Shutout (The Renegades Series Book 5)

by Melody Heck Gatto

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Hailee

  Hailee sat in the local coffee shop in the heart of Vaughn, Ontario, her hometown, sipping her hot coffee. Her brain wouldn’t turn off, so the next best thing was more caffeine. Maybe on some off chance, it would work opposite on her and finally allow her to sleep. Something she hadn’t gotten much of since leaving Dom.

  The same questions rolled through her brain since. What was I thinking? Why did I sleep with him? Better question, why did I run out on him…oh shit. Hailee sighed and dropped her face into her hands. Going to the wedding as his date was a poor decision. Going home with him was a bad decision. Sleeping with him was the worst decision. I threw away everything I tried to accomplish the last few years for one night. Plus, I hurt him. Again. He wasn’t the only one hurting, though. Her heart ached for what she knew could never be.

  She had seen in his eyes that he thought it was their new beginning. Their passion built so quickly. Maybe if they had talked things over… Dominic wanted to talk so she wouldn’t leave. But if she had stayed to talk, she would’ve never left. Not until she needed to give up everything she loved to be his wife. Not until she had dragged him down with her. Then she’d probably want to run again. It wasn’t fair to her and wasn’t fair to him.

  This was what was best. Running to Canada? Maybe not her best decision, but it’s not as though she was making the best choices right now, anyway. Mia’s apartment in Ontario was the only place she could think to go. Dom would never suspect she’d come back home. It’d been a few days and he hadn’t figured it out yet. After she ignored his first few text messages asking where she was, he stopped sending them. No phone calls, which was weird, but it worked for her. It was the easy way out.

  Facing her parents was another story though. She’d get over there, eventually. Her phone buzzed with a text.

  Mia: Are you going to call your parents today? And by that I mean, you ARE going to call your parents today, right?

  Hailee exited the message after reading and then put the phone back down. She’d get there, just not right this minute. She needed space to breathe, just needed to get her head on straight. Swirling her coffee around in her cup, she mixed up the chocolate that had now settled at the bottom. “What am I doing? Am I turning into just another bunny?” she said out loud. Taking a sip, she looked up directly into a pair of concerned brown eyes and almost choked.

  “What are you doing here?” She coughed after inhaling a drop of hot liquid that she swore went right into her lung.

  “I knew I’d find you here.” Dom stood in a hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. All of his art was hidden except the one on his neck. His arms crossed tightly across his chest, and his head cocked to the side while he stared at her. “And you’re not just another bunny.”

  She wanted to jump into his arms, she wanted to feel his warmth and never leave. But that couldn’t happen. Her heart couldn’t take leaving him again. “You would know.”

  “Hailee, stop it.” His stance hadn’t changed. And his expression was stone serious.

  “I’m not doing anything. And you never did answer me. What are you doing here?”

  How the hell did he know I was here?

  “Lucky for me, we’re playing in Toronto tomorrow. We just finished practice and I got a tip you were here. Why’d you run out on me?” He pulled up a chair and sat down, propping his chin up on his palm. His solemn gaze was heavy on her.

  Damn Mia, it had to have been her. Hailee shrugged. “It was just easier that way.”

  “Easier, how? I don’t get it. I thought we were getting along. I thought the other night was like old times. Better.” His face was screwed up in frustration.

  “Dominic, that night was perfect. It was beyond perfect. Waking up the next morning in your arms is all I’ve dreamt about these last few years.” She needed to tread lightly here.

  “So why didn’t you stay?”

  “This will never work. You and me.” She motioned her finger back and forth between them. Why can’t he understand that I’m not what he wants?

  “Why not? We worked well that night.” His smile was flirty but uneasy. She knew him too well. He only flirted with her during serious conversations when he was nervous, and Dominic didn’t often get nervous.

  “I know we’re good together that way. But it was just sex.” It wasn’t just sex; she knew that and he knew that, but with any luck she could convince him otherwise.

  He shook his head. “You’re lying. You forget that I can see right through you. What’s really going on?”

  She didn’t want to talk about this, which is why she had come all the way home to hide. “How did you find me?”

