Kassie
Kassie sat across the table from her mom, her sister-in-law Ali, and nephew Kaleb. It was a beautiful Friday in late October. Everywhere you looked, Pittsburgh was decorated for fall. The trees were yellow with hints of red, fallen leaves lay scattered on the ground, and the sun gave everything a golden, warm glow. The hockey season was in full swing now. The Renegades were in Detroit tonight for a game, and the team fathers were their guests.
Kassie and Kaden no longer had their dad. Kaden had taken the loss in his stride and never let the Dad’s Trip bother him too much. She admired him for that. It had been hard not having her dad here, especially with all that their mom had been through of late. But now that little Kaleb was here, their father’s namesake, their days were much brighter.
Kassie picked at her salad, hunting out the cranberries and eating them one at a time. Her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Luc, and regrets of how badly she had handled things this morning. As soon as she was outside her apartment, she knew she’d made a mistake. But there was no turning back at that point.
Lying to him about being called into work created a lump in her stomach that wouldn’t go away. It wasn’t completely implausible that she was called in; it was Friday. But what Luc didn’t know was that the office was closed today. She hated deceiving him.
Her brain went to the conversation she’d had with her brother not long after he found them together. She didn’t tell Luc about that run in, because she didn’t want to cause any more trouble.
Kaden looked angry. His forehead was wrinkled and his jaw was ticking, along with the large vein in his neck popping out. Yeah, he was stewing.
“How can you just sit there and play with Kaleb?” His words were stern, but his voice calm.
“Um, just like this?” Kassie gazed at him. He was starting to look so much like their father. She knew that’s why he was taking such an interest in this. If their dad was here, he’d surely be skeptical of a young athlete like Luc. Especially one with very public escapades.
“Kassie, don’t act like you don’t know what I mean.” He obviously didn’t appreciate her sarcastic humor.
“Sorry, Kass,” Ali said. “I’ve tried talking to him, but you know how stubborn he can be.” Ali picked Kaleb up. “It’s time for little guy’s nap, anyway. I’ll leave you two to talk. Babe, remember this is your sister you’re talking to and not an opposing player. Kassie, call me later if you need to talk.”
Kassie watched Ali take Kaleb upstairs. This conversation didn’t need to be done in front of the little guy. She knew a large percent of it would be Kaden trying to convince her why he was right. Kaleb didn’t need to hear his daddy and auntie disagreeing.
“She’s a good one, bro. Hang onto her.” She nodded upstairs to Ali. Once Ali was out of sight and Kassie heard the bedroom door close, she took a deep breath and stretched her neck out, hoping to head off the migraine she was sure to get after this talk. “All right Kaden, what’s got your boxers in a bunch today?”
“My boxers in a what? Kassie, you know why I’m mad. Don’t act like you don’t.”
“You’re still bent out of shape that I’m dating Luc.” Kassie flopped down on the couch with her legs folded under her. How many times were they going to go through this? “Bro, you’re going to have to get over this sooner or later.”
In typical brother fashion, Kaden pouted. “I don’t have to get over anything. And don’t tell me that I do.”
His response reminded her of when they were kids and he couldn’t stand to be wrong. Ever.
“Kaden, I like him. I told you all this. Do we have to go over it all again? Or can I just enjoy visiting you and your family?”
“Will you just stop for one minute and listen to yourself. You never fell for athletes. Why him? What makes Luc so special? What makes him worthy of you?”
“I don’t need to justify any of this to you. I’m not a little girl anymore, and I can make my own decisions. I’m still getting to know him, Kaden. If he turns out to be a jerk, I’ll tell him to take a hike. I may or may not swear off athletes, but that’s my choice to make. And if he’s not the jerk you’re making him out to be, then I’m going to give him a chance, and so will you.”
Kaden shook his head, obviously not in agreement. His jaw ticked.
“Kaden, I want us to get past this. I know you’re worried about me. But I’m going to be okay. I swear. I can take care of myself.”
“But it’s my job to look out for you, Kassie.” His face was serious with concern.
She knew her brother, and that was why his argument didn’t affect her. Because he wasn’t angry, he was concerned about her. “Maybe when we were kids, sure, but not anymore, Kaden. You have a wife and a little boy that need your protection. I, on the other hand, can protect myself.”
