Chapter 78 Divided house
The hospital room was quiet, filled only with the hum of the air conditioner and the rhythmic beep of the heart monitor. Leo was sitting up, looking much better than the day before. He was flipping through a magazine, but I could tell he wasn't really reading it.
I was sitting in the corner, staring at my phone. I kept thinking about my father, about the fully funded research position he had manipulated for me. It felt like a trap, yet it was the very thing I had worked my entire life to achieve.
The door opened, and Jaxson stepped in. He looked tired, his hockey gear bag slung over his shoulder, but his eyes lit up when he saw Leo.
"Hey, Cap," Jaxson said, his voice dropping into that respectful tone he only used for my brother.
Leo dropped the magazine and gave Jaxson a genuine, lopsided grin. "Miller! Get in here. I’m going stir-crazy. Tell me what’s happening at practice."
Jaxson walked to the side of the bed, glancing at me before answering. "It’s... it’s different. Everyone’s trying to stay focused, but it feels like the energy has been sucked out of the room."
I stood up and moved closer to the bed, my brow furrowed. "Jax, did you hear anything about the leadership vote? Coach said it’s happening today."
Jaxson’s face hardened. He pulled up a chair and sat down, his hands resting on his knees. "Yeah. It’s happening right now, actually. Julian is running the meeting since I’m here with you guys."
"Julian?" Leo asked, his expression darkening. "He shouldn't be running the meeting. He’s not the Captain."
"He’s acting like he is," Jaxson said, his voice cold. "He’s been walking around the locker room like he already owns the place. He’s telling everyone that we need a 'strong hand' to win the championship, implying that if they vote for me, they’re voting for chaos."
I leaned against the foot of the bed, crossing my arms. "It’s not just the team, Jax. My father is playing a game, too. He got me this research position fully funded, everything paid for but Dr. Aris told me my father made a few calls to make it happen. Why would he suddenly be so helpful? He’s been trying to bury my medical ambitions since I was a teenager."
Leo looked between us, his confusion growing. "Dad is helping you? Are you sure? That doesn't sound like him."
"That’s exactly the problem," I said, pacing the small space. "He’s not the kind of person who gives things away for free. He’s trying to buy my silence, or maybe he’s trying to distract me so I don't pay attention to what he’s doing with the Vipers or with you."
Jaxson nodded slowly. "It’s all connected, El. Think about it. Your dad and Julian’s father are business partners. If Julian becomes Captain, the Vipers become a commercial brand for their companies. If I become Captain, they can’t control the team. Your dad giving you this grant? It’s a way to make sure you stay loyal and stop questioning his moves. It’s a bribe."
I felt a chill run down my spine. It made perfect sense. By making me successful on his terms, he was trying to turn me into a partner in his game.
"I won't let him use me," I whispered.
"We need to stop him," Leo said, his voice regaining some of its old, sharp authority. "Jaxson, you have to get back to that meeting. If Julian is there twisting the truth, you have to be there to set it straight."
"I can't leave you," Jaxson said. "I’m the only one who knows what really happened on the ice. If I leave, Julian will tell everyone I’m abandoning the team."
"Go," Leo commanded, leaning forward despite his injury. "I’m fine. El is here. If you aren't in that locker room, he’s going to win by default. Don't let him take the team, Miller. Don't let him turn the Vipers into just another business deal."
Jaxson looked at me, looking for my permission. I nodded. "He’s right, Jax. We can handle things here. You have to save the team."
Jaxson stood up, his jaw set in a line of iron. "I’ll be back. I’m going to make sure those guys know exactly who they’re voting for."
Back at the university arena, the locker room was filled with the sound of heavy breathing and the clicking of skates. The Vipers were sitting on their benches, looking nervous.
Julian Vane stood in the center of the room, his "C" jersey already laid out on the bench behind him. He wasn't wearing it yet, but the message was clear. He was polished, his hair was perfect, and he was smiling that same fake, winning smile he had worn in the hospital.
"Look, guys," Julian said, pacing in front of them. "We all know we’re in a tough spot. Leo is a legend. We all love him. But he’s out. And if we want to win this championship, we can’t have someone who’s constantly distracted by hospital visits or... personal dramas."
He glanced pointedly at the empty spot where Jaxson usually sat.
"We need a leader who is focused on the game," Julian continued. "Someone with the right connections, someone who understands the business side of this sport, and someone who won't get us into unnecessary fights. You’ve seen how Miller acts. He’s a liability. Do you want to be known as the team that started a brawl in a hospital, or the team that brought home the gold?"
A few players murmured in agreement. Julian sensed he was winning. He stood taller, his voice dropping to a persuasive, quiet tone.
"I’ve talked to the scouts," Julian lied smoothly. "They’re watching this vote. They want to see maturity. If you vote for me, we move forward as a professional, winning organization. If you vote for Miller, you’re voting for the past. It’s your choice."
Just then, the heavy metal door to the locker room creaked open.
Jaxson walked in. He looked like he had been through a war. His jersey was rumpled, his hair was wild, and his eyes were burning with a cold, quiet anger. The room went silent. You could hear a pin drop.
Julian’s smile wavered for a second, but he quickly recovered, leaning back against the lockers. "Nice of you to join us, Miller. We were just finishing up."
Jaxson didn't even look at Julian. He walked to the center of the room, his eyes scanning the faces of his teammates.
"Julian says this is a business," Jaxson started, his voice steady and calm. "He says you need to vote for the guy with the right 'connections.' He says you need to choose the guy who won't cause trouble."
Jaxson took a step closer to the group. "He’s right about one thing. I’m not a businessman. I don't know the scouts. I’m just a guy from the sticks who loves this game. And I know that when Leo went down on that ice, the only thing that mattered wasn't the championship or the connections. It was the fact that we were a team. We were brothers."
He pointed toward Julian. "Julian wants to lead you for a trophy. I want to lead you for the guy who gave his leg for this team. You vote for whoever you want. But if you vote for him, you’re voting to stop being a team and start being a company. And if you ask me? I don't think we’re a company. I think we’re the Vipers."