Page 51 of Until We Burn
Cheers fire out across the arena when Kai strikes the puck towards the Griffins.
This Kai I’m watching is nothing like the one at the hockey club. He shows no teasing smiles. No slow, meandering movements.
The Kai I’m watching right now rips through the ice, brows furrowed with fierce, unrelenting focus. His skates kick up white dust as he charges past swarming players with the puck in possession.
He nears the net and shoots.
The goal horn blares.
I gasp, jumping to my feet with everyone else. Cowbells rattle, and hands bang against the plexiglass.
“That’s mynephew!”Uncle Manu shouts. He whirls around, and his eyes perk up at me. “Did you see that?”
“Yes, I did!” I laugh.
I’ve secretly watched Kai’s games on TV, but seeing him play in person is electrifying. He wears the same jersey as everyone else, yet his presence is much more commanding and arresting. On the ice, Kai is like a lightning bolt cutting through a swarm of clouds.
Desire unfurls and consumes me like wildfire.
Especially when Kai scores the winning goal.
“The DHU Griffins win!”
The goal horn fires off over and over. Vapor hisses down from the jumbotron. It plumes over the horde of screaming Griffins fans. I watch the team leap from the players’ bench and swarm into a group hug.
Kai pants hard, his smile beading with sweat. He looks over at the crowd until he finds me, and his smile deepens. His green eyes shimmer as he raises a brow and spreads his hands out.
Well?
I shyly glance away, biting my lip to hide the ridiculous smile threatening to split my face in two. I still feel his eyes on me. They roam over me, burning like a brand.
Eventually, the crowd dies down and everyone starts leaving the arena for the Wing and Flame.
“Hey, you!”
I grind to a stop. I look over my shoulder and see Uncle Manu waving at me.
“I just wanted to say thanks for taking that photo for us!”
“Oh, it’s no problem.” My smile softens. “I’m sure it made Kai very happy.”
Uncle Manu’s eyes light up. “You know my nephew?”
“We’re partners,” I reply.
Confusion crosses his face, making me gasp.
“For a project!” I scramble out. “We’repartnerson aproject.”
“Oh!” Uncle Manu shakes his head and chortles. “Well, good luck with that. I remember when Kainoa was a boy, he’d get distracted so easily. Instead of doing his homework, he’d glide his butt down the stairs. That’s why I call himpetit bouc!Little goat! So restless that boy.”
Uncle Manu laughs with me, revealing a row of missing teeth that makes him look even more friendly and endearing.
He suddenly pauses. “I’m sorry, I don’t think I got your name.”
I hesitate. For once, saying my name feels like a punishment.
“Diana Huang.”
