Page 57 of The Sin Bin

Jax felt it too—the weight of expectation pressing down as he worked through gap control drills with Marcus, their movements synchronized after years of being paired together. This wasn't just another tilt in an eighty-two game grind. This was Philly. This was Wilson. This was the team that had taken out their starting tendy and headhunted their rookies. And with playoff seeding on the line, the stakes couldn't be higher.

"Thompson," Vicky called from center ice. "Over here."

Jax skated over, aware of his teammates' curious glances. Getting called out during morning skate was rarely a good sign.

"What's the plan for Wilson tonight?" Vicky asked without preamble, her voice pitched low enough that only he could hear.

The directness of the question caught him off guard. "Thought the plan was to focus on hockey, not settling scores," he replied carefully.

Vicky's sharp eyes assessed him. "It is. But that rat bastard's going to be looking to get under your skin after last time. I need to know your head's screwed on straight."

Jax took a moment to consider his answer, aware that this conversation was about more than just tonight's game. It was about his evolution as a player, about the trust Vicky had placed in him with increased minutes and responsibilities.

"I'm good," he assured her. "If Wilson crosses the line, I'll deal with it. But I'm not going headhunting."

Vicky studied him for a long moment. "I got a call from the league office this morning."

Jax's stomach dropped. "About?"

"About you." She gestured for him to follow her away from the rest of the team, toward the empty bench. "They're watching you specifically tonight. Michelson himself called to inform me that if you engage with Wilson in any capacity that isn't strictly hockey-related, they're considering an automatic ten-game suspension."

"Ten games?" Jax's voice rose in disbelief. "That would take me halfway through the first round of playoffs, if we make it."

"That's the point," Vicky said bluntly. "The league is making an example of both of you after that video went viral. Wilson got the same warning."

"So if he runs one of our rookies again—"

"Someone else handles it," Vicky cut him off. "Norris knows. So does Kane. You stay clean tonight or we potentially lose you for crucial playoff games."

The unfairness of it burned in Jax's chest. This wasn't just about him and Wilson anymore—it was about his ability to protect his teammates, to fulfill the role he'd played for years.

"I'm matching you and Adeyemi against their top line tonight," Vicky continued. "I need you to shut them down. Hard but clean. Got it?"

"Got it," Jax confirmed, though the tension in his jaw betrayed his frustration.

"By the way, PR wants to see you after practice. Something about that service dog program?"

"The dogs were good for team morale," he said. "Oliver in particular."

"Mmm," Vicky hummed noncommittally. "Well, the suits upstairs were impressed."

"Lauren will be glad to hear that," Jax replied before he could catch himself, earning a knowing look from his coach.

"I'm sure she will be," Vicky agreed, then her expression turned more serious. "You know the media piranhas will pick up your romance right? You're not exactly flying under the radar after that tilt with Wilson went viral."

The reminder was unnecessary but Jax appreciated the warning nonetheless. The thought of Lauren being subjected to media scrutiny made his protective instincts flare, but it was an inevitable reality of his public profession.

"We'll handle it," he said simply.

"Good," Vicky said with a brisk nod. "Now get back to work. I want to see that neutral zone trap tightened up before tonight. You're letting too much daylight through on the weak side."

After practice, Jax sat heavily in his stall, unlacing his skates while mentally processing Vicky's warning. Ten games. The league had never come down that hard on him before, not even when he'd broken Simonson's jaw two seasons ago. The implicit message was clear: adapt or become expendable.

"You look like someone pissed in your protein shake," Marcus observed, dropping onto the bench beside him. "Coach give you a hard time?"

"League's threatening a ten-game suspension if I fight Wilson tonight," Jax said, keeping his voice low.

Marcus's eyebrows shot up. "Shit. That's harsh."

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