  “How do you think? I called Mikey and he talked to Mia. You know he’s in New York now? He thinks he’s from the Jersey shore or something. It’s comical.” He ran his hand through his hair as he talked.

  Mikey was Mia’s brother. Of course she would tell him; why didn’t I think of that?

  “So what spooked you? Because I thought the whole night was pretty amazing. If you had stayed I could’ve made your morning just as amazing, if not better.” That flirty smile crept across his lips again as he pushed up his sleeves and folded his hands together on the table.

  “You can stop the flirting. It doesn’t work on me.” Another lie. Her stomach flopped and her body quivered at that smile. And those tattoos on his arms made her insides warm. He knew that. But she wasn’t about to give in.

  “Hailee?”

  “Look, apparently you thought our night together was more than it was. Sure, I missed you. I got my fix and now it’s out of my system.” Taking another drink of the now room temperature coffee was the only way she could keep herself from saying how she really felt, how much she wanted him again, right this minute.

  “Sorry, but I don’t believe you. I thought we were making a new start.”

  “There’s the problem. You want a new start. I’m not interested in falling into the same pattern as your sisters. Not to mention you didn’t look too lonely at The Cat House when Mona had you in the back room.”

  A frown formed on his face when she mentioned his sisters, but then his eyes widened at the comment about Mona. He looked stunned, almost as if she’d slapped him.

  “Really? That was before I found you, and I would’ve preferred it to have been you. Well, it was, until you ran away.”

  “Stop it, you were aroused by the time I got there. Did she do it for you?” His face flushed and he clenched his jaw. She knew her change of topic was working to deflect him. “Oh, and did she feed you the line about liking you and wanting to meet up off the clock? That’s her thing, well, when she’s not convincing the guys to pay for an extra hour. I don’t think she’s the bring home to Mama kind, though.”

  Dominic shook his head, his face twisted in confusion. “Well, yes, she did, and you can’t blame me; it’s what she’s paid to do. But there’s only one girl I want, and that’s you. I swear.”

  “Look, I’m sure you have your fair share of puck bunnies to keep you occupied. You’re young and don’t need to be tied down yet.”

  Dominic’s face fell and he took a heavy breath. “You don’t really believe that, do you? Can’t we talk this over? I can take you back to Pittsburgh, we can go to dinner. I know this great place on Mount Washington.”

  “No. I can’t be who you want me to be. I need to concentrate on my future, my own dreams. Being a hockey wife isn’t part of my plan.”

  He looked so defeated that it made her chest ache. She could still feel his skin on hers. They still fit together perfectly in every way. His rippling muscles and the brilliant artwork displayed on his magnificent body. He tasted and felt like home. Shaking herself out of her daydream, she realized he was staring at her. “I just can’t. I’m not ready to settle down with anyone. I’m not ready to be anyone’s wife.”

  “I still love you and I always have.” His eyes on hers were sad and serious, and his words came out choked, as if i
t hurt him to speak. “But when you left, you messed me up. You know why I’ve only been seen with bunnies?”

  “Cause they’re easy?” She hated when she spoke before her brain filtered what she was going to say. She sounded like a bitch. She lowered her eyes to her coffee cup. Her knuckles grew white as she grasped the cup.

  “I haven’t been in a serious relationship since you walked out. You left me with a huge feeling of doubt and mistrust. I thought we were the real thing, and I don’t know why you ran out on me, but I love you and I always have. I don’t want anyone but you. And I don’t know what I can do to prove that to you.” He reached for something in his pocket. Setting a small box on the table, he pushed it towards her. “Do you believe me now?”

  Seeing the box was like a knife to her heart. “Oh Dominic, don’t do that. Not now. I can’t be that girl.” The moment she put that ring on she’d be expected to be the good wife, always at his side. She wasn’t ready to give up her dreams yet. As much as it hurt, not even for him.

  “I’m not. I just wanted to show you that I knew we were meant to be together years ago. Open it. At least look at the sticker on the bottom if you don’t believe me.”

  Hailee picked up the petite velvet box, tipping it up to see the bottom. The sticker was from a little jewelry shop that was in downtown Vaughn when they were growing up. It burned down shortly after Dom left for the minors. “How?”

