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I move so I’m straddling Ky’s lap and place my hands on his shoulders. He’s leaning against the headboard, the remnants of his breakfast sitting on a tray next to us. Shortly after we reconciled after the National Championship game, I revealed my plan to grand-gesture-the-shit-out-of-him in a bid to win him back. He was touched but also intrigued as to what else I had up my sleeve, so it’s become my mission to show him just how much he’s loved. Along with the signs at the arena, I’ve also been making him breakfast in bed on the mornings he doesn’t have to rush off anywhere; we’ve had candlelit dinners when he comes back from the bar, and last night I gave him a massage to soothe his aching muscles. I’m still recovering from the aftermath, and now my muscles are aching in the most pleasurable way.
“Te quiero,” I whisper as I leave small kisses over his face. Another of the grand gestures I decided on was saying “I love you” in as many different languages as possible. They started out as little notes left in his pocket or his car, so he could find them and know I was thinking about him. On one occasion, I was running late and missed the opportunity to leave the latest note, so instead, I recorded a message and texted it to him. Ever since then, he starts each day with a request for me to say those words in a different language. Today, it’s Spanish. I know my pronunciation leaves a lot to be desired, but it’s the thought that counts.
“Fuck, Thea, I don’t know what turns me on more, hearing your sexy morning voice whisper sweet nothings to me in any language, or rubbing your sweet pussy against me in those tiny shorts.”
I laugh and exaggerate my movements, causing Ky to moan and chase my mouth for a kiss. I allow him to, but only for a few seconds.
“Easy, tiger. We’ve got a big day planned ahead of us.”
“I’ll be quick,” he promises. His fingers tug at the elastic on my shorts. I kiss him once on the nose then jump off the bed, eliciting a curse from him.
“You and I both know ‘quick’ is not in our vocabulary when we’re in a bed together. But I look forward to continuing this later.” I give him a wink, then strip completely before running into the en-suite for a shower. Before I shut the door, I hear his pained words behind me.
“You’ll be the death of me, Thea Jenson!”
* * *
“We’re going to an amusement park?” Ky asks, his eyes wide in a mixture of awe and excitement.
“You guessed it!” I pull the car into a parking spot and switch it off. I’ve driven us to a town about two hours away, so we can go to the amusement park on the pier.
“Lacey is going to be so jealous!”
“We’ll bring her here soon. Today is all about you and me.”
Since we started dating, Ky and I have only had one official date, which was at the ice rink after one of his games. One-and-a-half if you count the ice-cream date with Lacey. A date at a tourist’s attraction might not be the most original idea, but the wonder shining in Ky’s eyes indicates this is something he missed out on growing up. We walk hand-in-hand to the ticket booth, and I purchase two adult passes which entitles us to unlimited rides, together with a bumper book of tickets for the concession stands. I let Ky guide us through the day and his first pick is the roller coaster, where he whoops and yells at the top of his lungs. We go on the bumper cars, the tilt-a-whirl, the free fall, and the orbiter and are now about to take our turn at one of the games. The attendant quickly explains the rules—we have to aim our water pistol at the cartoon face in front of us and shoot the water in its opening and closing mouth. The first person to raise the ball in the tube on the character’s hand to the top, wins. A countdown starts and when the siren sounds, I’m quick off the mark. My aim is steady, thanks to years of playing against Jude when visiting fairs as a kid, and even though Ky tries to put me off by shoving me a couple of times, my steely aim earns me the win. The attendant asks me what I want for my prize, and I point to a large, cuddly unicorn. He hands it over and I immediately give it to my boyfriend.
“No way,” Ky laughs infectiously.
“Yes way,” I reply, “I told you, I plan to show you all the grand gestures you deserve and winning a cuddly toy is one of them. It’s also a rite of passage. You have not lived until you’ve tried to carry one of these things around all day.”
“Shouldn’t I be the one fighting tooth and nail to win you a toy instead?”
“Nah, it’s the 21st Century. It’s all about equality these days.”
“I’m not going to argue with that.” Ky brings my hand to his mouth and kisses my knuckles, then picks up the giant, overstuffed unicorn and proudly holds it in front of him. I quickly stop to take a photo and send it in the group chat message to the others.
Nolan
You won him a toy? I’m sooooo jealous.
Jude
Niiiiiccceee Thea. Looks like I trained you well.
Devon
First dibs on cuddling that fucker when you get back.
Millie doesn’t reply but I know she had some things going on today, so I take no notice.
After we have something to eat—hot dogs and funnel cake—and spend the afternoon on a few more rides, we make our way to the Ferris Wheel for our last ride of the day as the sun begins to set. We leave Eunice the Unicorn, as she is affectionately now known, with the attendant and take our place in the cart as it slowly begins to turn. It might be the clichéd romantic gesture of them all, but I wouldn’t change anything. Kyler’s missed out on this and I’m happy to show him all the clichés in existence if it means having him smile without a care in the world.
Since Mrs. Nelson became a frequent figure in Lacey’s life, it’s as if the responsibility and worries that sat heavily on Ky’s shoulders have been removed. As well as finding Ky’s mom a stable job, she’s helped her quit drinking all together. Ally has moved on from the diner and is now working as a receptionist at an attorneys’ office—the same attorneys who are handling Mrs. Nelson’s divorce from her husband. Apparently, she laid down the law on Mr. Nelson and was furious he kept Lacey a secret from her. Carl and Adam have been thrown out and are now living in an apartment on one of his newly-finished developments. Mrs. Nelson plans to sell the house eventually and move closer to Northport—but with enough distance so it doesn’t feel like she’s imposing on the Roses’ lives. And Lacey? Well, she’s thriving. She started her hockey lessons a month ago and by all accounts, is a demon on the ice, just like her uncle. And she loves her new grandmaw, as she calls her, and video chats with her twice a week. Lacey has her first youth ice hockey game coming up on the weekend and we’re all going to be there: Ky’s mom and sister; Mrs. Nelson, Jude, Nolan, Devon, and Millie; and Ky and me. Better believe we’ll be the best and loudest cheerleaders she could ever wish for.
I’m also relieved to say Kyler’s also given up the fighting and there are no more cuts and bruises to care for. He’s received some interest from a few AHL teams but hasn’t decided whether he wants to play now or try for another championship. Ky feels another stellar season will up his chances in the draft. He also wants to graduate and receive the diploma he’s worked hard for. And, after much persuasion, he eventually cashed Adam’s check and used the money to buy a new car. Gone is the Camry and in its place is a Toyota RAV4. As much as he wanted to get a truck or some kind of sports car, he also has Lacey to think of and needed to be somewhat sensible. The RAV4 is his compromise.
Speaking of Adam, he’s been wiped from not only my life, but my family’s life too. Jude has also blocked him and, after updating my mom and dad, they’ve done the same—cutting all ties with the Nelsons, except Andrea. In fact, my parents let Andrea stay with them while her lowlife husband and son moved out.
