Page 51 of The Blame Game

“I saw it,” Dom said with a sigh as answered the phone call and packed his bags for the road trip the team was leaving on tomorrow.

He didn’t even have to say the JockGossip article part aloud. Kate would know exactly what he meant. It was, undoubtedly, why she’d called.

“Just wanted to be sure,” Kate replied with an equally tired-sounding sigh.

“So what do we do now?” he asked, frowning at the pile of clothes next to his suitcase.

“That’s entirely up to you. As of right now, it’s still pretty low-key. They’re speculating, trying to keep fan interest up, but they haven’t really dug in.”

“Should Shea and I go out again? But maybe have a few of the guys from the team join us? Would that help?”

“It might. Or they might use the pictures from that to write an article claiming that you’re introducing your boyfriend to the team.”

“Fuck!” Dom tossed his toiletry kit on the bed.

“I’m sorry,” Kate said softly. “I wish I had a better suggestion, Dom. I’m good but I can’t always predict how these things will go. It depends on what else is happening. How many big stories are happening at once.”

“What I wouldn’t give for Nico to have another sex scandal right now,” Dom grumbled, taking a seat on the edge of the mattress.

Kate made a pained noise. “I don’t think it’s so dire we should be hoping for that.”

“No, probably not,” Dom admitted with a sigh. “What about one of the young players doing something dumb?”

“I don’t see it happening. They’re all so well-behaved. You’ve done too good of a job mentoring them, I guess,” she teased.

He groused, “What happened to guys getting caught getting lap dances and shit?”

“Those days are over. Kids are savvier! They’ve grown up with social media their whole lives and are much, much better about keeping out of the public eye.”

“I know.” Dom stared out at the lights of the Toronto skyline, feeling exposed, his skin crawling with discomfort.

He got up and twitched the curtains shut, knowing that the sensation of strangers’ gazes on his skin was entirely in his head but unable to stop his reaction to it.

“Tell me what to do, Kate,” he begged. “I’m going nuts. It’s not exactly helping my play to be stressing out about this shit either!”

“I know that,” she said soothingly. “And I’m sorry. We can transition to one of the other options, if you’d like.”

“Well, we’re past denial at this point,” he said.

“Yes. And the other two options involve you coming out.”

“Fucking hell.” Dom dragged a hand through his hair.

“I am sorry.” Kate’s tone was genuine. “I truly am. I don’t want to pressure you into that.”

“I know, I know. And you’re not. I … I’m not sure what else to do.”

“Look, you’ve got a road trip coming up. Why don’t you focus on that for now?” she suggested. “Put all thoughts of JockGossip aside, get your head in the game, and think about the team. Don’t worry about what’s happening with Shea until you get back.”

“Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.” He released a tired sigh. “I’ll do that.”

But as he set his packed bag by the door, showered, then got ready for bed, he couldn’t help but think that it was easier said than done.

The following afternoon, the team landed in Chicago following a turbulent flight.

Dom’s back ached as he stood, realizing how tightly he’d been clenched when he braced for the abrupt, bumpy landing.

“Well, I guess they don’t call it the windy city for nothing!” Matty said as they got off the plane, the wind whipping at their jackets.

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