CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

"I still can't believe we're doing this," Dom grumbled a few days later as they walked up the sidewalk of Dustin and Charlie's house on Sunday afternoon.

Dom looked amazing in slim-fit charcoal trousers and a casual linen button-down, sleeves cuffed to reveal his forearms. Damn it, he knew that made Shea weak.

"It's just a baby shower. Haven't you ever been to a baby shower?" Shea asked, a little exasperated.

"No."

"Oh, Dom."

"What?"

Shea just shook his head. "What did you do before this baby? Haven't Anton and Elena already had like five kids?"

"I sent a gift card and it was delivered to the house along with the flowers I ordered."

"That tracks," Shea muttered.

Dom elbowed him in the ribs. "I just can't believe you RSVPed for both of us!"

"Charlie said you were ignoring his messages!"

"Well I was trying! I can't believe you're already all buddy-buddy with my whole damn team and the SAPs," he grumbled, pushing the button for the doorbell. "And that it's being used against me."

Shea rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well, this was part of Kate's whole plan, right? Have us spend time with your team, show up in some pictures and videos they post …"

"I suppose." Dom let out a big, put-upon sigh.

Shea snorted and wrapped his arm around Dom's waist, kissing his temple. "Gah. You're such a grump sometimes."

"I think I liked it better when you called me brusque."

Shea was still laughing when the door swung open to reveal a man with sparkling blue eyes and golden curls who was dressed in a colorful sundress that showed off his bare smooth legs in high heels.

The off-the-shoulder dress was Oscar de La Renta, if Shea wasn't mistaken. And perfect for a gorgeous, sunny day that finally felt like spring.

Charlie Monaghan smiled at them both. "Well, hello there. Glad you could both make it."

Dom stiffened but he didn't pull away and Shea squeezed his hip before he let go. Baby steps. Dom was still getting used to the idea of being openly affectionate.

"Come in, come in," Charlie said. "Glad to see you, Dom."

"Glad to see you too," Dom said, smiling warmly at Charlie and stooping to allow him to kiss his cheek.

The gesture made Shea smile. Dom had a soft spot for Charlie. Somehow, it didn't surprise Shea.

Charlie had sent him a welcome message and asked about the shower and although Shea hadn't been texting with him for a full week yet, he could already see why everyone on the team adored Charlie.

"And you must be Shea," Charlie said, shooting a sunny smile his way. "Glad to finally meet Dom's boyfriend."

His eyes sparkled and he winked at Shea before holding out his arms. "Are you a hugger? I know Dom is definitely not but I have a feeling you might be."

"I am! And great to meet you, Charlie," Shea said, holding his arms out for a hug. "Thanks for inviting us."

"Glad you dragged him here," Charlie said with a laugh, nodding at Dom. "We all know he tries to duck out of events like this."

Shea laughed at the offended look on Dom's face.

"I always thought baby showers were for …" He trailed off at Charlie's pursed lips and disapproving expression.

"They are not only for women, if that's what you were going to say," Charlie said tartly. "We believe in gender equality around here. Dads and supportive male friends should be included too, especially because many of those guys are going to be the primary caregivers in their future kiddos' lives."

"Fair point," Dom said, looking a little sheepish. "And all of the gifts are going to a good cause."

He held out a gift bag that included some desperately needed baby items and a very generous check.

Charlie's sunny smile returned as he took the bag. "Yes, I thought that was sweet of Elena and Macky to donate everything to a shelter."

He turned to face Shea, holding out his free arm for Shea to link. "Now, let me show you around and take you out to the patio. We're spending the afternoon out there since the weather is so nice."

"You designed the house, right?" Shea asked as Charlie led him through the kitchen Dom following in their wake. "The remodel, I mean. Dom mentioned it."

Charlie beamed, guiding Shea down the stairs. "I did! We just finished the upper floors, actually. We did the lower two last season. How are you getting settled into Dom's place?"

"Oh, it's been pretty seamless," Shea said as they walked through a lounge area on the lower level. Through a glass wall, he spotted a gorgeous indoor pool. "I didn't have that much stuff so it wasn't that hard."

"I've never been to his condo," Charlie said. "Is it nice?"

"Yeah, gorgeous design and view of Lake Ontario," Shea said. "A little … impersonal sometimes but otherwise stunning. Like Dom."

He glanced back at Dom who mostly looked amused by his description.

Charlie laughed.

"Well, you let me know if you two ever want me to help you jazz it up," Charlie said as they walked through the patio doors. "But first, let me introduce you to everyone."

Charlie wasn't kidding.

