Page 24 of Open Net

I blew out a tight breath and winced when I tried to move my leg. “Fine. Whatever.”

I knew Coach would want me to go to the hospital anyway so I might as well make it easier on everyone. Nathan helped me out to the waiting ambulance and headed toward the hospital I’d spent the previous week at. This was the last place I wanted to be. Everything needed to be okay. I couldn’t put Emma through anything else. I couldn’t stress her out more than everything else already had.

I was taken directly to the MRI machine without having to wait. They knew the routine. The hospital was always on standby when there was a game going on. It wasn’t uncommon for one of us to end up in their ER, impatient for answers and treatment.

Once I was in a room, the doctor walked in. He was much less pleasant than the nurses we had in the labor and delivery.

He was direct and to the point. “You’ve torn your ACL.”

I swore, shaking my head. “Are you sure?”

“Yes son. We’re going to have to wrap it. That’s all we can do right now. I’ll let Nathan and Coach Romney know, but right now there’s someone that wants to see you.”

He opened the door and Emma rushed in. “Oh Olli. What happened?”

I pushed myself up on the pillows to a sitting position and held up my arms. She fell into them, shaking a bit. “It’s nothing, sweetie. I promise I’ll be okay.”

She scoffed. “I saw that guy come at you. It was a deliberate hit. He should have been removed from the game. He got a major penalty and we scored, but that’s not enough.

That wasn’t what I was hoping for either, but I knew the guys would get justice for me. “What’s the score?”

She shook her head and sniffed while wiping her eyes. “Of course, that’s what you care about.”

I waited and she rolled her eyes. “We won. Don’t worry, the rookie didn’t let anyone score.”

I sighed. “I’ll be back in there for the next game, just watch.”

She shook her head. “I don’t think so, Olli. The doctor told me it’s a torn ACL.”

We both knew what that meant. “I’ll recover in a few days, Emma.”

“I don’t think it’s going to be that easy.” Her voice was a whisper.

I wanted to run from that exam room. I wanted to scream. I didn’t want anyone telling me that this is a major injury. I didn’t want to think about what would happen next or what this meant for my career. If I was out for more than just a few games.

I wasn’t in the mindset to miss out on the season. I wasn’t mentally or emotionally prepared to not play. I’d been gearing up for this and Emma knew that. It would be okay. I tried to believe that.

“Where’s Jackson?” I asked.

Her expression went slack, then she brightened with a smile that seemed almost fake. “Kendall is watching him. I took off for the car the second you got hurt. I knew exactly what was going to happen.”

“You knew I was going to end up in the ER?”

She nodded. “They were out for blood.”

“I’m sorry this happened. The last thing I wanted was to have you worry about me.”

She smiled sadly. “It’s part of the job description of being a hockey player’s wife. We’re going to get you better and you’ll be back on the ice before you know it.”

I wanted to believe her, I really did. I wasn’t going to let myself succumb to the darkness. Too many players let themselves get depressed when they get injured. Erik had recovered quickly and I would just get Madi, Coach’s daughter, to be my physical therapist. She’d have me back in shape before anyone realized I was gone.

“When can you head home?” She sounded tired and I felt a new wave of guilt for adding to her stress.

“The doctors are just finishing some paperwork and then we can go. Do you think the team is coming?”

She shook her head. “I sent them a text that I would take you home. If they want to see you, they’ll meet us there.”

“Thanks for that.” The last thing I want is another team reunion in a hospital room. My chest tightened. This is the last place either of us wanted to be, especially her. I couldn’t believe that this happened.