Page 30 of The Golden Goalie

Amber

“Ready?” I find myself nodding, even though I’m not sure leaving the toilet is a good idea. Rico’s arms come around me, startling me, and he lifts me to my feet. When I’m steady, he drops his arms. He walks ahead of me to the door. “Ready?” he asks again. “Don’t breathe through your nose.”

He opens the door, and I keep my mouth open. I walk past him, and he surprises me by putting his hand on my back. And then we’re moving quickly through the crowd of people that looks suspiciously like more than just a few of Aiden’s teammates. We finally make it to the back door and step out. It’s only when we’ve stepped a little distance from the house that I take a shallow breath. I can still smell it, but I think it’s more in my mind. “You good?” Rico asks quietly, and I turn to look at my savior.

“Thank you.”

“What can I get for you to eat or drink?”

I grimace, and he gives me a soft smile. “I’ll find something.” I’m on the verge of telling him not to worry about it, but he’s gone before I can get the words out. He comes back a few minutes later with a bottle of ginger ale and a plate of pretzels and crackers. I look up at him, surprised. “Give those a try.”

“Did Brielle have these?” I ask in surprise. He shrugs and finds something interesting to study across the lawn.

Suspicion fills me. “Did you bring these, Rico?” I ask. It hits me. “Your mom said room-temperature Ginger Ale alwayshelped her.” When he still doesn’t look at me, I hit him lightly in the belly with it. “Thank you.”

He finally turns back to me. “You’re welcome.” I shake my head and take a tiny sip. “What do you think?” he asks.

I nod and take another small sip. “I think...your mom is one really smart person.”

His grin widens. “Good.”

“Want to try?” I ask, offering him the bottle.

He grimaces. “Warm ginger ale? Yeah, no thanks. You enjoy that.” I laugh and put the lid back on before snacking on a few pretzels. “Come on. Let’s go sit.” He directs me over to the patio furniture.

I gaze around the peaceful yard and find myself relaxing for the first time in a long while. “You don’t have to stay out here with me,” I offer. “You can go join your friends.”

“I’m good,” he says, settling back on the patio recliner. I manage to finally do the same and release a sigh when I lay my head back against the pillow.

I groan. “I probably shouldn’t sit here long; I’ll fall asleep. And that’s not something anybody wants to witness.”

Rico chuckles. “Why because you sleep like the dead?”

I turn my gaze to him. “Why would you say that?” His eyes widen slightly before he turns away, guilt all over his face. “Rico? How do you know I sleep like the dead?”

“Didn’t say that you did.”

“Rico,” I grind out.

“Fine. I came to your house that night after you left mine.” He turns to face me. “I needed to make sure you got home safe. You didn’t answer the phone.”

I stare at him wide-eyed. “And you came into my room?”

His face turns slightly red, and I don’t know whether to be amused or horrified. “Wait, was I snoring?”

He cocks his head. “You snore?”

“No!” I answer swiftly, too swiftly. He grins slowly.

“I didn’t stick around long enough.”

I glare at him. “What were you doing in my room? Wait, was I dressed?” His eyes widen. “Wait, I mean it’s not like I sleep naked or anything or in just my underwear.”

“Amber,” he groans.

“What?” I can’t help it; he’s too easy to rile up. “I mean hopefully I was wearing some kind of something.”

“You were dressed!” he almost yells at me, and I bite my lip to hide my smile as I lean against the seat.

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