Page 67 of Open Net

I rolled my eyes and poked my fork at the Caesar salad in front of me. I hadn’t had much of an appetite since Olli came over last night. It was too hard to see him acting normal and having to remind myself that he’d lost it. He’d put Jackson in danger. I wanted him to come home more than anything, but I knew he needed to finish treatment first. Whatever Dr. Elliot was telling him was working. I’d heard it from Coach, Madi, and even a few of the guys had called to tell me how much he’d improved. That was all reassuring, but I need to hear it from Dr. Elliot. She knew I was waiting for her all clear. When she thought he was ready, she would let me know. Until then I had to do the hard thing.

“It’s too hard to be around the team,” I said. “I’m sure they all know, so either I end up looking like a monster, he looks like a monster, or they ask me what’s going on. I don’t want to deal with any of that.”

Addison pursed her lips. “From what you’ve told me, these people are the closest thing to family you have. I think they’ll love and support you. They don’t think you are a monster. I’m sure they’ve given Olli crap, but that’s his fault.”

I shrugged. I’d told Addison all about the team dynamics and she’d met a few of the girls when she’d been over at the house. I wasn’t expecting to talk at the support groups, let alone make a friend, but I was so grateful to have someone that knew exactly what I was going through.

She was a single mother, her fiancé left her when she told him she was pregnant, and she was the strongest woman I knew. She made me feel tougher too. Seeing her handle things with poise and resilience gave me the belief I could do the same.

Jackson was still asleep in his car seat and if I was lucky, he would stay that way until we were done with lunch. After I got him changed and fed, it would be the perfect time to take him to the arena. But was I ready for that?

Elijah, Addison’s five-month-old son, stirred in his car seat, but remained asleep as well. It was like they knew we needed the break.

“I’ll go only if you come with me.”

Addison blinked, then blinked again. “To practice?”

I nodded.

“Is that allowed?” she asked.

“With me, yes.”

“Will Kendall and Chloe be there?”

“Yeah, they should be. Unless Kendall has class.”

She thought about it for a moment. “Okay. I’ll go.”

It was silly, I knew everyone on the team, but it made me feel better knowing I’d be walking in with her. Someone that understood how hard it was to leave the house, let alone have people see you. She knew how hard it would be to see Olli again.

“Thank you.”

Once we finished eating, we loaded up into my car and headed over to the place I considered a second home. Addison was taking in the underground parking lot like it was behind the scenes of Disneyland.

“So, all the guys park here?” Addison asked, wide-eyed.

I nodded. “For the most part, yeah.” We walked across the parking lot to the elevator. Soon we were heading down to the locker room level. Practice should have ended by now, so hopefully the guys were already showered and dressed. I didn’t want to scar Addison for life.

She was studying the halls and photos with such interest. I almost asked her if she wanted a full tour, but I heard my name being called. I turned around to see Hartman hurrying toward me.

“Hey,” he said, “I didn’t know you were here. I didn’t see you at practice.” He wrapped his arm over my shoulder pulling me in for a side hug.

“I just got here.”

Addison was grinning at Hartman like a star struck teenager.

I said, “This is my friend, Addison.” I paused, waiting for her attention. “Addison, this is Kendall’s boyfriend, Wyatt.”

Hartman offered his hand to shake. “Nice to meet you, Kendall told me about you and your cute son.”

I was pretty sure Addison was freaking out inside, but she held it together. It was hard for me to remember these guys were a big deal. I rarely hung out with people that weren’t somehow involved with the Fury, so I didn’t see these reactions all that often.

“Nice to meet you, too,” Addison said. “Your girlfriend is so sweet. She brought us the most amazing iced chai lattes the other day. I thought I’d died and gone to heaven.”

Hartman smiled proudly. “She has a gift.”

He turned back to me and took the baby carrier from my hands. “Now let me see my little man.”