Chapter 80 hidden war
The hospital room felt different tonight. Usually, it felt like a sad place full of medicine and bad news. But tonight, it felt like a war room.
Leo was sitting up in bed with his laptop on his lap. Jaxson was sitting in the chair next to him, still wearing his new jersey with the "C" on the chest.
They weren't talking about the injury anymore. They were talking about hockey.
"Julian is going to try to mess with your head, Jax," Leo said. He pointed at the screen, showing a video of a game from last month. "He knows the team is divided. He’s going to tell the scouts that you can’t handle the pressure. He’s going to try to make the game all about him, even if he’s not the Captain."
Jaxson nodded. He looked focused. "I know. He already tried that in the locker room. But the guys didn't listen. They want to win, Leo. They’re tired of the drama."
"It’s not just about the guys," I said, stepping into the room. I had been standing by the door, listening. "It’s about my father. He’s furious that Julian lost the vote. I saw him on the phone at the house earlier. He was shouting about 'investments' and 'failures.'"
Leo looked at me. "What do you think he’ll do, El?"
"I think he’s going to try to pull the funding," I said. "He told the university board that if the team isn't 'stable,' he won't pay for the new equipment or the travel for the championship. He’s trying to scare the school into forcing Coach Reed to change his mind about Jaxson."
Jaxson stood up and started pacing. "He can’t do that. That’s cheating."
"He doesn't care about cheating," I said. "He cares about winning. To him, the Vipers are just a way to show off. If he can't control the Captain, he doesn't want the team to succeed."
Leo slammed his hand on the bed. "We have to stop him. Jax, you need a plan. You can't just play a normal game. You have to play a game that makes the scouts forget about the money and only see the talent."
Jaxson stopped pacing. He looked at Leo. "Tell me what to do, Cap."
For the next three hours, they worked together. Leo showed Jaxson the secret plays he had been saving for the finals. He showed him how to move the puck in ways that Julian wouldn't expect.
They looked at the Husky team's weaknesses. They talked about how to use the rookies to confuse the older players.
It was amazing to watch. Even though Leo’s leg was broken, his brain was still the best in the league. He was teaching Jaxson everything he knew.
"You have to be the glue, Jax," Leo said, his voice serious. "When things get hard on the ice, they’re going to look at you. If you look scared, they’ll be scared. But if you look like you’ve already won, they’ll follow you into a fire."
Jaxson leaned over the bed and grabbed Leo’s hand. "I’ll do it. I promise."
The next morning, I went to school early. I wanted to check on my research lab before the day started. I felt like I was living two lives. In one life, I was a doctor-in-training, working with test tubes and data. In the other life, I was a girl caught in the middle of a hockey war.
As I walked through the science building, I saw a group of men in suits walking toward the Dean’s office. One of them was my father’s head lawyer. My heart sank. He was here to pull the money.
I followed them quietly, staying behind a large pillar.
"Mr. Vance is very clear," the lawyer said to the Dean. "He doesn't feel the hockey program is being managed properly. He thinks the recent 'vote' shows a lack of discipline. He is considering moving his summer medical grant to a different university as well."
The Dean looked nervous. "But Elena Vance is our top student. The research is already starting."
"Then perhaps she should convince her friends to be more cooperative," the lawyer said.
I felt a surge of anger. He wasn't just attacking the team. He was attacking my research too. He was using my own hard work to try to force me to change Jaxson’s mind.
I waited until they went into the office, and then I ran to the gym. I found Jaxson on the ice. He was alone, practicing his shots. The sound of the puck hitting the boards was like a gunshot in the quiet arena.
"Jax!" I yelled, running to the edge of the glass.
He skated over, breathing hard. "What’s wrong?"
"He’s doing it," I said. "He’s at the Dean’s office right now. He’s threatening to pull the team’s money and my research grant. He wants them to kick you off the team, Jax."
Jaxson didn't look surprised. He just looked tired. He leaned against the glass and sighed. "I knew he’d try something. He can't stand losing."
"What are we going to do?" I asked. "If the Dean listens to him, you won't even be able to play next week."
Jaxson looked around the empty arena. He looked at the banners hanging from the ceiling. "He thinks money is everything. He thinks he can buy a championship. But he forgot one thing."
"What?"
"The fans," Jaxson said. "The students. They love this team. They don't love Arthur Vance. They love the Vipers."
"What are you thinking?"
"We’re going to make it public," Jaxson said. "If he wants to pull the money, let him do it in front of everyone. Let the whole city know that the great Arthur Vance is trying to destroy a college team just because his friend’s son didn't get a title."
"That’s dangerous, Jax," I said. "He’ll be furious."
"He’s already furious," Jaxson said, his voice getting stronger. "I’m done being afraid of him, Elena. And I think you are too."
I looked at him, and I realized he was right. My father had spent my whole life making me feel like I was nothing without his help. But I had earned that 'A' on my own. I had done the research on my own. And Jaxson had won that vote because the team believed in him, not because of a bank account.
"Okay," I said. "What do we do?"
"Gather the team," Jaxson said. "Not in the locker room. In the quad. Right in the middle of campus. We’re going to tell them exactly what’s happening."
An hour later, the quad was packed. Word had spread fast. Students were standing on benches and leaning out of windows.
Jaxson stood on the stone steps of the library. He wasn't wearing a suit. He was wearing his Vipers hoodie. The rest of the team stood behind him, even the ones who had voted for Julian.
They looked like a solid wall of red and black.
"Listen up!" Jaxson shouted. The crowd went quiet. "Most of you know what happened to Leo Vance."
The crowd cheered.
"But," Jaxson continued, his voice getting louder.