Page 190 of Until We Burn
All we have to tackle now is the awkward situation of telling my family the backstory behind the intimate tapes of Diana and me that were leaked at the Frozen Four.
“…So, that’s why we’ve been secretly dating for a while.”
Uncle Manu, mama, and papa take in the story with raised brows and dropped jaws. I don’t blame them. This isn’t exactly what they signed up for when they came by to see me teach at the club. I’m just glad they never found out about what happened with Matthias and Edward. The lights went out before they saw me get taken away. The boys had made sure they got back safely to Kitsilano before they met up at Stella’s. Still, the awkward tensions from that night rattle the air between us.
“I’m so sorry you had to find out the way you did. I swear we had every intention of telling you eventually,” Diana insists. So much guilt and shame wrack her face, it’s only relieved by Uncle Manu offering her a gentle pat on the shoulder.
“If it makes you feel any better, I always had a feeling,” he admits, “From the first time I met you.”
Mama gasps and smacks his arm. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Kai’s love life is his business,” papa placates. He frowns at me. “No one should’ve exposed your relationship like that.”
Diana relaxes a little. She smiles as our hands wind back together again. “For what it’s worth, I really do love your son.”
My thumb brushes Diana’s knuckles. “And I love her, too.”
Mama tears up. She sniffles and clasps her hands over her heart.
“This is all we’ve ever wanted for you,mon cœur.”A choked sob catches in her throat as she laughs. Mama wraps Diana into a hug. Her eyes flutter shut when she squeezes Diana tight. “It’s nice to meet you, sweetheart.”
Diana hugs her back.
After years of believing that everything was falling apart, I’m starting to realize that it was all coming together instead.
The last practicewraps up with a scrimmage that leaves the Little Griffins panting and high on adrenaline. They fidget and squirm in nearly every photo their parents force them to stand still for.
“Look here, Henry! Look here!” Mrs. Walton coaxes.
I bend down next to Henry and smile at the camera. The second the flash goes off, the Little Griffin hugs me so tight, his helmet squishes against my cheek.
“I’m gonna miss you, Kai M.”
My heart softens. I squeeze him tight and pat his back. “I’m gonna miss you, too, buddy. Keep playing no matter what, alright?”
“Alright!”
He skates off the ice. I watch him scramble towards Mrs. Walton who’s hugging a familiar-looking man gripping a white document holder.
He grins and kisses her head. “Hey, babe.”
I brace my hand against the plexiglass.
It’s fucking Todd Makas, the general manager of the Vancouver Phoenix.
He nods at me as if we’re two friends passing by on the street. “How are you doing, son?”
Oh, my fuck, he’s talking to me.
“Uh…g-good, sir.” I swallow hard. “I’m good.”
His hand proudly claps down Henry’s shoulder. “You’ve been doing a great job with my boy here.”
My eyes widen. “You’re Henry’s dad?”
“Stepdad, actually. I’ve been trying to switch him to a more competitive club for the last few months, but he wanted to stay here because of you.”
Henry flashes a gap-toothed grin that makes me ease up.
