Page 43 of The Blame Game

“Of course,” Ethan said. “Hell, unless you’re super enthusiastic about kids, I don’t think you should have them. They’re a ton of work.”

“Thank you,” Shea said. “People at work are always going on about me changing my mind when I get older and I’m tired of defending my choices.”

The waitress arrived with their drinks and they placed their orders for appetizers.

After checking to be sure they all liked seafood, Dom ordered a tower of it for the table.

Ethan got a vaguely alarmed look on his face that Dom must have caught because when the waitress was gone, he said, “Dinner’s on me to celebrate this guy’s birthday so feel free to order what you’d like tonight, everyone.”

He nodded at Shea, who shot him an appreciative look.

He could afford this place thanks to what Dom paid him, but it would definitely strain Myles’ and Ethan’s budgets.

It was probably a drop in the bucket to Dom but it was still a thoughtful gesture.

“Thanks,” Shea said aloud. “That’s generous.”

“Oh, least I can do since you got the tickets,” Dom said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “So, are you guys big basketball fans?”

Sports carried their conversation as they sipped drinks, then devoured the tower of seafood, the mood relaxed and easy.

After they’d polished off the appetizer, the discussion segued into jobs and current events and they enjoyed their dry-aged steaks and side dishes along with a few more drinks.

They were all too full to bother with desserts, though there was a very delicious-sounding chocolate cake Shea had been tempted by. Dom paid the bill before they left, stopping to sign autographs for an older couple waiting to be seated.

“Thank you for dinner,” Shea said as Dom held the door for him on the way out of the restaurant.

“Sure. No problem. This was nice. I like your friends,” Dom said in a low voice.

“Yeah, they’re great,” Shea agreed. He thought they’d all get along but it had gone even better than he’d hoped.

The steakhouse was a little too far from the arena for them to walk, but Shea winced when he thought about the drinks that had flowed throughout their meal. “Do you think we should Uber it, guys?” he asked.

Dom grinned, flashing his phone screen. “Already taken care of. Our ride should be here in any second.”

“Wow. This is quite the red-carpet treatment tonight,” Myles said as a gleaming SUV pulled up to the curb. “Or is this how the other half lives?”

Dom chuckled. “Uhh, well, this is how I take care of the guys on my team. I always want to be sure no one’s driving when they shouldn’t be.” He winced. “Although, I wasn’t much help to Hale last season but …”

He gestured to Shea to get into the SUV and he slid into the back, surprised when Dom followed, Ethan and Myles taking the middle seats.

Although no one sat between Shea and Dom, their knees brushed and their elbows bumped together as they put on seatbelts. Shea swallowed hard, the proximity making him aware of Dom’s cologne and the heat of his body.

“How is Hale doing?” Ethan asked when the vehicle was moving. “If that’s not being too nosy. I’m not trying to pry or anything.”

“No, you’re alright. Felix seems to have settled into his sobriety,” Dom said. “And he and Jonah are very happy together.”

“I’ve been surprised by how relaxed the team is about everyone’s sexualities,” Myles said, twisting in his seat to glance back. “It’s great! Don’t get me wrong. I was just amazed by it.”

If Shea hadn’t been sitting right beside Dom, he might not have noticed the sudden tension in Dom’s body.

“Yeah, I hear you,” Dom said. “It’s a great group though. La Bouche set the tone in that locker room. And Dustin picked up that mantle right away, even before he married Charlie.”

Shea shifted, bumping his knee against Dom’s deliberately this time, curious to see Dom’s reaction. Like last time, some of the tension seemed to leak out of Dom.

“Oh man, I can’t believe you got to play with Noah Boucher,” Ethan said, his tone envious. “Fuck, that guy was incredible. What a goaltender.”

“Yeah, he’s a great guy,” Dom said. “We miss him. If I were him, I’d have kept playing after that Cup win but he’s happy in Michigan, enjoying his retirement.”

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