Page 160 of The Blame Game

“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.”

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