  “I bought it that last summer we were together. I didn’t know your ring size so I guessed. But I knew the moment I met you that all I wanted was you. That you were the one.” Dom opened the box and set it back on the table.

  Her heart soared and she gasped. It was gorgeous. A larger single diamond sat cradled in smaller diamonds, with two colored stones side by side. They were their birthstones. “How could you afford something like this?” He hadn’t even started his hockey career yet when he’d bought this.

  “I saved up, plus old man Roscoe let me give him payments till it was paid off.” His face darkened in color. She hadn’t ever seen him bashful in all the years she’d known him.

  Thinking about the old jewelry store reminded her. “I saw he’s opening a new store in town.”

  “Yeah…” Dom’s face stayed dark pink and a nervous laugh laced his words. “I um, donated some money to help him get the store off the ground. I felt so bad when he lost his business. I caught word that he and his son were looking to reopen the shop, so I immediately offered my help.”

  Wow. That was news to her. I guess I should touch base back home more often. “That’s very generous of you.” That was exactly how Dom was. Always giving too much of himself. She slid the box back towards him. “I’m sorry you wasted all that money on something that could never be. Hopefully you’ll be able to use it someday, or sell it.”

  “Oh no, if I never get the chance to put it on your finger, then it will sit in my dresser. This ring is yours and only yours.” Dominic flashed a half-hearted grin. He pushed his hair out of his eyes that were no longer were filled with sparkle. Putting the ring box back in his pocket, he stood.

  He put his hands up in defeat. “Hailee… I can’t do this anymore. I do love you, and I’ll always be here if you need a friend. I’m only a phone call away if you ever need anything.” He stopped and took a deep breath as though considering his words. “But I realize now that we can’t be together. I was holding on to a dream that had died the day you left. I’m letting you go. Hailee, you win. It’s over. I’m tired of wishing every girl was you, I have to try to move on in a real way, because I want a real relationship with someone who cares for me the way that I need, the way that I deserve.”

  She wanted to speak, she wanted to stop him. But the words wouldn’t form around the huge knot in her throat. He really was giving up. This was it. It’s what she thought she wanted, what she knew was right, yet it felt all wrong. As he opened the door to leave, she finally found her voice. “Dominic!” But he was gone.

  The relief she had hoped to feel was instead panic. Her chest ached, and her heart was empty. What have I done?

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Dominic

  “Dominic!” Maria Zanetti cheered excitedly at the doorway of their family home. She was a short, round little lady with curly dark hair and deep brown eyes. “My baby is home! Come in. Everyone, Dominic is home! Angelo, Angelo! He’s here!” Dom’s mother dragged him into the living room, not noticing Kaden standing in the doorway too.

  “Ma, I brought along my teammate, Kaden. He’s our other goalie. Kaden, c’mon in.”

  “Oh me-oh-my! I’m so sorry, yes, Kaden please come in, make yourself right at home. Everyone, this is Kaden.” She shouted into the house.

  “Maria, you don’t have to yell, I’m right here. Dom, my boy, it’s good to have you home.” Angelo Zanetti, Dom’s father, gave his son a hug then put out his hand to Kaden. “Nice to meet you, Kaden.” Angelo was a tall, thick man with a head full of jet black hair, dark eyes and glasses.

  “You too, Mr. Zanetti.”

  “Uncle Dom!” Mikayla, Dom’s niece, came running to the door and clamped on to Dom’s legs.

  “Hey there, my little sunshine!” He picked her up and hugged her tight. “How’s lacrosse going?”

  “Oh, so good, Uncle Dom! So good! I’ve had six goals this season!” Her face was bright and excited.

  “Woah, six goals? You are a little star, just like your uncle,” Dom said with a big smile. Mikayla was adorable with her big brown eyes and dark hair pulled back in to a ponytail. She wore her lacrosse uniform, and of course, she was number twenty. Everyone said that out of all the kiddos, she looked the most like Dom.

