Page 32 of The Golden Goalie

Aiden appears behind her and tugs her into his arms, rubbing his hands up and down her arms in an effort to warm her up. He leans close to her ear and mutters something I can’t hear. I turn away, more than ready to go home for the night. I’m ready to be in my own bed for the night. “Thanks, Bri and Aiden.” After hugs from both of them, I head to my car. Well, at least I try; but Rico puts a hand around my elbow and pulls me in a different direction.

“This way.”

“My car’s over there,” I point out.

“I know, but my truck’s over here.”

I stop on the sidewalk. “Rico, you’re not taking me home. It’s not remotely on your way home. Besides, I have to take my mom.”

“Aiden said he’d run your mom home in your car, so it will be there for you tomorrow. Come on, Amber. Don’t fight me tonight. Let me take you home; you’re exhausted. Look, my truck’s already on, and the heat’s running. It’s going to be nice and toasty.”

“Uggh,” I groan. “You know my weaknesses.”

He laughs, and it’s low and delicious. I shake my head.I’m more tired than I realized.Before I realize it, we’re standing next to his truck. He opens the door and almost lifts me into his truck before shutting the door. I’m ready to argue one last time with him, but then the warmth of the vehicle combined with the heated seat hits me, and my argument is lost. Rico climbs in, and I turn my head to look at him. “You have heated seats.”

He chuckles. “I do.” He begins to pull out. “If I knew you were so in love with heated seats, I would have started with that argument.” I hear the amusement in his voice and want to tease him, but my eyes drift shut instead. He wakes me when we get to my house. It takes me a moment to get my senses.

“Thank you, Rico. I was more tired than I realized.”

He comes around and helps me out of the car before walking me to the front door. I dig my key out and open the front door. “Thanks for a good night.”

“You’re welcome.” He shocks me by leaning forward and kissing me softly on the forehead. “Get some sleep.” He’s down the front steps before I come to my senses.

“Did you just kiss me?” I call out.

He stops and turns back to me. I can see his face clearly because of his headlights. “I did.” There’s no shame or uncertainty in his voice.

“Why?”

“You’ll figure it out.” He gives me another of his smiles before waving at me and climbing into his truck. I stand there a minute longer, staring at his truck. “Amber, go inside so I can leave,” he calls out through the window. I turn around and open the front door. I wave one last time and then close the door and lock it, knowing my mom has her keys on her. I make my way to my bedroom feeling really off-kilter, and I don’t think it’s just from being tired. No, this is because of a certain goalie.

After brushing my teeth and getting ready for bed, I snuggle down into my covers and rub my belly subconsciously as I stare up at the ceiling. I’m suddenly wide awake. I run a finger over the spot where he kissed my forehead, still unsure why he kissed me. I mean, I told him I’m not interested in dating.Right? Doubts hit me. I can’t be in another relationship, especially one with a hockey player. And yet, I think back to the night. It was the best night I’ve had in a long time...a really long time. I groan and roll over.This isn’t good.

Chapter 15

Amber

I wake up the next morning feeling rested and better than I’ve felt in a long time. After a shower, I head to the kitchen and rummage through my mom’s tea bags. I'm not normally a tea drinker, but it kind of sounds good this morning. It's also low in caffeine, so that’s a plus. I try a vanilla caramel tea and add some honey to sweeten it. “Good morning, Sweetheart.” My mother pads into the kitchen in her bathrobe that she’s had for a hundred years. “You’re drinking tea? What is this world coming to?”

I smile, despite myself. “It’s actually pretty good.”

“Of course it’s good. I’ve been telling you that for years.”

“There’s more water in the kettle,” I point out.

“Maybe I’ll finally make a tea drinker out of one of my girls.”

I take another sip of tea, thankful it’s not turning my stomach. “I wouldn’t bet on it. As soon as I’m no longer pregnant, I’m going back to coffee.”

“You sure about that?” she asks as she sits across from me.

I pause mid-sip. “What?”

“You probably won’t be drinking a lot of caffeine after the baby comes, either.”

“Why not?” I ask.

“Well, that depends. Are you planning on breastfeeding?”

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