Page 88 of The Golden Goalie

She smiles, and it’s so much like Rico’s that I have to look away. When I look back, she straightens. “I will be seeing you again.”

“Again, threat or promise...it’s hard to tell.” She smirks and spins away and walks out the front door.

The rest of the evening passes slowly. Finally, I get to go home. My relief is short-lived when I see two familiar cars out front of my house. I wonder if they’ll just leave if I don’t go inside, but I’m too tired to wait them out. I glance at the clock; it’s already ten-thirty. I open my door and grab my bag before making my way inside.Might as well get this over with.

When I open the door, it’s quiet inside. I figure Mom already went to bed. I hear quiet voices in the kitchen and head that way. Bri’s the first to notice me. Her head pops up from where she’s bent over talking intently to Stephanie. They both lock me in their gazes, and I resist the urge to squirm...or run. “Hey,” I say wearily before dropping into the chair next to them. They exchange a glance, and I can almost hear them thinking.

“You look terrible,” Stephanie blurts out.

“Thanks,” I mutter.

“We came over here to yell at you, but I don’t feel like we can when you look like that,” Bri says. I laugh softly. Bri’s never yelled at anybody a day in her life. She puts her hand on mine. “Are you okay?” Her soft words are almost my undoing. I want to tell them everything; I want to lay down my burden and just tell them what’s going on. But when I remember what’s at stake, I harden myself. I know Rico well enough to know that he would say that he’ll deal with the consequences. He would probablyeven do something crazy like give up hockey, and I can’t let him do that. He loves hockey, and I’m not going to let him ruin his life because of getting into a relationship with me. Besides, it’s not just him; it’s also Gunner’s career we’re talking about too. With that thought firmly in mind, I stand up from the table.

“I’m fine. I’m with Adam now, and I ask for you two to respect that.”

Their eyes nearly bug out of their heads. “Amber, you can’t be serious,” Stephanie says.

I lock eyes with her. If I can get her to go with it, she’ll make Brielle. “I am. Now, I’m sorry you came over here just to change my mind; but it’s not going to happen.” Not wanting to see their hurt expressions anymore, I leave the kitchen.

“Sebastian’s furious with you, you know,” Stephanie’s low voice follows me. I don’t respond because I’d be furious with me too. Actually, I’m sure the entire team is. I’m glad I don’t have to face any of them right now. Hopefully, I won’t have to for a while. I‘m halfway to my room when I remember it’s the Friday before Thanksgiving. I head back into the kitchen. “Did your opening night for your hot chocolate shop go well?”

“It did. Thanks for asking.” Bri’s voice is soft.

“Good. I’m glad. Night.” I peek into my mom’s room on my way just to make sure she’s okay, but she’s sleeping.

I lay in my bed and stare at the ceiling. I know I need to sleep; it’s not all about me. I rub my belly. “I’m going to take good care of you.” I feel a tear drip down my cheek. I don’t even bother to wipe it away.

The next morning, I’m up extra early. I spend the extra time cleaning my room and then the kitchen. “Wow, it looks good in here,” my mom says as she comes into the kitchen. “Did you come to your senses after a good night’s sleep?”

And just like that.I take a breath and pray for patience. “Do you want some tea?”

“Don’t you like Rico? He’s such a nice young man.”

“He is. What else do you want with your tea?”

I leave my mom after a little bit, so I can get ready for school. I just have to get through these next few months.Somehow.

___________

Somehow, I get through the next few weeks. Thanksgiving is a trainwreck. Bri and my mom team up on me and take turns asking me questions about Rico, Adam, and the whole mess. Aiden stays quiet, but I can tell he’s not happy. I finally escape to my room, mostly so they can just enjoy their time without me. I have to go to another of Adam’s games, which I hate by the way.