From what Shea could tell, the majority of the team was there along with their spouses and partners, and a bunch of kids.

The patio was decorated in soft greens and yellows and in the center, a beautiful dark-haired pregnant woman who looked ready to give birth any day lounged like a queen on her throne.

Though, from what Shea understood, Elena wasn't due until May. When she made a move like she was going to stand, Shea leaned down to greet her.

"Please don't get up on my account," he said hastily. "And congratulations! It's great to meet you."

She murmured her thanks and Shea took her husband's hand to shake as well.

"Happy you join us," Macky said, his Russian accent thick. "Good news that Dom has boyfriend now. He's too grumpy without."

Shea grinned. "That's what I keep telling him."

Dom shot him a look that was mingled annoyance and fondness. Shea had been getting a lot of that lately and he was starting to enjoy it.

He liked seeing Dom be himself and not hold back.

After meeting the guests of honor, Shea was introduced to Dom's captain, Dustin, who was handsome, with kind dark eyes and a friendly smile.

"Welcome," he said, offering his hand to shake. "We're glad to have you here. Charlie's been raving about you already."

Shea also met Nico and his fiancé, August, who were planning to get married that summer.

"You should come." Nico shot him a brilliant smile. "The more the merrier."

August looked somewhat alarmed. "Uh, you're welcome to come as Dom's plus one of course," he said to Shea before he turned to look at Nico. "But I thought we talked about the fact that we were trying to keep the wedding small . We're over three hundred people already!"

"Yeah, that's small." Nico shrugged. "I mean, compared to the number of people I could have invited, it's tiny! And come on! Think of the presents , Auggie."

"We don't need presents," August hissed. "We already have too much stuff!"

With an amused smile, Charlie nudged Shea toward another couple. "Come meet Jonah and Felix. They're also getting married this summer but it is actually going to be a small wedding. Unlike whatever blowout Nico is planning."

"You are invited though," Jonah said, grinning. "Anyone who can put up with Dom is definitely worth getting to know."

Shea laughed. "Well thanks. I kinda like him though."

He shot Dom a smile over his shoulder. Dom smiled back and someone in the background said, " aww."

Next up was Matty, who gave Shea a huge, bone-crushing hug. "Thank you for saving Dom's ass that night," he said thickly.

"Thanks for looking out for him when I couldn't," Shea said simply.

Matty hugged him again. "Of course," he said, sounding a little choked up. When he pulled away, he didn't go far, simply slung an arm over Shea's shoulder. "Now c'mon. You should meet my family."

He proudly introduced his husband Antoni and their four kids, Alexis, Eli, River, and Reese.

Reese was toddling around on the grass nearby and when Shea waved, he waved and promptly fell on his butt, laughing.

Matty chuckled as he walked over to him and picked him up. "He is seriously the funniest kid I've ever met. Totally cracks me up." He kissed the toddler's cheek. "Yes, you do. And I love you, sweet boy."

Shea smiled at them both, then crouched down to introduce himself to the little girl. "Hi," he said. "I'm Shea."

She grinned. "Hi! I'm River. I'm five."

She held her hand out for knuckle bumps and Shea gravely bumped back.

"Training them early, I see." he shot a smile at Antoni.

He laughed, his dark eyes dancing. "That one's allll Matty."

"We love Papa Matty." River sighed, leaning against Antoni's thigh.

Antoni squeezed her shoulder. "We sure do."

Shea moved on to Eli, who had on a cute outfit of cargo pants and a sparkly crop top. "I love your fashion choices," Shea said. "Very smart pairing."

"Thank you! I'm non-binary," Eli said proudly. "I use they/them pronouns. What are yours?"

"He/him," Shea said. "Thanks for asking."

Eli beamed.

"Eli and I like to push the boundaries of fashion a bit."

"I love that," Shea said honestly. "That tension between styles and genders and everything else is totally what makes fashion fun."

Eli looked wide-eyed. "Do you ever wear anything like Charlie and I do?"

Shea hummed. "Not a whole lot. But I did have my ear pierced in college and I used to wear fun earrings sometimes. Haven't done that in a while but I might start again."

He glanced at Charlie. "I saw this fantastic shoot once, with a guy who was wearing traditionally masculine clothing, but he had on pearl jewelry and I absolutely loved it. I've always been tempted to try it out and see if I liked it."

Charlie's eyes lit up and he pressed a hand to his chest as if overcome. "Oh, honey, you would look amazing like that. And if you ever want to talk fashion shoots and jewelry you have come to the right place ."

Eli looked between them. "Can I talk too? This is like, so cool. You're both totally my idols."

