Page 22

Chloe

The next two weeks pass in a blur of games, work, and more work.

I manage to make my standing Sunday date with Grandma May two weeks in a row.

We lose four games and win two without Gunner.

The team is frustrated, Coach Seers is on edge, and Gunner is driving me insane.

I’m ready for him to get back out on the ice.

Because of his injury, they’ve kept him completely off the ice.

They want him to have the best chance possible to heal.

He’s kept up his workouts but nothing on the ice and nothing with his left arm or shoulder.

He’s brought lunch to my office every day that the team is here.

I’ve told him a hundred times not to, but he doesn't seem to be listening.

The door to my office opens, and Gunner walks in, carrying two boxes. Speaking of Gunner...“ Hey.” I don’t even bother telling him not to do it anymore; he keeps doing it. It used to make me nervous, but I’ve grown accustomed to his presence. Now, I just work through it. I tried making conversation one time; it was too painful to continue. So now, I just work. He seems to be content to just eat in silence. Sometimes, I wonder if he comes to eat in my office simply to get a break. He's with people twenty-four seven.

I know he loves what he does and loves his teammates, but I can imagine it gets to be a bit much.

“Thanks for the food.”

He nods and eats his own.

As usual, he stays quiet, and I continue working.

“The engagement picture proofs are done.”

I look up.

“Oh boy. Are they terrible?”

He slides his phone across my desk, and I pick it up and take a look at the first image.

It’s one of the first ones we did, the one with his uninjured arm around my waist.

I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t.

.

.

this .

There are only a few of them; I’m sure we’ll get the rest of them eventually.

When I get to the last one, I pause.

It’s the one of my hands over the back of his jersey.

You can’t even see either of our faces, and yet there’s something so intimate about the picture.

I quickly swipe to the next one; I don’t want to dwell on that one.

I swipe through a few of them again.

“You look really good, Gunner.” It’s not a lie.

The man knows how to wear a suit.

“Nobody will be looking at me when they see those photos.”

A corner of my mouth turns up, and I slide the phone back to him.

“Well, I’m glad they’re not terrible. As soon as you get the final ones, make sure you post them on your socials. I’ll post them as well. Hopefully, they will do what we need them to.”

“Are you free Sunday night?”

His question takes me by surprise.

“Why?”

He shrugs.

“Aiden and Brielle are hosting game night.”

“Who’s all going to be there?” I ask, but I already know the answer.

My stomach tightens.

“Sebastian and Stephanie, Aiden and Brielle, and Rico and Amber.”

I nod, unsurprised.

That’s exactly who I knew it would be.

“And you,” I add.

“And me.”

“They all know it’s just fake between us, don’t they?” At his nod, I continue.

“So, we don’t need to continue the charade with them. I don’t need to come.”

“I want you to.”

My eyes meet his.

“Why?”

He shrugs.

“I like your company. Besides, I’m tired of Sebastian and Stephanie always winning.”

“How come they always win?” I ask, curious.

“Because if it’s trivia, they always win because of her. She’s a teacher and always knows all the stuff none of the rest of us can remember. If it’s something athletic, they always win because Amber’s in and out with the baby, and Brielle...” He pauses.

“She’s really nice.”

I laugh out loud.

“But she doesn’t have a coordinated bone in her body,” I say so he doesn’t have to.

“It’s okay; the entire world knows Aiden’s wife doesn’t.” She showed the world the night she had to go out onto the ice for a school thing.

She ended up hitting Aiden with her stick in the groin, and it made national news.

She was the subject of a lot of memes for a long time.

I sit back in my chair.

“I’m game for winning some games.”

He gives me a slow, sexy smile.

“Good. I’ll pick you up at your place at seven.”

“I can drive.”

“Good to know. I’ll pick you up at seven.” I manage not to roll my eyes.

“Don’t forget to eat,” he says with a pointed look at my untouched box of food.

I wave him off.

“I will. Oh, and can you send me those pics? I’ll post something today. You need to too.”

“I will.” He’s gone without another word.

I get back to work and receive a text from him a short time later with the picture previews.

I pick just one to add to my socials.

I hover over my favorite one, the one of my hands over his back, right above his jersey.

I decide not to post that one; I’m not sure why.

I just know I don’t want to.

I choose one of the first ones where I stand in front of him, and he has his hand around my waist.

I don’t waste time overthinking it, reminding myself I’m doing this for his career and for the team.

When I remember that, it’s no hardship.

I post it without adding any text, but I do add some hashtags.

#engaged #myoneandonly #greenthunder #greenthundercouples

I check Gunner’s socials to make sure he posted one as well.

He picked the one with him close behind me, his arms wrapped around my middle, and me with my head turned, looking up at him.

