Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty Five
Steven
Iignored the texts asking where we were as I sat in the back of Ashton’s truck, holding Kai. We pulled into our space and brought her up to our condo. I’d already ordered from the Italian place we liked, because I really needed some carbs and it was also nice and comforting.
The game had been both incredible and nerve-wracking. For a moment there, I thought that there was a good chance that we might lose or at least go into overtime.
But we’d won. Amazing.
I looked at my phone again. No text from my parents.
I didn’t expect it. Still, it hurt a little.
“If there’s a knock on the door, it’s food. We’re just going to get changed. Make yourself at home.” I gave Kai a kiss.
I followed Ashton into the bedroom, closed the door, and we started getting undressed.
“Are you okay?” Ashton said softly as he stripped.
“I’m fine. What we found out changes nothing. Certainly, this week has been great. Marilyn didn’t tell us anything about the omega, other than sunglasses and dragonflies. It’s practically asking for a mistake to happen and in this case, the mistake worked in our favor.” I got undressed.
Yeah, this was not our fault–or Kai’s.
“It did,” Ashton said as he pulled on shorts and a shirt.
“I can understand why Kai’s hurt. The break up didn’t happen that long ago and Kai probably hasn’t had time to really process the trauma yet.
I can see why this might suddenly hit her really hard.
After all, it took us a little time to fully process what happened to us.
We’ll just have to reassure Kai that it doesn’t matter, we had a really fun time, and that she shouldn’t let Claire’s actions overshadow our amazing week. ” I put on some comfortable shorts.
“We should make sure Kai understands that this week was everything,” he agreed.
“I’ll miss Kai a lot.” I tried to decide if I wanted to put on a shirt or not.
Ashton tossed me a shirt, so I pulled it over my head.
The two of us went back out to the living room. Kai was on the couch underneath all the blankets, which we hadn’t put back in the closet. Takeout bags sat on the coffee table.
“Starshine.” I eyed her blanket pile. “Is there room in there for us?”
“Do you still want to sit with me under the blankets?” Kai’s chin quivered.
“Always. Maybe you weren’t the omega we were supposed to meet, but you’re not a mistake and you’re not the wrong omega. If anything, you’re the right one. Who else would climb trees and play air hockey with us?” I got under all the blankets with her.
“He’s right.” Ashton joined us with a bottle of champagne and some glasses.
He opened it and poured us some. Then he got the food out of the bag. Spaghetti and meatballs for me. Chicken parmesan for Ashton. Eggplant parmesan for Kai. Garlic bread for everyone.
“I think today calls for the nice champagne.” Ashton raised his glass. “I’m so glad that you’re in our life. It has been an honor and a privilege to show you around Nashville.”
“Exactly.” We clinked glasses.
Kai gave us a shy look. “You really feel that way?”
“We do. It was so much fun to help you make all those great selfies for your socials. Auntie Kiki is my hero for the whole idea of putting the fish behind the electric sockets. I may have to use that if anyone ever pisses me off. I kinda have an urge to do that to my parents. They’ll be on the cruise for some time. I have keys.” I grinned.
“If you drive back to Washington you could absolutely stop and do it.” Kai laughed. That laughter meant everything.
“We should,” Ashton agreed.
“I’m sure my cousins and Auntie Kiki have lots of other ideas, too.
My favorite was actually something my lab partner did to her ex.
She bought a whole bunch of keys and put labels on them with her ex’s number.
Then she hid them everywhere–and got friends to help.
Years later he’s still getting calls from people who found his keys.
” Kai laughed and took a bite of her food.
“That’s actually kind of wholesome, because it’s not really hurting anybody, it’s just really annoying.” I liked that one.
It was too nice for my parents though.
I touched my forehead to Kai’s. “You are absolutely amazing. Don’t let a mistaken identity or a stupid ex let you think otherwise. You’re going to have the best rest of the semester and you’ll graduate, and it’ll be great.”
Maybe we could go to her graduation if she was allowed enough tickets. Of course, that would also mean meeting her brother and the rest of her family.
“It is. While I was at the game, my brother was texting me a bunch of ideas for our summer graduation trip.” She took a sip of champagne.
“You’ll have this really amazing summer and then you’ll start your PhD program, and change the world with your conservation projects,” I assured, eating a meatball.
Ashton put an arm around her. “Are you feeling better now?”
“I don’t know why I’m so hung up on being the wrong omega. Why does it matter? We had a really good time.” Kai gazed at me.
“Your feelings are valid. With everything you’ve been through, I can understand that it would hurt you. I promise you that this doesn’t change what we think of you or our time together,” Ashton assured.
“Thank you, that means everything.” Kai leaned her head on his shoulder.
“I don’t understand what Claire was thinking.” I frowned. “Couldn’t she just tell her aunt no?”
Kai explained everything, filling in the gaps that Jackson had left out.
“Omegas do that for each other?” I’d never heard of that.
“In Claire’s world, they do, and I love that for them. I just don’t know if I love it for me. But I do love how it turned out for us,” Kai said.
“We’re good?” Ashton hugged her.
“We’re good,” Kai reassured.
“Good.” I gave Kai a hug too. “What was your favorite part of the game?”
Kai thought for a moment. “It was fun seeing you play. I’d love to see you play again sometime.”
“You’re probably already in classes by the time the season starts up again. Maybe when you’re on winter break our team might be playing LA or a West Coast team, then you and your brother could come,” I offered.
Kai nodded. “That would be fun. If you play a team in Vegas, Auntie Cookie would probably love to come and watch the goalie stretches.”
We all laughed. As we finished dinner and the bottle of champagne we talked about random things.
“There are still a few hours before we need to get you back to the hotel. Unless you want us to take you now so you can sleep,” Ashton offered.
“I can sleep on the plane. But I should probably be back at the hotel by one. I still have a couple things to pack, but won’t take long,” Kai said.
“That works perfectly. We have practice tomorrow anyway,” I replied.
“What do you need?” Ashton asked.
“Do you want to go out? Would you like to watch a movie? Should we get out that bottle of whiskey and do drunken puzzles? We can have that cheese course or some other course, maybe the fruit course? Is that a course?” I asked as we cleaned off the coffee table.
“Small bites.” Kai bit my arm.
I laughed and tickled her.
“I like the idea of drunken puzzles. I read a book once where they made it into a drinking game.” Kai put our champagne glasses in the sink.
Ashton got down the whiskey. “I like that idea. Steven, would you like to choose a puzzle?”
“Sure.” As long as it made them happy I’d do whatever they wanted.