Page 21

Chloe

Monday morning comes bright and early, and I’m ready for it.

I stride to my office with my coffee in hand.

I gave myself a pep talk after I got home from visiting Grandma May.

I reminded myself what the rules are, and why I have them in place—so I don’t mistake his acting for the real thing.

There is no real relationship between Gunner and I; there never will be.

As long as I remember that, and I keep the rules in place, my heart has a chance at surviving this thing.

I open the door to my office and freeze.

On my desk is a vase of gorgeous flowers.

I slowly walk over to them and pick up the small card that has my name on it that came with the flowers.

Thanks for helping me this weekend.

-G

I turn it over, but that’s it.

I take a deep breath and remind myself it doesn’t mean anything.

I put my computer bag down, take out my laptop, and get to work.

This is a day for me to get a lot of work done because we don’t have a game today.

The hours pass quickly, and I’m mostly left alone.

A little after noon, I make my way to the medical room.

The medic staff should be here because practice starts soon.

I push open the door and head inside.

“Hey, Chloe.”

“Hey, Carl.” He’s bent over one of the carts, busy restocking.

“Is Trent in yet?” I ask.

“Yeah, he just got here; he’s in the other room.”

“Thanks.” I find him in the supply closet.

“Hey, Chloe,” he says when he sees me.

“How was your weekend?”

I’m looking at my iPad, pulling up my notes app.

“I survived.”

“Rough weekend?”

“You could say that. I had to do engagement pictures.”

“Sounds terrible,” he says dryly.

I finally look up.

“Well, it definitely wasn’t my favorite. How was your weekend?” I never have time for chit chat, but I feel like it helps with the people I work with.

They’re a little easier to work with when I’m not just showing up and demanding what I need.

“It was good. I went on a date.”

“Did it go well?”

He shrugs.

“It was okay. It was somebody I met online. I’m not sure if we’ll go out again. I’m going to give it a day or two then maybe reach back out.”

I absently nod.

I’ve never understood the appeal of online dating.

With my luck, I’d date a serial killer.

Who am I kidding ?

I don’t have time to date, and that right there is why I’m still single.

“Well, I hope it goes well for you.”

He grins.

“Me too. If things don’t work out with Gunner, let me know.”

I don’t even respond.

He’s asked me out several times over the years, and I always turn him down.

We went out once about three years ago, and it was okay.

There’s just no chemistry between us.

But he’s a nice guy, and I hope he finds somebody really special.

“Speaking of Gunner, I’m here to get an update.”

“Well, you’re just in time then.” He nods behind me, and I turn around.

The man of the hour stands in the doorway, taking us in.

He doesn’t say a word; his eyes just look back and forth between the two of us like he’s working something out.

“Hey, Gunner,” Trent calls out from behind me.

“Trent.”

I walk over to Gunner.

“How’s your shoulder?”

“Fine.”

I widen my eyes.

“Fine?”

He gives a short nod, and I fight the urge to roll my eyes.

“You’re not fine, obviously; but I’ll wait until I get an official report from Trent.”

“From Trent,” he repeats.

I frown.

“Are you okay?”

His scowl deepens.

“I’m fine.”

I put my hand up.

“Okay. Fine. Trent, when you're ready, his crankiness is ready for you.”

Trent laughs and comes over to the two of us. “Okay, Gunner, let’s look at it and see what we’re dealing with today. The swelling should be down, so we can see what we’re working with.”

“Are you doing x-rays and all that good stuff?” I ask Trent.

He turns to me. “Yeah. It will be a little bit.”

I nod. “Okay, I’ll come back later. I need a report on Zac too.”

“I’ll bring it to your office later,” he says waving me off. “Don’t worry about coming back.”

“Okay, thanks. See you later,” I call out, already back on my iPad.

“Chloe.”

I turn back at the sound of Gunner’s voice. He gives me a look, and I’m not sure what it means. He’s not sitting on the table yet, but Trent is waiting for him. He walks over to me with a determined look in his eyes. “Yes?” I ask in confusion.