The post only has two words.

My girl.

I stare at it and try not to feel that deep down, but it’s really hard not to.

I get off his socials and move over to the Green Thunder pages.

I repost my picture and give an official announcement of congratulations to the happy couple.

It’s weird writing it to myself, but the world doesn’t know that I’m the one writing these posts.

And it’s necessary for the team and for Gunner’s image.

I double check that everything is good, and then I post it.

A little while later, I make my rounds.

“Trent,” I call out as I walk into the medical area.

“What’s my update?” He gives me a quick update, and I write down the details for tomorrow night’s game.

“And Coftman?” I ask lastly.

He shakes his head.

“He’s not cleared to play yet.”

“Does he know that yet?” I ask.

“I just told him a few minutes ago.”

“How’d he take it?”

He gives me a look.

“How do you think?”

“Like a bear with a toothache.” I close my iPad.

“What do you think about his return to the ice.”

“I can’t say yet.”

I cross my arms, hugging my iPad to my chest.

“Try, Trent.”

He sighs.

“Maybe a week. Maybe,” he stresses.

“And that’s only if he continues to let it completely rest. But even then, we will only start physical therapy. It could be a lot longer.”

“But there’s a chance it could only be a week longer,” I push.

“Yes, but it’s a chance. A small one, Chloe.”

“I’ll take it. Make it happen, Trent. If anybody can, you can.”

He makes a sound.

“You better be glad I like you. I wouldn’t put up with this from anybody else.”

“You know you love me,” I call out over my shoulder as I walk towards the door.

“Don’t let your fiancé here you say that,” he says.

I laugh.

“It’s fine.”

“No, seriously.”

I turn around, taking in the serious look in his eyes.

“I know there’s nothing between us, Chloe, except that we’re good friends and co-workers. But your fiancé doesn’t seem to get that.”

I narrow my eyes.

“What did he say?”

He laughs humorlessly.

“He didn’t say anything. Does he ever?”

“What did he do, Trent?” I ask in a voice that’s not to be ignored.

He shakes his head.

“Don’t worry about it; I’m just giving you a heads up.”

“What did he do, Trent? Don’t make me ask again.”

“Bye, Chloe,” he says and disappears into the back room.

I head back to my office but make a mental note to track Gunner down later and find out what he did and give him a piece of my mind.

The rest of the day disappears, and I never track Gunner down.

When I finally finish for the night, it’s dark, and only security is here.

Gunner texted me hours ago that he had an interview to do, so he took off.

I mentally make a note to watch the interview and see if people are finally moving away from the whole Jenny thing.

My stomach growls on the way home, but I don’t stop.

I want to just get home; I’ll find something to eat at home.

The drive isn’t too bad going home since it’s well-past rush hour.

I listen to my audiobook and try to start unwinding from the day.

A million things for tomorrow night’s game crowd my mind, but I make myself focus on my book.

When I finally pull up in front of my condo, I park and release a big sigh.

I’m happy to be home.

I grab my bags and head to my front door.

Before I get there, a voice stops me.

“Excuse me.” I pause and turn at the sound of the female voice.

This a pretty good area and well-lit, but living by myself makes me wary of people I don’t know.

I take the woman in, but I can’t see her very well.

There’s a streetlamp a few houses down, but it doesn’t cast enough light where we’re standing.

Besides, the woman is wearing a ball cap pulled low over her eyes.

An uneasy feeling has me shifting my weight and taking a step backwards.

“Are you Chloe Liessman?” the woman asks.

She pulls her big coat around her, and I watch her carefully, checking to make sure I still have my phone in my hand.

“Who’s asking?” I neither confirm nor deny.

She laughs, but it’s anything but happy.

“Never mind. I know you’re her.”

I narrow my eyes on the woman, trying to figure out what she wants.

“Can I help you?” I ask in a voice that’s not exactly welcoming.

“Yes. Yes you can. You can stay away from Gunner Coftman.” Her words are fierce, but the shakiness to her voice betrays her.

My eyes drop to her stomach, the one she’s holding a coat around.

It’s hard to tell in the dark, but I would bet my life on the fact that she’s the one that’s made Gunner’s life a trainwreck the last few weeks.

“You’re Jenny Prenderson.”

“Listen,” she starts.

“Why are you here?” I cut her off.

She lifts her chin.

“I came to tell you to leave Gunner alone and make him do the right thing with Jenny and his baby.”

My smile feels brittle.

“You obviously don’t know Gunner that well if you think I can get him to do anything.” I’m ready to tell her to get off my property, but another plan comes to mind instead.

My smile grows, and I twist the ring on my finger.

“I’m so glad you showed up.”