  “Hey, bro.” His little brother Dante nodded from the living room entrance. He was tall for his age, barely a teenager, and he looked like he could pass for sixteen. He was lean too, with shaggy black hair. He was the next Zanetti hockey sensation and already had the hair for it. He’d been scouted since he played Pee Wee.

  “Dante, man you’re getting tall.” Dom pulled his brother into a hug.

  “The girls are in the kitchen, but the boys are all in the living room.” Maria grabbed both Dom and Kaden’s hands and pulled them into the living room. “I better get back in there and help them with dinner.” Maria hurried away.

  “Uncle Dom!” All four of his nephews ran up to greet him.

  “Hey guys!” He greeted each of the boys, Tristan, Gino, Nicky and Rocco. They looked like they could be brothers, all lean and lanky, and they had the Zanetti dark hair and dark eyes. All close in age, one was six, two were seven, and one was eight. “You all still playing hockey?”

  “You know it!”

  “Of course!”

  “They wouldn’t have it any other way,” Gino and Tristan’s dad spoke up.

  “Hey, Vincent.” Dom shook his brother-in-law’s hand. Looking to his other brother-in-law, he nodded. “Hey, Robert. This,”—he looked to Kaden who was currently being bombarded with questions from the boys—“is Kaden O’Conner.”

  “I’m betting the boys already knew that,” Robert said with a laugh.

  Robert and Vincent definitely stood out in family photos; neither of them had dark hair like the rest of the Zanetti clan. They claimed they were Italian, but you’d never know it to look at them. Some of the families around here came from northern Italy where blonds were more common. Thank God the kids all took after their mothers.

  “Dominic.” Michael, Dom’s grandfather, emerged from the armchair in the corner. He was eighty-five years old and still had a mean block in net, and still loved to play hockey in the basement with his great-grandkids. He had thin gray hair and wore glasses, and although he came over from Italy with his parents when he was just a child, he still had an Italian accent.

  “Grandad! I didn’t even see you sitting over there.” Dom pulled the old man into a hug. His grandad was someone Dom missed most while he was away in the States. Playing here at home was special for him because Grandad and Dad would be in the stand
s watching.

  “Well, I wanted to give the young-uns time to see you first. They’ve been so excited all day I thought they were going to jump right out of their skins.” He laughed a hearty laugh.

  “Sit down, you two,” Angelo said, motioning towards the couch.

  “I wanted to go say hello to the girls.” Dom pointed toward the kitchen.

  His dad waved him off. “There’ll be plenty of time for that, plus they’re busy with dinner. The two of you tell us all about the Renegades.”

  Dom and Kaden settled on the couch, and the young boys swarmed around them, sitting at their feet. “Uncle Dom, I just know you guys are going to win tomorrow night.”

  “We certainly plan to,” Kaden answered.

  “So, which one of you will be playing in goal?” Dom’s dad asked.

  “I hope Dom will, seeing how it’s his homecoming and all,” Kaden said.

  “Right, they do take that into consideration,” Angelo said. “In my day they always played the hometown boy.”

  “Sure, they try to, but if one of the goalies is on a roll, they tend to go with him,” Dom answered. His dad used to play goalie in the professional hockey league, and so did his grandad.

  “You hate to mess with a winning streak,” Michael added.

  “Wait a minute,” Kaden interrupted, looking like he was putting the puzzle pieces together. “Michael Angelo Zanetti. Angelo Zanetti. Dominic Zanetti. I’m sitting in the same room as the Zanetti Legacy. Holy shit… I mean shoot. Sorry.” He looked with red cheeks at the young boys.

  Vincent spoke up. “It’s nothing they haven’t heard before; they play ice hockey, remember?”

  “True,” Kaden said with a laugh.

  “You’re heading back to Pittsburgh after the game?” Robert asked.

  “Yeah, they don’t give us a lot of time, but we’re lucky we had the day today,” Dom said.

  As much as he enjoyed seeing his family, he was preoccupied with his personal life. He couldn’t get the conversation he had earlier with Hailee off his mind. There were things she had said that made no sense to him, and he was hoping his sisters might be able to shed some light on it. After all, they had spent the day with her right before she left him.