Page 31 of The Golden Goalie

“You little conniver,” he says, reaching over and flicking my leg.

“Hey,” I growl at him without any heat. “Watch it! No picking on the pregnant woman.”

“Oh, now you’re going to play that card,” he says, smirking.

“Oh yeah.” He just shakes his head and leans against his seat. It’s silent for a little bit. I thought it would be uncomfortable, but it’s not. It’s surprisingly...nice. We watch the sun begin to set, and I shiver as a chill hits the air. He stands up.

“You’re leaving me?” I ask, my words a little slurred because I’m sort of dozing.

“I’ll be right back.” I feel a soft touch on my shoulder, so soft that I wonder if I imagined it. Moments later, I feel warmth invade my body. I open my eyes and see a large blanket covering me, courtesy of Rico.

“Thank you,” I tell him, snuggling under it. “You’re going to make a really good boyfriend for somebody.” I pull the blanket further up my body until it’s up to my chin. I think he says something in response, but I miss it. “I can’t believe nobody’s come outside and told us to come in,” I say around a yawn.

“I told Aiden that you wouldn’t be able to because of the smell.”

He says the words so nonchalantly. I turn to look at him. “You did?”

“Yeah.” He doesn’t look over at me.

“Thank you,” I tell him softly. “I really wish you would go in; I don’t want you missing out on my account.”

This time, he turns his head to me. “Amber, I’m where I want to be.” I stare at him a moment before I settle against the headrest.

“It’s a gorgeous sunset,” I say softly.

“It’s beautiful,” he responds just as softly.

I sort of lose sense of things after that. Sometime later, a hand shakes me gently. “Amber.” I blink open blurry eyes and see Rico kneeling next to me. “It’s getting late.”

I blink, trying to clear my eyes. “Okay.”

I sit up, and he doesn’t move back. “If you’re too tired, I’m sure you can crash here.”

“No,” I say quickly. “I’m good. I’ll go home.” I push the blanket back and kick my feet around to the side of the chair. Rico stands and puts out a hand to me. I gratefully take it and let him pull me to my feet. Momentum makes me practically collide with his chest, but he steadies me with strong hands.

“You good?”

I think I must be really tired because his voice sounds deliciously low and sexy. I swallow.Time to go.I step back. “Thank you.” I turn around and grab the blanket, trying to wake fully up. “Thanks for spending the evening out here with me.”

“Anytime.”

I don’t look back at him as I head towards the house. “Don’t breathe through your nose,” he warns softly before he holds the door for me. His hand finds its way to my back again, and we’re moving through the house and to the front door.

“Wait, I need to say bye to Bri and Aiden.”

“I’ll have them come to you out front,” he responds.

“They don’t need to do that.”

“They do, or you risk throwing up again,” he says easily. I realize he’s probably right, and I’m tired. So I don’t fight him on it. We’re out the front door seconds later.

When I feel we’re far enough away, I take a deep breath, thankful when I don’t smell the dreaded seafood smell. “Amber,” Bri says, coming outside. “Hey.” She walks towards me and gives me a hug. “I’m sorry about the salmon; I didn’t even think about it.”

Not wanting her to feel bad, I reassure her. “Everything makes me sick these days. No worries.”

Bri wraps her arms around her in the chilly air. “Still, I should have known.”

“It’s okay, Bri. Honestly.”

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