23. Kai
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
KAI
“What’s got such a big grin on your face today?”
I swallow my last bite of steak and look up. Theo had asked the question, but every guy at the table has his eyes locked on me.
“What grin?” I shove some potato into my mouth.
“That one,” Jace says. “You’re even smiling while you chew. That’s hard to do.”
“No law against being in a good mood.”
Everyone starts eating again, but just when I think I’m safe, Noah pipes up. “Have you seen Olofsson lately, the Fury’s new goalie?”
I go into slo-mo eating mode. Salad never took so long to chew, and I don’t look at him until I swallow. “Yeah, once or twice. He lives near me, so we’ve said hi.”
They all glance at each other, then back at me.
“Said hi?” McKay asks. “That’s what you’re calling it?”
My fork slides out of my hand and clanks onto my plate. “Jesus Christ. You guys are weird. I don’t know where you’re getting this.”
“Getting what?” Noah’s attempt to look innocent is an epic fail.
“Why are you insinuating something is going on between Oskar and me?”
“Oskar.” Theo looks like he’s searching for a hidden meaning. “Never heard you call any other goalie by his first name.”
“Usually not the last name either,” Jace says. “More like bastard, son of a bitch, mofo…”
“Not true,” I say. “I respect my fellow guardians of the net.”
“Sometimes,” Noah says, always the voice of reason.
Theo gives me a thoughtful look. “Jace is breaking your balls. But seriously, you and Oskar? I have a weird feeling.”
“You’re all full of shit.” The words rush out of me faster than I can stop them. “Oskar’s a nice guy, and we hit it off. Nothing weird. He’s new here and doesn’t know many people yet.”
I try to stop but can’t. Even pinching my thighs doesn’t work as I rant on. “And I mean, yeah, he’s good-looking and has a great body, but that doesn’t mean anything. You guys act like I can’t be friends with somebody just because he’s smart and makes me laugh and has eyes that I can’t—”
Jesus Christ.
I clamp my mouth shut.
I hope that didn’t sound like I think it did.
Cautiously, I glance around. They’re all looking smug.
Fuck me. They were fishing, and I took the bait. Now I’m shaking so hard my knee bangs against the bottom of the table.
Nico and Packy look at each other, then back at me.
“Easy, buddy,” Nico says. “Nobody’s trying to be a jerk. We’re your friends, and if you’ve found someone you like, nobody will be happier for you than we are.”
Noah nods. “Another goalie would probably be good for you. Easy to relate.”
“Not to mention Olofsson’s hot as fuck,” McKay says, doing something weird to his voice so he sounds like the frat boy he used to be.
Starting with my toes, I try to relax every muscle on the way up. I’m not ashamed of Oskar, but we’ve barely even started. What if—
It’s just too soon.
I glance around again. They still look smug.
“A round of beers,” Noah tells the server who’s stopped to check on us.
“Cola for me,” I say.
One beer’s my usual limit, and I had that before dinner.
When I finally get back to my room, I go to bed and check game scores on my phone. The Fury beat Carolina tonight, 2–0. I’m sure Oskar’s out celebrating with his teammates, but I can’t let his first shutout go by without saying something.
KAI: Congratulations!
KAI: I mean grattis!
KAI: Had to look it up, but I mean it. Your first HFNA shutout and so soon. That’s a huge accomplishment.
KAI: I hope we can celebrate this weekend. I’ll show you how proud I am of you.
Is that too much?
KAI: If you want to, that is.
A reply comes right away.
OSKAR: Tack! This means a lot. I’m in my room thinking about you.
Thank God. Maybe it wasn’t too much.
OSKAR: Of course I want to celebrate like that. Haven’t thought about much else today.
I laugh, imagining him thinking about fucking in the middle of the game. That never works, but I guess it did for him.
KAI: You must’ve taken a break during the game. Sex and shutouts don’t go together.
OSKAR: Only thought about it during intermissions.
KAI: Good boy.
OSKAR: That’s what I am supposed to say to you.
A sudden rush of heat has me sweaty in a few seconds.
KAI: Like this morning?
OSKAR: Fur shure. We both play tomorrow night. Could we video after?
KAI: Don’t say fur shure. And I’m totally up for video after the game. I’ll come right back to the hotel, so text when you’re ready.
OSKAR: Fur shure. Natti natti, hj?rtat.
Him and his damn Swedish. It makes me feel so… excited.
Dictionary app. No luck.
Search engine. Good night, my heart.
Fuck. My hands shake while I text back.
KAI: Natti natti, hj?rtat.
I hope that’s not… too much.
Road trips usually help me disappear into hockey. Why does today only make me feel farther from him?