Page 1 of The Replay

Chapter 1

Dom

Walking into a party where I might see the only woman I ever loved is the last thing I want to do. It's been six years since Mariana and I broke up. Four years and two months since she got married. Three months since I learned she's getting a divorce.

Not that I'm counting. I'm not. But it tests the limits of my strength.

She recently moved into town and, worse, came to work for my team alongside her sister. I've had to prepare. Keep an eye on things, to make sure I'm not troubled by the whole thing.

It might have helped if I had a gorgeous woman on my arm tonight. The kind who enjoys being by my side, who wants to get in my bed, and will let me date her for a while. For as long as it feels good, and until one of us is done. If we're honest, that's usually me. But, no. I stopped dating six weeks ago, leaving me to ring a doorbell and stand waiting all on my own. Counting down the seconds until the door opens. Too aware of the vacant space next to me, and the wayabsencehas followed me around since Mariana left the country all those years ago.

And, shit, I have to pretend this welcome party I was invited to doesn't mean anything to me. Even if I hate that I'm here. I said I would never spend time with anyone from her family again, after how things ended between Mariana and me. Yet here I am, invited by Cora Sinclair, my new General Manager… and Mariana's sister. Who may or may not have invited my ex to the informal get-together, too.

The door in front of me finally opens with a fast, wide swing— it's Cora.

"Dom." She grins and lets me in. "I'm so glad you came."

Relief washes over me that it's her and not her sister, but I only nod. Cora doesn't falter and invites me inside with a smile.

I enter the condo with my hands deep in my jacket pockets. My stomach twists, and I stand taller to hide the discomfort. Ever since college and the judgmental stares I got for growing up poor, I've favored detachment as my armor. On the night I might see Mariana again, feigning indifference is how I shield myself.

I purse my lips. "I couldn't really say no to my GM, could I?"

The humor I tried to infuse into my words is nowhere to be seen, but I don't fix it. Cora studies me carefully, her lips turning up at the corners.

We stand by the closed door. I force my face into indifference. She takes my measure, calculating, and I don't want to show her it affects me. I raise an eyebrow.

"Listen." Cora gives me a serious look. "I know my family didn't make it easy on you back when you and Mariana were together, but that has no bearing on tonight. This is a simple welcome party. I'm not hosting as the GM but as one of several people who started in the front office around the same time, including your friend Penélope. She's here and so are the rest of your friends, and some other known faces. Just an icebreaker. I promise I won't let the past impact how I do my job."

It seems sincere. I believe her. But I don't ask her if Mariana is one of the new people who are here.

"All right," I say. "Welcome to Seattle and the Strike, Socorro."

She smirks at my use of her full name. She's gone by Cora since before I met her.

"Do you still enjoy a cold beer?" Cora asks. "Drinks are in the kitchen whenever you're ready."

"Thanks. I'll go grab something."

"Please, go right ahead."

I nod but I ignore the kitchen and walk into the living space instead. It's not a large gathering, with about twenty people mingling in the large room. Lots of light colors, and black industrial touches set up the modern stage. The windows go from floor to ceiling, providing a beautiful view of the city. My friends make up nearly half the guests, sitting on one of the big white sectionals. I sit at the end of a chaise, with Damián and Nat next to me, Logan and Evie next, then Saint and Ames. Leon sits on a giant armchair at our side, with Pen on his lap.

I greet my teammates and their partners. All so settled, all so happy. Even Bear and Pen, who married just a few months ago after swearing they were only friends for twenty years. Like everyone else in the group, they're desperately in love. I recognize the feeling because I felt it once, too. I see it in the way they all look at each other. How they talk to each other. The plans they make together, for a future without an expiration date.

I'm so, so happy for them. Truly. It's a wonderful feeling. Genuinely glad for them. Not jealous at all. Meanwhile, I'm a fool who is here alone, stealing glances around the room, only in case I catch a glimpse ofherand I have to steady myself.

It took me more than a year to recover from everything after we ended things. I will not go back to that. This football season, I'll thrive. If Mariana and her parents happen to see me living my best life, even better. I'll just have to keep strong lines.

It's fine. I can be cold. Indifferent. Like what happened between Mariana and me has been forgotten by the passage of time. Then I'll get to go back to the life I fought so hard to build for my mom, her mom, and me.

"Yeah, this party was Cora's idea," Pen leans over and says.

Music plays around us, helping conceal her words. Her volume is only high enough for us to hear. Still, she looks around to make sure no one is listening to our conversation.

Pen started working for the Strike two weeks ago, and is our new insider to the front office gossip. Perfect timing, since it's the middle of the pre-season. It gives her just enough lead up to get settled before the team goes hard at it all over again. From what I hear, this year will be just as intense, if not more intense than the last. It's to be expected, when we want to do something as rare as winning the championship twice in a row.

Evie nods. "Cora came to me and told me she wanted to have a 'new life in Seattle' party, but didn't know anyone. Apparently the Sinclairs are a big family, but no one is flying in. She needed help figuring out who to invite."