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“Don’t you?” I whisper.
He appears defeated, leaving me unsure of what to believe. Over the years, his actions have consistently given me no reason to think he actually cares about me. I have always felt like an inconvenience, someone he tolerates just to maintain a friendship with my brother.
But right now, I regret even saying the words. His reaction is tearing me up.
“I don’t hate you, Zoe. I wish it were that easy, because it would make this…”
The words linger as his eyes rove over my features, making me suddenly self-conscious about every inch exposed to him.
“It would make this what?”
He shakes his head, and I glance away.
Another blocked road.
“I’ve always felt like I was an inconvenience to you. And it feels like that now, too, like you have to put up with me because I’m the only one you trust to help you with all of this. Your only shitty option.”
I don’t know why I’m still talking.
His fingers grasp my chin, pulling my attention back and making my skin vibrate with raw energy as he holds me captive under his gaze. Everything is frozen, like I’ve fallen through a sheet of ice.
“It’s not like that at all.”
“Then what is it like?” I whisper.
“It doesn’t matter. I just don’t want you to feel like I’m using you or mistreating you in any way. If you want out of this at any point, promise you’ll tell me.”
“Why the sudden concern for my feelings, Dom?”
I see the shift in his multicolored eyes the minute the words leave my mouth. I wanted him to let me in, even for a second, but he drops my chin and leans back.
He picks up his fork and resumes eating.
I mimic his movement, pretending like I don’t give a shit.
“Aaron trusts me to take care of his little sister, and I don’t want you to get caught up in all of this. This is my mess. I need to take responsibility and fix it. That’s why I’m concerned.”
Of course. It’s always going to be about Aaron.
“Don’t worry about Aaron. He trusts you more than anyone else in this world.”
Dom’s jaw clicks as he straightens his back. “I know. He’s like a brother to me. I would never do anything to hurt him.”
I had a moment of weakness, seeing something that wasn’t there, but now it’s over. I put on a soft smile and take a bite out of my food.
“Let’s see this schedule of yours then.”
“Let’s go over it one more time so we’re both crystal clear on everything. Home game between the New York Slashers and the Gladiators is at the end of the week, which I will attend. It’ll be our first official public outing. A work event on your end for me, maybe an office drop-by whenever works for you. A few more games, an after-game party, and then we’ll reassess in a few weeks?”
After we finished eating, we moved to the living room and turned on the fireplace. I put some cushions down on the ground, and Dominik started taking notes on an empty calendar he’d brought over along with his schedule. He has the messiest handwriting I have ever seen.
“That’s right. I’ll get you a VIP pass to the stadium, and you’ll sit right behind the bench. That’s where family and friends sit to watch the game.”
“Okay.”
“How’s your knowledge of hockey?”
I cringe. “Poor.”
