Chapter 24 #2
I wanted to spend a little time with only Kai, but I had a feeling we were going to have to pay the auntie tax.
“Kiki and Mimi are checking out. We got lots of things for your cousins,” Auntie Cookie said.
Another one of the ladies called for them and they left.
“Do you have a lot of cousins?” I asked Kai.
“Pretty much everybody’s a cousin if they’re not your uncle or auntie. But yes they’re doing all their souvenir shopping,” Kai said.
All four of them came over to us. The one with the glasses, a scarf in her hair, and a bun gave us a very expectant look.
“These are the ones you’ve been spending all the time with. Huh.” She peered at us through her glasses.
I wasn’t sure if that was a good huh, a bad huh, or an indifferent huh. But she was absolutely judging us. I desperately wanted to pass a judgment. I got the idea that this one, she was the one who mattered the most.
“Auntie Kiki, yes, this is Ashton and Steven, the hockey players I met in the bar.” Kai’s voice shook a little bit.
“Fate, I tell you,” Auntie Cookie said.
The aunties knew. But then Kai had thought one of them arranged all of this. It made sense that it would come to light at the game.
“This is Auntie Mimi. She’s Auntie Kiki’s sister. Auntie Kiki lives on the big island like I do. Auntie Mimi lives on O’ahu. Auntie Cookie lives in Vegas and Auntie Tiff lives in Florida,” Kai explained.
“You’re so big and strong,” Auntie Mimi remarked, eyeing me.
“They’re athletes, Auntie, it’s their job to be big and strong,” Kai replied.
“The boys are going to take us out for a drink,” Auntie Cookie announced.
Auntie Kiki checked her phone. “Yes. I’d like to talk to these boys.”
Kai shot them a warning look.
“Let’s walk across the street,” Steven suggested. “When does your flight leave again?”
“Five am. I think we have to be at the airport around three. They’re going out to see one last performance,” Kai said as Steven led us out of the arena.
“After we have a beer with the aunties, we can talk? Maybe get some food?” I asked. It was about dinner time. “I’d like to spend a little bit more time with you before you leave.”
“We can do that, but only if you want.” The words came out quickly. Kai looked down as if the suggestion were an imposition.
“We’d love that,” I assured. I looked over and Steven was already charming the Aunties.
“I didn’t expect it to be so violent. But I liked it,” Auntie Cookie said.
“Hockey’s a very violent sport. I get in a lot of fights. It’s one of the perks.” Steven gave her a boyish look, the kind that showed off his dimples and made him look adorable, and disarming.
Kai squeezed my hand. “Just warning you, this will be something. They really did have fun.”
I pulled them closer as we walked across the street. “I put your scrunchie in.”
“I’m glad I wore one.” Kai laughed.
The seven of us went into the crowded bar and managed to find a spot on the patio. The Aunties all ordered cocktails, and the three of us ordered beers. I also ordered a couple of appetizers for the table.
“Tell me about yourself,” Auntie Kiki asked, still judging me through her glasses, as she sipped her cocktail.
Steven happily told them everything they wanted to know about our hobbies, whether or not being a hockey player was lucrative, how long our career span was, and our plans for after. I chimed in when relevant.
“You’re going to help your family’s business. What a good boy.” Auntie Cookie nodded as if we passed some sort of test.
We probably had.
“You’ve all known Kai forever, right?” Steven asked.
Kai covered their face with their hand but didn’t say anything. I squeezed their knee.
“That one was always in trouble. Also, very independent. Like their mother,” Auntie Tiff said.
“You know your mom would be waiting for your ex’s flight from Bali, then punch him in the face, and kick him in the balls,” Auntie Mimi added.
“I know. I might do that if I can make sure it doesn’t get me in trouble.” Kai took a sip of beer.
“Oh, don’t worry, he’ll get what he deserves.” Auntie Kiki’s look went sly.
“Auntie, what did you do now?” Kai’s voice grew exasperated.
“Oh me?” Auntie Kiki’s look grew innocent. “I didn’t do anything.”
“What did you have the cousins do?” Kai inquired.
“Oh, nothing major. They just took off all the electrical outlets and put fish in there, then put them back on.” Auntie Kiki took a drink as if this was nothing.
“I turned in my keys. How did they get in there?” Kai shook their head. “Never mind, I only live on the second floor and the locks on the lanai doors don’t work right.”
“Why would they put fish behind the electrical outlets? Wouldn’t it start to smell after a couple of days?” Steven’s brow furrowed in thought.
“That’s the point isn’t it?” I added. “It starts to smell, and they can’t figure out where it’s coming from, because it’s inside of the walls.” How diabolical.
“You’re a smart boy.” Auntie Kiki gave me a look of approval.
“His physical therapy doctorate program somehow found out about all of this and was asking me questions.” Kai took another sip of beer.
“I can understand how his advisor on campus knew, since it was all over the campus forums. Claire did say that my post had gained a lot of popularity in certain parts of the internet, but would his new program really have seen it?”
Auntie Kiki took a long sip of her drink.
“Auntie!” Kai gave her a look of fond exasperation.
It was easy to tell that these four women loved Kai very much and would do anything for them. Who knew what other things they’d done to torment her ex? We may never know.
“That program should know what they’re getting.” Auntie Kiki shrugged.
We finished all the snacks and drinks.
“We need to go. The car is almost here,” Auntie Kiki announced, checking her phone. “Thank you very much. Congratulations on winning.” She turned to Kai. “Don’t stay out too late. You haven’t finished packing and we need to be at the airport by three.”
“Yes, Auntie. Don’t worry, I’ll finish packing,” Kai promised.
The group chat was buzzing. I also got a few texts directly asking where I was.
I just replied that we were out and ignored questions about Kai.
My family group chat was full of congratulations and excitement about attending the game on Monday in Portland.
There had been a watch party in my honor at the local bar my family always went to.
“Kai, what do you want to do now?” Steven asked after the Aunties left. “Are you hungry?”
“A little. I feel bad that I’m keeping you from celebrating.” Kai looked down.
“We only have a few hours left with you. You wanted to talk. Do you want to go back to our place? I still have that bottle of scotch and the champagne. We also know a few quiet places if you want to get something to eat and talk there. We don’t want you to leave Nashville upset or confused, or thinking that any of this was a mistake,” I assured.
“But it was.” Kai’s voice broke.
“Oh, Starshine. It might be a case of mistaken identity, but I assure you, this week was hardly a mistake.” I held Kai tight.
“Why don’t we go home. We can order some Italian food and play whatever drinking game it was Ashton wants to play with that expensive bottle of scotch,” Steven suggested as he paid the bill.
Kai looked up at us and nodded slowly. “I think I’d like that very much.”