Page 82 of The Golden Goalie

I stare at him, unable to say a single word. He winks and then spins and walks away. I stare long after he’s gone through the front door.Rico’s career.Everything he’s worked for. I walk back to my seat in a state of shock and feel like I’m going to throw up. That feeling becomes less like a feeling and more like a reality, and I make my way to the bathroom where I unload the contents of my stomach. I knew Rico was too good for me, and now he’s going to have to pay the price for something he didn’t do.

I have to figure out a way to fix this.

Chapter 32

Amber

As soon as I get to my car after my shift, I immediately dial Adam’s number. “I thought you’d call,” he says by way of greeting.

“What are you talking about?” I don’t waste any time. “What do you have on Rico?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” he taunts.

“Yes, that’s why I’m calling,” I snap.

“And here I thought you just missed me.”

“What do you have, Adam?”

“You’re no fun anymore.” I don’t say anything. “Fine. Come over tonight and I’ll show you.”

“No, you can tell me on the phone.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Adam, I am not playing games.”

He laughs. “Oh, but aren’t you?” I try for a calming breath, so I don’t lose my sanity. “Fine. Meet me tomorrow for lunch, and I’ll tell you.”

“I’m not meeting you for lunch.”

“Then I guess you won’t find out.”

I grind my teeth. “Fine. When and where?”

“Perfect. I’ll meet you at Club 9 at noon. See you then.”

“Wait. Adam.” I throw the phone on the passenger seat because he hung up on me. “Ugh.” I take a deep breath. “It’s okay. I’ll just meet him, find out what he has on Rico, and be done.” I make the drive home in a daze; I can’t stop thinking about tomorrow.

The next day drags. I barely slept last night because of being nervous about what Adam’s going to say today. I’m too sick to eat anything all day. I make the short drive over to Club 9. I have no plans of actually having lunch with him; I just need to get the information and move on. I scowl at the place as I park. This is just the kind of place that Adam loves. It’s upscale and expensive and serves ridiculous food in tiny portions. Honestly, I don’t know how he gets enough to eat, being a hockey player and all. I try calling him, but he doesn’t answer. I stare up at the ostentatious restaurant before I finally push my door open and begin the long walk inside. I ignore the looks I get from other patrons. I don’t look anything like the people who eat here in my maternity jeans and the long soft sweater Rico gave me over a graphic tee that’s stretched to fit around my belly. When I get inside, I finally convince the young host to take me back to Adam. When I finally get to his table, I’m fit to be tied. I lock him in my gaze. “We could have just met outside.”

“And miss having a wonderful lunch together? Have a seat. I already ordered for you.”

I take a calming breath and count to three, mostly so I don’t reach over and strangle him. “I’m not having lunch with you, Adam. Just tell me what I came to know.”

He takes a piece of bread out of the basket and takes a ridiculously long time to butter it before taking a bite. When he finally swallows, he looks up at me. I am about two seconds away from throwing his water at him. He smirks at me. “You may as well sit. I’m not talking to you until you do.”

I slide into the booth across from him. “There. Are you good now?”

“Want some bread?” he asks, waving the bread basket in front of me.

“I don’t want anything. Now, I’ve done everything you said. You need to deliver on what you said, or can I not trust your word for anything anymore?”

He scowls at me and pulls out his phone and slides it across the table to me. I stare at it for a moment before picking it up. I push play on the video that’s pulled up. My stomach tightens, but I keep a blank expression on my face. I don’t finish the video; it makes me sick to watch. I slide it back to him. “You went through all this forthat?I was there that night, Adam. I remember the fight.”I remember everything about that awful night, even you in bed with another woman!It’s odd because it doesn’t make me nearly as mad as it used to. I sit back against my seat and calmly stare him down. “This is a complete waste of my time.” I make a move to slide out of the seat, but he stops me.

“Do you know why that video is a big deal?” I debate just leaving, but I want to get this all out in the open now. I don’t want to have to deal with him again. I don’t say anything; I just wait him out. “He can’t fight.”

When he doesn’t say anything more, I sigh in frustration. “What are you talking about?”

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