Page 79 of The Golden Goalie

I smile. “Pretty much.”

His warm chuckle sounds against my ear. After a few more minutes, he pulls back and gently tucks my hair behind my ear. “You better get inside before you fall asleep out here.”

Still leaning against his chest, I shrug. “I could think of worse places to fall asleep.”

He cups my chin. “I’ll stay in touch while I’m gone, and then I want to take you out on a date when I get back.”

I put my finger up to my chin. “I’ll have to think about it.”

He shakes his head. “You are such a brat.” There’s only soft affection in his voice, though. And then before I’m ready, he leans forward and brushes his lips with mine. It’s over before it’s even started. He steps back and jogs down the steps. “I’ll see you when I get back.”

I manage a wave before heading inside on jelly legs. If that tiny kiss affected me so, what in the world am I going to do when it becomes more than that? I shake my head as I lock the front door. Everything with Rico is so much bigger, so much more than anything I had with Adam. It really makes me question what I thought I felt for Adam, makes me question my own sanity.Do I even know what the real thing is then?

Chapter 31

Amber

Thursday night, I find myself at Bri’s along with Stephanie to watch the game. I debated going because it’s been a long week, and I’m tired. But Bri practically begged me, and tonight is a late game. I get to her house a little after ten-thirty. “Amber,” Bri says, hugging me tightly. “I’m so glad you came.” She steps back so I can get through the door.

“Hey Amber,” Stephanie calls out from the living room where she’s already sprawled out on the couch with snacks all around her.

“Got enough snacks?” I ask with a smirk.

“You can never have too many snacks. Come join us.” She pats the couch next to her even as she throws her hands up in the air. “Score!”

Just like that, my tiredness fades, and I sink into the couch to see what’s happening. “How are they doing?”

“Dominating,” Stephanie says with a wide grin as she throws back a handful of popcorn. I stare at her. “What?” she asks.

I shake my head. “It just always cracks me up. You two are or were like the least two people into sports ever.”

“Well yeah until we discovered hockey. I mean have you seen our men?” she asks, wiggling her eyebrows.

Thinking of Rico—his muscles for days, bronzed skin, dark hair, and tattoos—I say, “Yeah, I get it.”

Stephanie laughs. “Welcome to the dark side.”

“Dark side?” Brielle asks with a frown, settling in with us. “There’s no dark side.”

“Have you seen Aiden play?” I ask dryly.

“Okay, yeah, you have a point.”

Stephanie lifts her juice bottle. “To the sexy men we love who decimate on the ice.”

“And off the ice,” Brielle adds.

Stephanie lifts an eyebrow. “Is that a personal testimony?”

Brielle’s face turns red, and she sputters as Stephanie and I laugh. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Sure sounded like it,” I throw out before stealing some popcorn. I turn my attention back to the tv just in time to see Rico make a save. I can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips. It’s a pretty easy win for the guys, just as it was supposed to be. I pause with popcorn halfway up to my mouth when Rico takes off his helmet and joins the guys in celebration. I’m still staring a few minutes later when he’s interviewed briefly after the game. It’s so weird to see him on screen after a game like that. He looks so intimidating and formidable, and yet I know how gentle and patient he is with me.

As if she can hear my thoughts, Bri’s voice reaches me. “Rico’s a really nice guy.”

“Yeah, unlike that other loser you were dating,” Stephanie adds. She jumps when Bri hits her. “What? She’s not dating him anymore; I thought it was safe to talk about him now.”

“You didn’t like him either.” It’s not really a question, more a statement of sorts.

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