“Remy, you don’t have to call me that. Just Kai is fine. What’s up?”
“There’s a man downstairs asking to see you. Claims he’s an old friend. Says his name is Aiden,” he responds.
The blood in my veins runs cold. I haven’t spoken to Aiden in ages, not after everything that happened. Part of surviving is compartmentalizing and that means not thinking about what happened last summer every second of every fucking day. But as much as I hate to admit it, I have wondered how Aiden is doing. That my actions weren’t in vain.
“Okay, I’ll see him. Downstairs. Don’t stray far,” I instruct. Remy and I both get into the elevator and once the lobby doors open and I see him, I’m hit with a startling wave of relief. I thought it would be terror, anger, resentment. He crosses the foyer of my apartment building in a few strides.
“Hey,” he says, wringing the back of his neck with his hand. “Jenna told me about the wedding,” he admits.
“Yeah, she has a way of meddling, doesn’t she?” I can’t help but stifle a grin. Aiden looks good. Like maybe he finally got his shit together. A man beaten but not broken, thank god. He looks fit, trim, like he’s gained some muscle back. His sandy blonde hair is short and styled and his dark blue eyes are clear. Filled with remorse and trepidation maybe, but clear. Which suggests he isn't actively using.
“Yeah. Listen, I’m sorry I just showed up here out of the blue and I don’t want to intrude. I just wanted to say a few things and then I’ll be on my way.”
“Okay…” My eyes flick to Remy and I give him a brief nod, indicating everything is okay and he doesn’t need to babysit us for this.
“I’m so fucking sorry man for what happened. For everything. I don’t expect you to forgive me. But Iamsorry. I didn’t know it would be like that, that bad. I knew if they got their hands on me, they would hurt me, likely kill me. I had too many bounties on my head. But I never thought…” he swallows, trying to compose himself. He stares at the ceiling, searching for answers, for words neither of us have, before bringing his gaze back to mine. “I’m so sorry, Kai, and I’ll never be able to repay you for what you did for me. You saved my life, man. I’ve been clean for four months. I know it doesn’t seem like a lot. But for me, where I was headed…it is.”
“Aiden, it's okay. No one could have known what his next move would be. And I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I let you die. I made the choice. I suffered for it, but I made it. No one else.” It wasn't easy and it didn’t change anything, but it was the truth. No one forced me. I made the decision and I paid for it dearly. Some part of me knew I’d always be paying for it. But seeing him here, alive, healthy. Right now, that’s enough.
“Thank you, Kai. I probably won’t ever be able to thank you enough, not in this lifetime. I’ll never be able to repay you for it,” his voice cracks.
“That’s okay. I’ll let you keep trying,” I smirk, attempting to lighten the mood.
“There’s one more thing…” he admits, taking a step closer, his eyes darting around the room.
“Yeah?” I ask.
“When I was in rehab, I met a guy in there,” he swallows and lowers his voice. “I can’t tell you his name. But he was an FBI informant. He had spent three years on the inside with some of Ferrante's most loyal soldiers—"
“I’m not sure if I want to hear this, Aiden,” I respond, the hairs on the back of my neck rising.
“Trust me, you do,” he presses on. “He said things had been escalating in the past year or so. Fights, targeted attacks, crime rising in both Ferrante and O’Rourke territory. The last turf war and drug raid ended in a shoot-out. It was a fucking bloodbath. The whole thing was coordinated and staged by the FBI with the informant’s help. I'm sure you saw bits and pieces on the news about it a few months ago.”
I nod. I had seen it.
“Anyways, the informant said it resulted in a lot of arrests. He told me that almost everyone connected to the O’Rourke’s, even lower level guys, are either dead or in jail. O’Rourke went into hiding but I’m sure he’ll turn up soon. I just thought you’d want to know, maybe you’d have some peace of mind.”
“Thanks,” I reply, my mouth suddenly going dry. “You can come up, you know, if you want. There’s tons of food, dancing…” I trail off.
“That’s okay, I just wanted to talk to you.” He offers me a small smile. “It’s probably best if I stay away for the time being. You only deserve good things today. Congratulations by the way. I’m so happy for you guys.”
Epilogue
3 Years Later
Afterpracticeends,Ilock up the rink, exit through the back door, and make my way to the wall of trees that separates the hockey club from my house. I step over partially obscured roots and push long branches aside until I reach the trodden path that leads to our property. Spider webs glisten in the early evening sun, birds chirp and trill singing about the end of summer, and somewhere in the distance, I hear more woodland creatures scampering about. It’s golden hour, my favorite time of day. Besides five a.m. skate. There’s something about being the first person on fresh ice that hasn’t been touched yet. Maybe it’s that no matter what, you get to start again, have a blank slate every day.
Once I reach our backyard, I pause to watch a mother duck and her five ducklings swim across the pond leisurely. One duckling remains on the edge, probably too nervous to go in. I walk over to the pond quietly and bend down, giving him a gentle nudge with my hand. The mother swims over to him to make sure he gets in line. She stares at me for the briefest of moments as if to saythank you. I keep walking and round thefront of the house. I can see them perfectly, my whole world, but they don’t notice me yet. Kendall is sitting in a white rocking chair, our daughter on her lap. Akio is lying on his stomach, colored pencils and loose paper spread out around him, drawing a picture. Stella sleeps at Kendall’s feet, curled up and content. My entire universe is in this wrap-around porch. Stella hears me first and in seconds, she’s bounding off the steps, her paws landing on my chest. She’s barking relentlessly, planting big sloppy wet kisses on my face.
“Hey girl, hey Stella, girl,” I greet her, scratching her head and walking towards the front steps.
“Daddy!” Akio shouts, flying off the landing and into my arms.
“Hey bud, I missed you today,” I say, ruffling his hair and sprinkling it with kisses.
“I missed you too! Can I go to practice with you next time?” he whines.
“This weekend you can, okay?” I respond.
