His eyes were as big as the moon and his lips were parted, aghast at what he just witnessed. He suddenly rushed to her and hugged her. “Are you all right? That was so traumatic.”
She let out an ironic chuckle. “Just another day in the Gaston family.”
“I just stood here like an idiot. I didn’t know if I should leave or get involved. Or—”
“You did the right thing,” Amber’s mother cut in. “You let her stand up for herself. My daughter is a very independent woman and needs to fight her own battles.”
Amber wouldn’t let go of Robert. She had her arms locked around his waist, and his were folded across her back. She saw that he was engaged in a silent stare down with her father again, and she assessed the testosterone in the room. “You better be all right with this,” she told her father, renewed strength building inside of her like a tidal wave. “Or else the fight we just had is going to seem like a birthday party.”
Her father held his hands up in surrender. “I’m only looking out for you.”
“I love her, Coach,” Robert said. “Don’t stand in our way.”
Amber’s father dropped his arms and raised his brows, his face now hard. “Are you threatening me, Blade?”
“No. Yes. Maybe.”
Her dad’s facial expression relaxed, and he rubbed his side. “Considering you might have broken one or two of my ribs, I guess I have no choice but to concede.”
Amber remembered the way Robert tackled her father and worried that he may truly be hurt. He may look ominous and foreboding, but Robert was younger and an offensive lineman. “Are you serious, Dad?” She took a step toward him. “Do you want me to take a look? Or take you to the hospital?”
“Oh, shit,” Robert said, fear permeating his voice as he realized what he’d done. “Sorry, Coach. I—”
“I’m kidding,” her dad said, rubbing his ribs again. “You got a helluva shoulder, Blade, but I think I’ll live.”
“Well, Vic?” Amber’s mom asked, folding her arms across her chest. “Are you going to give these two a hard time? Because I don’t think I can take much more of this. I’m not getting any younger, and today gave me an extra handful of gray hairs.”
Amber’s dad looked at her mother in a way she hadn’t seen in years, and memories of a happier time, a very long time ago, filled Amber’s heart.
“You haven’t aged at all, Cathy. You look the same as the day I married you.” They shared a loving smile before Amber’s father turned to address her, his expression deathly serious. “My concern about you dating one of my players stemmed from what goes on when we’re away. I see it all. I have eyes on my guys at all times. They’re notorious philanderers. I’m not naming names, but model husbands, with families, entertain an array of women on a daily basis when we’re on the road. I don’t think I have to tell you that Blade was a ladies’ man. He always had a different girl on his arm.”
Amber’s cheeks flamed red hot with jealousy, and her nostrils flared.
“But,”her father emphasized. “I have to say that I haven’t seen him with anyone since before his injury. I assume that’s when something started between you two. He goes to dinner with the team and straight back to the hotel. Alone. The players have been ribbing him about it.”
“I trust Robert,” she said, holding his hand tighter, even though a second ago she thought her father was going to drop another bomb on her heart.
“You don’t ever have to doubt me, Coach,” Robert said. “You have my word.”
Her father’s stare turned to steel. “Don’t give me a reason to, Blade, because my boot will be in your ass faster and harder than you could ever imagine.”
“OK. OK.” Amber’s mom put her hand on her father’s shoulder. “I think we better go before things take another swift upturn in here. Amber, honey, are you sure you’re OK?”
“Yeah, Mom. Thanks for coming by to make sure things didn’t get out of hand.” She hugged her mom and received a kiss on the cheek.
“I’ll call you tomorrow.” Her mom touched Robert’s arm and smiled. “I’m looking forward to getting to know you better. Oh. And I’m sorry about that day in Denver. I was just having a little fun. Sometimes I can’t help myself.”
Robert let out a nervous laugh and clutched his chest. “I almost had a heart attack when I saw you.”
“I wish I would have had someone there to record it.”
Robert laughed again, this time deep and hearty. “You really do have a warped sense of humor.”
“Yes. I do. It gets worse, so prepare yourself.”
Amber looked up to the ceiling and shook her head because her mother had always been a prankster.
Her father approached, caution clear in his eyes and in his step. “Amber. Please, let’s call it a truce and start over. I don’t know what else to say or do.” He held his arms open. “Please?”
