Chapter Eight
Kai
Iwent back up to the hotel room, then quickly showered, and put on my pajamas. By the time the aunties returned to the room, I was lounging on the couch in the living room of the suite, watching TV, and eating an ice cream sundae that I’d ordered from room service.
Auntie Kiki and Auntie Mimi hung up their cowboy hats and took off their boots.
“Eating your feelings, I see?” Auntie Kiki eyed my ice cream.
“Best way to deal with them,” I replied as I got another big glob of hot fudge.
Should I be eating ice cream?
No. My stomach wouldn’t be very happy with me. Though I had my pills.
Was I eating my feelings after everything that happened? Absolutely.
“So, you didn’t meet anyone interesting in the bar? No nice alphas?” Auntie Mimi pried.
“Actually, I did meet some.” I was curious which auntie actually had the connection with the PR person for a hockey team.
Also, considering the whole conversation in the restaurant last night, they probably had no idea she was the PR person for a hockey team. It was probably, Oh, she works in the sportsball.
It was a little surprising someone set me up with athletes, not doctors. But I also appreciated the fact that they weren’t there to date me–just show me a good time.
I also loved how forthright the two alphas were. There was something refreshing about that honesty, especially Steven, who was just a big goofball. I absolutely could relate to talking too much when nervous.
Also, it was pretty adorable that after he heard my story, his first thought was, Let’s take some pictures and make people jealous.
Revenge posting made me feel better.
“You met more than one? They are doctors?” Auntie Kiki’s look went curious as Auntie Mimi put the electric kettle on for some tea.
“Hockey players. They’re super cute. We’re going to go out tomorrow while you go to the museum.” I licked more fudge off my spoon.
Her eyes narrowed at hockey players.
Yeah, this wasn’t planned by Auntie Kiki.
“They’re very nice guys. Their team made the finals.” I knew nothing about hockey, but it looked like they were having a pretty good season.
She thought for a moment. “Sports don’t seem stable. But it could be good as long as they’re smart with their money and have a plan.”
“One of them has a plan. I think the other one's plan is whatever the first one has planned. They’re together.” It was pretty cute.
Like how Ashton stood and offered his hand to Steven as they left.
Or how when the two of them were standing there, trying to figure out if I was the omega they were supposed to meet, Ashton had his arm around Steven’s waist.
Yeah, I should be lucky to one day have boyfriends who were also boyfriends.
“They’re actually hockey players and not pretending?” Auntie Mimi inquired. “They could be carp fishing.”
“Catfishing, and yes, I looked them up.” Okay, it wasn’t Auntie Mimi either. It was probably Auntie Cookie.
“What are you doing?” Auntie Kiki asked, making herself some tea and sitting down in the chair next to me.
“They’re going to show me around.” I was very curious as to what they were planning.
“Bring pepper spray. If you don’t feel comfortable, get a ride back. I'll send you money.” Grabbing her phone immediately, she transferred me much more than a car ride.
“Thanks, Auntie,” I replied. Yeah, I didn’t bring pepper spray on the airplane. But we were going to a public place, and I’d leave if it got weird.
I finished my ice cream and I looked up hockey. Also, I realized that Steven was not just following me but had commented on my post. I followed him and Ashton.
Ashton’s socials were really funny, because he seemed to be running with some kind of lumberjack theme. There were lots of pictures of trees and axes, and videos of singing fish.
Steven’s was all just him being a massive goofball. It was interesting, because Steven had zero pictures of his family. While Ashton had lots from the off-season when he went back to Washington state.
It looked absolutely gorgeous. I actually got into a PhD program there, but I wanted to stay in Hawai'i because that’s where Auntie was and I knew all my professors.
Leigh, my lab partner, messaged me, wanting to make sure I was still okay, since I mentioned that I was down in the hotel bar.
Me
I met nice guys who offered to show me around tomorrow.
Leigh
You’re going to go? What if they’re axe murderers?
Me
Hockey players. It’s kind of a funny story. Don’t worry, I’ll leave if it’s weird.
I didn’t expect it to be weird, though. I was surprised how well I got along with the two of them. It was the most fun I'd had in a long time.
Including more fun than I’d had with Logan since moving in together. I think that’s when things started going downhill. Though apparently, he’d been cheating on me with other people before then.
Maybe this was how things were supposed to be and I just missed every single sign the universe gave me that Logan wasn’t the right person.
