Page 159 of Until We Burn
The words break the last shard of composure I have left and all I can manage is a whisper. “T-Thank you. Goodnight, Rowan.”
I drop the phone on the desk before I finally tear the earring out of my hair.
The sob I’ve been holding in breaks free.
I thought the moment I cleared my name and went back to my duties at the HMG, everything would feel right. Except nothing does. I still feel like I’m the one being punished. I feel even more broken and alone than I ever did before.
Following the path bàba carved out for me used to feel secure and comforting. Now, it’s like thorns under my feet and I’m bleeding for a future that I don’t think I really want anymore.
Especially when it forces me to let go of the one person who’s ever made me feel alive.
CHAPTER 63
KAI
The whirof luggage being unzipped, and the slam of cabinets opening and closing fill the apartment.
After our shitty game last night, Rowan let the boys rest for the weekend. Except none of us are actually doing that. I know half the team is shoving their shit into suitcases at the last minute before we fly to Toronto to play the Hudson University Whales on Monday.
“Yoo-hoo! Kainoa!”
Uncle Manu lounges against my bedroom door, snacking on dried cuttlefish that leaves small dustings on his corduroy jacket. He grins at me as if I didn’t spend the night before ignoring him in the car when he tried to talk to me.
“Are you leaving already?” I check the time. It’s only 9:30 a.m. “I thought you were taking off at one?”
“I am, but I thought we could hang out a little bit before I go.” His brows perk up and waggle excitedly. “Come on,petit bouc!I’ll drive.”
The car pulls upat an empty ice rink.
I blow out a breath, dropping my head against the headrest.“Tonton,out of all the places I could be right now, it shouldn’t be an ice rink.”
“Aw, come on, Kainoa. Those twigs have been sitting in the trunk for so long. It’s been years since we’ve played a proper game against each other.” As rebellious and carefree as he looks, there’s a quiet plea in Uncle Manu’s voice. “Just one game before I go.”
I remember when I used to beg those exact same words before I flew back to Mo’orea for the summer. I was lying every time because one game would eventually turn into three, and before I knew it, Uncle Manu and I were stuffing my suitcase hours before my flight took off. That happened every time. I loved flying back with my legs still aching from skating because it was like bringing hockey along with me no matter where I went.
A sad ache tugs at my heart.
The little kid who used to beg Uncle Manu to play one more game feels so far away now.
“Alright, fine.” I give in. “Let’s go.”
The rink is empty when we walk in. Instead of lacing up in the locker area, Uncle Manu and I lace up by the ice.
“How did you score the place all to yourself?” I ask.
“The owner used to be a client of mine. Fixed up his lawn a few years ago, and he hasn’t forgotten about it since.” Uncle Manu rises with a grunt. He hands me a hockey stick. “Ready to go?”
“I guess.” I grip the old stick and follow him onto the ice.
Uncle Manu drops the puck and passes it towards me. I swipe it back to him.
He snickers. “Is that all you’ve got?”
I smile faintly. “I’m just going easy on you.”
“Hey,Ishould be going easy onyou!”Uncle Manu pushes past me with the puck. I swivel around. He’s already racing towards the other side. He veers towards the dot and slap shoots the puck. It strikes the net.
“Whew!” Uncle Manu whoops. “Did you see that?”
