Page 42 of The Golden Goalie

“Mrs. Randolph?” I’d seriously forgotten she was even still here, taking in the craziness. “How...?”

“This young man stopped in earlier today and asked if I knew who Cal was. Of course, I knew who that troublemaker was; I know everything that happens in this library. I told him I would call or text him when Cal came in.”

My eyebrows rise in surprise. “You know how to text?”

“I may be old, but I’m notthatold. So, yes, I texted this good looking, kind-hearted man who isnothinglike Cal, I might add. And he probably—” she stops abruptly. “What did you say you do for a living, Young Man?”

Rico grins. “I play goalie for a professional hockey team.”

“And do you make a lot of money?” she asks bluntly.

“Mrs. Randolph, you can’t ask that?” I admonish.

She turns her stern gaze on me. “And why not? It’s a perfectly reasonable question.”

“He’s loaded,” Sebastian says with a grin, putting his chin on his elbows as he leans on the counter. He looks like he’s here to enjoy the show.

“Is that so?” Mrs. Randolph looks at him and then back at me. I already know I’m about to regret whatever it is she says next. “Enough to provide for a wife and a baby?”

“Okay, this conversation is over,” I but in.

“Dear, you are in no condition to be picky at this stage.”

Sebastian snorts out a laugh, and Rico’s grin slips from his face. “Wait. What?”

“You guys were leaving now, right?” I turn back to them.

Aiden nods, a small smirk on his face. “Yeah, we’ll get out of your hair. We did what we came to do.”

“Which was what exactly?” I ask.

“Deal with that loser,” Rico says.

“Well, you did. Thank you. So, you guys can leave now.”

Gunner starts towards the door, and Sebastian pushes off the counter. “Always a good time,” he says with a grin and a salute.

Aiden gives me a look, and I fight the urge to fidget under his gaze. “Brielle would love to hear from you sometime soon.”

My face falls. “I...I know. I’ll talk to her soon.”

He studies my face a moment. “Don’t forget that your family loves you. You're not alone.”

I swallow hard as my heart tugs. “I know. Thanks, Aiden. Tell Brielle I love her, please.”

He nods. “I will.”

I turn to the last person. “You didn’t have to do that, Rico.”

“I wanted to.” He gives me a small smile. “It looks good on you,” he says, motioning to my sweater.

I tug it around me. “It’s so soft and warm. Thank you, and thanks again for everything you brought. I’m using everything.” I pick up the water bottle he gave me. “I’ve been drinking all mywater, took my vitamins.” I push back my sleeves. “I’m wearing these fashionable bracelets.”

He laughs. “They are a little ugly. Do they work at all?”

I shrug. “I haven’t thrown up in a few hours, so they seem to be.”

“Good. Did you eat dinner?” I grimace because I didn’t even eat a good lunch. “You don’t even have to answer that. I can tell from your face you didn’t.”

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