Chapter 30

Chap ter 30

Amber

A slow grin forms on Sebastian's face. "Yep."

I try to stand to my feet, but Rico doesn't release his hold on my waist. "Okay, whatever you guys are planning is a bad idea. A very bad idea."

I look at Aiden, but he just stares right back at me. Sebastian and Gunner are no help either, so I turn to Rico. "Don't do whatever it is you're going to do."

He shrugs innocently. "I'm just the goalie. I'll be in the net all night."

"Listen, guys, I get why you're doing this. Rico's your friend; I know you all are close. But you can't do this."

Sebastian gives me a weird look, but it's not Seb that answers. "We're not doing this for Rico," Aiden says, crossing his arms over his chest.

I look around confused. "I don't understand."

It's Gunner that answers. "Our team is a family. We protect each other and have each other's backs on and off the ice."

"I know. That's literally why I just said—" I begin, but Gunner cuts me off.

"You're Rico's girl, so you're considered one of our family now. Somebody goes after one of our family, and we go after them. It's simple."

I stare at Gunner because I'm pretty sure that's the most I've ever heard him say. "Yep. What Cap said," Sebastian echoes.

Words get stuck in my throat. "I just don't want you guys to get in trouble or anything."

Aiden smirks, and I get a bad feeling. "Nothing to worry about, Little Sister."

I meet Bri's eyes. She just shakes her head and gives me a What do you do? kind of look. I try to push off of Rico once again, but his arms have me locked in tight. "I finally got you here; you're not leaving yet," he says right against my ear. He shifts, so that I lean against him more. His hand finds my belly a moment later, and he rubs it gently. "Is this okay?" he asks softly.

"Mmhmm." That's about all I can manage. I tune back into the conversation. "When do you guys play them next?"

"Four weeks," Sebastian responds. "We'll be ready."

"Just don't do anything to get yourselves in trouble."

Stephanie laughs. "You haven't been to many hockey games with these guys, have you, Amber? Trouble is all they get into."

Seb grins and kisses her. A warm chuckle rumbles through Rico, and I shift against him. "Have you got any food here? I'm starving," Sebastian asks.

"You're always starving," Stephanie says with a smile. He whispers something to her, and she smiles and smacks him softly.

"I have steaks we can throw on the grill," Rico says. "But you have to do it, because I'm not moving."

"Rico," I mutter, shaking my head. I make a move to get up, but he tightens his hold on me. "Unless you want me to pee all over you, you'd better let me go." He pretends to think about it before grinning and pushing me to my feet. He kisses my forehead.

"I'm heading to the kitchen to grab the steaks."

"Okay. I'll come help as soon as I'm done." After I finish peeing, I head back out. After a quick detour to the spare room, I snag my phone. There's a text from Adam that gives me pause. I debate opening it but finally manage to work up the courage.

Adam- m y lawyer is going to call you tomorrow. make sure you take the call.

I take a deep breath before I text him back.

Amber- you wanted nothing to do with me or the baby. Remember that and lose my number

I don't wait to see if he has anything else to say before heading back out. My appetite is gone, but I want to help Rico. It's my fault everybody's here. "What can I do to help?" I ask as soon as I enter the kitchen.

"I got it; you go put your feet up."

"Rico," I say putting my hands on my hips. "Let me help."

He smirks. "Okay. Want to put together a salad?"

"Yes."

"I put everything out on the counter."

I walk over to the other side of him where everything for a salad is set out. There's something almost domestic about working in the kitchen with him. I find it relaxing, even with somebody in the group coming in every other minute. It doesn't take long to pull together a meal. We all gather around Rico's long living room table, and I find myself relaxing and laughing as the night progresses. Rico is never far from me, and he uses any excuse to touch me. I smile every time he does it. He's so different than I thought he would be. We end up playing games until late. Eventually, my exhaustion catches up to me. I try to hide my yawns, but after a few, Rico leans towards me. "Do you want to sleep here tonight or do you want me to drive you home?" I turn to him, and he's really close. The temptation to stay is strong, especially because I'm tired. But I don't want to make a mess of things like I did with Adam. "I need to go home." He doesn't question me; he just stands to his feet.

"I'm going to run Amber home."

"We can do it," Bri offers, yawning herself. Aiden stands up and helps her to her feet.

"I got it," Rico says. "Don't worry about cleaning up; I'll get it when I get back home." He turns to me. "Ready?" After hugging Bri and Stephanie, we head out to Rico's truck and begin the drive to my house.

"Thanks for rescuing me today."

