Page 55 of Open Net

She nodded. “Of course, you are. It derailed your plans.”

“Yeah and took me out for the entire season.” I had to remind myself to stay calm even though my blood pressure was higher than when I skated wind sprints.

“Are you angry at the player that hit you?”

“For a few minutes. I know even though the hit was intentional he didn’t mean to hurt me.”

Her eyebrows rose just a few millimeters. “That’s a very good mindset.”

I shrugged. “Injury is a risk that comes with my occupation. I’ve taken hits before and been on the injured list.”

“But not for this long?”

I shook my head.

“So, you’re frustrated. What else?”

Wasn’t that enough to sum it up?

“I’m angry I’m missing out of games. I hate that I’m letting the team down.” She nodded and wrote something down. I didn’t bother trying to see what. “I lost a major sponsor because of it.”

She met my eyes and frowned. “That’s what made you upset?”

So, she knew about the office incident? I wondered who told her.

I let out a sigh. “Yes.”

“I can’t imagine how that would feel to lose that sort of opportunity. I’d be angry too.”

I met her steady gaze. “Really?” Everyone else made it seem like I was crazy for being upset.

“Of course. Those are hard to get and they’re a major source of income for athletes. I’m sure you were worried about how it would affect your household.”

I nodded. “It’s not like we were depending on that money, but it was a loss we’ll feel. Emma constantly told me that we didn’t need to live with the level of comfort we had been. That she’d rather give more to charity and I was planning on doing that with the money from Legendary athletes. I wanted it to go toward the startup of our own foundation.”

She nodded. “I think your friends and family understand that.”

“They didn’t seem to that night.” I growled.

“I think they were more concerned about you. How you handled it.”

I stared down at my lap. It wasn’t my proudest moment. If I could take it back I would, but it felt like that was the moment things changed.

“There was another occurrence like that?” she asked.

I nodded. She already knew and I hated that she was going to make me talk about it. “It was a mistake. I was in pain. I was tired. It was a moment of weakness.”

She nodded like she understood.

“I would never hurt my family. I didn’t know where I was aiming. I wasn’t used to Jackson’s bouncer being there.” I peered up at her. “I swear I would never do anything to hurt them.”

She tilted her head again, the expression in her eyes gentle. “I know that, and I know your family does too.” She let that sink in for a moment. “But you have to understand how scared Emma was, and Kendall. Kendall did what she had to. She was just protecting Emma and Jackson.”

I nodded. “I know.”

“So, you’re not upset with her or your teammates?”

I shook my head. “I’m only upset with myself.”