Page 158 of The Blame Game

Shea grinned. “That’s what I keep telling him.”

Dom shot him a look that was mingled annoyance and fondness. Shea had been getting a lot of that lately and he was starting to enjoy it.

He liked seeing Dom be himself and not hold back.

After meeting the guests of honor, Shea was introduced to Dom’s captain, Dustin, who was handsome, with kind dark eyes and a friendly smile.

“Welcome,” he said, offering his hand to shake. “We’re glad to have you here. Charlie’s been raving about you already.”

Shea also met Nico and his fiancé, August, who were planning to get married that summer.

“You should come.” Nico shot him a brilliant smile. “The more the merrier.”

August looked somewhat alarmed. “Uh, you’re welcome to come as Dom’s plus one of course,” he said to Shea before he turned to look at Nico. “But I thought we talked about the fact that we were trying to keep the wedding small. We’re over three hundred people already!”

“Yeah, that’s small.” Nico shrugged. “I mean, compared to the number of people I could have invited, it’s tiny! And come on! Think of the presents, Auggie.”

“We don’t need presents,” August hissed. “We already have too much stuff!”

With an amused smile, Charlie nudged Shea toward another couple. “Come meet Jonah and Felix. They’re also getting married this summer but it is actually going to be a small wedding. Unlike whatever blowout Nico is planning.”

“You are invited though,” Jonah said, grinning. “Anyone who can put up with Dom is definitely worth getting to know.”

Shea laughed. “Well thanks. I kinda like him though.”

He shot Dom a smile over his shoulder. Dom smiled back and someone in the background said, “aww.”

Next up was Matty, who gave Shea a huge, bone-crushing hug. “Thank you for saving Dom’s ass that night,” he said thickly.

“Thanks for looking out for him when I couldn’t,” Shea said simply.

Matty hugged him again. “Of course,” he said, sounding a little choked up. When he pulled away, he didn’t go far, simply slung an arm over Shea’s shoulder. “Now c’mon. You should meet my family.”

He proudly introduced his husband Antoni and their four kids, Alexis, Eli, River, and Reese.

Reese was toddling around on the grass nearby and when Shea waved, he waved and promptly fell on his butt, laughing.

Matty chuckled as he walked over to him and picked him up. “He is seriously the funniest kid I’ve ever met. Totally cracks me up.” He kissed the toddler’s cheek. “Yes, you do. And I love you, sweet boy.”

Shea smiled at them both, then crouched down to introduce himself to the little girl. “Hi,” he said. “I’m Shea.”

She grinned. “Hi! I’m River. I’m five.”

She held her hand out for knuckle bumps and Shea gravely bumped back.

“Training them early, I see.” he shot a smile at Antoni.

He laughed, his dark eyes dancing. “That one’s allll Matty.”

“We love Papa Matty.” River sighed, leaning against Antoni’s thigh.

Antoni squeezed her shoulder. “We sure do.”

Shea moved on to Eli, who had on a cute outfit of cargo pants and a sparkly crop top. “I love your fashion choices,” Shea said. “Very smart pairing.”

“Thank you! I’m non-binary,” Eli said proudly. “I use they/them pronouns. What are yours?”

“He/him,” Shea said. “Thanks for asking.”

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