5. Kassian

Chapter five

Kassian

Saturday, November 18, 2023

I t's been over a week since Aiyana moved back, and I've barely seen her.

I've texted her several times, even asking her to go hiking with Kat and me yesterday despite knowing she hates exercise. She said she couldn't because she just started her new job at BioMedics and doesn't want to make a bad impression by asking for time off so soon.

I get it; it's a completely valid reason, but I can't help but feel that she's also avoiding spending time with me.

The thing is, I know she loves me too. And I know that I am completely, madly in love with this absolutely fucking incredible woman. So why is she ignoring me?

It can't just be Kat.

There has to be something more to it because Aiyana has never been one to hold back when it comes to Kat. I don't see why she is now.

For five years, I've missed her. And now that she's back, I'm going to show her just how much.

***

I exit the plane when we land in Denver, following behind Alessandro.

I love the guy, but he wouldn't shut up about my sister the entire flight. He's like a love-sick puppy, but I can't blame him. I feel the same about Aiyana, so I gave him a break. He's a really good guy—that's why I set Kat up in the same building as him in the first place and why I invited him on our hike yesterday. He has my full blessing to pursue a relationship with my sister if she wants him to. Some might say I have a bit of a habit of playing matchmaker, but no one is complaining. I'm damn good at it, and I just know my sister would be happy with Ale. And that's really all I want for her—to be happy and supported in all areas of her life.

As we make our way toward the hotel to drop our bags off, I can't help but wonder what Aiyana's doing. Will she be watching?

I shouldn't care so much, but I do. I always care what she's doing. I'm not sure anything will change that. We'll be hopping on the team bus soon for warm-ups at the arena we'll be playing at tonight, and my head should be in the game right now, but it's hard to think straight, knowing the love of my life is just out of reach.

***

I'm drenched in sweat, my heart is pounding, and I honestly don't know how the fuck I'm gonna make it through another twenty minutes of this game.

The team we're up against is playing dirty as hell, and that's just not our style. I play defense, so I'm used to getting pretty roughed up, but the other team's been getting tossed in the sin bin more times during this one game than our team has over the entirety of the season.

It's like they've got a personal vendetta against us or something, but I have no idea what it's over.

They aren't even playing to win. We're still up by two points because they're putting all their energy into fucking around.

***

We won three to one, unable to score any more points in the last twenty minutes, probably from sheer exhaustion at trying to keep from getting tossed around like rag dolls.

I exit the ice, pulling my helmet off and spitting to the side. It's disgusting, but I've had my head banged around so much that despite my mouthguard, I've got a pool of blood-tinged saliva that I can't stand to keep in my mouth any longer.

Coach slaps me on the back, telling me good game as I enter the locker room to hop on a bike and get rid of some of this built- up lactic acid before showering. I'm unbelievably glad we're not heading back to Philly right away. I need to crawl into bed and sleep this off.