Page 155 of The Blame Game

Dom sucked in a breath, unsure of how to respond. Was Shea giving him an opening? Or was he merely making conversation?

They were both quiet as the waiter cleared their salad plates and Dom glanced around. The feeling of being watched and judged had dissipated. Whether it was the wine or the conversation with Shea, he wasn’t sure.

But no one was paying them any attention. There’d certainly be pictures and speculation in JockGossip tomorrow—it was why he’d picked this place, because being out in public with Shea was what he needed to do—but for the most part, no one cared that he and Shea were out together.

The waiter brought out their entrées. Dom had ordered lamb, while Shea had gotten a pork chop. Everything was beautifully plated and they talked about the food for a few minutes before Dom brought the conversation back to his worries about if he’d be good at player development. “Honestly, I don’t think I’m very good with people.”

“Yeah?” Shea paused, his fork and serrated knife frozen mid-cut. “I mean, you can be a little brusque, maybe, but I think you could get there.”

“Brusque.” Dom laughed. “That’s one word for it.”

“Well …” Shea shot him a look. “You’re probably not the most approachable guy.”

“Probably not.” Dom agreed.

“But that doesn’t mean you can’t work at it.”

“I know. It just makes me feel like a hypocrite when I think about the way I lit into Gilly about how he treats the guys. Who am I to talk?”

“I think you’re someone who cares about your team,” Shea said. “And player development is about more than getting the puck in the back of the net. It’s about mindset and growth and I think you’d be great at that part of it. And you can work on the rest.”

Dom sat back in his chair, reaching for his wineglass. “I guess I worry about taking classes too. If I’m ready for that.”

“While you’re on IR? Or after retirement?”

“Both. I looked up the requirements for a degree,” Dom admitted. “And it’s daunting. I haven’t thought about English or history or math in over twenty years.”

“Were you a good student?”

“I did fine. I never wowed anyone but I wasn’t one of the guys on the team in danger of losing their eligibility.”

“So maybe start with something fun,” Shea said. “While you’re recovering, do an online course and pick an elective that sounds enjoyable.”

Dom considered it. “Hmm. Not a bad idea.”

“And hey,” Shea offered with smile. “I’ll be around if you need any help.”

“I’m glad of that,” Dom said.

The look Shea gave him was both sweet and heated and Dom very much wished that they were alone so he could kiss him.

Instead, he concentrated on his food.

When they’d finished their entrées, their empty plates were gone, and Shea was dithering over whether or not he wanted dessert, Dom felt a sudden rush of affection for him.

He was so … so wonderful and Dom felt like he didn’t do enough for Shea. Like he didn’t show him how much he appreciated him.

Whatever this was, whatever they were working toward, whatever he secretly hoped would become of this situation, he needed Shea to know how amazing he truly was.

So with one last thoughtful look at Shea, Dom caught the waiter’s eye.

“We’ll take a slice of the black forest gateau to go,” he told him.

“Very good, sir,” the man said.

Shea raised an eyebrow but didn’t argue when Dom paid for the meal and hustled him out the door, carrying the to-go bag.

“It seems like you’re in a hurry or something.” Shea teased as Dom tapped his foot impatiently while they waited for the valet to bring out his car. “And here I thought we were having a good time.”

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