21. Kennedy

SOPHMORE YEAR

“So,other than hockey, what else do you like to do?” I ask Shane, leaning back against a barely used park bench outside of my apartment complex. The hot Nevada sun is shining, and the warm wind ruffles my hair as I look at him expectantly.

Shane tilts his head, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. ”Ever played chess?”

He’s beautiful, he’s talented, and he’s smart?

No fucking way.

“You play chess? Seriously?” I raise an eyebrow, half amused and half intrigued.

”Yeah, why not? It’s strategic, like hockey, but without the bruises. Do you know how to play?”

“I’m an only child. When would I have learned how to play chess?”

“My father taught me.”

“Yeah, I don’t have one of that kind of father.”

“Do you want to learn?” His eyes twinkle with mischief, and I can”t help but smile back. “I can teach you.”

”Alright, I’m game. Let’s see what kind of teacher you are.”

When Shane reaches for my hand, I abruptly pull it away and he looks at me as if I kicked a newborn puppy.

“It’s rule number two.”

“I thought we were done with rules?” he says with a caustic tone.

“No holding hands.”

“What are you talking about, Kennedy?”

“It’s the same principle as kissing.”

“I held your hands and pinned them up over your head the last time we fucked.”

“That’s different and private.”

“So, no holding hands in public?”

“Sure, I guess that’s what I’m saying.”

Shane isn’t happy with my second rule, but I’ve learned that he cannot stay mad at me for very long at all, I just have to wait him out.

We head over to a small café nearby that has a few outdoor chess tables and indoor ones, too, in case we get too hot. He sets up the board with practiced ease, and I watch, fascinated by his focus. Who would have thought the ruggedly handsome hockey star had an aptitude for chess?

”Okay, so these are the pawns,” he begins, patiently explaining each piece. ”They move forward but capture diagonally.”

I lean in closer, our shoulders brushing. ”Got it. And the rest?”

”Rooks move in straight lines, bishops diagonally, the queen can go any direction, and the king, well, he’s a bit limited, moving one square at a time. Knights move in an L-shape.”

I nod, trying to absorb all the information. ”And what about you? What’s your favorite piece?”

Shane chuckles, a deep, rumbling sound that sends a shiver down my spine. ”I like the knights. They’re unpredictable.”

”Unpredictable, huh? Just like you on the ice,” I tease, nudging him with my elbow.

“You’ve been paying attention,” he grins, setting up the pieces.

I go to all of Shane’s home games now, so of course, I pay attention.

”Ready to play?” he asks me.

We start our game, and Shane coaches me through each move, his voice low and encouraging. ”See, if you move your knight here, you can set up a trap.”

I follow his advice, surprised at how quickly I’m picking it up. ”Not bad for a future pizza shop owner, right?”

”Not bad at all. You’ve got a knack for this,” he says, his tone softening. ”I’m impressed.”

I roll my eyes playfully. ”Flattery will get you nowhere.”

”Who said I was trying to go anywhere?” His eyes lock onto mine, and for a moment, the world fades away. It’s just us, the chessboard, and the growing connection between us.

We continue playing, our banter flowing as naturally as the moves on the board. “Are you trying to beat your star student?”

“I always play to win but I’m also enjoying watching you learn,” he says, moving his queen into position. ”Check.”

I stare at the board, trying to figure out my next move. ”You’re not making this easy, are you?”

”Where’s the fun in easy?” he replies, his voice dropping a notch. ”Sometimes, the best things in life are the ones you have to work for.”

I feel my cheeks heat up at his words, and I focus on the board to hide my reaction. ”Alright, then. Let’s put you to work.”

We play for what feels like hours, the game shifting in his favor and then mine. The conversation flows easily and comfortably, punctuated by Shane’s usual teasing and laughter. ”You know, I never pegged you for a chess player,” I admit as I move my rook.

”There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Kennedy,” he says, leaning back and stretching his arms over his head. ”But I’m glad we’re changing that.”

”Me too,” I say, my voice softer than I intended. ”I like getting to know this side of you.”

He moves his knight, capturing my bishop. ”And I like spending time with you, even if it means losing a few pieces along the way.”

I laugh, shaking my head. ”I think I’m starting to like this game.”

”It’s not just the game, is it?” His eyes meet mine, serious now. ”It’s about who you’re playing with.”

I swallow hard, feeling the weight of his words. “Cut it out, Shane.”

We finish our game, Shane emerging victorious, but it doesn’t feel like a loss. As we reset the chess pieces for the next players, he brushes his fingers against mine, sending sparks up my arm. ”So, what’s next on our agenda? You know I don’t normally have a day off of practice and want to make the best of it.”

”Well, now that you’ve shown me one of your hobbies, I guess it’s only fair that I show you one of mine,” I suggest. “Or at least what it was once upon a time.”

“Cool, maybe we get a snack first?”

“What do you have a taste for?” I ask, and I try not to laugh at his playful grin. “You’re always hungry.”

“Always,” he laughs. “But right now I’ll take some ice cream.”

We go back inside the cafe, and I order my favorite flavor in a cup, chocolate, and Shane follows suit with a large cone of cookies and creme.

”You know, for a hockey player, you’re pretty good at chess,” I say, taking swallowing a small scoop of my ice cream. “And you’re great at teaching it. I should be able to beat you after a few more practice games.”

“I’ll try not to take offense that a grumpy girl from Philly is doubting my high level of intelligence.” he counters, his eyes sparkling.

“My bad,” I laugh, feeling lighter than I have in a long time. “What other hidden capabilities don’t I know about you?” I ask him.

“You’re awfully interested in a guy you don’t even want to hold hands with.”

“It’s just the rules.” I shrug. “I don’t make them up.”

“Kennedy, you literally made them up,” he sneers. “I’m starting to feel like you’re only using me for my body.”

“And what a body it is,” I tease.

”I like reading, believe it or not,” he finally answers. “Mostly thrillers and mysteries. Keeps my mind sharp.”

”I wouldn’t have guessed,” I admit. ”You keep surprising me, Shane.”

”Good. I like keeping you on your toes,” he says, leaning in closer. “So what’s this hidden talent I’m going to see after this?” he asks suggestively, leaning over to play in my hair.

“It’s not that kind of hidden talent.”

“Damn, a guy can dream, right?”

“Unfortunately, a dream deferred.”

We stand there for a moment, the air between us charged with unspoken feelings. Shane steps closer, his hand brushing against mine. ”Kennedy, I know things have been complicated between us, and we’ve been working this whole long game with our parents, but I think the time has come.”

“Time for what?”

“Time to tell them the truth about us.”

“About our friendship?” I try deflecting.

“I care about you, Kennedy, and it doesn’t feel good watching you pretend you don’t feel the same way about me.”

My heart skips a beat, and I look up at him, my breath catching. So many things are running through my head and heart, but I hold myself back from saying any of them. It wouldn’t be smart.

“I never said I didn’t care about you, Shane. It’s just…can you keep things light?”

“Keep things light,” he repeats the words back to me as if he’s angry that I said them.

“Yes,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Okay, Prez.” He reaches up, gently tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. ”I’ve waited for you this long, I guess I can wait a little bit longer. So where are we headed to see this hobby or hidden talent of yours?”

“The rink.”