Chapter 25

Chapte r 25

Rico

"What are you doing here?" I ask in confusion.

"We brought Chinese," Sebastian said, lifting the bags.

"I see that. Why?" I ask.

"It's comfort food," he says, pushing past me. "Everybody knows that."

"Wait, you can't just barge in here."

"We just did," he says as he heads to the kitchen.

I blow out a breath of frustration and try not to think about killing my friends. I know their hearts are in the right place. "Listen, I really appreciate it; but you guys can't be here right now."

"Too bad," Sebastian says, dropping the bags of food on my coffee table.

"No seriously..." I start.

"I left my wife to be here. Deal with it," Aiden says in an annoyed voice. Gunner doesn't say anything as he passes me. They all crash in my living room and start filling plates with food. Sebastian fills one and hands it to me, and I take it out of habit.

"We're not even supposed to eat this junk," I argue.

"Yeah. I know, but sometimes you gotta make an exception for a teammate that's had his heart ripped from his chest and is left bleeding," Sebastian says around a mouth full of rice.

I shake my head. "You are so dramatic. Besides I—" I stop when all three heads turn to stare at something behind me. I whirl around and see Amber standing there, obviously wearing my sweats and shirt. Her hair is wet from the shower and dripping down the front of my sweatshirt.

"Oooh, is that Chinese?" She darts forward. "I'm starving!" She grabs a paper plate and fills it with as much food as any of the guys.

"Help yourself, Amber," Sebastian says with amusement.

She takes a huge bite before she even sits down and moans loudly. "Oh my word; this is so good."

"So this is why you wouldn't let us in?" Sebastian asks. I can hear the grin in his voice, but I haven't looked away from Amber. She looks like she's never eaten a day in her life.

"Hey." I step in front of her. "Just don't get sick," I say softly. She looks up at me with her large eyes.

"I'm starving."

I can't help my smile. "I know."

She looks back at the table. "Did you already eat?"

"I have a plate." I nod at the plate I set down on the coffee table.

"Good because you're not having any of mine."

I smirk. "You're going to eat all that?"

Her eyes narrow on me. "Hey now, I'm eating for two."

I grin. "I know." I lean forward and kiss her lightly on the forehead. Or at least that's my intention, but she jerks away from me.

"What are you doing?" she asks wide-eyed, and I'm suddenly confused. This isn't the first time I've given her a kiss.

"I was just going to kiss your forehead."

"Oh. I thought you were trying to steal my food."

"Mental note," Seb whispers loudly. "Don't try to take the pregnant woman's food."

"I can hear you, Sebastian," Amber says.

I turn around to see all three of them watching us like we're the most interesting thing they've ever seen. I shake my head. "Why are you guys my friends again?"

Seb grins. "Because you love us, and we love you."

"I don't," Aiden grouses.

"Well, yeah because you don't love anybody," Sebastian returns without batting an eye.

"I love Brielle," Aiden grumbles.

I turn back around and take Amber's elbow. "I'm not going to steal your food. I just want to sit." I lead her to my large, overstuffed chair.

"Aw, he's taking care of her," Sebastian croons. I grab the throw pillow from the chair and throw it at him. He ducks, and it misses him. "You almost threw that in the Chinese," he says with a laugh.

I head to the kitchen. "You want a water?" I ask Amber. She nods and then goes back to eating.

"I'll take one too, Sweetheart ," Sebastian calls out.

"Get your own." I head back into the living room.

"You're not nice," he pouts before standing dramatically to his feet. "Aiden and Gunner, you want water?"

"Sure," Gunner says. Aiden nods.

"See," Sebastian says, turning to me. "That's how you be nice to people. Next time we won't bring over Chinese."

I take a bite. "Okay, I take back everything I said and did. This is really good."

"Of course it's good," Seb throws out. "What'd you think? We'd bring over nasty food?"

I shrug and eat some more. I look over at Amber and grin when I see she's finally slowing down. "I am so full," she says, rubbing her belly.

Aiden finishes scarfing down his food and stands. "Leaving so soon?" I question.

"Yeah. I'm going home to see Brielle."

" Yeah, I'm going home to Stephanie. Married guys for the win," Sebastian says. He tries to high-five Aiden, but Aiden leaves him hanging. "All right. This was fun; let's do it again soon. Yeah?"

Gunner stands up and throws out his trash before heading to the front door. I turn to Amber. "I'll be right back."

She leans against the seat and waves me off. "I'll be sleeping right here in a food coma."

I smirk. "Okay then." I head out the front door. "Thanks, Guys."

"So, I'm sort of confused," Sebastian says. "I thought everything was over between you two. But now, she's here, wearing your clothes. What did I miss?" Aiden and Gunner turn back at our conversation.

"Her car broke down on the way to the game," I explain. "So, she came here instead." I shake my head. "She walked a few miles and was freezing when she got here. Hence my clothes."

