Page 209 of The Blame Game

“I’m glad you came by tonight.”

“Yeah?” Christian glanced over, his gaze searching.

“Yeah. I think we both needed this.”

It was closure.

Maybe there was more they could talk about. But in the end, did the details truly matter? Was there any point in dredging up any lingering hurts? Better to leave it like this, let it go.

Christian nodded, then reached out, softly touching his hair. “The silver suits you.”

“Does it?”

“Yes.” Christian smiled. “Or maybe it’s being yourself that does.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Dom winced as the foam roller dug into his tight quad. The team had come in for video review and work with the trainers in anticipation of the final game the day after tomorrow.

They’d won the game at home last night, and were tied 3-3 in the series.

The locker room had mostly cleared out by now but Dom had lingered over his stretches and rolling out his sore muscles. Not that he wasn’t eager to get home to Shea, but he was sore everywhere and honestly, at this point, he barely had the energy to get up off the floor.

With a loud crack, the door to the gym banged open, and Dom slipped off the foam roller onto the soft mat.

He looked up to see a pissed-off Colton stalking toward him.

“You’re a fucking dick, Olson,” Colton seethed.

“Excuse me?” Dom said, squinting, confused by the sudden hostility. “What are you talking about, Yates?”

Colton crossed his arms. “I said you’re a fucking dick, Olson. I can’t believe you asked Birdie to betray her friend that way.”

“Wait, I think you misunderstood,” Dom said, sitting up. Huh, apparently, he could get up. At least partway.

“You asked her to look into Mitchell as the leak, yeah?” Colton said, glaring.

“Essentially. I mean, I think we both hoped she’d find out he wasn’t involved but …”

“Well, she called me crying after they had lunch today. She’s convinced he’s guilty. I can’t believe you put her in a position like that.”

Dom sighed. “Maybe you’re right. I just … I was hoping we could deal with this quietly instead of it turning into a huge scandal.”

“Oh, and too bad if it breaks Birdie’s heart?” he asked bitterly.

“No! I don’t want to break her heart!” Dom protested. “I just thought—”

Dom shook his head, wanting to approach this from a different angle. “Look, Colton, I like Birdie and I never meant to hurt her. She approached me about the Mitchell situation first and we discussed the idea of her looking into it. If she’s this upset about it though, we’ll call it off. We’ll find another way. I’m sorry I got her involved. Please apologize to her and the next time I see her I’ll apologize to her face as well—”

“No, fuck your apology,” Colton spat. “I always knew you were jealous of me, Olson but making my partner cry is a new low, even for you.”

“No, damn it,” Dom protested, scrambling to his feet, his thighs protesting. “You’ve got this all wrong, man.”

“Save it, Olson. I’m tired of your bullshit.” Colton stormed out of the room before Dom could reply.

He stood there a moment, mouth gaping open, before he picked up a medicine ball and threw it across the room. It hit with a loud smack before bouncing back and Dom had to duck to avoid getting nailed.

He slumped onto the weight bench. Damn. He’d really fucked that one up, hadn’t he?

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