And then the day comes that I have to go with Adam to the stupid Gala. I don’t even know what it’s all about. All I know is that it’s on my list. And when this is done, I get a break for a little while. Maybe I can actually focus on myself and the baby for a little bit. It’s only a little over a week until Christmas. I’m quickly approaching thirty weeks and feeling every bit of it. I stand in front of the mirror in my navy blue lace dress. It falls mid-thigh and has a boat neck and elbow-length sleeves. There’s a wide sash above my belly that accentuates my pregnant stomach. Somehow the dress makes me feel both elegant and beautiful while still celebrating my baby bump. I spend time curling my hair and applying my makeup. I’m not really sure why; it’s not for Adam, that’s for sure. I guess I just want to feel beautiful for tonight.

Of course, it all falls apart when I realize Adam either forgot to pick me up or maybe he never intended to pick me up. I end up driving myself. By the time I get to the event, I’m really second guessing this whole thing. But I’m going to see my end of the bargain through. Reminding myself that this is one of thelast things I have to do, I throw my shoulders back and head inside. The inside of this venue is huge and clearly expensive, if the crystal chandeliers every few feet are any indication. Adam isn’t where he said he’d be, but thankfully I find him. Why am I not surprised that he’s surrounded by a group of women? It doesn’t even bother me. I don’t know what I ever saw in him. I make my way to Adam’s side, and he dutifully pays attention to me for the cameras’ sake. I stand to his side and sip on a glass of water. There’s a commotion over at the door as several photographers and reporters line up by the stairs for the next group coming in. I swallow. The Green Thunder players have arrived.

Chapter 35

Amber

I watch as they stride inside, looking as confident as they always do. I take another drink of water and swallow hard. They're a powerful, good-looking group of men. Stephanie walks next to Sebastian, looking amazing. He's got his arm wrapped around her and laughs at something she says. They look so happy. I glance away, and my eyes land on Bri and Aiden. My sister looks amazing, and my brother-in-law looks pretty handsome. Bri’s smile is huge. I watch as she tugs on his sleeve, and he leans down for a moment. He smiles down at her as they share something private between them. I sigh as I watch them. Gunner leads the group in, and I recognize several of the other players. And then my breath catches in my throat because I finally see Rico. If I thought he looked good in casual clothes, that’s nothing compared to seeing him in a tux. He looks like he belongs on the cover of a magazine. I try to see if he’s brought a date, but I can’t get a clear look.

“Amber,” Adam says, tugging me close to him. “This is Mark. He’s the senior advisor for...” His words go in one ear and out the other. I try to catch another glimpse of Rico, but they must have gone into another room. My heart aches. That’s the group I want to be with tonight. I take a breath and remind myself that I got myself into this mess.

I follow Adam around, feeling so out of place as he works the room. Finally, we’re called to take our spots for dinner. After we’re seated, I look around for Rico and the others, but they must be seated in a totally different area. We have to sitthrough several speakers, but then finally we get to eat. I eye the salad plate that’s set in front of me and wonder if they pulled it from the weeds in the backyard. I take one bite and slide it away. The main course isn’t much better. It's some kind of meat with mushrooms; I hate mushrooms. I’m so busy pushing said mushrooms around my plate, I miss when somebody stops next to Adam. I hear a familiar voice and look up. Sebastian stands in between Adam and one of his teammates, carrying on a lively conversation. Somebody taps my shoulder, and I nearly yelp. I turn to see Gunner standing right behind me. He nods his head towards the door, and I stand up and push my chair in. Adam doesn’t glance my way as I follow Gunner. He speeds up, and I can’t possibly stay with him. But a few seconds later, Aiden falls into step next to me. “Aiden? What’s going on?” He hands me a plate. “Bri’s worried about you; she knows you hate mushrooms. Go eat it in the back. Second door on the left.” He walks away, leaving me alone and utterly confused. I glance at the door he pointed to and make my way there. It wouldn’t hurt to get a break from the crowd and have some peace and quiet just for a few minutes.

I cautiously open the door and relax when I see it leads to a small balcony. I step out into the darkness and take a deep breath. I see movement from the corner of my eye and nearly have a heart attack when somebody steps out of the shadows. “Rico?” I put my free hand over my heart. “What are you doing?”

“Hey, Amber,” he says softly. I can’t see him all that well in the darkness, but his voice wraps around me. I resist the urge to sigh.

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