I wasn’t ready to get in a relationship and obviously these guys being athletes, who probably had contracts here in Nashville, weren't either.
But if dating again would be anything like this, I wouldn’t mind giving it a try at some point.
Maybe.
Tuesday
I made a face in the mirror as I took off another outfit. Nothing was right. Nothing looked right. Nothing felt right. My lip quivered and I tried not to cry as I looked through my clothes.
It wasn’t me wanting to look good for these alphas. I'd woken up not feeling at home in my own skin–something that happened from time to time.
When we went out to lay out by the pool, this morning after breakfast, I didn't even bother to wear a bathing suit. I just wore shorts and a tank, ignoring the aunties’ comments about tan lines, and I didn’t go for a morning swim either.
Now here I was trying to dress for an activity where I didn’t even know what we were doing.
I’d messaged Steven and he only told me to wear comfortable shoes. What did that even mean? We could be doing practically anything.
Calm down. You’re just going on an activity.
Okay, I’d start with comfortable shoes. I had some comfy checkered slip-ons Auntie detested. Yes, those would work.
While I had several cute outfits to wear, I didn’t feel cute in them.
The dysphoria was hitting and I decided to be more comfy than anything else today.
I put on some cargo shorts and a loose T-shirt.
Not items Auntie had packed for me or bought–things that I had snuck in–old favorites that felt more like home.
I really wanted to wear a hoodie, but it was hot and sticky today.
I stuffed everything in my new mini backpack and grabbed some sunglasses. My hair was bothering me, so I took all of it and put it up in a messy bun.
Auntie Kiki and Auntie Mimi were in the living room. Their eyes flickered over me in judgment.
“It’s not a date, we're just going out and doing tourist shit.” I was feeling grumpy today, too. Even if it was a date, if they couldn’t handle my trash panda they didn’t get my cuteness.
I’d also gotten an update from Leigh of some of the mean things my former friends were saying about me. Apparently, the new place they were staying in wasn’t nearly as nice. It cost more money. And wrecking other plans they’d had. Everything was just my fault for ruining all their fun.
Yep, that was me. The fun ruiner. Suck my dick.
I went down to the lobby and looked around to see if maybe I’d spot that woman from last night. Claire. She was really nice.
Steven messaged me.
Steven
We’re pulling up to the front of the hotel.
I came outside feeling more self-conscious than ever, as I saw the people in nice outfits waiting for their cars or getting out of them
A giant truck pulled up. The window rolled down.
“Going our way?” Steven yelled like he was at a party and not a fancy hotel.
“Depends on where we’re going. I’m definitely not dressed for fancy,” I confessed, really hoping that comfortable shoes meant we were doing something casual.
Steven got out and opened the passenger door of the truck for me. He wore jeans, a T-shirt, and a baseball cap. Also, really expensive sneakers.
Okay, it looks like I’ll fit. Good.
“You can sit up front with Ash if you want. I just have long legs. I could also sit next to you if you’d like.” He gave me an apologetic look as I crawled into the back.
“I’m okay back here.”
“It’s hot today and I’m glad you wore comfortable shoes.” Steven shut the door and sat up in front.
Ashton immediately turned to look at me as I buckled myself in.
“Doing okay, today? How are you feeling?” he asked.
“It’s a trash panda day. Not knowing where I was going was a lot. I hope I’m dressed okay.” I gave him an anxious look.
The two scents in the car were nice. One was woodsy, the other more like grass. I liked that a lot. I hadn’t really noticed last night in the bar. Yum.
His expression softened. “You’re dressed perfectly. We’re going to the arboretum.”
“We thought you’d like that. Sorry I wasn’t trying to make things worse. I was trying to surprise you.” Steven buckled himself in.
“It’s incredible. I’d been hoping since you said comfortable shoes we’d be doing something in nature.” I loved being outside.
“They have a tropical flower area that I thought you might enjoy,” Steven added. “Is a trash panda a racoon, opossum, or badger?”
“It's a raccoon. But yeah, sometimes I do feel more like a honey badger or twelve mice in a trench coat,” I confessed. I was surprised at how easy it was for me to say things like that to the two of them.
“Let us know if we need to do anything or change anything so that you’re more comfortable,” Ashton said.
Oh, my heart. A charming Midwestern boy and a Pacific Northwest lumbersnack. Not doctors, but I did plan on enjoying myself.
“Thank you, just knowing I’m dressed fine makes me feel loads better. I’m excited.” Though I absolutely should have brought a hat. At least I had sunglasses.