Ali’s voice bellowed from upstairs. “I can hold my own, too.”
Kaden shook his head at his eavesdropping wife.
“Please stop with the macho caveman crap. Let’s just talk.” Instantly she saw his face soften at her words. But the frustration in his eyes stayed.
“You’re my sister. Marcella knows better than this. And I swear I’ll kill him if he hurts you.”
Kassie snickered as she psychoanalyzed Kaden. “So, you’re deflecting your anger at Luc onto me?”
“Stop it with your college psychology class crap. He disrespected our friendship, but more than that, he’s risking our team dynamic.”
“He’s doing all that by dating me?”
“By dating my sister. Yes. I see him around the fangirls. I know how he flirts, and worse. I’ve seen it all, Kass. I refuse to see you be the next girl he hurts. You’re too good for him.”
“If you’re worried about the fangirls, you don’t have to be. We’ve talked about that. I’m not the overly jealous type, especially when there’s nothing to be jealous of. He likes me, Kaden, me. Not them.”
Kaden shook his head with a heavy sigh. “You just aren’t getting it.”
“What’s to get? Is it that hard to believe that he only wants me?” This conversation was beginning to annoy her.
Kaden huffed and gritted his teeth. “I’m sure he does like you. Why wouldn’t he? But you just don’t know how these guys can be.”
“And I’m a big girl, and I can handle it.” She knew more than he realized. But she also knew there were good guys out there, too. “Not all athletes are dogs.”
Kaden shook his head with frustration, obviously not realizing her last comment was about him. He sighed heavily as if he understood he had lost this battle already. As if in a last-ditch effort, he added, “I still don’t like it.”
Ali’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “Earth to Kass. Don’t you think Kaleb’s little hooded sweatshirt is adorable?”
“Um, what?” Kassie knew Ali had asked her something, but she had no idea what.
“I asked you about Kaleb’s little hooded sweatshirt. Don’t you think it’s adorable? Trina Morris got it for him.”
Her nephew was the sweetest little thing. He had a head full of fair hair like both her brother and sister-in-law, and big eyes that watched everything everyone did. “Yes, it’s very cute. But Kaleb looks good in everything.”
“True, very true. I saw you talking to Trina at the party the other day,” Ali said. As soon as she realized she’d brought up the party, her face dropped. “Anyway, did I tell you that Kaleb has a new favorite toy? The only thing that will console him when he’s upset is his bunny. It used to be the duck, but now it’s that bunny. Crazy, right?”
“Bunny? Yeah, crazy.” Kassie smiled.
“Enough of this chit-chat. Kassie, how are things with you and the hockey boy?” Kassie’s mom blurted out.
“Mom!” Kassie grunted.
“Oooh, I like this topic. Yeah, Kass, how are things with you and the hockey boy? Or should I say the Puck-Star?”
Kassie’s mom looked at Ali. “What’s a Puck-Star?”
“Kassie’s hockey boy calls himself the Puck-Star. And we like to pick on him about it. Kind of like Rock-Star, but in hockey.”
“Ohhh. I get it. That’s cute. Well, Kassie? How are things, now that it’s out in the open?”
“Things were going good with Luc. Then Kaden started.”
“What did Kaden do?”
“Your son just can’t face the fact that his little sister isn’t so little anymore,” Ali said. “He wants to have more control over her life than he should. And he’s become a bit of a bully. Should I go on?” Ali asked Kassie’s mom.
“No, that’s plenty. It sums my son up perfectly. He’s always been protective of his sister, but after we lost their dad, he got out of hand. Way out of hand.”
“That’s just it. Yesterday at practice, Luc did something that Kaden didn’t like, and Kaden got in his face and tried to start a fist fight with him!” Kassie said in almost a whine.
“I already told him he needs to cut that caveman crap out.” Ali shook her head while eating a french fry. “He’s not doing himself any favors acting out like that.”
“I said the same thing.” Kassie speared a piece of lettuce with her fork. “But I’m starting to wonder if I’m making a mistake.”
