Page 62 of Open Net

Talking with Dr. Elliot had helped in ways I hadn’t expected. My outlook changed. I knew where I’d screwed up and how I was working to fix it. But Emma hadn’t even let me get that far. I wanted her to know how hard I was trying to change. For her. For Jackson. But she didn’t give me the chance. Not that I deserved it.

She probably wouldn't believe me anyway. I’d been seeing the good doctor for a week. That wasn’t enough time for someone to change, but I swear it was for me.

“It’s better than her hanging up on me” I said with a sigh.

“Did she really do that?”

“No. Chloe, Colby and Kendall all have though.”

He laughed. “If you pick a fight with one you lose to all of them.”

I nodded. “I’m very aware of that fact. Normally I’m grateful for it. I’m glad Emma has that kind of support. I knew she would be taken care of, but now they’ve turned against me. They’ve built up a fortress around her and I’m worried they won’t ever let me back in.”

“She’s your wife. They can’t keep her from you forever.”

I scoffed. “You haven’t been around the Pride long enough.”

He shivered. “A week in Mexico was enough for me to see how evil and brilliant they can be. They definitely take care of their own.”

“It’s a little scary isn’t it.”

“That’s why they’re a Pride, right? A pack of lionesses?”

I laughed. “They got the name from the fans. They said the wives had the most team pride in all of the NHL. Soon everyone, including themselves, started calling them the Pride.”

“So not a lion reference?”

I shook my head. “Not intentionally.”

“I still wouldn't want to be in a confined area with one if she was hungry.” He paused. “Or angry. Bored. Slightly inconvenienced.”

“You picked up on that fast.”

He nodded. “I got the full immersion experience that week.”

“Not all women are like that.”

“Yeah, I’m sure they were all nice and normal until they met each other. Look at Lucy, she’s just as protective and involved as the rest of them and it’s been like two months.”

He was right. They had a weird way of indoctrinating new members. They welcomed them with open arms and let them into their secret society.

When we got to the hospital and saw a group of the Pride by the front doors, Grant froze. “Did we summon them?”

“I don’t think they work like Beetlejuice.”

He shook his head. “I’m not so sure.”

“Well, we are at a team event. One that Chloe organized. Of course, they’re here to support her.”

“And their men.”

I laughed. “Yeah, right.”

I walked away and slapped Erik on the back. “Hey man.”

He turned and gave me a half smile. If there was anyone holding a grudge against me like the Pride, it was him. Even Hartman had warmed up over the past couple of days.

“Emma’s here.”