“So, tell me about the hockey finals? Exciting? Terrifying? I don’t even know how it works,” I confessed.
As we drove to the arboretum, the two of them explained more about the playoffs, along with their hopes and fears for finals. It seemed like they were trying to balance this desire to prove everyone wrong and win the whole thing, with just being excited to get further than they’ve ever had before.
Finally, we arrived and they scanned our tickets on Steven’s phone.
“How much do I owe you?” I asked. I didn’t see a sign with ticket prices.
“Our treat. We’re supposed to show you a good time, so take advantage of us.” Steven tweaked my bun and gave me a boyish look.
“Thank you.” I got a text.
Auntie Kiki
Are you okay? Did you bring your pepper spray?
“I have to send Auntie a proof of life shot.” I held up my phone and took a picture of the three of us in front of the sign and sent it to her.
Me
I’m fine. Pepper spray is not needed.
“Pepper spray?” Steven asked.
“I’m an omega going off with two alphas that I met in a bar, safety first,” I replied. Not that I felt unsafe with them.
“Smart.” Ashton took Steven’s hand.
We wandered through the gardens taking everything in. While it was warm, we were also having a very good time. Especially since the two of them let me geek out with plants.
The tropical flower exhibit was especially beautiful, and we posed for a selfie for me to post.
Steven looked at Ashton and then he glanced over at me. “The two of you match with your buns today.”
“Ashton has good taste. Also, I wanted my hair out of my face,” I replied. But his scrunchie was much nicer than mine. Last night’s, too.
“You said you chose your name. What does Kai mean?” Steven asked as I admired the orchids.
“It actually means a lot of things in a bunch of different languages. In Hawaiian it means ocean, and in other languages it also means shell, keeper of the keys, and I think… food. Considering I’m a person of many moods, it felt like it fit.
” I laughed. I took a photo of some rare flowers and sent it to my lab group chat.
“It’s also Greek, right? A derivative of Kairos, which means the absolute worst experience I ever had in high school. Sorry, Catholic school trauma. Kairos is a thing that we do.” Steven’s look went bashful.
“Was that the big group retreat where they had you guys run around at night with candles, while the teachers chased you, and kept trying to blow out your light? That just sounds like some massive crazy horror movie shit right there,” Ashton teased.
“I never even thought of that correlation. Catholic school kid here, too. Though we didn’t do anything like that at my Kairos.
There was a whole lotta ugly crying as we talked about our feelings in a big circle, with our pillows, lots of snacks, and facemasks,” I admitted. I didn’t even make that connection.
For a moment things got a little awkward.
Steven reached out and squeezed my hand. “I’m mostly joking, though that part was wild. I wasn’t trying to make anything weird,” he blabbered in that endearing way he had.
Yeah, he was a big, awkward, goofball and I loved that for him.
Ashton definitely had the lumbersnack thing going on, which was extremely sexy. He was literally wearing a plaid button-down, cargo pants, and hiking boots. All he needed was a hatchet in that loop on his pants.
“Catholic school trauma for the win.” I high-fived him.
“Yeah, so glad I didn’t go through any of that.” Ashton shook his head.
“What are your favorite flowers?” Steven asked. “I like sunflowers.”
“Sunflowers are nice,” I replied. “Flowers for the table? Probably purple gerbera daisies.” My dads had always gotten me flowers whenever they went to the hardware store. They’d get them for my mom, too. “Herbs? Lavender. Wildflowers? Poppies. Purple is my favorite color.”
“I like green. Poppies are pretty. For flowers, I like roses, we have them at the cabin,” Ashton said. “Steven knows a lot about taking care of them.”
All of a sudden, the greenhouse was flooded with children, who were clearly on a field trip.
“Don’t get lost.” Steven grabbed my hand to keep me with them. We left the greenhouse.
He was holding my hand. A little thrill went through me. Though I literally just broke up with somebody.
But I was also just holding his hand.
And even if I kissed him… or more… I was on a post break-up spring break trip with my aunties. It was supposed to be healing and if I wanted a little bit of that kind of healing with two sexy hockey players, was there even anything wrong with it?
No, there wasn’t.
I’d never had a vacation hookup before. Usually when I travel it was with my brother or cousins. A little fling could be a lot of fun.
Steven looked at our hands as if he suddenly realized what he was doing. I squeezed it.
“Don’t wanna get lost,” I agreed.
No. I didn’t want to get lost at all.