27. Oskar
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
OSKAR
The team plane lands in Ottawa right before noon. I am glad this is the final stop on our road trip because my body is sore all over. In eight days, we’ve racked up four wins and a loss. At least we have today off before tomorrow night’s game, and I’ve never been more thankful for a recovery day.
My teammates keep saying I’ll get used to the grueling schedule.
“That’s part of what your rookie year’s about,” Kendrick told me once. “We all go through it.”
Kai’s advice seemed more realistic when I talked to him before the latest marathon.
“Kendrick’s right that you’ll get used to it,” he’d said, “but it’s all relative. The schedule stops seeming unusual, but we play a very physical sport. You never get used to being constantly worn out.”
The exhaustion lulls me into a deep sleep as soon as we arrive at the downtown Ottawa hotel. I don’t wake up until Carson and Kendrick bang on my door and inform me that I’m going with them for a walk.
They wait in the lobby, and after a quick shower, I find a message from Kai. The Condors have arrived home from their own roadie. We haven’t seen each other for… Fan, it’s been nearly two weeks.
KAI: How’s my big guy today? Tomorrow’s it, right? Then you’ll be home?
I feel better than I have all day as I type a response.
OSKAR: We’re flying home after the game tomorrow night, and I can’t wait to see you!
His reply comes immediately.
KAI: Come to my place? I don’t want to wait even a few extra hours.
OSKAR: Will you still be awake?
KAI: I promise I will be up… and waiting.
Fuck. It’s been so long I have to rearrange my pants before I can reply.
OSKAR: I’ll text on my way from the airport. And I’m already up.
OSKAR: Have to meet my teammates now. Take it easy today.
KAI: Have fun. See you tomorrow!
KAI: Wait! Did you take your vitamins yet?
Shit. I go back into the bathroom for my toiletry bag.
OSKAR: Taking them now, Mamma. I forgot.
KAI: You always forget. Lucky you have me to remind you.
I swallow the pills.
OSKAR: Very lucky.
The wind is sharp enough to bite. I pull my coat tighter, watching my breath fog as we walk through the ByWard Market. Carson is a few steps ahead, waving his arms as he talks about a poutine restaurant he swears is the best in Canada. Kendrick is walking beside me, not saying much.
“Seriously, Oskar, you’ve gotta try it,” Carson calls over his shoulder. “Cheese curds, gravy, and fries. It’s a religious experience.”
“If you insist,” I say. “On the condition that you try surstromming when we get back home. I’ll bring some to practice one day.”
He glances back again. “What the hell’s that?”
“Fermented herring. Delicious.”
“Holy hell,” Kendrick says. “That makes me feel like puking.”
The wind almost swallows Carson’s big laugh. “Count me in, Olly. I eat grasshoppers in Texas. Mexican delicacies.”
Kendrick makes a gagging sound. “Now I know I’m gonna puke.”
The wind picks up, making it hard to hear anything. I don’t mind because my thoughts are busy with Kai.
I keep remembering the time I watched him work on his LEGO. We fell asleep together on the couch afterward, and I woke up the next morning holding him. The city was buzzing outside, but he was fast asleep. Kai is most beautiful when he sleeps because all his shields are down.
“Earth to Oskar,” Kendrick says. “You almost walked into a lamppost.”
I blink, pulling myself back to the present. “Sorry. Too busy thinking.”
“About the mystery woman in New York, I bet,” Carson says, falling back to walk with us. “She keeping you distracted from important things like poutine?”
I force a laugh and think about Kai.
As we pass a shop window, Kendrick insists we go inside. The store sells high-quality men’s clothing, and we wander around, enjoying the warmth and checking out the inventory. Kendrick picks out a shirt while Carson tries on some pants. They fit him well, so he buys them.
While they’re paying, I spot a dark gray sweater. It’s simple and made of cashmere, like the ones Kai wears. Before I can second-guess myself, I take it to the register.
“Glad you found something you like,” Carson says as the clerk rings it up.
“Damn, Olly, that’s nice.” Kendrick looks at the clerk. “Do you have that in any other colors?”
“I’m sorry, sir,” she says. “Those are handmade, and that is the very last one. Your friend was lucky to find it.”
Perfect. Kai will have something unique.
We go back outside, but the wind soon drives us into a coffee shop. While we stand in line, Kendrick mentions his anniversary is coming up, and he needs a gift for his wife. That gets Carson talking about his latest friend with benefits.
Kendrick shakes his head. “Don’t know how you do it. I need stability.”
Carson shrugs. “It’s not like I don’t want that. Just waiting for the right girl.”
“Keep the faith,” Kendrick says. “You’ll find her when you least expect to.”
The espresso machine hisses while Carson turns toward me. “So, for real, Olly. When do we meet your girlfriend? You should bring her to that team dinner we’re having for Thanksgiving.”
I open my mouth, ready to deflect. But…
No. I can’t do this.
I brace myself and look at them. “Not a woman, actually. It’s a guy.”
Neither of them flinches. Kendrick raises an eyebrow, and they trade a quick look.
“Oh.” Carson gives me a nod. “Okay. Cool.”
Kendrick grins. “You should bring him to the dinner then.”
A ridiculous amount of relief settles inside me. This mattered so much more in my head than it does to them.
“What’s his name?” Kendrick asks.
“Next in line,” the cashier calls, saving me from having to answer. I step forward and order black coffee, the Swedish standard.
By the time we get our drinks, the conversation has shifted, and we all seem more relaxed. Kendrick complains about an Ottawa defenseman he thinks is one of the league’s worst bullies, while Carson insists the guy is a coward who backs down if challenged. They may both be right.
“Fuck that dude anyway,” Carson tells us. “Ottawa’s not our biggest rival.”
They aren’t. The Condors are, and when we play them again next month, Kai will be on the other end of the ice.
Later that night, after discovering that poutine is delicious enough to be Swedish, I’m in my room watching the city lights. Kai and I had texted during the team dinner, and I open the messaging app to read the exchange again.
KAI: Could we talk now instead of later? I can barely keep my eyes open.
I’d considered leaving the dinner, but decided not to. Players have to trust their goalie, and we’re all still getting to know each other.
OSKAR: We’re still at dinner. Go to bed, baby. You need your rest for when I get home tomorrow.
KAI: That’s what I was thinking. How’s the chocolate mousse?
OSKAR: How’d you know I got chocolate mousse?
KAI: You always get it.
I’d laughed so hard Carson looked over and raised his eyebrows.
OSKAR: You never complain when we’re together.
KAI: Because I like it when your kisses taste like chocolate.
Tomorrow, we can kiss for real.
OSKAR: I’ll eat a chocolate bar on the way to see you tomorrow.
KAI: And you’ll get an extra reward. Go finish dinner.
OSKAR: Okay. Go to bed.
Looking back out at the city, I wonder if Kai is still awake. I type a message.
OSKAR: Had fun walking around Ottawa today. It’s nicer than I expected. We will have to come here together sometime. Natti natti, hj?rtat.
There it is, our first heart emoji. I hope it doesn’t scare him, but why should it when he already knows how I feel about him?
At least I think he does.
When he doesn’t text back, I figure he’s already sleeping.
Sweet dreams, baby.
I put the phone down and run my finger along the folded sweater on the bedside table. I cannot wait to see how good he looks in it.