Shutout (The Renegades Series Book 5)

by Melody Heck Gatto

“Wow,” Hailee said, as the cool breeze hit her face.

  “What?”

  “You should hold my hand all the time.” She laughed. “You’re better than the wall.”

  “Ha ha. You better learn to do it yourself, because I’m not going to hold your hand all the time.”

  “But I will.” Dominic swooped into the middle of their conversation and took Hailee’s hand right out of Ali’s. “I got this.” He smiled at Alison. “Take a break.”

  Alison’s face lit up at the sight of Dominic. Looking him over, she let out a schoolgirl like giggle before turning Hailee over to him. Her eyes still wide in wonder, she skated away. Hailee understood that look on her friend’s face. It was the look she often had when she herself looked at Dominic, or used to, before.

  “What are you doing?” Hailee squirmed a little, trying to get away, but she started to wobble. She knew full well that struggling might lead to her falling again and really looking like a fool. Especially since two more Renegades had entered the ice and descended upon Ali. Although Dominic’s touch was comforting, she couldn’t let him know that.

  “Don’t struggle or you’re going to fall. Just let me help. C’mon.” Dominic led her around the rink, pulling her away from the wall and towards the center of the ice.

  She stopped struggling at that point. As much as she wanted to show that she could do this on her own, especially now that he was here, the truth was she couldn’t. Landing on her ass in the middle of the rink was not an idea that she was fond of. “Dominic, what do you want?”

  “Just a minute with you.” His smile warmed her chilled body. Damn my girly reactions.

  His hand was warm and strong. No matter how many times she told her brain to let go, her body wasn’t listening. She tried to push off her right foot to speed up their slow pace. Her heart was racing being this close to him, and she didn’t need this now. But her balance waivered as she did. To avoid falling she grabbed on to him with her other hand and steadied herself.

  Dominic clutched her hip with his free hand. His fingertips touching her lower back made her gulp for breath. She looked up at him to ask him what he thought he was doing, but met his deep brown eyes and the words left her brain. His kissable lips curved up at the corners into a small smile. The smile wasn’t forced or his normal flirty grin. It was soft and real. That was how he used to look at her when it was just the two of them. The loudspeaker announcement on the other rink startled her out of her staring stupor.

  She quickly pulled her body away from him and cleared her throat. That left her feeling cold, and not just from losing his body heat. She pointed to the other rink and all the people. She spoke, not meaning her words to sound as harsh as they did. “Shouldn’t you get back over there? Aren’t the bunnies going to be looking for you?”

  “Bunnies? Oh, you mean those girls?” She nodded at his question. “They aren’t bunnies.”

  Hailee rolled her eyes. “Of course they aren’t.”

  “No, really. It’s a fundraiser for Children’s Hospital.”

  “A fundraiser?” She didn’t know he did those sorts of things. A sense of calm washed over her. It was nice to see he hadn’t changed too much from the Dominic she used to know. A smile snuck up on her.

  “A smile. That’s what I like to see.” Dominic slid his hand around hers again and pulled her beside him as he glided over the ice. “Do you remember that time I tried to teach you to skate?”

  Her chest warmed and a knot formed in her throat. I remember everything we did. “I remember a few times you tried to teach me. Call me a slow learner.” Hailee shrugged as the noise from the rink and all the people faded into the background.

  “Or maybe I wasn’t showing you the best or easiest way to learn. Maybe I enjoyed you falling into my arms.”

  “I could think of worse things.” There was nothing she liked more than the safety of his embrace. The memory of his strong arms holding her up on the slippery ice all those years ago kept the smile from fading but then became reality as her blades slid out from under her. His arms slipped around her waist, grabbing her before she could fall.

  “Good to know.” His eyes glistened in the bright lights of the rink as he stared down into hers. “We had some good times.”

  Slowly Dominic released his hold on her, taking her by the hands and again leading her along the ice.

  “Oh, I’m not so sure about this.” Hailee looked uneasily down at the frozen surface moving too quickly under her feet for comfort.

  “Don’t worry,” Dominic assured her with a sly nod. “I’ve got you.”

