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CHAPTER 19
DOMINIK
This party fucking blows.
If I had my way, I’d be at home, sitting on my couch, playing a round of online hockey or diving into a good book. Surprisingly, not many people are aware of how much I truly enjoy reading. Often, people perceive me solely as a sports-focused individual, with hockey and women occupying my every thought... and while that may not be entirely untrue, I also have other interests, such as reading. However, my appearance wouldn't give any indication of this, and I am okay with that.
Showing up tonight was somewhat mandatory since it’s Liam’s birthday. I had to make an appearance even just for a couple of hours before I crash for the night. No one will notice if I duck out early; they’re all past drunk, and it’s close to midnight. Not that I blame the team—we had a difficult game. I wish I could get shit-faced too after that disastrous performance, but I decided to skip it. Considering I’ve met my quota for hangover regrets for the year.
My mind has been off since running into Zoe at Aaron’s house. Seeing her brought back all those old memories from Boston. Especially the ones from that night in the woods. God, just seeing her out of the blue and knowing she’s going to be around, so close to my personal space, is messing with my head more than I care to admit.
The last place I want to be right now is at this party.
I’m not usually like this. Most of the time, I leave these parties with one or two women draped on my arms. Navigating the dating scene used to be a breeze before the spotlight found me, but now it’s almost too effortless. I don’t need to say a word, and they come flocking. Some might see it as the dream, but truth be told, it’s anything but. Beyond the fleeting pleasures, there’s an undeniable emptiness. I’m not remotely interested anymore.
It’s not what I crave anymore. I’m not sure I ever did. I think I might have just been trying to forget by drowning in others, but even that proved to be ineffective.
Glancing around, I notice the girl who lives in this open-concept Chelsea penthouse suite. She’s had a crush on Liam for months and hasn’t given up her pursuit. She’s a vibrant redhead who has shown up to every game, sporting Liam’s number proudly on her back, hoping to catch his attention, and it seems like it’s finally paid off. Liam is loving the attention from her tonight. He wraps his arm around her bare shoulders, his smile so big and genuine as they stare at one another.
Oh, young love. It’ll be over before it even begins.
Then again, what do I know? I’ve never been in love…not in the way love is meant to be shared.
What about her?
Admiring someone from afar doesn’t count. That’s just an obsession I haven’t learned how to escape yet.
The rest of the guys are standing next to a giant, marble fireplace that stretches twenty-five feet up as they talk to a group of fresh puck bunnies.
The thought of turning around and leaving the busy apartment crosses my mind, but just before I seriously consider it, Liam glances up. Our eyes lock, and a broad smile stretches across his face. With an inviting wave, he motions for me to join the group.
Too late now.
Bailing right as I arrive would be a pretty lousy move, especially considering it’s Liam’s twenty-first birthday and he can finally partake in the drinking at these parties. Typically, he plays the role of our sober buddy, ensuring none of us goes off the rails and winds up with a cringe-worthy social media post. Coach is all about maintaining a certain team image. He couldn’t care less about what we do behind closed doors as long as it stays hidden from the public eye.
That’s another reason hitting up a party tonight has my nerves on edge. I screwed up big time last week, and I’m just relieved that nothing surfaced in the aftermath of that threesome. I have a hard rule of keeping phones out of the room or turning them off completely. All my non-negotiable rules are laid out before anyone even thinks about getting naked. I need understanding and agreement from everyone involved, and it’s normally not a problem.
Rule number 1: no phones.
Rule number 2: no seconds, ever.
If a woman agrees to spend time with me, it’s just that. One night. We can have as much fun as she likes during that night, but in the morning, we go our separate ways.
Rule number 3: no kissing on the lips.
Last week, I got a bit too drunk and forgot about the cellphone rule, and I’m pretty sure one of the girls was documenting bits of our fling. The realization hit me the next day, and I immediately reached out to Noa and Oliver—the only ones on the team I trust with this kind of slip-up. Together, we combed through every social media platform, but didn’t find anything from the girls. It took days for me to finally exhale and resume my routine.
Striding past the large, black kitchen island, I grab a shot from a round tray and down the tequila before making my way over to the guys. Just one shot to help me get through the next couple of hours. It might also help get my mind off Zoe for a bit.
Yeah, right.
Even the thought alone sounds ridiculous. I haven’t been able to purge myself of that woman fully since the day I met her, so what are the chances I will now that she’s living a few floors above me?
I spotted her in a conversation with George, our building attendant, the other night as I returned home from practice. I don’t know how long I stood outside just watching her talk to George as her face lit up, reminiscent of the carefree expression she used to wear when we were in high school. She seemed at ease, unguarded and carefree. The usual mask she hides under wasn’t in place. I couldn’t stop looking at her, and I found myself grinning just watching her smile.
It’s no surprise that George is the one capable of bringing that kind of light to her face. The man has a magnetic presence that draws everyone in; even I’ve found myself opening up to him on rare occasions. He’s a sealed vault, and seeing her warm up to him was a welcome sight. With Aaron so busy with work, I worry that she might be spending too much time alone in that condo. But it’s not my place to intervene. Zoe is a strong woman, and if she needs anything, I’m sure she’ll reach out to her brother. She’s been navigating life on her own for as long as I’ve known her. She thinks people don’t see the way she hides, and maybe she’s right, maybe people don’t notice, but I do.
I’ve always noticed.
