Page 25

Chapte r 25

Chloe

I’m busy at my desk working when somebody knocks and opens my door.

I look up at Gunner in surprise.

“Is it one already?” At his nod, I quickly finish what I’m working on and begin packing up.

I grab my purse, laptop bag, and overnight bag.

As soon as I walk around my desk, he steps towards me and takes my bags from me, leaving me with just my purse.

I almost don’t even notice; he does it so often.

“I just have to drop this off with Corey,” I tell him as we walk.

He nods and leads the way to Corey’s office.

“Hey Corey,” I say as I breeze inside his open door.

“Here’s that list for the auction.”

“Thanks, Chloe.”

We have multiple auctions throughout the season for all things Green Thunder—worn jerseys, pucks, sticks, skates, and more.

It’s crazy what fans will buy.

We make it to Gunner’s truck a few minutes later.

He puts my bag in the backseat, and I climb into the front seat.

I told security about my car being here for a little bit, so I don’t have to worry about that.

Gunner climbs into the front seat and hands me a white box.

“What’s this?”

“Lunch. Figured you probably didn’t stop to eat.”

“You figured right. Thanks, Coftman; you don’t have to keep doing this you know.”

“I know.”

I take a bite of the beef and veggies and sigh.

“That’s really good. Did you eat already?” He nods and starts the truck, leaving me to my lunch.

It doesn’t take us long to leave the stadium and get on the highway.

“How long of a drive is it, did you say?”

“A little under four hours.”

I glance at the clock.

“Good, we should beat rush traffic.” I finish eating my food and close the box.

“That was really good. Thank you.”

“I didn’t cook it.”

“I know, but you grabbed it for me.” I turn around and lean into the backseat to grab my laptop bag.

“Do you mind if I work?”

“No.”

I pull out my laptop and use my phone’s hotspot, so I can get internet.

Surprisingly, the time flies by, and before I know it, we’re entering the city limits of Chicago.

Knowing we’re not that far from the stadium, I close my laptop and put it away.

“We made good time.”

It takes about another half hour to get to the stadium and longer than that to get to a parking spot.

When we finally park, I climb down and stretch.

Gunner comes around the side of the truck, and I take in what he’s wearing for the first time.

“Chicago Frostbite, huh?”

He glances down at his t-shirt.

“Yeah.”

I glance down at my heels, black pencil skirt, blue blouse and black blazer.

“I didn’t even think about it. I’ll just stop by the gift shop and grab a shirt.”

“You don’t need to buy a shirt. You can wear one of mine; I have several.” He ducks into the backseat and pulls out a t-shirt a moment later.

“If that even fits me, I will shoot myself.”

He smirks at my comment and pushes it towards me.

“You want to wear it? Or do you want to go stand in line in the gift shop with a bunch of college kids?”

I frown.

That doesn’t sound appealing at all.

I put out my hand for the gray t-shirt.

“Hand it over.” I glance at his truck.

“There’s tinted windows; I’m just going to slip this on really quick.” I don’t wait for his response as I climb into the backseat.

I take off my blazer and blouse and slip the t-shirt on.

I fold my clothes and slip them inside my bag before climbing out of the truck.

I’m not a short woman, but Gunner’s t-shirt falls nearly to midthigh.

I smile.

“Good. It’s too big.” I grab a ponytail holder from my wrist; I always have one there for emergencies.

I gather the extra material together and slip the holder around it, twisting it several times.

One there’s a nice knot, I tuck it under.

“There. How does that look?”

Gunner’s eyes run over me, and I almost regret asking him.

“Good.” He doesn’t say anything else about it.

“All right, then. Let’s go watch some hockey.” I can’t help the pep in my step as we head towards the college arena.

It will be nice to watch the game without having to work.

He pulls his ball cap out of his back pocket and pulls it low over his eyes.

“You know that does nothing to disguise you, right?” I ask with a laugh.

“Even if people don’t know who exactly you are, you’re too big and tall and muscular to just slip into a crowd.”

He glances over at me.

“Muscular, huh?”

I roll my eyes and smack his bicep lightly.

“You know you’re made of muscle, Coftman. That’s why all the ladies love you, Big C.” He scowls, and I can’t stop my smile.

We wait in line and sure enough, it takes less than five minutes for somebody to recognize him.

People start to close in around us, and I get knocked to the side.

Suddenly, there’s a hand on my elbow, and Gunner pulls me next to him and wraps an arm around me.

He signals to somebody, and then security surrounds us and walks us inside.

The entire time, Gunner keeps me locked tight to his side.

I’m hyper-aware of it, but I try to act like it’s not a big deal.

I am supposed to be his fiancé, after all.

“Sorry about that, Mr. Coftman,” one of the security guards says.

“Thanks for getting us inside,” Gunner says as they lead us down a hall that’s practically empty.

I figure it’s a back way, so Gunner doesn’t get mobbed again.

They lead us almost all the way down to the ice and then leave us after asking if we need anything else.

Gunner sinks into his seat at the end of the row and pulls his hat even lower.

I sit next to him and take in the teams on the ice.

“You watch any college hockey?” Gunner asks.

“Not as much as I’d like to; I used to though.”

“Who was your team?” he asks, turning to look at me.

“Northern Michigan,” I say with a grin.

He frowns.

“Don’t tell my brother.”

I laugh.

“Yeah, I know.” I elbow him.

