58. Kassian

Chapter fifty-eight

Kassian

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

T he air is fucking frigid, and with my body fat percentage being so damn low this late into the hockey season, I don't have much insulation to work with, so despite my winter coat, which honestly resembles more of a parka, I'm still freezing my ass off.

Vancouver is a beast this time of year, and as much as I enjoy the nightlife, I'd much rather be back home in Philly, preferably with Aiyana in my bed.

Before I can travel too far down that train of thought, Kyle smacks me on the back, grinning at me when I turn my attention to him. "City boy freezing out here, huh?"

I shake my head, smirking. "Kyle, you're from fucking Chicago. We are both city boys, dumbass." I chuckle.

Matt, JJ, and Ale all catch up to us; evidently, Kyle and I were both hauling ass from the parking lot to the hotel. "Fuck, that feels good," Matt says with a groan as we enter the warm lobby of the hotel we'll be staying at for the next couple of days.

The hotel is a weirder one, definitely not representative of Vancouver itself. It's smaller than the places the team is used to staying in, and it has a quirky vibe that's reminiscent of a log cabin but more of a cushy, log cabin kind of feel. There's a small reception desk that looks much more like a home bar than anything else, but it's well decorated, and the real draw is that we were able to rent out the entire place, so we can relax without the prying eyes of the public. It just gets exhausting having to wear a mask of confidence in public in case people are watching. Sometimes, it makes my head spin.

After checking in, we head down the long corridor that's painted a muted green with paintings of the outdoors, and unfortunately, a few taxidermied pieces greet us at the end of the hall. I cringe internally. I've never understood why anyone would want a dead animal on their wall.

At the end, the hall forks off with a hallway of dark, wooden doors with gold metal placards indicating the door numbers. We all split off, me following JJ as we got paired together tonight. Coach Allister prefers to assign rooms for really no good reason, but honestly, the team gets along so well that none of us have ever had a reason to complain.

We unlock the door, and JJ heads in, with me trailing closely behind. We both stop abruptly in the entryway, wide eyes, and jaws slack. "What the fuck?" we both say, eyes snapping to each other and back to the bed. Not beds . One queen-size bed sits in the center of the room, a green, red, and blue comforter that looks like the original owner's grandmother must've quilted it herself lies on top. A cherrywood nightstand on either side and nothing else.

I'm not the tallest guy on the team by any means, but at six two, and two hundred twenty pounds, I'm still a big guy. And frankly, JJ is massive. Absolutely not a fucking chance we will fit on that together, and there isn't a pull-out in the room. "I call the window side," JJ grumbles, realizing there isn't another option and resigning to the situation.

I hang my head, tugging on the hair at the nape of my neck, and release a long groan.

"You think we'll break that thing if we both lie on it?" I ask him, only partially kidding.

JJ chortles. "Hah, only one way to find out," he says, flopping down on his side of the bed, landing with a thump that threatens to take the legs out from under it.

I drop my duffle bag on the ground next to the closet and climb in next to him. Our elbows touch if we lie on our backs, but I think we should fit if we both sleep on our sides. "If we're spooning tonight, I call little spoon," I tell him.

"Deal, but why little spoon? This reminds me of these things called 'tropes' that Veronica always tells me about. She said one of her favorites is the 'one-bed' trope where the couple isn't together yet, and they're forced to share a bed." He laughs.

"I don't plan to fuck you tonight, JJ; sorry to disappoint. I just like to be held sometimes," I reply, my voice taking on a whimsical quality as we banter.

He rolls over, throwing an arm around my waist and tugging me to him. It startles me so much that when I realize what he's doing, I laugh so hard my cheeks are aching, and our bodies are trembling so hard we're shaking the damn bed. Not that that would take much with how flimsy it is.

Before we can compose ourselves, my cell dings in my pocket, so JJ unlatches himself, getting up to use the bathroom. "Here's to hoping the toilet is bigger than the bed." He laughs as he walks away.

My eyes roam over my phone, and thankfully, it's a text from Aiyana.

Little Viper

You arrive safely, eh?

