Shutout (The Renegades Series Book 5)

by Melody Heck Gatto

  “Fuck yeah, Ty!” Dom yelled through his mask.

  It was 2–1 Renegades and a minute to go left in play. The crowd roared, but all Dom could hear was his own heartbeat. It pounded so loudly in his ears he was shaking. Detroit had control of the puck. Dom stiffened as they rushed down the ice towards him. This was it. The moment they had worked so hard to get to. It was time to dance.

  Taking a deep breath, his eyes steadied on the puck. Focus. He slid side to side, digging his blades into the ice, trying to predict what moves they were going to make even before they did. Detroit passed the puck across the ice and a winger took a wrist shot at the net.

  Sliding to the right, Dom deflected the shot to the corner. Detroit recovered the puck and circled around the net, trying to slide it in behind Dom, but he wedged the back of his skate against the post and stopped it from being poked in.

  Detroit still had control of the puck with twenty seconds left. Twenty seconds, and not only would the season be over, but they could be holding the greatest trophy in hockey. His heart hammered against his chest. Twenty seconds. Focus.

  Dom stood guarding his net, watching the large bodies of Detroit’s top line rush at him. Sam stole the puck, and calling out, he passed it to Patrick at the blue line. Dom’s view was blocked by the Detroit defense, but the sound the crowd made told him it got picked off and was headed his way. He looked every which way he could, determined to stop whatever came at him. He had no choice.

  With no time to react, Dom finally saw their top scorer was rushing in on his right side. The closer he got, there was only one thing to do. Dom slid his body towards his right post across the frigid ice, putting up a barrier over the entire goal crease in the process. As the forward shot the puck, Dom stretched half out of his goal, his body long and lean on the ice. He quickly covered the puck with his glove, just as the buzzer sounded.

  Game over. Lying on the ice, covering the puck, it took a second before it sunk in. Game over! Dom let out a heavy breath before picking up his head to look around.

  The crowd wildly cheered and yelled. Cowbells rang and horns blew. Music blared and confetti fell from the rafters. He jumped up off the ice, just in time to see his entire team rushing onto the ice and towards him. Gloves and helmets were being taken off and some things haphazardly tossed aside as grown men turned into little boys.

  The group of them tackled Dom to the ice dogpiling onto him. The yells and cheers were faint from under it all. His muscles ached and exhaustion threatened to set in, but his body pushed past it as adrenaline pumped through his veins. As the team moved away, Tyler grabbed Dom’s pad, helping him to his feet. He flipped his helmet up onto his head just in time to see Matt rushing towards him.

  “Meatball! We fucking did it! Holy shit! I think we should call you ‘stretch’ after that last save!” Matt yelled before pulling him and Ty into a hug.

  Kaden flew up to him, jumping into the air before grabbing him. “Dom! Dude! We fucking won!”

  Dom hugged him back before throwing his gloves off and giving him a high-five. “Fuck yeah! We did it!”

  The other guys circled him, tapping his helmet and slapping his shoulder.

  For the first time he noticed people standing beside the bench and in the hallway. The keeper of the Cup brought it out onto the ice, wearing white gloves so not to mar the coveted trophy.

  But more importantly, Dom laid eyes on her. All the chaos silenced in his ears when he saw Hailee was standing there smiling at him. In her black Renegades jersey, tight-fitting slacks and black heels, she was a vision of beauty.

  All the wives, girlfriends and kids were there, smiling. Some waiting patiently to come out onto the ice, some already out on the frozen surface searching for their loved one.

  His attention was moved back to the team as the roar of the crowd got louder and the Cup was handed to Tyler first.

  Ty skated circles around the ice with it held high above his head, occasionally kissing the trophy. After his final lap, he yelled as he approached, “Yo, Dom! Take it next.”

  Ty handed Dom the Cup.

  “Ty, no, I can’t. One of the veteran players deserves it before me.”