As soon as the words came out of her mouth, she regretted saying them. All eyes were on her. There was no way she was getting out of explaining herself.
“What do you mean, dear?” her mom asked, frowning.
“Mom, I’m already making things messy for both of them at work. I know that’s what the code is meant to avoid. I just never thought it would apply to me. But that fight at practice! That was caused by me.” Her chest ached. She didn’t want to not be with Luc, but she was making everything such a mess. This was exactly why she had stayed far away from hockey players.
Ali pointed at her with a fry from across the table. “Kassie, you aren’t the problem.”
“But the code and all that bullshit.”
“Kass, that code is more like a guideline than a rule. And even rules are made to be bent and sometimes broken. Just take a look around our own team. It happens all the time.”
“Maybe.” Kassie sighed, knowing her sister-in-law was right. But that just made her disappearing act this morning even worse. She had really messed up.
“What is going on in your head, Kass? I don’t like that look on your face.” Ali tilted her head and squinted at Kassie.
“I did something this morning.” She shook her head in distress. “I’m so stupid. I’ve made such a mess of everything.”
“What did you do, Kass?” Ali asked.
“I snuck out of my own apartment before Luc woke up. I didn’t leave a note or anything. I just left.”
“You ran out while cutie-pie Puck-Star lay in your bed? Why on Earth would you do that? Why would anyone do that?”
“I don’t know. I got nervous. I like him so much, but I can’t make him choose between me or the game.”
“Dear, who says he has to choose?” Her mother was obviously confused. Why wouldn’t she be? Kassie was just as confused herself.
“I will always be the problem between him and Kaden, and he will always be between me and Kaden. No one wins. It’s just a mess. Now I’ve run out on Luc without a word, and he’s probably wondering why I would do that, and without much thought I’ve created another mess. A mess on top of a mess.” Kassie sighed. She dropped her chin onto her fist and picked at her salad.
Ali shook her head. “Kass, you worry too much. Let’s try something. Tell me a little about Luc.”
“Tell you about Luc? Like what?” It seemed like an odd question.
“His personality, how he acts, anything.”
“Well, you know Luc.” Kassie shrugged. “He’s sweet. He really is. He’s protective, too. Before I gave in to my feelings for him, we hung out a few times as friends. But he always looked out for me. Taking me home when I was out drinking, keeping the creeps at bay when I was out dancing. He’s just always there. Even after what went down at practice yesterday, he took me out and treated me like a princess. In everything he does, he puts me first.”
“So, you’re saying that he’s a real gentleman?” Ali asked, as if she was doing research.
“Yes. Always. Kaden does nothing but talk about what a dog Luc is, or was, but I never see that side of him. It’s not like we jumped right into bed. And he certainly hasn’t bailed since we did. We spend any chance we get together. He texts me all the time when we’re not. He’s kind. He’s handsome, right down to that cute little dimple. He’s a caring person. I mean, he takes care of his dad the best he can.”
“You’ve met his dad?”
“Yes. Luc had me over for pizza and his father was there.”
“He’s already introduced you to his dad, Kassie. How many bunnies can say they’ve met Mr. Marcella?” Ali pointed out.
“Can we not talk about the bunnies? Please? I’m too old to be this jealous. And I’m regretting ever saying anything about it.”
“Okay, no bunnies. But he takes care of his dad the way Kaden tries to take care of you and me?” her mom asked.
“Well, I guess. Yeah.”
“And Kaden was okay with this guy before he started to date you?”
Ali spoke up. “Yep. I mean, they got along just fine. Being one of the younger guys, Kaden didn’t hang out with him a lot, but they got along. From what Trina has said, Luc and Sam are really good friends.” She adjusted the baby in her arms. A surprised smile filled her face. “And apparently he’s really good with Willow. He’s over at their house all the time playing tea party or watching cartoons with her.”
Kassie didn’t know he spent so much time with the Morris family. “That fits him, though. He’s fun, and kind, and cute. Why wouldn’t their daughter love him?”
“Hmm…” Her mom stared at her. “I knew it.”
“Knew what, Mom?”
“You can second-guess yourself all you want, but I know my daughter. You love this hockey boy.”
