Page 66 of The Replay

Chapter 21

Dom

Mariana: Did Evie talk to you?

Dom: Yeah. I don't think it's a big deal.

Mariana: Wait. What do you think we're talking about?

Dom: None of it is a big deal.

Mariana: We must not be talking about the same things because at least the social media stuff is an issue.

Dom: The stuff around you being at the game?

Two seconds after the message shows as delivered, her call comes through. It's video, and I press the green button with some suspicion.

My kitchen has a nook with a small table, where I'm having dinner, but I lean back against the cushions while I inspect the screen. Most of theview is her face, with anxious eyes and a tense line to her mouth. Her hair is half-pulled up for once, letting me see a window behind her. There's not a lot of light around her, just enough to see details in a soft yellow glow.

I have no idea where she is, but I'm aware this may be the first look into her place here in Seattle.

"Why video?" Is the first thing I ask.

"I need to see your face because I can't believe you really don't care."

"Why would I care? It's just speculation."

I sip from my water bottle. Only a day after the game, some fans online got in the comment section to say she was there for either Rafa or me. They argued that, considering the fact I date a lot but Rafa never does, they think she was there as my guest.

The main point of discussion was that I haven't been seen with anyone for a while… but Mariana wasn't wearing my jersey. She could be there as someone working for the Strike, but then, why not be with the GM? And in the process, they learned about Mariana's divorce. Fans have been arguing for a few days, but I've been happy to let Evie monitor everything.

She frowns. "If the social media detectives Evie told me about are that immediately obsessed, they could connect the dots and see we went to college at the same time for a few months. That we dated back then. They'll take it as evidence of… something."

"So what?"

"I bet there are pictures of us together somewhere. We had friends who had social media, didn't we? Any good sleuth would find that."

My eyebrows go up my forehead. I return to my food, a delicious meal of chiles en nogada my mom dropped off earlier today. It buys me time. I hadn't realized there could still be pictures of us back then. I archived the ones I posted of us a long time ago, and I'm curious if I could find any.

Not that I mean to look. There's no point. For what, to remind myself how good things used to be? Feel that old pain that tastes too much like longing? Iworked very hard to look away and live my life, to put myself through that again with Mariana nearby for a while wasn’t the plan.

I shrug, though I'm not sure she can see it. "I'm still not sure what the problem is. Let's say they make the connection. It's still speculation. It's not like we're going to be seen together alone, out and about, smiling at each other or whatever. It’s not like you're going to start cheering for me with my name on your back."

"Let me guess." Her lips purse. "You don't care because your brand on social media is this hot guy with big dick energy. I saw that clip of you with your shirt riding a little high. That wasn't an accidental crop top, Dom."

"Someone did a deep dive." I chuckle.

I eat another bite of chile, trying to hide the smile wanting to show up on my face.

First, I learn she looked me up while in England. Now, it turns out she still looks me up sometimes. Even when she had good reasons for it, I can't deny it pleases me. I just don't want her to know it does. And I most definitely don't want it to get into my head.

"What do you mean a deep dive?" she asks. "I got like three videos in a row, just by looking up your name."

"It gets hot, okay?"

"Honestly? I think you just love the attention. I read some of the comments."

"Jealous? Maybe you get hot, too."