I catch the frown on Aiden's face but don't say anything. It's not his responsibility to provide for Amber; that will fall to me now...if she'll let me. Somehow, I don't think she's going to make it easy. A grin forms on my face at the thought of that. She's going to make me work for every aspect of our relationship, but I'm up for the challenge. I love a good battle.

"So, just to reiterate, she does want to be in a relationship with you?" Seb asks.

"Yes, that's what I just said." I watch as Sebastian turns around and goes back to my front door. "What are you doing?"

"I'm going inside to talk to Amber; I thought she was smart. Apparently not."

Gunner and Aiden laugh as they head to their cars. "Yeah. You'd think she would be; she works at a library of all places. But..." I stick my hands in my pants' pockets. "We're going to try it."

"I was just kidding." Seb slaps my shoulder. "I'm happy for you; really."

"Thanks."

Aiden turns back. "You know we are going to be related then, right...if this works out."

"Yeah. I know. You gonna have a problem with that?"

Aiden shrugs. "No. I know you'll take good care of her and be faithful to her. Night." With that, he heads to his car.

"Aw. I love you too," Sebastian yells out after him. Aiden ignores him and climbs in his car.

"Look at us, Cap. We're bonding," Seb says, throwing an arm around Gunner's shoulders.

"Would you like me to hit you now or later?" Gunner asks with a straight face.

"Preferably neither," Seb says, still keeping his arm around him.

Gunner wrestles him off and heads to his car. "Night." Right before he climbs in his car, he faces me. "Make sure you stay focused."

I nod. "I'll do better than I did tonight."

Cap looks like he's going to say something but then he lets it go. "Cap," Sebastian calls out. "How's Chloe?" He just scowls at both of us and climbs in.

"What's that about?" I ask.

Sebastian grins. "He's going to be the next one of us to fall."

"What about me?"

Seb scoffs. "Dude, you've totally already fallen."

I open my mouth to argue before I realize there's nothing to argue about. "Yeah. You're right."

Sebastian laughs. "You're so far gone." He jogs down the steps. "Have a good night."

"You too." I watch him drive away a moment before I head back inside. "Amber?" When I don't see her, I head to the bathroom. "Hey." I step inside fully and crouch down next to her and gather her hair back. "Too much Chinese?" I ask softly.

"Don't even say it," she moans. I feel terrible that she's sick, but I also can barely keep in my grin.

"Well, you did eat enough for three grown men."

"I was so hungry," she groans.

When she seems to be done, I help her to her feet before reaching into my medicine cabinet. "Here. Try one of these." I shake out one and hand it to her.

"TUMS?" she asks.

I shrug. "I read somewhere that it might help. Just try it."

She takes it and chews it. "That's disgusting."

"But if it helps," I remind her.

I grab a washcloth and wet it before handing it to her. She wipes her mouth and then rinses it in the sink. A minute later, she turns to me and opens the medicine cabinet and grabs the entire bottle. "These are miracle workers."

I laugh. "Take the bottle; I'll get more."

She pops another one. "I think I'm going to own stock in these."

I lean forward, unable to help myself, and wrap my hands around her arms. "I'll keep you stocked." I kiss her forehead, and her soft sigh settles me deep inside. "So when can you come to a game for real? I'll make sure you have a ride."

She doesn't pull away from me. "When's your next game?"

"Monday night."

"I'll be there." She pulls back, and I miss her warmth immediately. "I'll ride with Bri so there's not a chance of tonight happening again."

"Well, and I'll be getting you a car that's reliable."

She doesn't even bat an eye. "Sure, you are," she says, patting my chest.

"I'm serious, Amber. You're pregnant; you need something reliable. You can't keep breaking down." I can tell she's going to argue with me, so I play dirty. "What about when you have a baby in the backseat?" I watch as she deflates and know I've won. "I won't get you something crazy; I promise."

"Rico," she starts, a frown marring her face.

"I want to," I push. "Please let me; it will give me peace of mind." She sighs. "Any kind in particular?"

"Oh, I don't know anything about cars. Just something cheap. Well, and reliable, I guess."

"Reliable. Got it. Now, as much as I love you being here, you look ready to crash. Let's get you home."

She's silent on the way home, and I think she's fallen asleep. But when we stop, she turns to me. "Thanks for tonight."

"I'm sorry you walked. Don't ever do that again, by the way."

"I will if I want to," she throws out over her shoulder as she opens her door. I'm out the door and over on her side before she's finished climbing out all the way.

"Anybody ever tell you that you're stubborn?"

"All the time."

I smirk as I walk her to her door. "I'll see you Monday, okay? Make sure you catch a ride with Bri. Aiden got her a nice, reliable car that won't break down."

She rolls her eyes. "Got it." She starts to turn away, but I snag her arm. When she turns back to me, I lean forward. She immediately takes a step back, and I still.

"I'll see you Monday, okay?" I take a step backwards.

She grimaces. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean..."

"It's okay. It will come when you're ready." I mean that with every fiber of my being. "Go inside and lock up behind me," I say softly.

She gives me a look that I'm not able to read yet before she heads inside. Only when I hear the deadbolt, do I head to my car.