Charlie smiled and hugged them. "Of course, sweetie. You're always welcome."

Shea nodded and agreed, promising they could talk more later.

The last kid of Matty and Antoni's was a teenage girl who looked him up and down, then frowned. "So I know you're dating Uncle Dom but are you a hockey player?" she asked, her tone curious. "You kinda look like one."

Shea grinned. "I used to be. My knees couldn't hack it though so I switched to physiotherapy. What about you?"

She brightened. "Yeah! I play defense like Matty. I score more goals than he does though."

Shea threw his head back and laughed.

Shea talked hockey with her for a few minutes, then met a few more teammates. Colton and his girlfriend, Birdie, Jordan and his girlfriend, Natasha, Erik Jensen and his wife, Kayla.

Shea also met the Makarovs' five kids, who immediately decided he was boring and dragged Matty by the hand, begging him to jump on the trampoline with them.

"He's going to launch them into outer space," Dustin muttered.

Charlie laughed and patted his cheek. "I am pretty sure that's what they're going for. And this is why we got the safety netting, darling."

River tore off after them and Shea stood there a moment, taking in the happy chaos.

When Shea noticed Antoni standing nearby, holding Reese, he walked over.

"Hey," he said. "Sorry, I don't think we technically met."

Antoni gave Shea a little smile. "No worries. Great to meet you, Shea. And let me know if you ever need a break from all this. This team is wonderful but, uh—"

"We can be a lot," Charlie said in a stage whisper as he leaned in. "Feel free to hide in an empty room upstairs if you're an introvert."

Antoni nodded. "That's what I do."

Shea laughed. "No, I'm not particularly introverted. But I'm familiar with the type."

He glanced over at Dom who now sat by himself on a bench in the sun, looking perfectly content to watch everyone else having fun. He had a small smile on his face and he looked perfectly relaxed.

It was interesting watching all of Dom's layers be revealed and trying to figure out which ones were because he'd intentionally isolated himself for decades, and which were simply who he was.

Shea had no way of knowing, really, and he suspected Dom didn't know. But he thought there was a good chance Dom was, at his very core, someone who had always and would always be a little bit apart from the rest of the world.

It made Shea feel especially humbled to know that out of everyone, Dom had chosen him to be more open with.

"Can I get you anything to drink?" Charlie asked, nodding at a cart nearby. "We have a wide variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages."

"Some water would be nice," Shea said. "I'm a bit thirsty."

"Of course. Cucumber mint water okay?"

"Sounds perfect."

"So," Charlie said a few moments later, handing a glass over. "This is going to be a non-traditional shower. Since Elena asked for donations only—"

"What I said was that I will murder anyone who buys me more stuff," she called out. "I already have too much!"

"Yes, that!" Charlie laughed. "We won't be opening gifts. And we both agreed that shower games are horrible. I am not smearing chocolate bars on diapers and making people sniff them to guess what they are."

Antoni wrinkled his nose. "That's a thing?"

"Unfortunately, it very much is." Charlie sighed.

Shea nodded his agreement. He'd been invited to a co-worker's shower last year and been horrified.

"So we're not doing that," Charlie said firmly. "And absolutely no gender reveals. But there will be delicious food and some lawn games and nice conversation. You're welcome to use the pool if you'd like. We have extra suits and towels available. There's table tennis, the golf simulator, the trampoline …"

"It all sounds great." Shea smiled. "Thanks for inviting me."

"Of course, sweetie." Charlie patted his arm. "I need to go make the rounds but you let me or Dustin know if you need anything, okay?"

"Okay." Shea could already tell he was going to love Dom's team and the SAPs.

"Food's ready!" Charlie called out a short while later. "Come help yourselves!"

Dom stood with a quiet groan and Jonah glanced over with a frown. "Hey. How's your back?"

"Not great," Dom admitted as he got in line behind him. "But I do have some good news. I hope Elena won't mind if I make a little announcement about what's going on there."

"Of course not," she said from her lounger halfway across the patio, sounding surprised. "We are all worried about you."

Convinced the woman had super hearing but relieved it was that easy, Dom raised his voice, letting the team know what the diagnosis was and that he should be back at some point in the post-season.

"So," he finished. "You all better make a long run. Because I'm not ending my career wearing a suit in the press box!"

"Holy fu—dgsicles!" Matty called out, jogging over and wrapping him in a huge hug, squeezing tight. "That's great news, man."

Dom winced. "Jesus, at this rate you'll burst the aneurysm before I can have surgery."