  “You earned this, dude. Go take your lap, enjoy!” Tyler placed the Cup into Dom’s hands.

  “Meatball!” His teammates yelled as he took the Cup.

  Dom looked at the silver trophy, the reason they played every game, the reason they did what they did. He held the Cup high as the crowd roared. Sweat poured from his face, but he didn’t notice how tired he was, how much his body ached, or how heavy the trophy was at this moment. All he knew was this team was now the best of the best. Skating by the bench, he knew it was time to give it to the next man. Looking up and meeting Hailee’s gaze, he paused. She was the only thing he wanted more than this trophy. Skating over towards her, he lowered the Cup to his waist as she met him on the ice. Her smile was extra wide with still a hint of shyness. The cheers of the team and the crowd still roared in the background, but his focus was only on her.

  “Hailee…” But before he could say anything else, her soft, chilled hand cupped his cheek, her thumb ran along his scratchy beard, and she pulled him into a tender kiss. Still holding the trophy, he deepened the kiss, kissing her with all the passion he’d played with tonight, forgetting for a second that they had an audience.

  Behind him, the guys hooted and hollered, making complete asses out of themselves, and he didn’t care. He pulled away for a moment, needing to keep the trophy going. Handing it off to Kris, he returned to Hailee, grabbed her and pulled her into another hard kiss. She returned his kiss, matching his desire.

  “You won,” she said, in what sounded like a whisper after breaking the kiss.

  “We won.” He nodded with a flirty smile. Looking down into her sparkling eyes, the words were so easy to say. “Marry me.” He didn’t intend or plan on saying that. He had no ring and he wasn’t down on one knee, but he said it, and he meant it. The puzzled look on her face made him realize the odd timing. But to him the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Winning the Cup and finally having her heart, this was all he ever wanted. He said it again. “Hailee, marry me.”

  Without any hesitation, she smiled brightly, her face lighting up as she said, “Absolutely.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  Hailee

  Hailee carried the last box of office supplies into her gallery as Dominic helped to hang another painting on the wall. Her big opening night was finally tomorrow, and everything had to be perfect. Her office could be organized later because no one would see that, but the kitchenette and gallery had to be perfect.

  The sun was starting to set, shining its orange rays through the large front windows, lighting the front room of the gallery. Summer sunsets were her favorite. The freshly painted walls glistened, and the new carpet smell filled the rooms. The name Valentine Gallery graced one of those front windows.

  All of this was possible because of Dominic and what he had done to help her sell her paintings. It had taken her too long to realize that wasn’t a bad thing. He really was a good man, with a good heart and even better intentions.

  She checked the cupboards, making sure they were full of brand new dishes and cups, including new glass stemware. The dishwasher had been installed last week, and a new coffee maker was still in its box, but sat on the counter ready to be unpacked and used. The champagne was already in the chiller, and she envisioned where the caterers would set up the hors d’oeuvres. She was ready for the biggest night of her new career.

  “Hailee?” Dominic called from the gallery front room. “Can you come here, please?”

  “Okay, give me a minute.” She took one more look around the kitchen, assuring herself that things would all be ready by tomorrow night. Her nerves were getting the best of her, and her pulse hadn’t settled down in a few days. Her worry about not fitting into Dom’s world had been unfounded. The days following winning the Cup were filled with celebration and parties. The team a
nd their families treated her as if she’d been with them forever, just like she’d seen them treat Dominic. Like family. Even Alison tagged along to a few gatherings with Kaden.

  Dominic had suggested he bring the Cup to her grand opening, especially since a few of the guys and their wives would be attending. He probably had a new idea as to where would be the “perfect” spot to display it. Emerging from the kitchen, she noticed it was darker than it should’ve been out there.

  “Why is it so dark out here? Did the lights go out? The electrician isn’t going to be able to come out until tomorrow—” She stopped when she noticed the accent lights above each painting were lit. “Dominic, where are you?”

