Page 18 of Shot Through the Heart

I fight off the urge to frown up at him. Luckily, his teammates finally make their way over to us. Dominik nods toward Greyson before his attention drops to me, and I don’t miss the way they widen in surprise before he can hide it as he extends a hand.

“Hey, I’m Dom.”

Shaking his hand, I ignore my curiosity as to why all three of his teammates that I’ve met so far are clearly taken aback by Greyson having me with him.

“I’m Stella,” I offer with a smile. Dropping his hand, I’m about to explain my being here when Dean pops up and throws an arm around Dominik’s shoulder.

“She’s Grey’sfriend,” he says in a teasing, singsong voice.

Luckily, Dominik ignores the suggestive tone of his goalie and shrugs out of his embrace to motion to the beautiful blonde he arrived with.

“This is my fiancée, Lilly.” His eyes practically sparkle as he pulls her into his side and plants a kiss on the top of her head.

“Still not used to hearing that,” Lilly mutters. “We got engaged two months ago,” she explains, offering me a wave and a smile in greeting since Dominik has her held in a tight embrace.

“That’s so exciting! Congratulations!” I say, my smile genuine for the first time this evening when it clicks. “Oh my God, wait. You’re Lilly…Lilly Matthews!”

Lilly’s smile widens as she nods.

“That’s me.”

“I just started readingFollow Youlast night!”

“Wait until you get to chapter twenty-two,” Dominik says, bringing his hand to the side of his head and making a mind-blown gesture.

“Shh, don’t spoil anything for her!” Lilly says, shoving at Dom playfully.

“Well, that settles it, I’m not sleeping until I finish the book,” I say, shrugging dramatically.

Lilly laughs, turning just as the redheaded woman who was with Landon and Dean skips up beside her.

“This is Ari, Landon’s little sister,” Lilly offers, which earns her a scowl from Ari.

“Why does it have to be ‘little’ and not just his sister?” Ari crosses her arms as Landon steps up beside her and pats a hand on the top of her head.

“Because you’re so much smaller than me, Sis. Little is the perfect word.”

She ducks with a squeal, swatting her brother’s hands away. “I’m only a few inches shorter!” When he continues to poke at her head, Ari shrieks and pushes him away, fixing her messed up hair as she scrambles to hide behind Dean.

Landon shrugs. “Still counts as little if I have to look down at you.”

He strides past them, Ari moving with Dean as she uses him for a human shield between her and Landon while heading toward the entrance.

Lilly rolls her eyes, facing me as she steps forward to follow. “Are you joining us in the suite today?”

I nod, but it’s Greyson who answers her.

“Yeah, do you mind showing her how to get up there once we get in?”

She beams and agrees, finally turning to take Dominik’s waiting hand as he leads her inside. They both smile and wave at the gathered photographers and fans as they pass.

Without a word, Grey gently places his hand on my lower back and we follow them. Keeping a smile on my face, I try to ignore all the people shouting out for Greyson, but it’s hard. Sneaking a glance up at him, I find his face completely devoid of emotion. It looks so unlike him and the sight makes me stumble in my path.

Grey catches me, looking down with a frown.

“Sorry,” I mumble, straightening myself out.

His teammates all made it through the crowd with smiles and waves like it was second nature. But Grey looks like this is his absolute nightmare as he strides past everything without sparing so much as a head nod in acknowledgment to anyone.

---