Tacker (Arizona Vengeance #5)(69)

Dominik joins in. When things settle, he continues. “The hockey news is focused on the Cold Fury right now. Sure, people are interested in us, but they’re more interested in seeing the Cold Fury win three championships in a row.”

Now there’s only silence.

“I say fuck that,” Dominik growls, banging his fist on the podium and straightening his body. “I’m here to tell you… they can’t do it. Because we are the fucking Arizona Vengeance, and we’re directly in their way. They’ll never make it through us. Can’t go around us. The only thing they can hope to do is get trampled by us. That’s all any team can hope for, and well… I just wanted to stop by and tell you with the playoffs starting next week, I can’t wait to see you start your path to victory.”

There’s a thunderous boom of applause as we rise for a standing ovation. He said he wasn’t trying to motivate us, but fuck if he didn’t do just that. We clap, stomp, and holler.

Dominik holds one hand up, an acknowledgment he appreciates our response. With one last smile, he pivots on his heel before marching out of the room.

Christ, that guy has class.

Coach Perron moves to the podium. He knows he can’t compete, so he merely spends a few moments reminding us of the practice schedule for the next week.

When he’s done, we all start to file out. Dominik’s name is on everyone’s lips.

At the end of the row, Aaron and I meet up with Dax and Bishop.

“You guys want to go hang?” Dax asks as we follow him down the aisle toward the door.

“I’m in,” Bishop says.

“Me too,” Aaron adds.

“I’m out,” I tell the group. “Got plans with Nora.”

No one gives me shit about it, but I don’t miss the smiles on their faces.

At the door, we wait for the logjam of guys to shuffle through. Just as Dax is exiting ahead of me, I spot Dominik.

His eyes lock on Dax, who I can hear audibly groan at the attention. Dominik makes absolutely no bones about his interest in Dax’s sister. “Is Willow going to be coming to any of the playoff games?”

“Why don’t you ask her yourself?” Dax mutters.

“I would, but she’s still not answering my texts or calls,” Dominik says with a laugh, not sounding put out in the slightest. If anything, I think he’s enjoying her lack of interest in him.

“Well, there you go,” Dax replies, stalking right by Dominik. Bold move to fuck with a man who has the ability to fire him from the team, but Dax is the type who would never be cowed by such a thing. He’s going to protect his sister at all costs.

Dominik’s eyes—filled with amusement—follow Dax a moment before settling on me. Lifting his chin in greeting, he asks, “Got a minute to talk?”

“Sure,” I reply, not able to stop my gaze from dropping to my watch to calculate how much more time I’ll be missing out on with Nora.

Dominik leads me down the hall from the auditorium, away from the other players for semi-privacy. He leans against the wall, crosses his arms over his chest, and asks, “Just wanted to check in… see how things are going.”

“Good,” I say with no hesitation. “Really good, actually.”

Dominik nods, as if this is not news to him. “Dr. Dumfries has been keeping me updated. He’s extremely impressed with the work you’ve done on yourself.”

“He’s pretty easy to talk to,” I admit. Not as easy as Nora, but who is?

“He’s told me that you’re doing so well he could discharge you if you want. At the very least, I don’t think he needs to report to me anymore.”

That catches me by surprise since Dumfries hasn’t discussed that with me. “I think I’ll stick with him a little longer,” I say hesitantly. While I’ve felt the best I have in an awfully long time, I’m also aware this could all be precarious. I’ll never take my current state of happiness for granted. In fact, I sometimes expect sudden grief to overwhelm me.

Knock on wood.

“Oh, and I think you can drink again if you want,” Dominik says. “Dumfries says alcohol isn’t really an issue.”

“That’s because I was never a big drinker to begin with,” I say with a smile. “But thank you for removing that restriction.”

Dominik nods, then starts to turn away. But he hesitates, examining me with curious eyes. “Nora was the game changer, wasn’t she?”

I’m not surprised he knows about Nora. I never gave him any explanation as to why I went back to Dumfries, but my dating Nora isn’t a secret. I’ve told the entire team, so it’s only natural that word filtered back to Dominik.

“Wouldn’t be standing here talking to you like this if it wasn’t for her,” I say.

He appraises me, eyes boring deep. Seemingly satisfied with my proclamation, he nods. “I’m happy for you then.”

Dominik sticks his hand out, and I take it. “I expect great things from you during the playoffs.”

“You’ll get them,” I assure him.

Dominik nods, giving a hard squeeze to my hand before releasing it.

When he turns away, I realize I haven’t told him something incredibly important.

“Dominik,” I call.

He stops, tilting his head in question.