  She turned into the front room to see him standing in the middle of the space. “Dominic, what are you doing? Why are the lights off? At least the accent lights work and they look great.”

  Dominic just stood there grinning. His bushy playoff beard now gone, only a five o’clock shadow remained, and his hair was freshly cut and styled perfectly as always. “It all looks great, Hailee. You’ve done a wonderful job. Now come over here.” He motioned with his hands for her to join him.

  “I still have a hundred things to do before tomorrow night. The kitchen is ready except for the coffee maker. That still needs set up. If you still want to display the Cup, guess we’re going to need a table for that too.”

  He continued to stand in the middle of the dim room, smiling at her. She cocked her head, curious as to what he was doing. “Dominic? Why are you just standing there?”

  “Sweet-tart, I know I already asked you, but you know that some tradition is still important to me. I want to do this properly,” he said, before he dropped to one knee. “Hailee, will you do me the honor of being my wife?” He pulled a ring from his pocket, and presented it to her.

  “Oh, Dominic!” She squealed and covered her mouth. The ring he held out to her was not the one he had originally bought. It was silver with a princess cut diamond, and it was beautiful. Her heart skipped around in her chest. Yes, he had already proposed and she had already accepted, but the romantic gesture of him down on one knee still brought tears to her eyes. “Oh, Dominic.”

  “Um, as much as I love watching that look on your face, are you going to accept? Soon? Because I think I’m kneeling on a nail or something,” Dom said, trying to hold back a wince through his amazing smile.

  “Oh my God! Yes! Yes — of course my answer is yes!” She pulled him up off the floor by the collar of his hooded sweatshirt, right to her lips.

  “Sweet-tart, you know that I love these lips, but give me your finger first.” He took her hand and slid the ring on her finger.

  Even in the dim light of the room, her ring sparkled. “Dom,” she whispered. “It’s gorgeous.”

  “It was my Nunnie’s ring. My Grandad gave it to me when I told him that I’d asked you to marry me. He wanted you to have it.”

  Her heart beat faster than it had in days. Being in his arms warmed her body through and through. “Aw, that’s sweet. I can’t wait to see your family again.”

  “Really? Because I already got a lecture from my sisters for asking you without a ring.”

  The thought of Rosa and Anna picking on him about that made her laugh.

  Dominic’s arms wrapped around her middle and held her against him. “Are you sure you can handle forever?”

  Taking his face in her hands, she smiled as his stubble tickled her fingers. Looking into his deep, dark eyes, she was positive. She had wasted so much time and wanted longer than forever with him.

  “Can I tell you a secret?”

  “Only if it has to do with you being with me forever.” He flashed a flirty smile and made her chuckle girlishly.

  “When I saw you at the club that night, I knew that I still loved you. That I had never stopped. I was just afraid. And now I know there was nothing to be afraid of. I can’t explain what’s changed; I can only tell you that it has. So this is what I promise you. No more fear, no more hiding from my feelings.”

  “And you’re sure you can put up with me forever, no matter what gets thrown our way?”

  “I’ve never been more sure of anything, Dominic. Whatever happens, we’re in this together. I know now it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. We’ll always support each other.” She ran her fingers through his hair. “I spent too much time without you, wishing I was with you. You’d better believe I’m not letting you go. Ever.”

  THE END

  Other Books by Melody

  Until You (The Renegades Series Book 0.5)

  Score on Me (The Renegades Series Book 1)

  Unsportsmanlike Conduct (The Renegades Series Book 2)

  Playing the Game (The Renegades Series Book 3)

  Zambonis and Mistletoe (The Renegades Series Book 4)

  Please follow me on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/AuthorMelodyHeckGatto

  Click Here to Find Me on the Web: http://www.melodyheckgatto.com/

  SHUTOUT Playlist on Spotify

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

  I don’t typically write a big sappy thank you, but I thought it was about time, so what the heck...

