My hips sway to the beat as other women's bodies brushes against my own. Being able to dance for a little bit and let off some steam is all I need. I bring the beer bottle up and take a drink. Running my fingers through my curled hair, I raise a hand in the arm. My head tilts back, letting the red light bathe my face.

I haven't seen Dom yet, but I know he'll probably be here soon. I saw Brian earlier by the pool table. When he bought me my first drink, he let me know of one of the man on the team had his house raided, which means Brian is in. After finishing the first beer, I left Brian after getting another and went to the dance floor, which is where I've been since.

Making my way through the crowd, I stand at the edge of the dancefloor to get some air. As the beat picks up, I bite my bottom lip as I start swaying my hips once more. My ears pick up when I hear Dom's voice from a distance. Turning, I see Dom talking to Campos and Brian. Campos, who was the one golfing, points his fingers to me then to Dom. My smile drops as I notice the three men staring at me. Dom's eyes don't leave me as he takes a drink.

"To the women we've loved, and to the women we've lost," I hear Campos say when the beat softens.

My chest tightens. The alcohol enhancing my emotions as I gaze at the man who I thought would be by my side until the end. Shaking my head as tears start to burn the back of my eyes, I turn and engulf myself back into the dancing crowd. Downing the rest of my beer, I make my way to the bar where I order two shots before dancing once more. A woman with blonde hair and a revealing tank top starts grinding in front of me as she wraps an arm around my shoulders.

Feeling my limbs start to loosen, I smile at the woman as I match her movement before moving on to the next person who happens to be a man with grabby hands. I shoot him a quick glare as I move away from him to dance by a group of women.

As I jump to the music, I see a man in a white shirt making his way into the crowd. My eyes focus in on the figure and a part of me is pleased Dom isn't paying any attention to the multiple women dancing in front of him. His eyes are on me, and a smile curves at the corners of my lips as he stands in front of me. Wrapping an arm around his neck, I want to feel close to him again—even if it's just for a few seconds.

I smile up at Dom as I wrap my other arm another his neck as well. Dom doesn't stop me as I pull myself close so there is no space between our bodies. I can smell the Corona on his breath and bite the bottom of my lip as my eyes focus on his plump lips.

One of his hands rest on the small of my back and my eyes lift to take in his gaze. There's a softness there, and I know he misses this as much as I do. "You shouldn't be drinking so much. You have to be careful," his voice breaks the silence between us.

Furrowing my eyebrows, I lean back and put a little distance between us while still having my arms around his neck. "I'm just fine Dom. I know how to handle myself. I'm not going to get shitfaced."

The right corner of his mouth curves up. "I know you can handle yourself, but that doesn't need any of these people won't take advantage and try something."

"So protective," I murmur, shaking my head as I try not to smile.

Dom's eyes travel to something over my shoulder. "I'll be right back."

I don't get a chance to say anything else as he's slipping through the crowd. With the warmth of his body gone, I suddenly feel too exposed on the dance floor. As I follow his retreating figure, I see him enter what looks like an elevator. His eyes meet mine before it goes down.

Letting out a sigh, I debate on getting another drink, but ultimately decide against it. A woman comes up to me, asking to dance, but I just shake my head. The mood of having fun is over, and I know I need to talk to Dom. I can't keep pushing it off because it's slowly eating away at me. I'm only hurting both of us by not telling him how I feel. I lost Letty, and I'm not going to lose anyone else I care for.

My body slides through the dance floor as I search for a set of stairs. Finding an exit, I look over my shoulder to make sure no one is watching before I slip through the opening and shutting it behind me. The staircase is dimly lit, and I use the guardrail to help guide me down to where Dom might be. When I get to the lower level, a woman's voice brings me to a room where Dom's back is to be and I see Gisele, the woman from the race, sitting on a good looking vintage car. I decide to stay in the shadows in the hallway, unsure on what to do.

"So now that I know your taste in cars, tell me, what about your women."

My eyes narrow on the woman as she looks up at Dom. I can't see Dom's face, but he doesn't step closer to her.

"Well, it starts with the eyes," Dom says. "She's got to have those kind of eyes that can look right through the bullshit—to the good in someone."

There's a brief moment of silence. A knot in my throat starts to form as I can hear the longing in his voice.

"Twenty percent angel, eighty percent devil. Down to earth. Ain't afraid to get a little engine grease under her fingernails."

I bite my bottom lip as I blink away the tears. This man always manages to say the right things, and I know his love for me hasn't gone away even when he did. I watch as Gisele stands and takes a step closer to Dom. Not liking her closeness, I take a step closer so I'm now out of the darkness.

"That doesn't sound anything like me," Gisele states, and I see her eyes flicker to see me standing by the hallway.

"It ain't."

"It sounds like her," she says, nodding her head to me. Dom turns, and I see his posture relax. "You're a lucky man."

One corner of his mouth turns up, and I send Gisele a smile. "I am," he states before walking to me.

His eyes hold mine for a spilt second until they flicker down as his hand takes hold of my wrist, gliding down to intertwine our fingers, as Dom guides us through the crowd of people and out of the building. Once we reach my car, Dom pushes me back into the driver's side door by a little nudge as his body follows.

"Dom," I breath out, blinking up at the man who I cannot fight anymore.

His right hand cups the side of my face, and his fingers tangle with my hair at the nape of my neck. Dom doesn't say anything, so savors the moment between us.

"We should talk," I decide to speak up. "I don't want to disturb Mia. Follow me."

Leaning up, I kiss the underside of his chin as I reach back and pull on the door handle. Dom drops his hand and takes a step back. Sending him a smile, I get inside the car and watch as he goes to his. I let out a long sigh as I grip onto the steering wheel. It's time I let go of the past and enjoy the present.

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next chapter i'm sure you all have been waiting for!