He puts a hand on my waist, and my eyes meet his in surprise. Then he shocks me by lowering his head. I think for a moment he’s going to kiss me, and all the oxygen leaves my lips. He places the softest kiss at the corner of my lips, so soft I barely feel it. I resist the urge to put my fingers where his lips just were. My heart gallops, and I stare up at him, totally unsure about what’s going on. “I’ll see you later.” Then he turns and walks back to the table. My eyes meet Trent’s for just a second, and I see a look there that I don’t know what to do about. He almost looks...hurt. I spin around and stride right out of the room. I have no idea what that was, but I didn’t like that look on Trent’s face. I think about it all the way back to my desk. We only went out that one time, and surely he knows I’m engaged to Gunner now, not that it’s for real. But he doesn’t know that. I feel a little sick to my stomach. With a sigh, I open my laptop and get back to work. I work until there‘s about thirty minutes left of practice and then grab my phone and make my way to practice to get some videos and photos. I step into the empty box that the away teams use during a game. It’s the best way to get clear shots without the plexiglass in between. I’m busy taking photos and videos when I feel a presence next to me. I finish recording Rico’s save and turn to the bench, not surprised to see Gunner sitting there. Somehow, I knew it was him. There’s just a presence he has that alerts me every time he enters a room I’m in. “What’s up?” I ask and take another picture. I frown at it and erase it. It’s so hard to get good shots in hockey because the players are moving so fast. I finally get a good one of Dylan and know I can use it.

“I brought you Trent’s report.”

I turn and glance down at the paper he’s holding. “I thought Trent was bringing that by my office later.” I get a good photo of Sebastian scoring.

“I brought it for him.”

“Is Zac's injury update on there too?” I ask without looking at him.

“Yes.”

I take a few more photos and then turn to him. I’m surprised to see him watching me, not his teammates on the ice. “What is it?”

“How long did you and Trent date?”

His question takes me by complete surprise. “How did you know we dated?”

He pulls the sling further down his arm. “I wasn’t sure until just now.”

“We only went out one time.”

“How many times has he asked you to go out?”

I turn to him. “What is this? Twenty questions. Trent and I went out once. I told him it wasn’t going to work between us, and that was it.”

“He’s not over you.” His voice is low and unhappy.

I frown, thinking about the look I’d seen on his face. “I’ll talk to him. I thought he knew there was nothing between us, but—” I shake my head. “I’ll talk to him and make sure he knows. It won’t be a problem for our fake engagement, if that’s what you’re worried about.” I turn my focus back on the team and take a few more photos. “How’s the pain level today?”

“It’s fine.”

I shake my head. It’s such a Gunner response. I look at the sheet of paper in my hand. “Two weeks?” I look down at him, and he nods. “Wow. That’s...really great.”

“You don’t agree,” he says quietly.

“I want you back on the ice, Gunner, as soon as possible, along with every other Green Thunder fan and staff member. But I want it to happen when you’re completely healed.”

“I will be.”

“Okay.” I let it drop because I’m not the one to make the call. The medic staff will, and I trust them to make the right one. I finish and turn around. Since he’s still sitting there, I address him. “I’m heading back to my office.”

“Have you eaten yet today?” he asks suddenly.

“No.”

“Me neither.” He stands up. “Come on. Let’s go get something to eat.”

I frown in confusion. “Don’t you have to be here for practice?”

“Coach is about to call it,” he says, nodding at the ice.

I study him for a second, trying to figure out what’s going on. “Okay. Sure.” I start out of the box, and he follows me. I start towards my office, but he stops me.

“This way.”

“I’m heading to my office; that’s where my lunch is.”

“I’m heading to the kitchen. Come on.”

“Gunner’s that’s where the players eat.”

“You’re staff.”

“Yeah, but I’m not a player.”

He stares down at me. “Fine.” He turns and strides away. I watch him go a moment and then back to my office.

I’m busy at work when my office door opens, and Gunner walks in and sets a white box on my desk. “What’s that?” I ask.

“Lunch,” he grunts and then sits in the chair in front of my desk.

“What are you doing?” I question.

“Eating lunch with my fiancé,” he grunts out.

“Aren’t you supposed to eat with the team?”

“Coach said it was fine.”

“Okay.” I open the box and my stomach growls at the smell of the food. “This looks really good.”

“It's dairy free, wheat free, and nut free.” He doesn’t say anything else as he goes back to his lunch.

I watch him a moment and then take a bite. The salmon melts in my mouth, and the rice is just as good. “Thank you, Gunner.” He nods and keeps eating. He seems to be in a surly mood. “Are you up to date on you pain pills?”

“I don’t need them.”

We eat in silence for a little while. When I finish, I throw the box away. “Thank you; that was really good.” He doesn’t meet my gaze, and I sit back in my chair.

“What’s bothering you?”

He looks up and meets my eyes. “Nothing.”

I know something is, but I chalk it up to him being frustrated he can’t practice with the team. I work for a little bit, but he makes me crazy just sitting there. I close my laptop. “I’ve got some things I’ve got to do. I’ll catch you later, okay?” I escape into the hallway, leaving the hulking hockey player behind.

I really do have to get some things done, so I wasn’t lying. I seriously hope he gets cleared to play soon, or he’s going to drive me crazy. There’s nothing worse than an athlete that can’t play the sport they love.