  At the beginning of writing this book, I was only about a month out from losing not just one, but both of our senior dogs. My babies. My close family and some social media friends knew how much I loved my doggies. After raising and taking care of a pet for fifteen years, they become your children vs just an animal. That’s exactly what they were to me. When I sat down to write Dominic’s story, the words wouldn’t come. My emotions were still to raw, the wound too fresh. My editor, Bree, was nice enough to let me push back my deadline, not once but twice. She didn’t have to take that time to fit me in to her already busy schedule, but she did, and I truly appreciate it.

  In no particular order…

  Thank you to my family. My husband and son have been so very patient with me as I worked on this book. I’m sorry for all of the “Hang on-I’m in the middle of something…” or “Let me just finish this part…” I seemed to always be busy writing or reading. I can assure you that your patience has well paid off - I couldn’t have done it without your help - and I feel like Shutout is my biggest creative-accomplishment so far.

  Writing the Renegades, I have made some great friends through hockey and reading. A couple of them helped me by being my beta readers, Mary Aquilera and Jennifer DiCenzo (Go Pens!). You ladies are there even when I just need to gab or bounce ideas around. While working on Shutout, Christine Tovey was another great hockey friend as my Pittsburgh Penguins rocked the ice this season, and also agreed to help beta read this book. You ladies are the best, and I’m glad I have you.

  I want to make sure I give a shout out to the “Hearties” (you know who you are). You girls know everything there is to know about everything. Seriously. Thank You for your total support of a green indie author like me. A group like ours is just what I had been looking for during this journey. Every author in our group has been helpful in one way or another - so thank you for inviting me to be part of it all. I’m so glad to call you ladies my friends.

  Lisa Vitous, you work hard to get my name out there. All of your help is invaluable. I can’t thank you enough.

  Everyone who helps share my posts on social media, family, friends, and new Facebook friends – thank you. As a self-published author, it’s not easy getting your books out there, and you guys do a great job. To the authors who helped me or simply took the time to talk, thank you. Rhonda James and Jennifer Lazaris, your friendship means a lot to me. To the readers who message me to talk about my books, my Pens, or just goofy stuff in general – thank you for your friendship. I was invited to take-over Helena Hunting’s group for an hour as I was finishing up this book. That was one hour of total fan-girling on my part. Thank you Helena and your girls who run the page for letting me make that dream come true. Next on that To Do List – finally meet Helena! LOL.

  My designer Kat, thank you for the beautiful (and hot!) Renegades covers. I’ve change
d my idea for this particular book more times than I can count, but what you created is gorgeous.

  My editor Bree, the Renegades are what they are because someone gave me your name in passing. I think it was fate. You understand what I’m trying to do with a story sometimes even before I do. Thank you for making my hockey boys and fan-girls the best they can possibly be – for helping me to develop them into the characters they were meant to be. I don’t want a Renegades world without you in it!

  My hubby, who tells everyone who will listen that his wife writes hockey romance and they should look her up. He’s pretty awesome. My teen son, who enjoys going to Penguins practices and games with me. And me hurrying him into the arena early so his “crazy mom” doesn’t miss warm ups for the sake of research.

  My family, who may or may not read the books, and yet still were genuinely interested in my very first book signing as an author.

  To the AHL player who all I had to do was see the tattoos on your arms, your big brown eyes and of course photos of you holding kittens, and I created a totally fictional goaltender in my mind. A character vibrant enough who started out as a simple cameo in Score On Me (creating havoc for Kris and Kat) and flirting with Paige in Playing the Game to having an entire story built around him. Best of luck to you in Arizona.

  I hope you enjoyed Dominic and Hailee’s story and that you will stay with us for all future Renegades books. I have no immediate plans of wrapping up this series – it’s too much fun. Stay tuned for more hot hockey players and fan-girling!

  Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook and Twitter for hockey talk and hockey players talk… and of course for updates on my Renegades.