hmm?” She looks at me like I’ve lost my mind.

“You defended me earlier and spun the narrative. Meaning you’re cunning as fuck and not the ditz of a girl you’re portraying,” I get to the point.

I’m observant as fuck. Something I had to learn as a child so I wouldn’t be further fucked over by the adults around me. Just because my aunt has fucked up my finances doesn’t mean I didn’t notice her actions. The only difference between her and everyone else was the underlying truth that we should have been family.

Family shouldn’t take advantage of you.

“Observant much?” she mutters and glances around before she leans against the wall near Dr. Francisco’s door. I proceed to do the same, feeling as if she wants to admit something but wants her eyes on both directions of the hall.

“Can you keep a secret, Andrews?” her voice is barely audible as she casually looks forward.

“If I have to,” I confess. “But depends on the severity. If I can’t tell Mikayla, then you better bribe me with something to gain my loyalty.”

I glance to my left as she glances to her right, the two of us sharing a look.

“What if I bribe you with taking Winchester down before he aims to ruin Armani’s life?”

Wait, what?

My wide eye response only makes her further smirk as her eyes twinkle with mischief.

“Let me re-introduce myself, Andrews,” she begins and looks even more proud as her eyes narrow. “I’m Katherine Delilah Ross, FBI and Secret Services specialist. I’m working in alliance with the police in the underlying investigation of Jayce Winchester and his father.” Her smile becomes a full one that shows her perfectly white teeth.

“And I need your cooperation to stop that man from destroying Armani, Cyrus, Johnson, and even Mr. Champion’s livelihood before this season ends.”

Holy pucking shit. What did I just get myself into?

THE OPERATION WITHIN THE SASKATCHEWAN PINCER BLADES?

~MACKENZIE~

“So, you’re literally a spy!” I emphasize before adding, “Why did you dye your hair orange?”

“It’s still brownish,” Caren with a C—aka Katherine, aka the spy who’s an undercover FBI secret agent—mutters as she pauses her notetaking to glance my way. “My natural hair is neon orange, but I had to dye it brown so I could quote unquote ‘blend in.’ Utter bullshit, really, but all my commanders are men, so my opinion normally doesn’t matter.”

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