Page 29 of The Golden Goalie

Not willing to tell him just yet, I ask, “Who gave you my number?”

He frowns for a moment. “Aiden did.” And then a small laugh escapes me. He smiles despite his frustration. “Who have I been calling, Amber?” he asks softly.

“That would be my brother’s number,” I inform him. His face immediately pales, and I know in that instant that he’s heard about my brother.

“You mean the one that drops into countries all the over the world and takes out threats?”

I nod. “Yep, that one.” He swears softly, and I laugh again. “Your face!”

He takes a step towards me. “This isn’t funny, Amber.”

“It really is, though,” I tell him, not stepping back.

“Somebody’s going to pay for this,” he says taking another step closer.

“Well, it wasn’t me; so I’m clear of any wrongdoing.”

“Are you, though?”

My mouth opens. “Yes. I didn’t do anything.”

“Yeah, but you’re enjoying my discomfort.”

I can’t help but grin at that. “You mean the fact that you looked like you were going to throw up?”

He steps closer. “Yeah. That. And Amber?” I look up and realize just how close he’s standing. “You should laugh more often. You have a beautiful laugh; it’s almost as beautiful as your smile.”

My smile falters, not because I don’t appreciate what he just said. I just don’t know how to respond. And then I’m saved by my sister calling my name. “Amber, there you are!” When Bri gets to us, I realize Rico has stepped away, giving us space. “Amber,” she says in almost a gasp. “Your belly.” She rubs my belly, and I try not to twitch or respond awkwardly. “You’re showing.”

I don’t know what it is about tonight, but apparently nobody’s noticed until now. I don’t know why, but my eyes shoot to Rico’s for just a moment. He has a soft smile on his face, but he’s not looking at me. Well, at my face, that is. His gaze is on my belly. He must feel my gaze, though, because his eyes meet mine a moment later. He gives me a tiny nod and then disappears into the house, still carrying my pecan bars.

“I wasn’t sure you’d come,” Brielle says softly.

I turn to her, puzzled. “I told you I’d be here.” Of course, I don’t tell her I almost just left.

“I’m really glad you’re here.”

I swallow and nod, unsure what to say in return. “I thought it was just going to be the four of us,” I manage to say as I follow her towards the house.

“You know how Aiden’s friends are. They didn’t want to miss a party.”

“You mean Sebastian didn’t want to miss a party,” I correct.

She turns to me with a big grin. “Yes, that.”

Something eases in me at her smile, and I follow her inside. The noise hits my ears, but it’s the smell that turns my stomach. I swallow hard and mumble some sort of excuse to Brielle as I walk quickly to the bathroom. I barely get there before I empty my stomach. I hear the door to the bathroom open and shut quickly and expect it to be Brielle, but it’s not Brielle’s voice that hits my ears.

“Hey.” I feel Rico’s hands gather my hair back for me. I would tell him not to bother, but I can’t talk because I’m still throwing up. When it feels like the worst of it has passed, Rico somehow finds a washcloth and a water bottle and hands both to me.

“It’s the salmon,” he says, and I gag again. “Sorry.”

“I can’t go back out there,” I say weakly. I can barely stop gagging in here even now.

“Let’s get you outside where there’s fresh air.” He crouches next to me and pushes my hair behind my ear. “Do you trust me?” I try not to see into it too much and nod. “I’ll get you outside quickly. As soon as we step out, just don’t breathe in. Breathe through your mouth, and I’ll get you outside.” I find myself nodding because the alternative is spending the entire night over the toilet. Shockingly, that doesn’t sound like my idea of a good night.

“Okay.”

Chapter 14

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