Page 30 of Open Net

I closed my eyes, repressing the desire to grab the closest weight and throwing it through a wall. “March?”

She sighed.

“Please tell me it’s before Playoffs.”

“Olli…”

“No.” I started to stand, using the wall as reinforcement. “No, Madi.” She stood and reached out for me, but I pulled away. “No.”

“Olli, I’m so sorry, but with the severity of your injury it’s going to take a while to build up your strength. We can’t risk you going back too soon and permanently damaging your knee. It would be career-ending.”

I fell back against the wall and gazed heavenward. This wasn’t happening. I couldn’t be out for the season. That was it right? “Am I coming back? Ever?”

She nodded fervently. “Yes. You’re going to play again but we can’t take any chances. An injury like this takes time. If we rush it, that may be it.”

I understood, but I didn't like it. “There’s nothing else we can do? More training or a different treatment?”

She shook her head. “You already had the surgery. Now it’s giving your body time to recover. We’ve got to build your muscles back up and make sure your knee is strong enough.”

I glanced down at my knee like it was a traitor. It had failed me.

“Why don’t you head home?” She said. “We can pick this back up tomorrow.”

I nodded and went to my bag, picking it up along with my crutch. “Thanks, Madi.” I sighed. “I’m sorry. I’ll try not to be such a jerk.”

She laughed. “If you think this is bad, you should have seen Erik. He was such a diva.”

“See ya.” I walked out to the elevator and headed to my car. As awful as this was, at least it was my left leg. I was able to drive myself as long as I stayed off my pain medication which was fine with me. I hated how they made me feel.

I picked up some burgers on the way home. It wasn’t much compared to everything Emma was handling, but I hoped it relieved some of her stress.

I told everyone she was doing okay, but I was worried. She seemed withdrawn. Her once bright, captivating personality had dulled since Jackson arrived. Probably because she was so tired. Exhausted from caring for a newborn. I wished I could do more to help, but mastering the stairs wasn’t something I’d accomplished yet. It was my number one goal, which is why I asked Madi to start me on the step as soon as I was able. Granted, the one I was using was half the height of a full step on the stairs, but it was still progress. I’d get there soon.

I needed to be patient. Madi said it. Emma said it. Everyone on the team had said it. Too bad I was terrible at waiting.

If I was the religious type, I’d have thought this was a lesson from above. Maybe I’d figure it out, but right now I was just frustrated.

I pulled into the garage and managed to get my crutch and bags of food balanced before heading inside. I heard voices in the kitchen and headed there.

Colby was leaning against the counter with Jackson in a football hold. I was pretty sure it was Brassard who’d figured out this was Jackson’s favorite and I would kiss him for it. Jackson had fussed less since that discovery, saving mine and Emma’s sanity.

“Hey guys.” I set the bags on the counter and ducked down to kiss the little guy.

“How’d it go?” Emma asked, looking like she’d spent the day hiking in the jungle rather than at home with a baby. Her hair was greasy like it had been in a bun a day or two before but now was a floppy mess on the side of her head. Her makeup-free face appeared drained, and judging by the purplish circles around her eyes, she was exhausted. I loved her more than ever in that moment.

“It was rough, but I’m making progress.”

I felt guilty complaining to her. She was at home taking care of another person. All I had to do was follow Madi’s directions for exercises. Sure, it sucked, and I’d rather be out on the ice, but it wasn’t much compared to what she was going through.

“That’s good.” She sounded tired.

“How was your day?”

She glanced at Colby then back at me and shrugged. “We survived.”

I’d heard that from her a hundred times over the past few weeks. I tried to be home with her as much as possible, but I still had sponsors and endorsement opportunities while I was injured. As long as my knee brace was out of sight, the companies didn’t care that I wasn’t currently playing. I was still a big name in the NHL which was good for me. My contract was still being paid out, but I wanted to take advantage of the offers for extra money. Some of the other guys on the team didn’t like endorsements, but I didn’t mind. Sure, some companies had weird restrictions and policies, but with a wife and baby at home there was little chance of me getting in trouble.

“That’s all anyone can ask from you” I said.