Page 24

Chloe

I watch Gunner walk away and feel my heart tug.

I hate it that he can’t play, but hopefully he’ll get cleared soon.

I post a few pictures while I wait for the team to come back out.

I make a mental note to take some more ibuprofen soon; my face is killing me.

It’s not long before the away team is introduced, and the hall behind me fills with Green Thunder players.

The same excitement fills me that always does at the start of a game.

The guys are announced, and they skate out.

Gunner doesn’t skate out with the team; he walks out with the coaching staff instead.

I finish with the shots I want and then make my way through the arena to my seat for the night.

I haven’t braved sitting with the wives again; that was a lot the first time.

Instead, I sit where I usually do—down close to the ice, close to the action.

I'm not into it as much tonight; I think it’s probably just exhaustion from the week and the pain in my face. I don’t let myself think about Gunner not playing being a reason; that’s not it at all.

I end up heading to the family and friends lounge to get some extra work done and keep the game on my phone, so I can keep up with the score. Sebastian scores in the first period, and Aiden in the second. The other team scores one in the third, but with two minutes left, we’re still ahead by one. I head back into the arena and wait in the hallway where the guys will make their exit. Rico holds them off, and we get the win. The guys are all smiles as they head off the ice. “Good game,” I call out to each of them as they pass. Sebastian gives me a grin, and I snap it for his fans. Gunner doesn’t say a word when he passes with the coaching staff. I follow the team and head back to the family and friends lounge where I left my bag. I lean against the wall and post to the Green Thunder social media accounts.

“Chloe.” I look up in surprise.

“Hey Trent, who are you here to work on?”

“Why didn’t you come see me about your face? What happened?”

I wave off his concern. “I took a hit from a psycho woman, but I’m fine.”

“It doesn’t look fine, Chloe; it looks terrible.”

“Thanks,” I say dryly.

“No seriously. Did you get it checked out?” He steps close and puts a hand on my jaw and tips it up.

“It’s fine, Trent.” I take a step back, right into something solid.

Trent looks behind me with a wariness in his eyes, and I don’t have to guess who’s behind me. A heavy hand lands on my waist. “Thanks for your concern, but I’ve got her.” The words are low and devoid of any emotions.

I turn to look at him, giving him my narrowed gaze. It doesn’t even faze him. “You ready to go?”

Only because I know Trent is watching, and who knows who else, I nod. I grab my bag off the table, but before I can put it on my shoulder, Gunner takes it from me. He puts his hand on my lower back, and I start towards the exit. “Bye, Trent,” I manage as we walk past him.

Only once we’re outside in the lit parking lot, do I talk. “Was that really necessary?” I don’t step away from him in case anybody is out here watching.

“He was touching your face.”

“He was looking at the injury on my face.”

“He shouldn’t have been touching you at all; you’re my fiancé.”

I come to a stop, causing him to stop as well. I turn to him. “You know I’m not really your fiancé, right?”

He scowls. “Yes, but he doesn’t know that.”

“He wasn’t doing anything, Coftman. He was just looking at my injury because he’s a physician.”

“Hey, Gunner. Chloe,” Rico announces his arrival. He looks between the two of us. “You guys good?” His tone is casual, but I notice his eyes are intense as they look between us.

“We’re fine,” Gunner grunts out.

Rico looks at me, like he’s making sure. I blow out a breath. “Yeah, Coftman is just forgetting that this whole thing isn’t real.”

Rico glances at Gunner and then back at me. “You guys coming to game night Sunday?”

The shift in conversation throws me for a moment, but I recover quickly. “Yes. What can I bring?”

“It’s Aiden and Bri’s turn to host, so you can check with Bri if you want. But we usually just all bring a snack of some sort.”

“And by a snack, you mean a buffet, right? I know how much you all eat,” I remind him.

Rico smiles easily. “Yeah, there’s always a lot of food. But seriously, just bring whatever.”

I take note that he seems to be alone. ”Did Amber not make it tonight?”

“No, Riley’s teething and miserable; so they didn’t come tonight.”

“Oh, sorry.” I don’t know what else to say; I don’t really know anything about babies.

He smiles. “She’ll be fine; she just needs to get these next few teeth in. Have a good night, you two.” He heads for his car, leaving Gunner and I alone. Well, not exactly alone since the rest of the team is starting to make their way out.

“Chloe,” Zac calls out from across the parking lot. “Make Cap show you how to hit back.”

I shake my head but return his wave. “All right. I’m heading home.”

“I don’t think you should go to your house.”

