Page 64 of Open Net

I turned and met her steady gaze. “What do you mean?”

“It isn’t my place to say.” Of course not. “But you need to support her. I know you have a lot to work through and you’re facing your own challenge, but she needs you. Her mom and the rest of us are trying, but there are things only a husband can do. Burdens only you can lift.”

She patted my arm before walking away.

I hated that she was being cryptic, but I appreciated that she gave me any information. No one else was willing to do that. I knew Emma was tired and probably overwhelmed with everything, but Lucy made me think there was something more. Something I’d missed. I needed to find out.

I went through the motions of greeting the kids, taking pictures, and helping a few of the kids that were well enough to walk around try shooting against Derek. As much as I wanted them to be shooting at me, I knew my knee couldn't take it. Plus, the kids were having fun and that’s what mattered most.

I caught glimpses of Emma throughout the day, but I didn’t get another chance to talk to her. My best option was to go home. I knew she probably wouldn’t show up if she knew I was coming, but I needed to see my boy.

“You ready?” Grant stopped next to me. I nodded and pulled my phone out of my pocket. I texted my mother-in-law asking if it was okay to come by and followed him out to his car.

“Are you hungry?” Grant asked.

“Not really.” I was too nervous to eat. I stared down at my phone waiting for her reply. By the time we pulled out of the parking lot she had sent me a single word. Yes. It was all I needed. “Would you mind dropping me off at home?”

He glanced at me for a brief moment. “My home or yours?”

“Mine.”

He changed lanes and made a left toward the hills where I lived. “About time.”

He mumbled it loud enough for me to hear. Yeah, no kidding. I’d been acting like a coward for the past week. It was time to face my mistakes, no matter how bad it hurt.

I wiped my palms on my jeans when he pulled onto my street. I’d never been this nervous to go into my own house. I didn’t know what to expect. Did Janice hate me? She had every reason to. We’d always had a great relationship. She was more loving and motherly than my mom had ever been. But that was before.

“Call me if you need a ride.”

I nodded and opened the door. “Thanks man.”

I watched as Grant backed out of the driveway before walking to the front door. I stared at the handle. Should I let myself in or should I ring the bell? What if Jackson was sleeping? I didn’t want to wake him. I blew out a breath and tried the knob. The door opened so I took that as my sign.

I walked through the foyer to the living room where I heard the TV. Janice sat on the couch watching the local news. She turned and smiled. “Hi Olli.”

Well, she hadn’t thrown anything at me or cursed my name. That was a good sign.

“Hi.”

She stood and made her way to me, opening her arms and pulling me into a hug before I had the chance to register what was happening. Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around her. After a few beats she stepped back and gazing up at me with a raised eyebrow.

“You have some explaining to do, son.”

I nodded and followed her back to the couch. I sat across from her and glanced around. I didn’t see Jackson in his portable crib, so I figured he was sleeping in his room. “Can I just I see him?”

“In a minute. You and I have some things to talk about.”

“I snapped, Janice.”

She didn’t move or speak a word. She wanted me to talk.

“The delivery was a nightmare. Literally, it still haunts my sleep. Emma was in so much pain. It was like nothing could go right, then after Jackson was born...” I paused, “I thought she was going to die. I thought I was going to lose her forever.”

Her gaze dropped to the ground, but she still didn’t say anything.

“Then we got home, and Jackson didn’t stop crying. He was up at all hours. We were both so exhausted.” I rubbed my hands over my face. “Then the injury happened. I was hurt, but I had no idea how bad it really was. I thought just a few weeks of physical therapy and I’d be back. It took about a week or so for them to tell me the gravity of it. Being told I was out for the season was devastating. It terrified me. Still does.” I sighed. “Then losing my number one endorsement. It was like one thing after another. I snapped. I couldn’t take it anymore. I felt like one wrong move and everything would come crashing down. Every time I thought it couldn’t get worse, it did.”

Her eyes scanned my face before she sighed. “It’s not fair what you two have gone through. Especially in such a short period of time.”