Alton
"Dominick Henderson! The elusive man of the hour, here at last," the journalist called in an enthusiastic voice, striding towards Dom with a microphone in hand. "Our viewers are dying to get some good news, and we've gotten hundreds of emails and tweets about you. Tell me, what's life been like for you since the accident? How is your recovery going? How is family life treating you?"
Alton shook his head slightly, recognizing that his friend was going to be trapped with the woman for some time—but that was no surprise, of course. It was all part of the publicity game they'd agreed to play when they signed on for the team, and the annual Bruins charity dinner was certainly no exception. Since it was all for a good cause, everyone was under the spotlight tonight. Players, coaches, executives, even random arm candy and family were all sure to at least get their pictures taken.
Not that Alton needed to worry about that. He had surprised exactly no one when he showed up on his own, without any family members to accost or dates to harass. It was much better that way. Attending an event like this alone just meant that he had the freedom to leave with whomever he wanted, should someone catch his eye.
Being chased by reporters wasn't half bad, as long as you were an eligible bachelor like Alton.
On the other hand, Dominick and Helena's strategy was working well for them. Unwilling to live their lives under a microscope, they were slowly but surely defusing Dominick's popularity. They appeared on camera often enough that no reporters came looking, but the appearances were measured and short, staid enough that the occasional interview did little to reignite public interest in their life together.
Of course, the birth of the baby would probably push them both back into the limelight for a bit. But on the whole, Dominick's star was falling—and that was exactly what they wanted.
"It's going well, thank you," Dominick told the reporter, and Alton had to resist laughing. It was a lie that wouldn't have fooled a child. Dominick wasn't just well, he was downright happy. From the gleam in his eyes to the adoring glances that constantly shot back and forth between him and Helena, it was obvious to everyone that domestic life suited the new couple perfectly. They were brilliant together, and one word sprung to Alton's mind when he looked at them.
Settled.
Alton never would've thought that he'd see the day Dominick Henderson was happy to settle down, but that day had clearly arrived. Even Alton had to admit that marriage—well, if you can call eloping in a tiny Upstate New York courthouse with an excited preteen in tow, marriage—had been the best decision for his friend. The fact that it had happened at all was surprising enough, but it had happened so fast….
Maybe some people really are just made for each other, Alton thought, goose bumps forming on his skin as a sinking feeling of something settled in his heart. Good for them.
Of course, the writing had been on the wall for some time. Alton remembered his escape from the farmhouse the night of the interview, when the couple had reunited in the most dramatic way possible. Alton was glad that he'd gotten the chance to help, and love wasn't supposed to be contagious, but why take the chance? He'd bolted as fast as his car could take him, getting well away from the danger zone and leaving the lovebirds to their privacy.
Which they'd put to good use, if the speed of Dominick's rehabilitation was any indication. Helena had certainly put a healthy glow back in Dominick's cheeks, and the two had even documented their mini-vacation via texts and the occasional picture sent to him. Swimming at the lake, grilling meat on the barbecue, sipping root beer on the porch—they had looked positively radiant, living life to its fullest as Dominick rapidly recovered from the accident.
They looked so damn happy together. Alton still couldn't figure it out, but at least his friend seemed to be in good hands. He'd need to take a little time to get to know Helena properly, since it seemed like she was going to stick around for a while.
Well, no time like the present, Alton thought as he ducked behind the reporter and approached Helena.
"Looks like they're going to be a while. How about I steal you for a minute?" Alton asked with a wink, hooking his arm around Helena to take her somewhere with fewer microphones.
"Dominick told me you're incorrigible," Helena joked, more than willing to be whisked away.
Alton laughed. She did look gorgeous tonight, her protruding belly wrapped snugly behind a calf-length blue dress. If she hadn't been Dominick's girl, he would've been all over her—save for the belly, of course. Too much hassle, and Alton most definitely was not the family type.