Matty shot him a disgusted look but softened his grip. "Seriously, man. I am so glad you're gonna be okay and that we'll have you back."

"Well, that's the plan." Dom shrugged.

After Dom grabbed food, he took it over to where Shea sat at a patio table with Nico, August, Antoni, and Matty. Dom took a seat, then frowned at Shea's plate. "Is that the pickled watermelon?"

Shea nodded. "Yeah. It looked interesting."

Dom made a face.

Charlie had labeled everything on the buffet table and Dom's stomach had roiled at the thought of watermelon swimming around in vinegar, garlic, green onion, peppercorns, and dill.

Elena waved her fork. "No. You don't make that face, Dom. It's delicious. My favorite. Charlie was nice enough to make it for me."

Macky, who stood behind her, rubbing her shoulders, shook his head emphatically. Elena elbowed him in the thigh without looking. "I know what you're doing, Antosha! You make fun but it's delicious. Pregnant or not pregnant."

"Sorry, Elena." Felix grimaced. "I think I'm with your husband and Dom on this one."

The rest of the team nodded their agreement.

Shea frowned. "I thought it looked good! I'm trying it."

Elena beamed. "I like him already! You should keep him, Dom."

Shea grinned and Dom felt a surge of warmth as he pressed his thigh against Shea's. He could only hope to be that lucky.

"Suck-up," Nico said, pretending to smother the word with a cough.

Shea picked up the wedge of pickled watermelon, teasingly offering it to Dom again.

He wrinkled his nose. "At the risk of offending the mother-to-be, hell no."

"Aww, c'mon," Shea said teasingly. "Just a little bite?"

"No!" Dom protested, laughing. "I don't like pickled cucumbers. Why would I like pickled watermelon?"

Shea shrugged and took a bite, chewing thoughtfully. "It's good!" he said, glancing over at Elena. "I like it!"

He sounded genuinely sincere. He held it out to Dom again. "You sure you don't want to try it?"

Dom shook his head. Gross . "Quite sure," he said with a chuckle. "You enjoy it though."

Out of the corner of his eye he caught Charlie with his phone out, recording them.

Dom looked away, trying to ignore it. Charlie had offered to get some pictures and videos of him and Shea today that he'd include in a social media post, helping them confirm the story that they were dating.

Dom had agreed. It felt like the most natural and organic way to do it. But ugh, that didn't mean he'd enjoy the process.

"After lunch, we will talk pickled everything!" Elena said to Shea in a conspiratorial tone. "I will give you the best recipes."

"Awesome. Thanks, Elena." He nudged Dom in the ribs. "Hey, does this mean that you'll share your pickles with me when they come with meals?"

"Well, I normally order them without ," Dom said. "But yes. If you want, I can order them just so you can have extra."

Shea beamed. "Aww, I knew I liked you for a reason."

"I always assumed it was the—" August slapped a hand over Nico's mouth, cutting off his words.

"Ignore everything that comes out of Nico's mouth," he said urgently. " Please ."

He glanced at his fiancé warily, dropping his hand. "Are you going to behave?"

"No," Nico said scornfully. "Why would I do that? Although in this case, I was going to say the condo with the great view . Dom and Shea's place is like two blocks over from ours but the view is even better."

"Oh." August gave Dom a little shrug. "It is a great location."

"Hey, we should have people over sometime," Shea said, lifting a forkful of Charlie's cashew rice salad to his mouth. Yum . "I mean, if you want."

Dom shrugged. "Well, I don't cook much."

"Yeah, I've noticed," Shea teased. "But I do. Or we can order in. I don't care. I just thought it might be nice if we had some people over to watch a basketball game soon. Travis is playing and I haven't had much time to keep up with his games lately."

"Ooh, are you talking about Travis Rogers?" Nico said, leaning closer. "He's hot. I can't believe you know him."

"Yeah, I helped him rehab his knee." Shea shrugged. "Great guy. And you're not wrong about his looks."

Dom scowled, which made Shea laugh. "Aww, don't get jealous, baby. We never dated ."

"I know that," Dom said. "He just seems like a little bit of a showoff."

"Like Nico?" Shea chirped and Nico threw his head back and laughed.

"Nice one. I see it didn't take you long to feel at home around here," Nico said drily. "But yeah, I appreciate a man who's hot, talented, and not afraid to work those angles."

"Then what are you doing with August?" Dom asked, feigning confusion.

August huffed. "Thanks, man."

"No, you're good-looking," Dom said, because a person would have to be dead to not see that August was striking. "I just mean if Nico is into showy guys, you're kind of the antithesis."

