Page 39 of Open Net

I went to my office and sat behind my desk. An envelope sat waiting for me. I picked it up and turned it over. I wanted to ignore my gut. I had a bad feeling about whatever was inside. A day like this could only get worse. There was no chance it was a check for a million dollars or a contract extension.

I slid my finger under the seal and opened it. I hesitated for a minute before pulling the folded paper out.

The instant I saw the logo I knew. My heart pounded against my chest and my vision narrowed. I could only see one horrible word at a time.

Legendary Athletes was dropping me. A multimillion-dollar endorsement. Gone.

One stupid injury and they thought my career was over?

I threw the paper to the ground then stared at my desk. The MVP statue from last year’s all-star game stared at me. Mocking me. Laughing at how far I’d fallen in such a short time.

Before I could reconsider, it was in my hands then thrown across the room. It hit the bookshelf taking it down with it. Priceless memorabilia clattered to the ground.

I didn’t care.

It felt too good to feel bad about it.

”Olli?”

Emma’s voice sounded a world away.

I picked up my first game puck from the edge of my desk and stood. I stared at the framed pictures decorating the wall. Moments of my career. I threw the puck as hard as I could aiming for my first NHL game. The glass exploded in a million pieces.

I felt like I could breathe again.

The door to the office swung open and Emma entered with Jackson in her arms. Still howling.

“Olli, what’s going on?” She sounded desperate.

I glanced at her, but it wasn’t enough to break the spell.

I hobbled to my trophy case and picked up an old college award. The weight in my hands was so much more gratifying than a game winning save. I didn’t bother choosing a target. I just pulled my arm back and threw it as hard as I could against the wall.

“Olli!”

I grabbed the next trophy and threw it. I did this with the remaining memorabilia. Over and over and over.

When the case was empty, I froze. Slowly the world came back into focus. I heard screaming and crying. Not just Jackson. I turned and stare to Emma who was holding Jackson tightly to her chest and sobbing.

I scanned around the room. Glass. It was everywhere. The walls had dents and holes. The carpet was a landmine of shards of glass and metal and wood.

I stared at my hands. Blood.

How did that happen?

“Olli?” Emma’s trembling voice barely carried across the room.

Her expression was desperate.

I dropped my hands and stepped away from my desk.

She stepped back and I froze. “Emma?”

She shook her head, tears running down her cheeks.

“I’m so sorry,” I said. “I don’t know what happened. I don’t know why I did that.”

“You didn’t hear me. I was yelling your name. Begging you to stop. You didn’t.” Her voice cracked. “What’s wrong with you?”