Page 48 of The Replay

"You know I go by Dom." I pour a deep, rich red in the glass, and offer it to her.

"I wasn't sure how proper you wanted me to be, after all this time." She lifts her glass in a small toast and sips from her drink. "Especially with all this formality."

I grab an energy drink, toast back, and sip. "If memory serves, your family cares a lot about manners and courtesy."

"And you don't? I don't remember you being rude, Dom."

"I manage if it's asked of me, but I'm much more casual."

"You're charming when you want to, I know that." She sips from her wine. "Congratulations on winning the championship last season."

"Thank you. We're hoping to win again."

"So I hear." She gives me a small smile. "I hope you do."

We study each other for a few seconds. Her well-wishes seem genuine, but I don't think it's more than general politeness. As much as I want to prove toAlicia and her husband that I'm as successful as their children, I don't know that my achievements are enough to impress them. To them, being at the top of my field is the bare minimum.

Alicia is about to add something else when she and I get distracted by Mariana coming to our side.

"Everything okay?" She's wringing her hands again, but catches herself and puts both of them in her pockets.

I wrap my drink in a couple of paper napkins, to catch the condensation and keep my hands busy. If I don't, I might end up reaching out for her. Again. Saying yes to more things than I meant to, just because her anxiety is showing up once more, and it makes me want to take care of her.

Closure. I'm supposed to be feeling like I can truly let go of things one day. Not sliding back to how things used to feel when we were happy and in love.

I don't make the same mistakes twice. I'm not letting tenderness get in the way of finally putting an end to this chapter of my life.

It's been years, man. Get over yourself.

"Absolutely," Alicia replies. "Dom is a perfect gentleman."

"I'm not so concerned about him," Mariana says, challenging eyes toward her mom.

Alicia laughs. "I would never be anything but polite, Mariana."

"Especially since people are paying attention," I add. "The media are talking about the owner of the Vancouver hockey team inviting players from the Seattle football team. The one where one of her daughters is the GM, and another the Foundation director."

The older woman purses her lips, but humor remains on her gesture. "This is why it's so important to be exemplary. We're too privileged as a family to rest on our laurels and do nothing with it. But no one can criticize you if you keep everything clean and above board. And if you're the best at what you do, then they have to admit it."

"You know people can criticize anything, even things that are done right." Mariana glances at me, but still doesn't speak in my direction. "Some people just want to disapprove."

I narrow my eyes, but say nothing. She's talking about people in general. And also her mom. And me. Definitely me.

This time I can't attempt any kind of comment, as indirect as I may want to make it. Not in front of Alicia.

"As long as you excel at what you do," Alicia says, "criticism lands empty. Besides, you can't control their judgment, but you can control your behavior. Focus on that. On your goals and what you choose to do with everything you have. That's integrity. You know that's why Cora decided not to come and we're meeting for lunch tomorrow instead."

So Evie was right. Fine. It doesn't change the fact that I don't fit with this family. It's clear Alicia Montt won't accept anything less than a faultless life, and I'm well aware I'm an imperfect man.

Mariana sighs. "That I can't argue."

"If you don't mind," I say. "I promised I'd grab drinks for Nat and Damián."

It's a lie, but I take two cans out of the fridge and hold everything in my hands.

"Wonderful to see you again, Alicia." I nod to her, then Mariana. "I will make sure to say goodbye when the game ends."

"Of course. I hope you're enjoying the evening," Alicia says.