  His words stuck in her head as her body hummed for him. She didn’t need these feelings to resurface, but for once, it seemed innocent enough to just reminisce. “Okay, but don’t try any of those fancy moves on me.”

  “Oh, sweet-tart, you know fancy moves are my thing.” Before she could react, he pulled her in so near to him that his lips were only inches from hers. His breath was warm on her face. “You’re a better student than you thought.”

  “I don’t know about that.” Frozen in his gaze, she had no witty comeback. She wanted to remember what it felt like to kiss those lips. To spin out of control under his touch.

  “Hailee.”

  She missed him saying her name in that sexy low tone.

  “I miss you.” He licked his lips, still watching her face intently.

  She wanted to tell him how much she missed him too, but if she didn’t pull away now, there was nowhere else for this to go but bad. Apparently he didn’t even remember the other night and the private dance, and she didn’t want to jog his memory. Putting space between them, she laced her fingers in his and started to skate. Her knees shook and her ankles fought to buckle. She tightened her grip for stability. Changing the subject was needed to keep this from going any further.

  “Did you say you’re here doing a charity event?”

  “Yeah. The team does a lot of them. I enjoy getting involved, especially ones with children. It’s nice seeing their faces so full of joy.”

  “And all those people over there are here for the event?”

  “Yep. I’m sure there would be a lot more, but they limited the amount of people this time. Some of those folks are people who helped raise money, and some of the kids are patients that we invited. You should come over and join us. It’d be more fun if you were by my side.” Dominic’s eyes were soft looking and his smile now flirty and sexy. He was so damn tempting. “C’mon Hailee. You can attend as my guest. I could help you around the ice. We seem to work well together.”

  His offer sounded inviting, at least the part about being at his side. Her ankles wobbled. He pulled her close, avoiding another fall.

  “I wish we could go back.” The words fell from her lips before she could stop them. Did I really just say that out loud?

  “We can. This could be a new start in a new city. We’ve both grown. There’s no reason why we can’t.”

  It all sounded so perfect. Getting back what they had. But it would never work. It would only lead to her falling back into the old routine of needing him. She could do this on her own. She had to do this on her own. The problem still remained. She didn’t want his help.

  Pulling her hand away from his, she jetted off in the direction of her friend who was excitedly skating towards her, and the loud announcement sounded again.

  “Hailee! Eeek!” Ali squealed.

  “Dom! C’mon!” The two Renegades beckoned.

  Alison skated to Hailee with force. Grabbing her shoulders, Ali spun her around in circles while she shrieked. “Hailee, some guy from the Renegades just came over to tell me they’re headed over to Fat-Heads Bar after this! Do you think he was totally hitting on me? Or do you think it was purely to get you to go there for your ex?”

  Looking over to see Dominic’s expression, Hailee saw that he was gone, already headed back over to the other rink. She wasn’t even going to consider why that made her heart drop a tiny bit. “I don’t know. Though I'm
sure if you wanted to hook up with one of those guys, it wouldn't be that hard.” Ali was gorgeous. Hailee had no doubt that they'd grab her up in an instant.

  “Um, I don’t know about that. But I do think we should go. I could use a drink, couldn't you?” She smiled, giving Hailee the best puppy dog eyes that she could.

  “It's going to be full of college kids, you know.” They were past the stage of college kids and binge drinking.

  “Eh, one night never hurt. Let's go! C’mon, you'll have fun. I promise. Please?”

  Hailee sighed as she decided it was easier to just give in to her friend. After the way she and Dominic had just connected, adding alcohol to that fire was probably a really bad idea. “Okay. Fine.”

  * * *

  The bar was crowded and loud. College kids were packed from wall to wall. Girls danced to the loud music, and guys were grinding up against them. Maybe this wasn’t her best decision. She sat at the bar sipping on a beer, waiting for Alison to say they could go home. “Ali, I don’t think they’re coming.”

  “No, they’ll be here. I know it.”

