Chapter 18

Amber

Rico finally turns to me and runs his gaze over me. "Are you okay?"

I laugh because he makes me feel something, and I can't afford to feel anything. "I'm fine; he's just a jerk." Then because I don't know what else to do with myself, I cross my arms over my chest. "How did you just happen to show up when Cal and his buddies were here."

"Oh, that was because of her." I turn to see who Rico is pointing at.

"Mrs. Randolph?" I'd seriously forgotten she was even still here, taking in the craziness. "How...?"

"This young man stopped in earlier today and asked if I knew who Cal was. Of course, I knew who that troublemaker was; I know everything that happens in this library. I told him I would call or text him when Cal came in."

My eyebrows rise in surprise. "You know how to text?"

"I may be old, but I'm not that old. So, yes, I texted this good looking, kind-hearted man who is nothing like Cal, I might add. And he probably—" she stops abruptly. "What did you say you do for a living, Young Man?"

Rico grins. "I play goalie for a professional hockey team."

"And do you make a lot of money?" she asks bluntly.

"Mrs. Randolph, you can't ask that?" I admonish.

She turns her stern gaze on me. "And why not? It's a perfectly reasonable question."

"He's loaded," Sebastian says with a grin, putting his chin on his elbows as he leans on the counter. He looks like he's here to enjoy the show.

"Is that so?" Mrs. Randolph looks at him and then back at me. I already know I'm about to regret whatever it is she says next. "Enough to provide for a wife and a baby?"

"Okay, this conversation is over," I but in.

"Dear, you are in no condition to be picky at this stage."

Sebastian snorts out a laugh, and Rico's grin slips from his face. "Wait. What?"

"You guys were leaving now, right?" I turn back to them.

Aiden nods, a small smirk on his face. "Yeah, we'll get out of your hair. We did what we came to do."

"Which was what exactly?" I ask.

"Deal with that loser," Rico says.

"Well, you did. Thank you. So, you guys can leave now."

Gunner starts towards the door, and Sebastian pushes off the counter. "Always a good time," he says with a grin and a salute.

Aiden gives me a look, and I fight the urge to fidget under his gaze. "Brielle would love to hear from you sometime soon."

My face falls. "I...I know. I'll talk to her soon."

He studies my face a moment. "Don't forget that your family loves you. You're not alone."

I swallow hard as my heart tugs. "I know. Thanks, Aiden. Tell Brielle I love her, please."

He nods. "I will."

I turn to the last person. "You didn't have to do that, Rico."

"I wanted to." He gives me a small smile. "It looks good on you," he says, motioning to my sweater.

I tug it around me. "It's so soft and warm. Thank you, and thanks again for everything you brought. I'm using everything." I pick up the water bottle he gave me. "I've been drinking all my water, took my vitamins." I push back my sleeves. "I'm wearing these fashionable bracelets."

He laughs. "They are a little ugly. Do they work at all?"

I shrug. "I haven't thrown up in a few hours, so they seem to be."

"Good. Did you eat dinner?" I grimace because I didn't even eat a good lunch. "You don't even have to answer that. I can tell from your face you didn't."

"Anyway, thanks for everything, Rico. I really appreciate it."

He gives me that soft smile again. "You're welcome. See you soon." I watch him walk away and wonder how it is that he's still single.

"He'd make a mighty fine daddy."

I jump and whirl around at the voice near my ear. "Mrs. Randolph, what have I told you about sneaking up on me?"

She waves me off. "You should ask that man to date you."

I shake my head. "That's not how it works."

"Isn't it these days?" she asks with a frown. "You know feminism and all that."

I roll my eyes. "Well, I mean yes. I could ask him if I wanted to, but I don't want to."

"Because you're not right in the head?" she asks.

"What? No. How am I not right in the head?"

"Because there's a tall, muscular, gorgeous young man that is obviously interested in you. He makes a lot of money and can provide for you. I mean let's be honest—you could do a lot worse than having to look at that face for the rest of your life."

I suddenly wish Sebastian was here, so he could razz Rico over that remark. "Well, as much as you'd like to marry me off to the first guy you see, I'm not looking to get into a relationship. I'm trying to get my life back on track from the mess I've made of it. I'm pregnant, not in a relationship with anybody. I've made a mess of my close relationships. I barely passed two of my classes last semester because I wasn't organized and disciplined enough." I blow out a breath. "I have a lot of growing up to do."

"Yes, you do." I nod at her words, unsurprised. She turns her chair to face me and pushes up her glasses. "Because you're still young. You haven't even graduated college yet. You're going to mess up, Amber. That's life. We all have."

I shake my head. "No, I made really big mistakes."

"Pshaw," she says waving her hand. "Are you going to get back together with the idiot that turned you away when you told him you were pregnant?"

I blink at her bold question. "No."

"Are you going to have sex with the next guy that wants to date you before you get into a serious relationship?"

I stare, because I can't even with her. "No!"

"Are you strung out on drugs?"

"What? No."

"Are you homeless?"

"No."

"Do you have a job?"

"Obviously," I say, pointing around us.

"Do you have family that loves you?"

I blink. "Yes."