Kassie put her hands up in protest. “Woah! I never said the L-word. We haven’t known each other long enough to even think about that.”
“Kass, there isn’t a time restraint on love. It just happens,” Ali added.
“Well, I just don’t see how this is going to work. It puts Luc in a bad position, and it puts Kaden in a bad position. And it puts me in the middle. No one can truly be happy like this.”
“Dear, the only one putting your brother in a bad position is himself,” her mom said, and Kassie knew that she was right.
“But I’m the cause of all of it. It’s been eating away at me since yesterday. And as much as I want to be with Luc, I can’t be the reason he gets traded, or that Kaden gets traded, because they’re a problem in the locker room. Teams don’t deal with things like that in the locker room; they just get rid of the problem.” She shook her head in defeat. “The code wins. Guidelines, whatever. I should’ve avoided athletes. I knew better.” At the very least, hockey players, specifically, Renegades players.
“But you do want to be with Luc, don’t you? Kass, I saw you two at the party. You’re pure heat together. The way he looks at you, the way he touched you, it’s like you’re his world. And I know you haven’t been dating for that long, but sometimes it doesn’t take long to know that you belong with someone.” Ali snuggled Kaleb in her arms.
“Something else is bothering you, dear. What is it?”
Kassie didn’t want to admit this. If she said it out loud she’d sound like a jealous teenager, and she hated the thought of that. She just shook her head.
“Do you have his jersey yet?” Ali asked.
Damn, that girl knows me so well that it’s scary.
“No. He has enough little fangirls running around with his jersey on; he doesn’t need one more.” As the words left her mouth, her mom’s face lit up as if it all clicked.
“Ah-ha,” her mom said.
“Ah-ha, what?”
“Green is a terrible color on you, Kass,” Ali said, shaking her head and grinning.
“What?” Kassie looked down at her shirt. What they hell are they talking about?
“You saw the bunnies yesterday, didn’t you? At practice. I heard all about them. Hell, I’ve seen them when I’ve been there. They’re hard to miss.”
She didn’t want to admit it, but slowly she nodded her head. “Yes.”
“And they’re making you think twice about being with him? Why?”
“It’s not them. It’s not him. It’s not anything. It’s everything. I didn’t like being jealous of those girls. I’m twenty-two years old. I have better things to do than be jealous. But they’re the ones standing there in his jersey, not me.” She shook her head, regretting everything she’d already said. “It’s stupid.”
“You want to be branded as his, don’t you?” Ali asked, her mouth gaping open in humorous shock.
“I’m not anyone’s property,” Kassie droned. “That’s kind of high school, don’t you think?”
“Oh, cut it out, Kass. You know if he made some grand gesture, showing you and everyone else how important you are to him, you’d swoon. And I wouldn’t blame you one bit.”
“Dear, is your brother the biggest obstacle?”
Kassie shrugged. “Kind of. I mean, he’s my brother. I care about him, and I don’t like him being so angry with me. And I really don’t like seeing him treat Luc so awfully. They’re teammates; they’re supposed to be close, like family. I would step back to make all that anger stop. To make everyone happy again.”
“Everyone except you,” Ali pointed out.
Her voice was soft as she said, “I really do like him, so much. I just don’t want to mess up his career.”
“That sure sounds like love to me,” Ali said, as she cooed at a laughing Kaleb.
“She’s not wrong, dear,” Kassie’s mom agreed, then turned her attention to Kaleb. “Hey there, big guy. Who’s our handsome little O’Conner man?”
“Kass, I don’t think Luc is too worried about repercussions. Plus, Luc can handle himself.” Ali handed little Kaleb off to his grandmother.
“All right, enough of this. There’s only one way to take care of it.” Her mom fumbled with her purse while holding the baby. She finally brought out a little calendar and opened it, then babbled some baby talk to Kaleb as she looked at the dates.
“You’re all invited to dinner at my house on Sunday. Ali, you make sure my son shows up. Kassie, you invite Luc and his father.”
“Something tells me you won’t take ‘no thanks’ for an answer,” Kassie said to her mother, already knowing the answer.
“Absolutely not. Attendance is mandatory. Leave it to mom to fix things.”