  The Renegades who told her to stop by the bar were nowhere to be found. Maybe Dominic wasn’t planning on stopping here after the event. Ali didn’t know for sure that he was. But the guys she was talking to weren’t even here. On one hand, Hailee wasn’t surprised; they probably ran into some bunnies on their way here. But on the other hand, she couldn’t believe any guy would skip out on Ali. She was gorgeous.

  “Please?” Ali said, pouting.

  “Fine.” Hailee rolled her eyes and huffed. She flagged down the bartender for another beer. She handed him money and he pushed her hand away.

  “Don’t worry about it, honey. It’s on me,” he said with a creepy wink.

  “Thanks anyways, buddy. It’s on me.” Dominic appeared behind her and slid his hand onto her shoulder. Planting a kiss on her cheek, he added, “Hey there, sweet-tart.”

  He just swoops in here and shoots down anyone flirting with me? Even if the bartender was creepy, and as much as she liked that macho crap, it still didn’t fly with her. Two could play at that game. “Thanks but no thanks, both of you.” She handed the bartender a ten-dollar bill. “Here you go. Get him one too.” She sent Dominic an arrogant smile that mirrored his.

  “Aren’t we feisty tonight?” A suggestive grin played on his lips.

  “Where’s Ali?” She looked around, only to find her friend at the other end of the bar being fawned over by Dominic’s goalie friend.

  “Looks like Kaden has taken a liking to her.” Dominic nodded in their direction before making himself comfortable on the bar stool next to her.

  “She’s my best friend. Tell him I have my eye on him.” Her words were harsh, but the way Dominic was grinning at her made her think she didn’t look as tough as she felt.

  “Yes ma’am, I will be sure to do that,” he said sharply, mocking her, then saluting her like a soldier.

  “Hey, look! It’s Dominic Zanetti and Kaden O’Conner of the Renegades!” a drunk college boy shouted, as he made his way towards the bar. “Dudes! You need to come play Quarters with us!”

  “No thanks, the lady and I are having a conversation.”

  “She can play too! C’mon! It’ll be epic!”

  “O’Conner!” Dominic called to Kaden, waving for his friend to come closer.

  “W’sup, Dom?” Kaden asked. Alison was following close behind, holding his hand.

  “You wanna get out of here? These kids want us to play Quarters.” He nodded to the drunk college kid. “I’m not playing a drinking game, and Hailee isn’t either.”

  “I’m not?” She swiftly cut him off, squinted and glared at him. Who is he to say what I am and am not doing? She couldn’t help the overwhelming feeling she had to defy anything he told her to do.

  “You’re not.”

  “Who says I’m not?”

  “I do. Hailee, if you want to drink, we can go get a drink somewhere else.”

  Hailee spun around on the stool and stood up, setting her hand on his shoulder. “You know what? I think I will play Quarters.” Turning to the college kid she asked, “Where do I go?”

  “Hailee! C’mon, let’s get out of here,” Dominic begged, but she was already walking away.

  “Right over here.” The kid led her to a table in the corner.

  “Hailee, let’s just get out of here. Kaden was going to take me to Mount Washington,” Alison said in her ear.

  “Well, sightseeing or whatever it is you two were going to do will have to wait.” Hailee turned her attention to the college group. “So how do we do this?”

  “Have you played before?” the kid asked her. She shook her head. “Okay, here are the rules. You take turns bouncing the quarter off the table and into the cup. If you make it, you make someone else drink, and you get another turn. We usually drink a shot’s worth of beer.”

  Sounds easy enough. How hard could it really be to bounce a quarter into a cup? It reminded her of one of those games at an amusement park where you tossed the ping-pong balls. “So, who’s playing?”

  The kid’s eyes lit up. “I am.” He pointed to two of his buddies. “And these two. Who’s on your team?”

  Before she could say anything, Dominic jumped to her side. “I am. And so is he.” He pointed to Kaden. “C’mon, O’Conner.”

  Kaden looked confused and shook his head. As he took his place on the other side of Hailee, he looked at her and asked very quietly, “You ever play this before?”

  She bowed her head to meet his. “No, but how hard can it be?”

  A groan came from where Dominic was standing. He obviously heard what she said and didn’t think that she could hold her own, which is why he’d offered himself up.