"He keeps me from going off the rails," Nico said, his tone affectionate as he stole a kiss. "And I keep him from being an uptight stick-in-the-mud. It works for us."

Dom thought about the other couples here and there really was a mix. Some were more alike, like Jonah and Felix or Colton and Birdie. Others, like Dustin and Charlie, were more opposites.

He hadn't quite decided where he and Shea fell. Maybe they were a little of both.

And then it hit Dom that he was comparing himself and Shea to the actual couples on the team.

That meant something, right?

As they continued to eat, Dom watched Shea laugh at some ridiculous thing Nico said, effortlessly draw Antoni into a conversation, and hold Reese while Matty wiped off his messy face.

It hit Dom that Shea belonged here.

Not only because he was a former hockey player and he knew the culture and the humor but was open-minded enough to not blink at the fact that this team was anything but typical.

But also because his optimistic, outgoing good humor was the balance to Dom's closed-off pessimism.

Because with Shea, Dom could see himself learning how to open up and trust people again and, fuck, a part of him wanted to say something to Shea right now. To ask him how he felt.

But there was so much at stake.

Especially making sure the public believed that their relationship was real to protect the team, to protect Shea's PT career and his relationship with his family.

And what if Dom fucked it up somehow? What then?

After lunch, Dom wandered around the yard, stretching his back, and when he returned, Shea and Nico were talking about what sounded like PT stuff—about Nico's treatment after his brain surgery, anyway—so Dom took a seat on one of the empty loungers nearby, tipping his head back to enjoy the feel of the warm spring sun on his skin.

He'd actually fallen into a light doze when he felt a slight pressure against his knee and a small voice saying, "Hi."

He looked down to see River staring up with huge blue eyes. "Uh, hi there."

"Your hair is pretty." She blinked.

"Um, thank you. Yours is too."

"Papa Matty did two French braids." She touched the end of one, smiling.

Dom smiled too, imagining Matty's giant paws trying to weave together the hair. "He did a good job."

"I'm learning to braid but I'm not very good." She frowned. "But Papa says that I'll get better if I practice."

"That's true." Or at least Dom assumed braiding was like anything else and repetition helped with mastery. The fanciest he got with his was shoving it in a messy bun when he worked out to keep it from getting in his sweaty face.

"Can I practice on you?" River asked, reaching out to touch his hair.

He blinked. "Uhh. Sure?"

"Okay. You sit on the ground. I can't reach."

"Can we move over to the grass?" he asked, because that sounded way more comfortable.

"Yes."

Dom dutifully moved to the grass, picking up a chair to take with him. She clambered onto it as he took a seat in front of her.

He caught a glimpse of several of his teammates watching and Shea trying to hide a smile.

Dom ignored Charlie's phone pointed at him and River.

Braiding seemed to involve a lot of tugging and knotting of his hair. He tried not to wince when she got a section tangled.

But when it was finally over, she clambered down from her chair and beamed. "Now you look extra pretty!"

"Thank you," Dom said gravely. He stood with a groan, his back twinging. God, he couldn't wait to stop being in pain.

"Bye, Uncle Dom!" she called out as she scampered off.

He smiled. Huh, and to think that kid had barely spoken when he first met her. No surprise that she was doing better with Antoni and Matty to love and dote on her.

Shea, Felix, and Colton were all very red and didn't try to hide their amusement when he walked over to them.

"Stop laughing at me," he muttered, taking a seat next to Shea.

"It's cute!" Shea reached out and touched his hair. "Very … stylish."

"I don't know why she likes me so much all of a sudden."

"Kids are like cats," Shea said with a laugh. "They're drawn to anyone who doesn't pay attention to them."

"I suppose."

Shea leaned in, smiling. "It's pretty adorable watching you be so patient with her."

"Yeah? I thought you didn't want kids."

"I don't." Shea shrugged. "Doesn't mean I don't like spending time with them or watching them braid your hair."

Dom touched the weird clumps sticking straight out of his head. "I'm never going to be able to get the knots out, am I?"

"Probably not. You'll have to cut it short. Buzz it all off."

Dom shot him a horrified look. He usually kept it around chin length and hadn't had short hair since he was a kid.

"I'm kidding. A little conditioner and we'll get these so-called braids out, I promise. Now, aren't you glad you came today?"

Shea's eyes danced with amusement.

"Glad," Dom said drily. "Sure, we'll go with that."

But as he looked around, he felt a sudden pang, knowing how much he'd miss being included at events like this after his retirement.

Slowly but surely, the team would move on without him.

He couldn't keep putting off his own future.