Dad's Letter

Kai and Aiden stood (and sat) frozen on the court after their grandmother left. Aiden approached cautiously, his hands shoved into his pockets.

"Kai…" Aiden began, his voice quiet and hesitant. 

Kai didn't look at him. He didn't trust himself to. 

"I need some space," Kai muttered, still looking at the ground. 

Aiden studied him for a moment before nodding. "I get it," he said. "I'll text you later."

Kai didn't reply, only giving a stiff nod before turning toward the exit. His feet felt like metal as he made his way back to the hotel. 

Brothers? Why now? What did it all mean?

When he entered the room, his teammates looked up from their phones. 

"Woah, Kai. You look pale," Max said.

"Rough night?" Jimmy asked, observing how Kai walked like a zombie to his bed. 

Kai didn't answer. He dropped his bag by the bed and sank onto the mattress, his head in his hands. The room fell silent, his teammates exchanging glances.