“Why do you think I agreed to come with you this weekend?” Greyson plays my old alma mater tonight.

The rivalry between Northern Michigan and Chicago for college hockey is no joke.

Two guys show up at the end of our row, and Gunner stands up to let them in.

I stand but just step back to let them pass.

The taller of the two ends up sitting next to me.

“Thanks,” he says with a smile.

“No problem.” I sit back down and search the ice for number thirty-three.

I did my homework on Greyson the other night.

He’s a junior and a defenseman.

“He didn’t follow in your path and become a winger?” I ask Gunner with a smirk.

“Nope.”

“Is your mom coming?” I ask.

“No, she wasn’t feeling well. She’s going to try to make tomorrow’s game.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

I think about his mom, recalling what I know about his family.

“Your mom has diabetes, right?”

“Yeah, and she has a few other health problems as well.” He doesn’t elaborate, and I let it go and turn my attention back to the ice.

A tap on my shoulder has me turning to the guy next to me.

“Hey,” he says with a smile.

“I’m Luis.” He puts out his hand, and it takes me an extra second to put my hand in his.

I rub mine inconspicuously on my leg after he shakes my hand.

I turn back to the ice.

“Hey,” he says again, and I turn to him a moment later.

“You didn’t tell me your name.”

I debate not telling him, but manners win in the end.

“Chloe.”

He grins.

“Chloe, it’s great to meet you.” I turn my head back to the ice, but he’s not done.

“You from the area, Chloe?”

“No.”

“Do you come to Frostbite games often?” Luis asks.

“No.” I keep my gaze straight ahead.

The lights dim, and I feel my heart begin to pick up speed.

I lean forward in my seat, excited for the start of the game.

They have a fantastic set-up, and I find myself smiling.

It takes me right back to my college days and hockey games.

When it finishes, the players line up for the puck drop; and I’m ready for it.

The puck drops, and they’re off.

I enjoy watching the Frostbite, especially Greyson.

They’re not as tight and flashy as my guys, but they’re good.

I lean close to Gunner after particularly good net coverage from Greyson.

“He’s good.”

Gunner nods but keeps his eyes on the game.

The center for the Frostbite scores after a great pass from Greyson, and I’m on my feet with everybody else.

“That was great!” Luis shouts near my ear, and I nod politely.

The first period ends with Greyson’s team up by one.

I stand up and stretch.

“That was a great first period.”

Gunner nods and then puts a hand on my waist, pushing me back gently.

“Excuse us, Chloe,” Luis says as he steps in front of us.

“We’ll be back.” He and his friend step around me, and Gunner steps out into the aisle to let them through.

Gunner steps back into our aisle.

“I’ll switch seats with you.” I look up at him in confusion.

“So that idiot doesn’t keep bothering you.”

“It’s fine. You don’t want to get stuck in here; you need an aisle seat. Your legs will thank me later.”

He looks into my eyes.

“You sure?”

I wave off his concern.

“Oh yeah.”

Luis and his friend don’t appear when the next period starts, and I breathe a sigh of relief.

But I do so too early.

Just a minute in, they show up.

Gunner stands up to let them in, and I step back so they can walk past us.

“Thanks, Chloe,” Luis says with a grin.

Gunner and I settle in our seats and turn our attention to the game.

“Do you have a favorite?” Luis asks loudly over the game.

“No,” I tell him without turning from the game.

Only a few minutes pass before he taps my shoulder again.

I make the mistake of looking Gunner’s direction for a moment to breathe out a breath of frustration.

Gunner stands up and motions for me to switch with him.

I debate for only a second; I really want to watch the game.

I step out, and Gunner steps in and sits in my seat.

I take the aisle seat and grin when Gunner leans forward in his seat, completely cutting off my view of Luis.

I get sucked back into the game quickly.

Northern Michigan scores, evening up the game.

The Frostbite get several looks at the goal but can’t put another one in before the period ends.

I stand and stretch during the intermission.

Thankfully, the guys stay in their seats this time, so we don’t have to move.

I turn to Gunner.

“What year is number seventy-five?” I ask.

“He’s a senior.”

I nod.

“I thought so. Do you know if he has plans to go pro?”

“Wouldn’t surprise me.”

I agree; the kid has talent.

We get ready to start the third period, and I lean forward in my seat.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is our honor to have a several special fans in the audience tonight.” I mostly ignore the announcement.

That is until they say, “...and from the Green Thunder, Gunner Coftman is in the house.” A roar of applause sounds, and Gunner stands to his feet and waves to the crowd.

I watch as the camera zooms in on him; I can see it in the jumbotron.

My stomach drops in dread when a heart appears on that same screen.

Almost in slow motion, I watch as Gunner stiffens beside me.

Then he reaches down and pulls me to my feet.

He wraps an arm around me and pulls me into his side.

But when the screen flashes with the word kiss, my stomach drops out completely.

He turns to me, his face blank of any emotion.

He wraps an arm around me and pulls me against him loosely.

He leans in, and my entire body stiffens.

“Sorry,” he says in a low voice, right before his lips touch mine in the lightest touch.

I’d say I didn’t feel it, but that would be a lie.

He turns back to the cheering crowd and waves again before sitting and tugging me down next to him.

I feel my face heat to a thousand degrees and scoot down in my chair, as if that can hide me from what just happened.

Gunner puts a hand on my knee and squeezes lightly.

“You good?” he asks without looking at me.

I nod, mostly because I can’t say anything.