“We already had this conversation. See you tomorrow, Coftman.”

“I won’t be here.”

I turn back in surprise. “Don’t you have practice?”

He nods. “Yeah, but Coach said I could miss since I’m not on the ice anyway.”

“Oh. Well, what are you doing with your day off?”

“Driving to Chicago to catch my brother’s games this weekend.”

“That’s great. Greyson will be excited.”

He shrugs. “I didn’t tell him I was coming.”

I don’t know what to say to that. “Will you see your mom?”

His features relax a little. “Yeah. I’ll be staying with her.”

A wave of loneliness crashes over me, surprising me; and I take a step back. “That’s great. Have a good time. I’ll see you Sunday at game night.” I turn around and head to my car. After dropping my bag in the back seat, I look back and see that Gunner is still standing where I left him. Only when I start my car and pull out does he head to his truck. My audiobook keeps me company as I drive home, but I have a hard time following it. Eventually, I turn it off and just drive in silence. I pull up in front of my house, double checking to make sure nobody is waiting for me this time. I climb out of the car and get my bag but then still when I see headlights pulling up behind me. It takes me a moment to realize that it’s Gunner’s truck. I stride over to his truck, and he rolls down the window. “What are you doing here, Coftman?”

“Just making sure no crazy people show up here tonight.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “I told you I was fine.”

He meets my gaze. “I wanted you to stay at my house, but you refused. The least I can do is make sure my fiancé gets home and inside safely.”

I’m tired, my face hurts, and I’m so over all of this nonsense. “Fine,” I snap. “I’m home safe. You can leave now.”

His door opens, and he climbs down, once again towering over me. He doesn’t say a word; he just walks up to my door. With a huff, I follow him and unlock the door. “Here.”

“What?” I turn back to him and see two pills in his hand. I glance up at him in surprise.

“For the pain.”

I reach out and take the pills. “Thank you.” I sigh softly. “And thank you for making sure I got here safely.” He nods and without another word walks back to his truck. I head inside and lock the door behind me and then kick off my shoes as I make my way into the living room and drop onto the couch. I close my eyes and lean against the seat. The quietness of my home closes in around me, and I feel suddenly so alone and lost. I’m not used to feeling this way. “This is ridiculous. I am a successful woman, working for a one of the most successful teams in the AHL.” I say the words, but they’re lacking the power they usually do. I blame it on being tired and in pain. Once I take the pain pills, I head back to my room. I take my laptop but leave it on my desk. I’m too tired to face it tonight.

It only takes me a few minutes to get ready for bed. Once I’m there, I expect to fall right to sleep, but I don’t. Instead, I stare up at the ceiling and wonder if I’m destined to be single my entire life. It’s never really bothered me before. I’ve always been career driven, and I’ve never really been the kind of girl to dream about my wedding someday or plan how many kids I want. But lately, I’m feeling my singlehood more. I push those depressing thoughts from my mind and make a mental list of what I need to accomplish tomorrow night. My phone dings on the nightstand, and I frown as I pick it up.

Gunner- are you still up?

My frown deepens, wondering what’s wrong. He never texts me, especially this late at night.

Chloe- yes

My phone rings a moment later, startling me so much I nearly drop the phone. “Hello.”

“Chloe,” his deep voice rumbles through the phone. “I have a favor to ask of you.”

“Are you okay?” I ask quickly, sitting up.

“I’m fine.” My heart begins to slow. “I called my mom to tell her I’m coming to the games tomorrow and Saturday, and she asked if you were coming.”

He doesn’t say anything else. “Okay. Did you tell her no?”

“No.”

My eyebrows rise. “Um and why not?”

“If we’re trying to sell the fiancé thing, this would probably be the way to do it. I mean, if we were really engaged, you’d probably come with me for the weekend.”

“Not if I was working,” I feel the need to point out. He doesn’t say anything, and I close my eyes. “What time are you leaving?”

“At one tomorrow.” I think through what I have to get done. “I can drive, and you can work in the car.”

A lot of thoughts run through my head, but one of them is that this probably would indeed be a great time to take pictures of us with his family. That would really help his case on social media. I’m not in the mood to argue with him. “Fine. I’ll be ready at one.”

“Thanks, Chloe. I owe you one, and I’ll get you back in time to visit your grandma on Sunday.” He doesn’t say goodbye; he just hangs up. And just like that, my weekend is booked solid. I’m not sure what to think about that, so I don’t. Instead, I plug in my phone so it can charge and roll over and go to sleep.