Chapter 34

Ch apter 34

Amber

I cry myself to sleep after Rico's text and only sleep for a few hours before I'm back and at it again. The next morning, I check my phone. I still have the texts from Bri that I haven't responded to. Happy Monday.

My mom's in the kitchen; she must be having a good day. "Morning, Mom."

She sets down her phone. "Are you with that horrible Adam again?"

I stop. "What are you looking at?"

"I'm looking at these online places."

I glance over her shoulder. "Mom, Bri and I tell you all the time to stay off those gossip sites."

"But there are pictures of you with that boy and at his game?" Her eyes meet mine. "I thought you were with Rico." His name makes my heart hurt all over again.

I look away. "I'm with Adam now." I turn to leave the kitchen; I'm no longer hungry.

"Where are you going?"

"I have class." I head back to my room and grab my bag and throw my hair into a braid and head to the front door. "Bye, Mom."

"Amber, I thought..."

I turn back. "You thought what, Mom?"

"I thought we were past some of this..." she pauses.

"This what?" I can't help but ask.

"This childish behavior."

I stare at her as the hurt I have no right to feel, rushes to the surface. "I gotta go, Mom. I love you," I choke out before heading out the door. My day is a wreck before I ever get to the library. I fail a test I forgot was scheduled for today, my battery in my car died and I had to have help getting it jumped. Because of that, I'm now late to work.

I head inside feeling like a bear on the warpath. "You look rather flustered today," Mrs. Randolph points out, oh so helpfully.

"I haven't had the best day," I admit. "But I'm ready to work hard."

Mrs. Randolph scoffs. "Like that was ever a worry." I glance over at her. "You're the best student I've ever had work for me in this library, and I've been here a long time."

"Really?"

"Oh, don't get mushy about it; or I'll change my mind."

I bite back a smile. "Thank you, I needed that today."

I get to work on the project I've been working on. As part of my class and work in library science, I have to plan a huge community day to support and celebrate the library. Any time I have free time lately, that's what I work on. It's quiet for a while when Mrs. Randolph disappears for a time.

"Excuse me," somebody says, catching my attention. I look up to see a striking woman maybe a few years older than me. She looks vaguely familiar, but I can't seem to place her.

"Can I help you?" I ask.

She leans forward and gives me a onceover. "Hmm. You're her."

I blink. "Excuse me?"

"I thought you would be so much more somehow. It's sort of a disappointment, frankly."

I'm flabbergasted at her words. "What are you going on about?"

"I'm talking about meeting the woman who seems to be dating not one but two professional hockey players."

My mouth goes dry. "Listen..."

"I had to read online," she continues right along. "On social media of all places that my baby brother was dating a girl." A wave of surprise rolls over me. Instantly, I see the likeness to her brother. "Of course he couldn't call his only sister to tell her; I had to see it online. And then, like a week later, that same girl is dating another guy. From another team. So, tell me, how does it feel to rip out hearts and stomp all over them, Heartbreaker?"

If I wasn't so frustrated, I would shake her hand and call her my new best friend. Sadly, that's not going to happen. "Listen, you should really stay out of something that has nothing to do with you."

"Oh, I'm sorry, did you miss the part where I said that Rico is my younger brother?"

I take a weary breath. "No, I caught that part loud and clear."

"And?" She raises her eyebrows.

"I'm pretty sure Rico doesn't need you to fight his battles for him. Does he even know you're here right now?" I return her stare. "From the look on your face, I'm going to take that as a no."

She shakes her head. "I'm worried about him. He's always made super wise decisions up until now," she says pointedly.

"Rico's an amazing person, and he's plenty wise. He has nothing to do with any of this, so just leave him be." My words come out harsher than I intend them to.

She studies my face. "You don't happen to know where he is right now, do you? He didn't answer my four phone calls and six text messages."

I wince. "Well, in his defense, he kind of had this dropped on him, and he's gone for a series of away games...which you would know if you watched any of his games."

She stares at me, and I prepare myself for whatever she's going to say to me next. But she surprises me. "Hmmm. You're not what I expected."

I arch an eyebrow. "With you, I can't tell whether that's a compliment or a threat."

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 probably even 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 the last 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.