Page 31 of Open Net

I slumped down and pulled a bag of food toward me. I focused on unwrapping my burger, so I didn’t have to see Emma’s reaction to the news Madi laid on me. “I asked Madi about when I’ll be returning.”

Colby turned toward me. “Really?”

I peered up at her and nodded. As a PR rep she was probably already coming up with ways to spin the news or release it with the biggest bang.

I glanced at Emma who was biting her lip. I narrowed my eyes. Did she already suspect the worst? Might as well tell them the truth. “I won’t be back this season.”

Colby’s jaw dropped. “No.”

My eyes darted from her to Emma who was staring at the floor. “I’m sorry, Olli.”

Why wasn’t she surprised? “Did Madi already tell you that?”

She swallowed and shook her head. “No, the doctor did.”

I set down my uneaten burger. “When?”

“The night of the accident. At the hospital.”

I stood up, too stunned to sit and take this information in. “You’ve known for weeks?”

She finally met my eyes and nodded once.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

She sniffled. “Honestly, I thought the doctor told you that night.”

I blew out a breath. “But I’ve been talking about it for weeks. Wondering when I’d be able to go back.”

She shrugged sheepishly. “I didn’t know how to tell you.”

Anger boiled up from my stomach until it reach my mouth, begging to be released. “Emma. How could you not tell me? How could you let me go on thinking it would only be a few more weeks? That I’d be back by Christmas at the latest?”

She shrank back. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t be the one to disappoint you.”

I shook my head and turned to Colby who seemed just as shocked as I was. She blinked a few times before turning to Emma. “I wouldn’t know how to tell Noah that either.” Emma didn’t react so Colby turned back to me. “Maybe it’s best it came from your physical therapist and not your wife.”

I couldn’t believe she was taking Emma’s side. “Since when do we keep secrets from each other, Emma?” I took a step toward her and she flinched. I stopped and stared at her. Was she actually afraid of me? I shook my head and walked out of the kitchen. I needed to blow off steam, but I was limited by my stupid crutch and brace. It wasn’t like I could go running like I normally did when I was upset.

I went to the home gym and got on a bench with the intention of doing some bicep and shoulder workouts, but I just sat there.

Emma had changed. Ever since the baby, there’s something off about her. Now she was hiding things from me? If she could keep this to herself, what else? What else wasn’t she telling me?

It felt like a kick to my gut when she admitted she knew. I couldn't believe it.

The door to the hall swung open and Colby walked in, still carrying Jackson. “You want to hold your son?”

I closed my eyes as a new wave of guilt swept over me. I’d been so caught up in myself I’d completely neglected him. “Of course.”

She placed him in my arms then stepped back to lean against a leg press machine. “You know, you might want to take it easy on her.”

I stared down at my son’s perfect sleeping face and some of the anger dissipated.

“I know.”

“I don’t think you do, Olli.”

I gazed up at her challenging expression. “What did you say?”