He looks over at me and takes my hand in his. "You scared me when you called me and then when I got to you." He shakes his head. "You're sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, but I'm pretty sure that's just a precursor to what's coming." He doesn't say anything. "Did I scare you off?" I ask, only partly teasing.

He laughs softly. "No. I'm just thinking."

When he doesn't say anything more, I prompt, "About?"

He squeezes my hand. "Nothing I'm going to share right now. I don't want to scare you off," he repeats my words back to me.

"I don't think that's possible," I mumble.

"I just don't want to be too much for you," he says quietly.

I'm surprised by his words. "You're not."

"Well, I already told you—I'm a little all or nothing."

I shrug. "I can handle you." He laughs, and the sound is rich. "No, seriously. Why do you say you're too much?"

He's quiet a moment. "I'm the kind of guy that's always wanted a family—a wife, kids, a big house to share together. I want family picnics, game days together, pizza nights, campouts in the backyard." He looks over at me. "I'm definitely a romantic at heart. I have a lot of love to give," he says, wiggling his eyebrows. I can't help the laugh that escapes. It's quiet a few minutes, and I'm not sure what to say. "When I marry, I want the relationship to grow every year. I want my wife to be my best friend, the one person in the world I can't wait to spend time with. I want to date her, even after we've been married thirty years. I want to create a life together that we love."

I swallow. "That sounds beautiful, Rico."

"My sister always made fun of me."

"Why?" I ask.

He looks at me sheepishly. "Because for the last at least eight years or so, I put a wife on my Christmas wish list every year."

"I'm not sure which one surprises me more—the fact that you write a Christmas list or the fact that a wife is at the top of the list."

"Romantic? Remember."

"I think it's awesome, Rico. I'm like the furthest thing from a romantic," I admit.

"That's okay; I have enough for the both of us."

"Okay." I can't help the smile that spreads across my face. I reach out for my door handle, but he puts a hand on my leg, stopping me.

"I'll get your door, if you can wait that long." There's humor in his voice as he climbs out. He comes around and opens my door a minute later. "Look at you; you waited."

I roll my eyes. "I'm used to taking care of myself."

He leans forward. "I know, but this is just a small way you can let go of some of that control."

I narrow my eyes at him. "Are you calling me a control freak?"

He shrugs. "If the shoe fits." I shake my head and push on his shoulder, which doesn't budge, by the way. "Come on." He tugs me forward and down. When we get to the front door, he stops just shy of the door. "We leave for an away game tomorrow."

"Okay." He stares down at me. "What?"

He smiles and shakes his head. "Nothing. Just remembering that you are a strong and independent woman."

I push my finger into his hard chest. "And don't you forget it."

He grabs my finger. "I won't."

I stare up at him. "Soooo."

"So what?" he asks with a smile.

"So this thing between us," I motion between our bodies.

His smile grows. "Yeah, what about it?"

"So it's like...are we..." I pause, unable to find the words.

"Amber, ask what you want to ask. Be the direct woman you are."

I meet his gaze head-on. "Are we exclusive?"

He doesn't bat an eye. "Yes."

I give him a hard look. "That means nobody on the side."

"I know what exclusive means."

"Yes, but you're a hockey player who travels often," I point out.

"I am."

"And there are probably women in every city that want you."

"There are," he responds. I scowl at him, and he has the audacity to smirk. "Does that bother you?" he asks in a low voice.

I cross my arms. "Yes."

His smirk grows deliciously. "Good." I narrow my eyes at him, and he steps closer. "I like the idea of you being jealous." His eyes scan my face. "I like it a lot."

"Yeah, well I don't."

He chuckles and wraps a hand around my wrist as he pulls me slowly closer. "There is only one woman who has been on my radar. I don't mess around when I'm traveling. Never have. Never will, and I especially won't now that I have a girl waiting back at home for me."

"A girl?" I question with raised eyebrows.

He tugs me forward with a full grin on his sexy lips. "A gorgeous woman," he mutters as he pulls me against his body. I shiver, but I'm not sure if it's from the cold or from being pressed against him. He's such a big guy, but he makes me feel so safe. I can't help the sigh that escapes when I'm surrounded by him.

"I think you're good for my serotonin," I tell him without looking up at him, as I lay my head on his chest.

"Is that so?"

I nod against his chest. "Yeah. I think we need to do this more often."

"I can get behind that."

Neither of us say anything for a little bit, and the silence settles around us. "You're a good man, Rico Garcia," I say after a little bit.

He kisses the top of my forehead. "You're just saying that because I'm using my body heat right now to keep you warm."

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?