Page 58 of The Blame Game

“Well, c’mon,” Matty said. “Hurry up. Clothes on and out the door in ten!”

Dom glared half-heartedly as he walked toward his suitcase for fresh underwear. “You’re such a fucking dad.”

Matty beamed. “I know, right?”

Dom shook his head at Matty taking the chirp as a compliment but the truth was, Dom had never seen Matty so happy.

A few weeks ago, he’d done a big brunch for the team and he’d had baby Reese strapped to his back in one of those little harness things while he showed Eli how to flip pancakes and he supervised Alexis showing River how to use a butter knife to cut strawberries.

He was totally in his element raising four kids with Antoni.

Dom was happy for him, but it was funny the way it was beginning to bleed out into his interactions with the team. Dom was waiting for Matty to start cutting up a rookie’s steak for him or something.

Honestly, he hoped it happened. It would be prime chirping material.

Dinner was at an Italian bistro that also offered bowling and bocce ball.

Odd combination, and Dom had been skeptical going into the whole thing, but the food was surprisingly delicious.

He ate a huge kale salad and a lobster flatbread that made him think of the seafood tower he’d shared with Shea, Ethan, and Myles.

He considered texting Shea to tell him about it but the longer he sat, the more his back ached. Plus, he still didn’t know how to answer Shea about how he was doing if he asked, so he kept his phone in his pocket.

The team was in a good mood, laughing and joking, but the conversation seemed to float around Dom without ever touching him.

Despite tiramisu being one of his favorite desserts, he skipped ordering it, mentally willing the team to finish their meal so he could get up and move.

Dom slipped the waitress his card before dessert was over, paying for dinner for the entire team. It wasn’t unheard of for the veterans to spring for a night out, but mostly he didn’t want to deal with everyone paying individually or playing the credit card game to see who got stuck with the bill.

Both would take too long.

Dom sighed with relief when he was standing and the walk to the games area helped loosen some of the tension and ease the throbbing pain.

Dustin had reserved a bocce court and two bowling lanes and Dom wasn’t sure which would feel worse.

Both were horribly painful.

The ride back to the hotel wasn’t any better, and Dom was more than ready for a shower and to rub some salve on the aching spot and pass out immediately.

Unfortunately, Dustin and Matty shouldered their way into his room.

Once the door closed, Dom crossed his arms and lifted an eyebrow at them. “What?”

“What’s wrong with you?” Matty demanded. “Something’s off.”

“Nothing. My back is acting up,” he grumbled.

“Did you actually talk to a trainer?” Dustin asked.

“Yes! And to Dr. Strickland.”

“And?”

“And they don’t know anything for sure. I’ll have to do some tests when we’re back in Toronto.”

Dustin’s dark brows drew together. “What do they think it might be?”

Dom pursed his lips. “I don’t know.”

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