Page 10 of The Replay

All I do is follow them to the training area of the Thunderdome. Crossing my fingers Dom is there, too, and willing to talk to me.

We're going to work together more closely than I thought. I need to make sure he can stay professional too. We can't fight again where people can see. It's time for a productive conversation. I won't be taken seriously if I'm the subject of gossip.

This is the start of my new life. I can't let my past get in the way of everything I want.

Chapter 5

Dom

I'm tired after a long training day. Our last pre-season game is this Sunday, and we're itching to win it. That second championship ring will feel more likely, if we come into the season on a winning streak. It would help my particular goals if I get another touchdown or two under my belt, too.

I talked to Logan. I talked to the coaches. I'll push myself this year. This season, I'll be critical to every win as the starting tight end in our offense. Fans and broadcasters saying my name every week in admiration. No one should be able to look at me and doubt I'm an asset to the team.

The sounds of boisterous men welcome me as I come out of the shower. Football teams are large and so is the locker room. I rarely notice the smell of it anymore, mixing sweat, personal products, and the plasticky scent of athletic wear. My cubby is right next to the QB, and I find him throwing his stuff into a bag. I'm about to ask him if we should focus on some of the new routes the next day, when Evie's voice interrupts us.

"Please cover the goods!" She requests from around the corner in the hall.

I wrap the towel around my hips a little tighter. It's a familiar plea. I've been with the Strike for a long time, maybe as long as Evie. Whenever she came to us for a chat, she announced her arrival in the same way. It's how she makes sure not to see us in the nude. Back then, she insisted she had no interest in our privates. These days, she insists she only has eyes for her fiancé, Logan.

Unbothered, I watch her come into the locker room with Pen… and with Mariana.

My heart leaps. The noise around me dims. Even the smell disappears. So fast it seems instant, my mood goes from excited for home to annoyed. It's been like that since our argument a few nights ago. Whenever I think of her, shifting weights change the balance in my chest. It's the same right now. Before she showed up with my friends, I looked forward to a quiet night eating the dinner mi abuela made for me, and my mom put in my fridge. Now eagerness turns to irritation prickling down my back.

At the party, I don't think she heard the questions hidden in my accusations.

Tell me you regret how things went down between you and me. I know I do.

Fuck. I need to fix this problem before it becomes a thing.

Pen goes to Leon, a few cubbies down the line. Evie comes to Logan next to me, Mariana on her tail. While Evie kisses Logan and asks him a couple of questions I don't pay attention to, my ex stands awkwardly by her side and glances at me.

I cross my arms and watch her. She dresses differently these days. Still wide pants, but with a blouse underneath a vest that gives her a dignified look. To my surprise, she bites her bottom lip, like I saw her do a million times before.

She's nervous. She's trying to make herself do something she doesn't want to do. I do not help her out and ask her what's going on. I'm not feeling generous. All I do is raise an eyebrow and wait to see what she'll do.

She takes a deep breath and casts resolute eyes my way.

"Can we talk?" She asks.

The tone isn't warm, but carefully flat. If I try, I'm sure I could hear hints of the posh accent she learned growing up.

"Sure." I shrug. I don't otherwise move.

Evie and Logan study us, curiosity charging the space between them, and Mariana and me. I ignore them. The voice in my head that whispers things gets ignored, too. No memories of Mariana are welcome. No longing for how it felt to love her, like I could conquer everything, because she taught me hope, and showed me what the best relationships were supposed to look like.

No questions get to be asked in the quiet of my mind, either. I don't want Evie and Logan or anyone else getting ideas of what they think is or isn't between Mariana and me. Keeping an even keel around her is still the best way to go. I just need to let out some of my frustrations first. Subtle is the name of the game. Plus a little antagonism doesn't hurt anybody.

Her lips tense. "In private."

"Is this an official matter?"

"Of course."

"It's not a good time." I make a gesture to indicate my state of undress. "I'd rather not walk through the building wearing nothing but a towel."

"It won't take long." She shrugs. "Maybe there's a room somewhere close? You can put on shorts or something. I don't care either way."

"You don't care?" I raise an eyebrow.