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I expected him to be moody today and was pissed he had ruined my relaxing Sunday plans, but he has somehow crafted the perfect day with little effort. I’m convinced he could easily charm a rock if he wanted to. He’s definitely leveled up over the years, and it’s noticeable enough for me to want to ask him to teach me and help me improve, to become a better version of myself. But at this point, self-sabotage and I are in a committed, established relationship.
Hooray for me.
I’ve always believed Dominik harbored a deep dislike for my mere existence, perceiving me as an obstacle when all he truly cared about was getting closer to Aaron. I’d often drawn parallels between him and my parents, assuming they shared that sentiment.
But today, I don’t know what to feel or think. He has been anything but selfish and uncaring.
We spend the rest of the morning walking around Hudson Yards. Dominik points out some of the must-see places and shops, including luxury stores like Chanel and Louis Vuitton, which I’ll never step foot inside because I can’t even afford a fingernail in there. He tells me all the places to eat and where I can find necessities late at night. He shows me shortcuts to take that are safe when I want to get home from work and which ways to absolutely avoid. He puts his number in my phone by force and tells me to call him immediately if I ever find myself in a rough area of the city. My safety is apparently a top priority for him all of a sudden.
News to me.
Aaron probably said something to him. He’s always trying to protect me, as if I’m a wilted flower he’s desperate to smooth out to its original state.
But that’s impossible.
Aaron and Dominik clicked from the very beginning. An instant bond of brotherhood I never understood but admired more than I wanted to. Nothing has ever come between them, and I know nothing ever will. I’m happy my brother has such supportive people bonded to him by choice. I just never understood why Dominik disliked me so much. But then again, does anyone need a reason to hate someone? My parents have always hated me for simply existing. I wish my mother had had the balls to abort me when she’d had the chance.
Observing Dominik, I watch his movements as he beams while sharing the story of the time he scored three goals at one of his first NHL games. I believe he called it a hat trick. I remember Aaron talking about this game and telling me how proud he was to know Dominik. But, I keep this information to myself, simply watching as Dominik narrates the events as if he is reliving them in this very moment. I pay close attention to the subtle movements of his lips, the intensified gleam in his eyes, and the flawless curling of his dark hair. He really is beautiful.
The wind has been surprisingly calm today and the sun bright, perched high up in the clouds. It feels like the beginning of spring even though we still have all of February to get through.
We walk to Madison Square Garden where the New York Slashers play. A picture of Dom’s face is hanging from the side of the building, along with all the other players. His blue and hazel eyes are large and commanding as they look down at the entirety of the stadium parking lot.
His eyes have always reminded me of the moon and the sun. Both intensely captivating.
I notice him watching me as I pretend to inspect the pictures, feigning interest in the other players. I just hope my poker face was on point while I was sneakily admiring him.
We walk around the streets of Hudson Yards and New York City like two tourists, and I can’t help but blush knowing I am being shown around by a famous hockey player. I hadn’t really looked at him that way until I saw his entire team lined up on the outside of a massive hockey stadium. Life is so different now than when we were both a couple of kids living in Boston.
There is an ease about the guys in Aaron’s circle. Although they are all successful and wealthy, they don’t flaunt it or treat anyone differently. They have managed to stay humble. I don’t know Tristan that well, but I know Aaron, and he hates fake people just as much as I do.
“Surely you’ve been to Central Park? When you were here visiting Aaron last time?” Dom says before he takes another bite out of his hot dog. We ate lunch an hour ago, but he needed to stop at a hot dog stand for a snack. The guy never stops eating; it’s remarkable. How does he manage all those muscles? I imagine he’s just full of hard curves under all those clothes.
Let’s not picture Dominik’s naked body full of muscles, please and thank you.
“Yes, of course. Give me some credit.”
He smiles, and I nearly trip over my feet.
“Aaron’s old apartment was close to here, and I would come for runs in the park at night.”
Dom stops chewing and glares at me. “Do you still run at night?”
“Sometimes.”
“You shouldn’t. It’s fucking dangerous.”
I love running in the dark. It’s so peaceful being the only one out when most of the city is indoors or asleep. It’s like I can step out freely, no masks…no hiding or pretending to be someone I’m not. It also reminds me of that night in the woods with Runi, which is always a welcome memory to pull up.
“What was that?”
I shake off the memories from six years ago. “What?”
“Where did you just go?”
My heart rattles in my chest. “Nowhere.”
His gaze sharpens on me. “Don’t lie. You just went down memory lane for a second. Anything in particular?”