  “Hailee,” Ali whined. “Can we not make this an all-night thing, please?”

  “Dude, how’s a winner determined? ’Cause we’re only playing one game. I uh, I have plans,” Kaden said.

  “We set up twenty cups of beer. After you drink, you keep your empty cup, and whatever team has fewer cups once they’re all empty wins. Ready?”

  Kaden shrugged at Dominic, but Dominic gave him a look that seemed as if they were mentally communicating. Hailee squared her shoulders and took a deep breath. I can do this. “Ready.”

  The boys let Hailee start. “Since you’re the only girl.”

  Hailee put on her best tough girl face and bounced the quarter. It landed right in the cup. She smiled a smart-ass smile. “I pick you.” She pointed to the kid who asked them to play. She got to take another turn. Again, right in the cup. Damn, I’m good. “Okay, guy in the middle, your turn. Drink.” She wasn’t so lucky with the next shot. It was so close to going in the cup, but didn’t bounce high enough. “Dammit!”

  The college boys went next, and they got four in. Drinks were handed out to Hailee first, then Dominic, then Kaden, and lastly Hailee again. She now had two drinks in her and couldn’t seem to stop giggling.

  It was Dominic’s turn to bounce. As if he were going after payback for getting Hailee wrapped up in this, he got eight straight shots in before one of them made a comment about Hailee and he missed. The skinny kid on the end was already swaying a bit and only got two quarters in before Alison whispered something in his ear at Kaden’s suggestion. Unfortunately, both drinks went to Hailee.

  “Sweet-tart, you’re at four drinks now, you sure you’re still doing okay?”

  She slapped the empty cups on the table and smiled. “Absolutely.”

  “Okay, Kaden, you’re up. Close this out. Don’t you have someone waiting on you?” Dominic grinned.

  Kaden bounced in five in a row, forcing the boys to down the last five cups. They each were wobbly and laughing a lot at the dumbest things.

  Once all the cups were empty, Hailee had consumed four cups of beer, the college boys five each. Dom and Kaden each only had one. Even though Hailee drank less than the smart mouth college brats, three beers was too much for her. She wasn’t f
eeling too well but wasn’t about to admit that to Dominic.

  “Okay, we won. Now c’mon Hailee, let’s get you out of here.”

  “You are more lightweights than I expected you to be,” Kaden said with a laugh to the other boys. “Well, it’s been fun boys, but I have some place to be.” He flashed them the peace sign with his fingers as he grabbed Alison’s hand.

  Dominic led the way, with Hailee tight beside him, and Kaden and Ali behind. Hailee’s nose and face felt really warm and things were a little blurry, but other than that, she felt okay. Once outside, the cold night air felt good on her face.

  “Dom, if you’re okay, I’m gonna take Alison back to our place. Just shoot me a message when you’re on your way.”

  “Gotcha. Have fun.” Dominic turned his attention to Hailee. “You doing okay?” He grabbed her hand and she didn’t resist.

  “Sure, totally fine.” Her stomach churned and her head spun. She looked around. “Where’d Ali go?”

  “Kaden took her home.”

  “Oh.”

  “C’mon, let’s go for a walk. The cool air will do you good.” He pulled Hailee beside him and slowly moved down the sidewalk. “Feeling better?”

  “Yeah, I do.” Hailee felt green, but the fresh air was helping. She just needed to shake this off.

  As they walked slowly down the sidewalk, she stared at him, studying his face. She’d always loved his deep, chocolate brown eyes. They were intense and sexy, especially the way he undressed her with his eyes. Kind of like how he was looking at her right now. Her heart skittered around in her chest, and she couldn’t break his gaze.

  Their walking slowed until Dominic stopped completely. He bent their entwined hands backwards, pinning hers behind her back, and then pulling her into him. His eyes looked hungry, as though he wanted to devour her. And right now, she would let him.

  “Hailee, I’ve missed you so much.” After a moment, he leaned his head down, his lips only inches from hers. His hot breath on her skin.

  Her lips craved his taste, his kiss. “Oh, Dominic…” Just as their mouths were ready to meet, she violently lurched to one side and puked all over the sidewalk.