Page 63 of The Golden Goalie

Seb grins. “Because you love us, and we love you.”

“I don’t,” Aiden grouses.

“Well, yeah because you don’t love anybody,” Sebastian returns without batting an eye.

“I love Brielle,” Aiden grumbles.

I turn back around and take Amber’s elbow. “I’m not going to steal your food. I just want to sit.” I lead her to my large, overstuffed chair.

“Aw, he’s taking care of her,” Sebastian croons. I grab the throw pillow from the chair and throw it at him. He ducks, and it misses him. “You almost threw that in the Chinese,” he says with a laugh.

I head to the kitchen. “You want a water?” I ask Amber. She nods and then goes back to eating.

“I’ll take one too,Sweetheart,” Sebastian calls out.

“Get your own.” I head back into the living room.

“You’re not nice,” he pouts before standing dramatically to his feet. “Aiden and Gunner, you want water?”

“Sure,” Gunner says. Aiden nods.

“See,” Sebastian says, turning to me. “That’s how you be nice to people. Next time we won’t bring over Chinese.”

I take a bite. “Okay, I take back everything I said and did. This is really good.”

“Of course it’s good,” Seb throws out. “What’d you think? We'd bring over nasty food?”

I shrug and eat some more. I look over at Amber and grin when I see she’s finally slowing down. “I am so full,” she says, rubbing her belly.

Aiden finishes scarfing down his food and stands. “Leaving so soon?” I question.

“Yeah. I’m going home to see Brielle.”

“Yeah, I’m going home to Stephanie. Married guys for the win,” Sebastian says. He tries to high-five Aiden, but Aiden leaves him hanging. “All right. This was fun; let’s do it again soon. Yeah?”

Gunner stands up and throws out his trash before heading to the front door. I turn to Amber. “I'll be right back.”

She leans against the seat and waves me off. “I’ll be sleeping right here in a food coma.”

I smirk. “Okay then.” I head out the front door. “Thanks, Guys.”

“So, I’m sort of confused,” Sebastian says. “I thought everything was over between you two. But now, she’s here, wearing your clothes. What did I miss?” Aiden and Gunner turn back at our conversation.

“Her car broke down on the way to the game,” I explain. “So, she came here instead.” I shake my head. “She walked a few miles and was freezing when she got here. Hence my clothes.”

I catch the frown on Aiden’s face but don’t say anything. It’s not his responsibility to provide for Amber; that will fall to me now...if she’ll let me. Somehow, I don’t think she’s going to make it easy. A grin forms on my face at the thought of that. She’s going to make me work for every aspect of our relationship, but I’m up for the challenge. I love a good battle.

“So, just to reiterate, she does want to be in a relationship with you?” Seb asks.

“Yes, that’s what I just said.” I watch as Sebastian turns around and goes back to my front door. “What are you doing?”

“I’m going inside to talk to Amber; I thought she was smart. Apparently not.”

Gunner and Aiden laugh as they head to their cars. “Yeah. You’d think she would be; she works at a library of all places.But...” I stick my hands in my pants’ pockets. “We’re going to try it.”

“I was just kidding.” Seb slaps my shoulder. “I’m happy for you; really.”

“Thanks.”

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