"Then, I think you're doing pretty good, Child. You're too hard on yourself. Stop looking around and seeing all your failures; look for the good instead. Because when you start actively looking for the good, you will see it all around you."

I blink back tears. "That was really deep. I didn't know you had it in you," I say trying to lighten the mood.

"I spent a lot of years seeing only the bad, Child. I missed all the years of good. Don't do that to yourself; don't do what I did."

I want to ask her about her life, but I can tell the conversation is over. "Thank you," I say softly. She nods but continues working. I stand up and stretch just as two students come up to the counter needing help finding a book. "I'll show you."

When I come back to the front a little while later, Rico is leaning against the counter. I take a moment to study him. He really is a good-looking guy with that dark hair and bronzed skin. He's so tall and has muscles for days. I shake my head, disgusted with myself. You will not ogle the hockey player. He turns when I walk around the desk.

"Hey, this is for you." He hands me a bowl with a lid, and I stare at it.

"What is that?"

"It's dinner, since you didn't eat. And probably lunch too because I'm assuming you didn't eat."

I don't tell him that he's right. "You didn't have to do that." I take the bowl and open the lid.

"It's just chicken and rice; I was trying to go for something mild that wouldn't make you sick." I stare at it and then at him. I don't know what to say to him. Why does he keep doing these nice things for me? I just don't get it. He leans forward, a smile on his face. "Are you going to eat it or stare at it for the rest of the night?"

I shake my head and use the fork to take a small bite. I nearly groan out loud. "Oh my word; this is so good." I take another big bite. "Thank you."

His smile grows. "You're welcome." He slaps the counter lightly. "All right. My work here is done. See you."

"Bye," I motion to get out. I watch him walk out and take another bite.

"He's got a great backside; that's another bonus." I choke on my food, and I snag my water as my eyes water. "What?" Mrs. Randolph says. "I may be old, but I'm not blind."

I shake my head for like the hundredth time tonight and go back to my chicken and rice. I finish almost all of it before my stomach decides it's had enough. After closing the lid and stuffing it in my bag, I get back to work. After closing for the night, I walk out with Mrs. Randolph. I'm surprised to see two college security guards sitting in a car near the entrance. Mrs. Randolph heads right towards them. "Evening, Ma'am," the guard says after rolling down his window.

"Why are you here?" she wastes no time asking.

"We're just doing our jobs, Ma'am," he says politely.

"Oh, pshaw. You security guards have never been over here this time of night before. Why now?"

The guard shifts a little in his seat. "We're just making sure the campus is secure."

Mrs. Randolph looks at me and then back at the guard. "It was that hockey player, wasn't it?" I frown and step closer. "He was upset about her broken down car and being alone in this parking lot. He pushed for more security, didn't he?"

"I can't tell you that," he says.

She laughs. "You don't have to. He probably gave a big chunk of money, didn't he?"

The two men look at each other, and the first one steps out of the car. "Can we walk you to your cars?"

"Wow, he really gave a good donation, didn't he?" Mrs. Randolph practically cackles.

A few minutes later, the guards wave as I drive off. When I get home, I stare at my car in the driveway. I hadn't even bothered to look for it in the parking lot; I was going to deal with it on Saturday. I drop my stuff off in my room before grabbing one of my books for class and my phone and settling on the couch. Before I crack open my book, I open my phone and text Rico.

Me- my car is sitting in my driveway

Me- any idea how it got there?

Rico- No idea

Rico- but the keys are under the mat and it's good to go

I stare at the phone and blow out a breath.

Me- you shouldn't have done that

Me- you didn't need to do anything about it

Me- i was going to deal with it on Saturday

Rico- now it's one less thing for you to worry about

Me - well, at least tell me how much i owe you

Rico - nothing

I close my eyes and lean against the couch a moment before looking back at my phone.

Me- thank you

Me- and thanks for dinner. it was really good!!

Me- and did you somehow work it out for security to work in the parking lot outside the library?

Rico- i'm glad you liked the food. i was hoping it would go down well and stay down. did it?

Me - so far

Rico - good

Me - so did you do something about security?

Rico- what if i did?

I debate what to say before finally settling on a thank you.

Me- thank you. they walked us to our cars.

Rico- good. they should have been doing that long before now.

Rico - do you get to go to sleep now or do you have more to do?

Me - i have to study now and work on a paper for one of my classes

He sends me back a frowning emoji, and it makes me smile.

Rico- you work too hard.

Me- says the guy who plays professional hockey for a living

I glance at the clock and mentally do the breakdown of how much sleep I'm going to get.

Me- i gotta go. thanks for everything!

Rico - we've got a set of away games, so i won't be around for a little bit

I stare at the phone, unsure what to say to that.

Rico - and i can tell by your silence that i've either confused you or freaked you out. i just wanted you to know that i wasn't ignoring you.

Me - no worries thanks for the heads up

I quickly lock my phone and place it face down, so I don't continue to read whatever he sends. The fact is, he's completely right. He totally confused me with his text, but I'm not going to allow myself to dwell on it. There's nothing between me and the goalie; he's just being nice. I'm not attracted to him; he's not the nicest guy I've ever met. I groan. And maybe if I keep telling myself that enough, I'll start believing it.