Sure did, don't ya know?

Freezing my ass off over here though.

Little Viper

I wish I were there to warm you up.

Little Viper

Also, do people in Canada really talk like that?

I don't think so. LOL

Ah, so we're being playful tonight and not grouchy. This bodes well for me. I smile, staring down at my phone and contemplate my next reply, but before I can send anything, JJ saunters back into the room, his massive frame taking up half the space. He stares at me with a small smirk curving his lips, and his dark- brown eyes pierce me with his gaze. He chuckles. "That Aiyana again?" he asks knowingly.

"Of course." I smile back at him. He takes a seat on the edge of the bed and leans over, staring at the screen.

"What are you planning to say?" he asks, quirking a dark brow at me.

I roll my eyes at him. "If I knew, I'd have typed it out and sent it already."

"Here, let me help," he tells me as he tries to snatch my phone away.

"Not a fucking chance," I tell him, holding firmly onto the phone, and he gives up easily.

"Okay, well, try to keep it down if you two have phone sex. I'm gonna take a nap before we have to head out for the game tonight," he says, rolling over onto his side to face the window.

I don't respond to that, knowing he's just being a pain.

I stare back down at my phone, contemplating what to type.

Little Viper

Kassian, are you really going to leave me on read?

Oh shit.

Truthfully?

I couldn't come up with a worthy reply and just stared at my phone the last five minutes.

Little Viper

That was almost sweet.

Almost?

Little Viper

Yes, until I realized you thought any of your replies are worthy of my greatness. ;)

Oh never little viper, but I can always try.

Miss me yet?

Little Viper

Meh, not really.

I smirk at that, knowing she's full of shit.

Liar.

Little Viper

Fine, yes.

Little Viper

Happy now?

Immensely :D

Little Viper

I have to get back to work. Talk tonight?

Of course.

Little Viper

Good luck at your game, don't fuck it up.

Have fun at work.

***

Coach Allister isn't one for giving pep talks, so he has our assistant coach do it. Once he's done, we finish suiting up and head out onto the ice to warm up.

I'm doing a few laps around the ice to start my warmup, though I swear to god it's so much colder out here than at our rink. It's got to be how cold it is outside that's affecting us so much.

We've started out pretty strong, but I'm exhausted. My muscles are starting to get fatigued already, and I have to use extra energy to warm up my body compared to when we're in warmer climates, but I'm still sweating like a whore in church out here.

I watch the puck, bouncing my gaze back and forth between the men on the ice and the black rubber zinging around. My skates slice through the ice beneath me, my heart pounding in my chest, and the adrenaline rush keeps me pushing my body to its limits.

I've taken several hard hits tonight, but I've also dished them out, so I can't say I'm upset about it. Alice has scored twice, and JJ and I are kicking ass tonight, literally. We're having to be a little more aggressive than usual, though our usual is pretty aggressive anyway since we play defense.

We win by one point, and the high that leaves me with is nothing short of exhilarating. 1 This is why I love hockey. Among other reasons, but this feeling, like I'm on top of the world, fucking flying, it's unbeatable. The only other time I feel like this is when I'm with Aiyana. Having the two together? Hockey and her? It could be an addictive drug—something I package up and store away for myself despite the killing I'd make if I sold it. Figuratively, of course.

***

When we get back to the hotel, JJ and I collapse into our shared bed, elbowing each other in the sides and finally agree to face in opposite directions.

I check my phone, and thankfully, Aiyana texted me. Though she's being sassy, which, luckily for her, happens to be something I love.

Little Viper

Lookin' a little sluggish out there hot shot…You feeling okay?

Fucking freezing here, colder than usual. We still won though. Aren't you gonna congratulate me?

Little Viper

Sure, tell Alessandro I said congrats on the win… you know, since he did most of the work ;)

Now I know you're just being a smart ass.

Little Viper

Congratulations Kas, I'm glad you didn't fuck it up.

Little Viper

Heading to bed.

Little Viper

Goodnight.

Goodnight my little viper 3

1. Mad at Me. – Kiana Ledé