"Dominick told you that? Is that boy going to spill all my secrets now?" Alton joked back.
"I could tell on my own, you know. Your feelings were pretty obvious even from the first time you saw me," Helena teased.
"Oh? And what were they?"
"Judging by the look on your face? You were thinking oh my god, what have you gotten yourself into, buddy?" Helena laughed. "But probably with a few more expletives."
"Just a few," Alton chuckled. What else was there to say? He'd been worried about his friend, as simple as that.
"But you still helped me," Helena continued. "And I never got the time to thank you properly. So thank you for that, Alton. You brought Dominick back to me and my children. I'll never forget that."
"Yeah, well…" Alton said, trailing off without finishing his thought. Helena had turned out to be pretty cool, at least. As was her daughter, and the baby would probably follow in their footsteps. Alton had to admit that, if Dominick was going to get himself bogged down with a family, he certainly could've done a lot worse. "He would've come back on his own, eventually. I just sped things up a bit."
Because Dominick had become an insufferable asshole and Alton had wanted his peace back, not for any other reason.
Of course.
"Still, Alton, thank you so much. No matter what you think, we owe our happiness to you. And you know what? I'll wish you the same happiness. Your turn next," Helena concluded with a wink and a wicked smile. Alton shivered, wondering again if love was contagious and whether or not Helena had just placed a curse on his soul.
Why had he thought that talking to her was a good idea, again?
"I am happy," Alton said quietly. "I'm a simple guy. Give me a six-pack, a couple of hot legs, some good music, and I'm set." Anything more than that was off-limits, reserved for braver men and fools.
Alton's eyes darted to Dominick, and he was relieved to see that the interview was wrapping up.
"If you insist," Helena said as Dominick waved them both back over. She hopped to him, her big belly leading the way. When she reached him, he wrapped his arms around her and she snuggled against his chest for a fraction of a second. It was almost unnoticeable, but Alton had seen it.
And goose bumps erupted all over his skin.
Again.
He looked down, surprised by the reaction. With a grunt, he pushed the ridiculous thoughts out of his mind, eyes scanning the room for something to occupy his mind. But there was no time to spare, really. The reporter that had been pestering Dominick was now making a beeline for Alton, which was perfect. His agent had actually talked to him about her before, some kind of publicity stunt for charity that WBSX had cooked up. Alton hadn't exactly been enthusiastic at the time, but he was grateful for the distraction now. He wanted something else to think about other than love and family.
Anything other than love and family.
A publicity stunt wouldn't be so bad.
And neither is she, Alton thought, smirking to himself as he got a good look at the journalist. Strikingly beautiful and dressed to the nines, the woman stood out in the sea of otherwise demure reporters and television executives. She looked vibrant and full of life, two things he loved in a woman.
Maybe tonight won't be so bad after all, he thought, taking a few steps towards her. But as their eyes locked, Alton's sense of unease only got worse. All the hair on his arm was standing straight up now, and he realized that he couldn't look away from the woman even if he tried. Deep and intense, her piercing gaze carried a sense of frantic urgency.
Alton swallowed hard, disoriented and queasy. Despite her immaculate hair and clothes, the professional makeup and practiced smile, something about the woman felt dangerous. There was a wild glint of distress in her eyes, her movements fluid and forced at the same time. Her body language seemed relaxed, but her face was full of hidden desperation.
With dread seeping into his bones, Alton forced a smile onto his face and tried to regain his composure before the camera started rolling. He was okay, he kept reminding himself, even as the feeling of unease threatened to ignite into full-blown panic. Whoever this woman was, Alton had nothing to do with her.
Alton wanted nothing to do with her.
Whatever her deal was, it simply wasn't his problem. Getting involved might've worked for Dominick, but that really wasn't Alton's style. He would finish this interview and bail at the first opportunity. With any luck, he'd never see her again, and he could go back to his simple life.
Free of worry, free of obligations.
Yeah, that was Alton's style all right.
And it always would be.