Page 76 of The Golden Goalie

He shrugs innocently. “I’m just the goalie. I’ll be in the net all night.”

“Listen, guys, I get why you’re doing this. Rico’s your friend; I know you all are close. But you can’t do this.”

Sebastian gives me a weird look, but it’s not Seb that answers. “We’re not doing this for Rico,” Aiden says, crossing his arms over his chest.

I look around confused. “I don’t understand.”

It’s Gunner that answers. “Our team is a family. We protect each other and have each other’s backs on and off the ice.”

“I know. That’s literally why I just said—” I begin, but Gunner cuts me off.

“You’re Rico’s girl, so you’re considered one of our family now. Somebody goes after one of our family, and we go after them. It’s simple.”

I stare at Gunner because I’m pretty sure that’s the most I’ve ever heard him say. “Yep. What Cap said,” Sebastian echoes.

Words get stuck in my throat. “I just don’t want you guys to get in trouble or anything.”

Aiden smirks, and I get a bad feeling. “Nothing to worry about, Little Sister.”

I meet Bri’s eyes. She just shakes her head and gives me aWhat do you do?kind of look. I try to push off of Rico once again, but his arms have me locked in tight. “I finally got you here; you’re not leaving yet,” he says right against my ear. He shifts, so that I lean against him more. His hand finds my belly a moment later, and he rubs it gently. “Is this okay?” he asks softly.

“Mmhmm.” That’s about all I can manage. I tune back into the conversation. “When do you guys play them next?”

“Four weeks,” Sebastian responds. “We’ll be ready.”

“Just don’t do anything to get yourselves in trouble.”

Stephanie laughs. “You haven’t been to many hockey games with these guys, have you, Amber? Trouble is all they get into.”

Seb grins and kisses her. A warm chuckle rumbles through Rico, and I shift against him. “Have you got any food here? I’m starving,” Sebastian asks.

“You’re always starving,” Stephanie says with a smile. He whispers something to her, and she smiles and smacks him softly.

“I have steaks we can throw on the grill,” Rico says. “But you have to do it, because I’m not moving.”

“Rico,” I mutter, shaking my head. I make a move to get up, but he tightens his hold on me. “Unless you want me to pee all over you, you’d better let me go.” He pretends to think about it before grinning and pushing me to my feet. He kisses my forehead.

“I’m heading to the kitchen to grab the steaks.”

“Okay. I'll come help as soon as I’m done.” After I finish peeing, I head back out. After a quick detour to the spare room, I snag my phone. There’s a text from Adam that gives me pause. I debate opening it but finally manage to work up the courage.

Adam- my lawyer is going to call you tomorrow. make sure you take the call.

I take a deep breath before I text him back.

Amber-you wanted nothing to do with me or the baby. Remember that and lose my number

I don’t wait to see if he has anything else to say before heading back out. My appetite is gone, but I want to help Rico. It’s my fault everybody’s here. “What can I do to help?” I ask as soon as I enter the kitchen.

“I got it; you go put your feet up.”

“Rico,” I say putting my hands on my hips. “Let me help.”

He smirks. “Okay. Want to put together a salad?”

“Yes.”

“I put everything out on the counter.”

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