Chapter Six #3
Steven looked like he was trying to stop himself from hugging Kai.
But the omega did look like they could use a hug.
“What are you studying? You said that you’ll graduate soon?” I asked. “Steven and I didn’t finish college. He was drafted, then signed, and I went free agent as soon as I was old enough. The team that signed me ended up trading me to the Scorpions after just a couple of games.”
“Are you going to go back and finish? I guess they weren’t able to wait until you completed your degree?” Concern flashed in Kai’s eyes.
“We basically were in college playing for our collegiate hockey teams to help develop our skills a little better. I don’t know, I might finish.
” Steven shrugged. “I was studying sports science, like you might study to be a PE teacher. I really haven’t thought much as to what I want to do after hockey, other than be with Ash. ”
Kai put a hand to their heart. “Awww.”
“I’d like to finish. I don’t have much left. I’d like to go to business school. My family has a logging business in Washington,” I explained.
“Oh?” Kai’s look went cautious.
“It’s a small business, and sometimes we struggle.
My dad has moved the family business to a sustainable, ethical logging model.
It’s why I wanted to study business, so I could understand things better.
My sister and my cousin are in environmental science and one of my brothers is an environmental lawyer.
We all kind of work together to keep things going, especially as other family members are all, Your sustainability is hurting our profits. ” I made a face.
“I think it’s really great that your family is trying so hard to be sustainable and you want to help.” Kai looked thoughtful.
“Thanks. Some people think that maybe we should just sell, but I like our little family business.” My great-grandfather had started it. Also, selling would probably mean someone would strip the area, instead of protecting it.
Our business wasn’t perfect, but we were trying.
“I’m studying ethnobotany. It’s sort of a combination of botany and anthropology.
My specialty is conservation–and that intersection between heritage and biodiversity.
Though originally, I got into it in high school because we did a lot of work with invasive plants and the environmental concerns that are being raised by them. ” Kai toyed with their glass.
“Oh, invasive species. Though I understand it more as insects that affect the trees,” I replied. That sounded like an interesting major.
“I like plants. What would you do with that?” Steven finished off his drink and reached for mine.
I let him, signaling the server for another round.
“I’m going into a PhD program in the fall at my current university.
Eventually, I’d like to work at a botanical garden or a conservation organization.
Either in Hawai’i or back in California.
Maybe up north in the redwoods.” Kai started showing us pictures of plants and projects.
“I’m doing a big conservation project with fish ponds right now. ”
The server brought us another round, and we ordered some snacks to help absorb the alcohol. We talked a lot about plants. Even Steven had some knowledge since he grew up in farm country, and he’d spent a lot of time with his grandma who had a prize-winning garden.
“You surf?” Steven asked, glancing at one of the photos. “Ash does, but it’s too cold up where his cabin is. We spend the off-season there in Washington State.”
“Yes. That’s why I planned a trip to Bali. I’ve heard that the surfing is cold up there in Washington. You probably need a good wetsuit. Do either of you snorkel or scuba?” Kai asked.
“I boogieboard a little,” Steven replied.
“I got my scuba certification back in high school. I haven’t done it in a while. I’m sure what I saw in the Pacific Northwest is totally different from what you’d see in Southern California or Hawai'i,” I replied.
Steven laughed. “Yeah, I grew up in the Midwest. No ocean.”
“Would you try?” Kai dared.
“Absolutely.” He nodded. But then Steven would try just about anything if you asked him nicely.
It was obvious that Steven was having a very good time, as was I. I looked at my phone and realized how late it was. Kai was easy to talk to, and it wasn’t just that they were studying something interesting that I could relate to.
Not to mention Kai and Steven had both read the same comic books that he spent way too much on and dragged me to comic things, while dressing up.
Kai laughed at Steven’s silly hockey stories and told us things about Hawai'i.
We also talked about this season and why making the finals was a big deal for our team.
“We should probably let you go upstairs before the aunties come looking for you. The hour ended long ago,” I said to Kai.
“Oh, wow. Time’s up already? I’ve been having so much fun.” Steven said as he finished off his beer.
Kai glanced at their phone. “Me, too. You're right, the aunties will be heading back soon–you’ll probably want to be gone by then. Death by Auntie Inquisition is not a fun way to go.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“So, did you still want to meet tomorrow and go do something?” Steven asked.
“Sure. What do you suggest?” Kai replied.
“Nothing super early?” I asked. Because I’d like to rest a little more, perhaps study the other team a little.
“Sure. How about a surprise and we’ll pick you up here around noon?” Steven offered, glancing at me.
I nodded. That worked. What was he planning? Or was he hoping that I had an idea.
It could be either.
“That sounds perfect. Are you sure it’s okay to take me out tomorrow with your finals coming? I don't want to distract you. You probably have to study or something,” Kai offered, finishing their drink.
“It's fine,” Steven waved off.
I did want to watch some videos of the team that we’d be playing to study them. The Puck Panthers were no joke. But we’d also do some of that as a team.
“Okay, I’d like that. As long as it doesn’t interfere with your game. Going all the way to finals is huge and I understand if you need to be focused.” Kai’s eyes flickered over to me.
“It’s fine,” I assured. Honestly, I did want to see Kai again. I forgot that seeing people could be fun and not everyone was out there to just snag an alpha.
Maybe that’s why this felt different. Kai wasn’t looking for anyone, because they’d just broken up with their alpha. They lived in Hawai'i, were getting a PhD and had plans that hockey players didn’t even fit in. There were no expectations.
“I’ll see you tomorrow!” With a wave, Kai grabbed their phone and left the bar.
I took Steven’s hand as my gaze followed Kai.
“That went well,” Steven muttered. “Better than I thought. I like her.”
“I like Kai too.” I squeezed his hand. “Now, let’s go home.”