59. Kendall
Kendall
hey question
what’s up
Kai wants Akio and I to go to one of his games soon.
I was thinking of going to their home game this weekend.
Would you and Maddox want to go with us?
sure that sounds cool!
Let me see if my moms available to babysit.
Is that okay?
Idk if I want to wrangle him at a hockey game all night.
Sure. Akio is coming just for the game and I’ll drop him off at the sitters if we get dinner or anything after
What time is the game?
4
Okay cool
There’s one more thing…
Okay…
How do you feel about going on a blind date with one of his teammates after the game?
It’d be a group outing but he has a teammate I think could be good for you.
Please don’t hate me
I don’t hate you. I am a little intrigued.
What’s his name?
Jax
Jesus of course he has a sexy name
You won’t regret this!! I promise
You swindled me Kendall.
You had ulterior motives for this game.
It will be worth it.
Idecide to double down and send her a very attractive picture of Jax from one of his social media profiles.
Fuck me
That’s the idea
He’s like male model attractive…
And you’re about to have yourself a hot girl spring
and hot girl summer okay?
You’re welcome
Kai and I had discussed the idea of going to his game this upcoming weekend.
But something about Akio and I attending alone, being in the spotlight feels a little too exposed, too real.
I just want to have fun and enjoy watching Kai without any additional pressure.
I figure having Emma come with us would alleviate some of that.
I’ve also asked Kai a few times to set Emma up with one of his friends or teammates.
This feels like a golden opportunity that I can’t pass up.
Kai has met Emma twice now and he’s unnervingly adept at reading people.
I trust him when he says Jax is a genuine person and that he could be a really good match for her.
Two days later, we’re sitting in a VIP skybox with a few other players' families and it feels surreal. The drinks are flowing as we snack on various deep fried appetizers and finger food. The energy of the crowd is anxious, excited, hopeful. And honestly, so am I. I’ve watched so many of his games on my small television in our apartment or from the screen of my iPhone.
But this is different. This is how it always should have been.
Him on the ice and us in the stands. I’m so incredibly proud of him and I’m honored that he wants us here to support him.
“There he is!” I practically scream, pointing him out to Emma and Akio. “You gotta yell for him real loud, Akio, okay?” I say. He shakes his head up and down emphatically, a wide grin spreading across his face.
“Yay, Kai Kai!” Akio yelps excitedly. I also make a point to show Emma exactly where Jax is on the ice. She shoves me with her shoulder but I see her cheeks redden along with the hint of a smile.
God, I forgot how good he looks all suited up in his gear.
His eyes are focused, serious, determined while he moves with speed and precision.
He’s a predator on the ice and he has the merciless wrath of one too.
Over time, Kai’s muscles have been cut and strengthened to deliver dominance and perfection.
His impressively large body is only made bigger by all of his pads.
He takes his cage off, some wisps of hair already plastered to his forehead, and smiles at me, a big goofy boyish grin.
He then proceeds to wave his stick in the air.
Like we aren’t close enough to know exactly where he is at all times.
I hear a loud whistle before Kai blows us a dramatic kiss and skates off.
Then the game begins.
Akio has pressed his face against the glass of the VIP skybox, totally captivated by the game taking place in front of him.
“Right there!” he says beaming, eyes wide.
“That’s Kai Kai!” Kai glides across the ice like he’s made for it—fluid, fast, controlled.
Number 23. No matter how hard I tried, I could never forget that number or the man wearing it.
The back of his jersey, the way he moves on the ice is as familiar as his voice.
And playing hockey is like breathing for him.
Easy. Effortless. The stick might as well be an extension of his arm.
He swoops in front of the net, gets a pass from the wing, and—GOAL.
The arena erupts with manic frenzied energy.
Lights flash, a horn blares and Akio jumps in my arms, unable to contain his excitement.
We watch Kai skate past the glass, and for a split second, he glances up—eyes searching the skybox.
I don’t know if he sees us, if he feels how loud we’re cheering for him, but my heart bursts at the thought anyway.