Read Online Shutout (The Renegades Series Book 5) by Melody Heck Gatto - Free Book Online Page B

“Sasha you are absolutely right. Why do I care what he thinks? Screw him.” The words exited her mouth with confidence, but the sick rolling of her stomach and the ache in her chest persisted. After all this time, she really did still care what he thought.
     
    * * *
     
    Hailee wiped her paint-spotted hands on a rag and stepped back to look at her canvas. She had talked a big game with Sasha earlier tonight, but when she painted, she wore her heart on her sleeve. That was certainly evident as she stared at her newest painting. It was Dominic in full hockey gear, defending his goal. The image was burned into her brain. During better times, she had been at every practice and every game. She was his biggest fan. Until she wasn’t.
    “Why do I do this to myself?” She whined. Every few months she had a mini-meltdown, and instead of wallowing in her own self-pity, she painted. Painting always helped her relax; it was her happy place. Someday she hoped that other people would enjoy her art as much as she did, so she could paint full time and make a living out of it. Ironically, most of her paintings were of hockey, although that was what she had run from, trying to keep her own independence.
    She used to have her future planned out. She and Dom were going to take the hockey and art world by storm — together . But plans changed.
    Her paintings were displayed on the other side of her loft. Looking around, she was well aware that too many of them were of Dominic. He was her past, and painting was her future. She liked Pittsburgh and wanted that future to be here. If she could get enough money to rent the spot by Alison’s Pet Salon, that would be one less thing to worry about while she saved more. The goal was to work only one job — as the gallery owner — and, of course, paint and sell her paintings. As long as she could steadily sell paintings or host gallery events, she wouldn’t have to dance anymore.
    Standing back, she looked at the painting. Her breathing evened out and her heartbeat slowed. Seeing Dom again had affected her more than she thought possible. The ache in her chest still lingered, but the shock of what happened earlier tonight had faded and she was back in her safe zone. Pulling out a fresh canvas, she filled a clean palette with new colors. She would deal with any fallout tomorrow; right now, she would just paint.
     

CHAPTER SIX
    Dominic
     
    Dom paced the floors of his townhouse, as his gray cat Smokey weaved in and out of his feet. What in the fuck did I just see ? Maybe his mind had been playing tricks on him, the alcohol combined with thinking about her earlier. There’s no way that was Hailee taking her clothes off for money. Yes, it looked like her, but the way she was dressed, or not dressed, that purple hair, and all those tattoos… That couldn’t have been her .
    Hailee didn’t have tattoos, well, not as of the last time he’d seen her. And her hair was a soft, light brown color, not purple. Smokey meowed at his feet, calling for his attention. “C’mere, boy.” Picking up the furry animal, Dom’s body warmed and his worry faded. Smokey rubbed his soft head against Dom’s cheek, and kneaded on Dominic’s arm with his paws. His buzz had worn off now, however he’d been able to salvage the night with help of lots of alcohol, at the insistence of the guys. The last thing he’d wanted to do was ruin Ty’s bachelor party.
    Lyssa had shown back up when he returned to the tables after his unexpected encounter with Hailee. Lyssa kept his drinks refilled, but he didn’t want her. Not after being so turned on by Foxy, who ended up being Hailee, and then the shock of her, well, being Hailee.
    He had refused to pout or make a scene with the guys there; he just wanted to see the girl again and find out for sure if she was really Hailee or if he’d just imagined her. But she hadn’t reappeared, and downing beer after beer, eventually he didn’t remember all that happened. His memory was