Page 21 of Hooked On Them

“Really? Because you’re acting like Nora high-sticked you and the refs let it slide.” I grabbed my Coke and took a long sip, trying to calm down. I didn’t usually get angry, even on the ice, but right now I was fuming.

“She’s our coach,” he muttered, like that explained everything.

I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly saw my own brain. “Yeah, and? She’s also a person who deserves some respect. Did she make you do all-outs or something?”

“No.” He started fiddling with his napkin. Now I was really concerned because Dominic didn’t fiddle.

“Then what? Because I’m getting serious hostility vibes here, and I’m pretty sure it’s not because of her coaching feedback.” I studied his face, noting the tight set of his jaw and the way he now refused to meet my gaze.

“Look, it’s complicated.” He started to shred his napkin. “She gets under my skin.”

A light bulb flickered on in my head, and my stomach dropped. “Hold up. You like her, don’t you?”

Dominic’s head snapped up, eyes wide with panic before narrowing into slits. “What the fuck? No! And keep your voice down!” He looked around frantically, as if the entire diner was listening in on our conversation. “And I am not into her. That’s ridiculous.” His vehement denial only confirmed my suspicion.

“It’s not ridiculous.” There was a strange twist in my gut as I processed this revelation. “She’s smart, she’s gorgeous, and she can probably outskate both of us.”

“Exactly! She’s our coach,” he hissed, leaning forward. “She’soff-limits.”

My mind flashed back to the gym and what I’d walked in on. I was pretty sure if I had walked in a minute later, they would have been kissing.

I narrowed my eyes, studying Dominic’s face like it would reveal all the answers. “Did something already happen between you two?”

Dominic’s face went through a fascinating series of expressions—surprise, guilt, anger, and finally settling on defensive indifference.

“No. Of course not.” The way he subtly turned his head to look toward the bathrooms gave him away.

“You’re lying.” I sat back, absorbing this new information. “Holy shit, Dom.”

“I’m not—” He ran a hand through his hair. “It’s not what you think.”

“Then what is it?” A strange hollow feeling expanded in my chest. I’d been harboring my own feelings for Nora, crushing on her like some lovesick teenager, but had kept it to myself because of the coach-player dynamic. Finding out Dominic might have already crossed a line stirred something uncomfortable inside me.

“Nothing,” he snapped. “Forget it, okay? It doesn’t matter.”

I wanted to press further, but something in his expression made me back off. Whatever had happened between them had clearly left him rattled, which was saying something for a guy who prided himself on emotional detachment when it came to women.

“Fine. But you need to dial back the asshole routine.” I took another long sip of my drink, letting the cold bubbles fizz against my tongue while I gathered my thoughts. “She’s trying to do her job.”

“Why did you even invite her?” Dominic’s tone was accusatory.

Warmth crept up my neck as I shrugged, aiming for casual. Being a redhead was the worst for hiding embarrassment. “People have to eat, Dom. Just being friendly.” The words came out steady enough, but the way I suddenly became fascinated with straightening my silverware probably wasn’t helping my case.

He leaned forward like he was about to interrogate a suspect. “Friendly. Right.” The way he drew out those two words made them sound like an indictment.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” The defensive edge in my voice hid nothing. It wasn’t like I had some grand plan when I’d asked Nora to join us. Probably.

“Nothing.” He crossed his arms, his expression hardening. “You shouldn’t have invited her. This is our place.”

“Come on, it’s one dinner?—”

“No.” Dominic shook his head firmly, his voice dropping to that dangerously quiet tone he used when he was truly pissed. “I don’t want her here.”

Movement in my peripheral made me glance up to see Nora standing frozen in place, close enough to have heard his last statement. Her face flickered with hurt for the briefest moment before she smoothed her expression into perfect neutrality.

Fuck.

I opened my mouth to say something to salvage the situation, but Nora had already slipped back into the seat beside me, her smile tight but in place.

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