Page 67 of The Golden Goalie

“Yeah, well now I can block her number.” He smirks. “Is this really going to be a problem for you?”

“Don’t worry about it; I’ll handle any fallout.”

“So itisgoing to be a problem,” I push. He stops and turns to me, and I stop as well.

“My life is always in the spotlight. So, yes, something will come from it; but I’m not worried about it.”

I frown. “Well, maybe we should just—”

“You are not breaking up with me before we’ve even begun,” he says with a look.

I sigh. “That’s not what I’m doing. Just if it’s going to be a problem...”

“It’s not a problem. It just might push our relationship into the spotlight a little sooner than we were planning on, but it’s not a problem.” It’s his turn to frown. “Does it bother you?”

I scoff. “I don’t care what anybody thinks about me.”

His frown increases. “Just don’t go on social media.”

I laugh. “I remember from Brielle. There are going to be women that hate me because I’m taking the handsome goalie off the market.”

“No, that’s not...okay, well some,” he admits, and I laugh at his discomfort.

“People are so ridiculous.”

“They are,” he agrees. “But this is the world I’ve chosen to be in.”

His words sober me. “I know that, Rico; and I won’t do anything intentionally to harm you or your reputation in any way. If you think you shouldn’t be with me until after the baby comes or even at all, I—”

“Amber,” he says, stepping close and cutting me off. “Stop. There’s nothing that could keep me away from you.” He glances down at my lips, and my body tightens in response.

“Okay, if you’re sure,” I say, trying to keep the mood light.

“I’m sure,” he says quietly.

I yawn, and he smiles. “I don’t like her.”

“I know; you told me.” He takes my arm. “Come on. I’ll walk you out.” When we get to my car, he opens the door for me and waits while I get settled behind the wheel. “Listen,” he says, crouching next to me. “Things might get crazy for us for a little bit while people react to the news of us being together. Don’t let it get to you. But if it escalates, you let me know right away. I know both Bri and Stephanie had problems. I know you’re a strong and independent woman, but I need to know if things get out of hand. Promise you’ll tell me?”

“Rico, I am not a martyr. If I have a problem, I’ll tell you.” I pause. “No, scratch that. I’ll call Chloe and make her deal with it.” He laughs and shakes his head as he stands to his feet. I notice he doesn’t try to lean in for a kiss or anything.

“Thanks for coming in; I’ll see you Monday.”

“Bye, Rico.”

“Bye, Amber.” He shuts the door and sticks his hands in the pockets of his athletic pants that look way too good on him. I shake my head and focus on driving. The meeting stays with me the entire ride home. I hadn’t really thought about taking Rico with me to my appointment; I hadn’t thought about what it could stir up. That was naive. If I'm going to date a popular player from the AHL, I’m going to have to step up my game. I can’t afford to make mistakes like that. I have to be conscious of his career and not just because I don’t want to have another run-in with Chloe. Though, I really don’t want that either. No, I need to do it for Rico. This is his life, his career. I want to respect that.

When I get home, my mom’s sitting in the kitchen drinking tea and doing a Sudoku puzzle. “Morning, Mom.”

“Hey Baby, you were out early.”

“Yeah because of stupid people.” But I don’t expound on it anymore. I make a cup of tea and sit with her at the table. After afew sips, I take a peek at her puzzle before stealing the pencil and filling in two of the rows for her.

“Amber,” she protests. She hates when I do that, but I can’t stand seeing the answers right in front of me and not filling them in.

“Want to do some baby shopping with me today for some little girl clothes and maybe some maternity clothes for me?” I ask.

My mom stares at me before a huge smile overtakes her face. “When do we leave?”’

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