Page 42 of Open Net

“Do you think he would be better at a rehab center?”

I turned toward her. “He’s not an addict.”

She shook her head. “No, I mean like a center that specializes in recovering from injuries and surgeries.”

My shoulders fell. “I can’t take care of Jackson alone, Chloe. I practically am already, but not having him around at all? I don’t know if I could do it.”

She nodded. “I get that, but you’re not alone. I will move in if I have to.”

I smirked, but she remained serious.

“I will,” she vowed. “Olli needs to get better. Mentally and physically.”

“He’d never agree to it.”

She was quiet for a moment. “He would if Coach suggested it.”

“You mean required it?”

She shrugged. “I’m not saying he has to leave tomorrow, but if something like this happens again, I wouldn’t hesitate to call in the big guns, if I were you.”

I didn’t want it to come to that. If it happened again, which I prayed it wouldn’t, I hoped Olli would realize for himself that something needed to change. It was wishful thinking, but I didn’t feel right sending him off. We needed each other. We’d always been a team. A pair. Incomplete without the other.

What happened to us?

I lay back on the bed and closed my eyes. Thoughts of our trip to Mexico before his car accident flashed through my mind. Walking on the beach at sunset, cuddling in bed as the morning sun woke us up, and laughing. We were always laughing together.

When was the last time either of us laughed?

We were supposed to be the stable couple in the group. The old married couple. The ones that had it figured out.

Now we were lost. Each day taking a step farther away from each other. I wanted to run back to him, to close the distance, but I didn’t know how.

“I’m cracking, Chloe,” I admitted.

I felt movement and peeked open one eye to see her lying next to me, watching me.

“I’m her for you, Emma. We all are,” she said.

I closed my eyes and nodded. It was exactly what I needed to hear. I wanted to tell her how I was failing Jackson. How it didn’t feel like everyone said it would. How he didn’t feel like mine.

Shame kept me from opening my mouth.

One crisis at a time, and right now Olli came first. I’d get my turn later when the rest of my family was safe.

I heard footsteps coming up the stairs, too quick to be Olli. I sat up and Chloe did too.

“Hey.” Reese’s shoulders fell in defeat as he walked into the room and sat on the sofa near the window.

“Did he talk to you?” Chloe asked what I was also wondering.

“He’s had a rough few weeks and today it was one thing after another. I’m not condoning what he did, I’m just trying to understand him.” His eyes met mine briefly before turning away. “He’s not used to missing out on the action. He hates being benched and I understand. Then today one of the guys introduced Derek to the new trade as the goalie. I mean, he was technically correct, but it was a blow to Olli. Then he was told they’re pulling up a goalie from the farm team. I think it just set in finally. He’s going to be out for the full season, and it became real today. The thing that broke him was losing Legendary though. I mean, that’s millions he’s missing out on. That’s millions you’re missing out on too, Emma. He’s panicking about providing for you and Jackson.”

I fought the burning desire to roll my eyes. “That’s crap, Reese. He doesn’t stop getting a paycheck because he’s injured. We’re fine. More than fine. We have savings and investments. Money can’t be the problem.”

Reese nodded. “I think it’s probably more his ego than anything. Saying it’s about providing for his family makes it seem noble, but you’re right. It’s a lame excuse. There is no excuse for him losing it today.”

“He scared me,” I blurted out.