Page 33

Chapt er 33

Chloe

Grandma May’s words stay with me even after we leave.

Gunner’s silent as we start the drive.

“Thanks for getting the soup for her,” I say after a little bit.

“I really appreciate it.” I ate a few bites of soup, just to appease Grandma May.

Gunner still managed to throw down a salad, even though we just ate a little while ago.

In the quiet, I think again of Grandma May’s words.

The right guy has seen who you really are and isn’t threatened by your strength.

Grandma May knows this isn’t real between us; so, I don’t understand why she’d say that.

I chance a glance at Gunner.

Unless, of course, she thought there really was something between us.

Or more accurately, that Gunner felt the same way about me as I do about him.

I’ve never said anything out loud, but I’m pretty sure Grandma May knows how I feel about him.

I mean I’ve brought him up enough times over the years that he has his own nickname between the two of us.

“Did you want to go straight to game night, or do you want me to take you home?”

Gunner’s question pulls me from my thoughts.

I glance at the clock.

“Oh, wow. I guess, just go right to game night? Does that work for you?”

“Yeah.”

“Is it okay if we stop at the store and grab food to take?”

He nods, and we settle into the quiet once again.

It’s not stressful, or awkward, or even uncomfortable.

.

.

even after the last few days together.

“You okay over there?” Gunner asks.

“You’re really quiet.”

“I’m just thinking,” I tell him honestly.

“You’re worried about her.”

It’s not a question, and I don’t pretend to not know who he’s talking about.

“Yeah.”

He glances at me.

“Chloe, if you need money—”

“No.” I cut him off.

With anybody else, I would feel mortified.

With Gunner, I just appreciate him offering, even though I would never take him up on it.

“Thanks, but I’ll figure it out.”

“Can I ask you a question?” he asks after a moment.

“Yeah, sure.”

“What happened to your parents?”

His question shouldn't really surprise me; it was bound to come up sometime. “My mom got pregnant with me when she was almost forty. She didn’t mean to. She lived on the streets, drugs...all that. She had me, gave me to her mom to raise, and went back to her life. She stayed clean while she carried me; so I owe her for that. She died before I turned three from an overdose. I don’t know who my dad is. I could probably try to find out, but I’ve never cared to. Anyway, my grandma passed away before I turned five. Grandma May and Grandpa Jack were friends and neighbors of my grandma. When she passed, they did what they needed to do, so that I could come live with them and not go into the system. They’re the best thing that ever happened to me; I owe them everything.”

“What happened to Grandpa Jim?” Gunner asks softly.

That one’s a harder one. “He died of a massive heart attack during my senior year of college. I never got to say goodbye.”

I feel a hand on my knee. “I’m sorry, Chloe. Tell me about him.”

I think of Grandpa Jim. “He was quiet and unassuming but strong at the same time. He was no pushover; that’s for sure. But he loved my Grandma May, and he loved me with all his heart. He always called me his girl.” I smile at the memory. “He played hockey, you know.”

He glances over at me. “Yeah?”

I smile to myself. “He played for the Green Thunder back in the sixties.”

Gunner shoots me a look. “No way.”

I nod, my smile staying in place. “Yeah. He played for them right out of high school.”

“How long did he play?”

“Only three years. A knee injury took him out of the game.”

“I can’t believe you never told me about him. That explains why you and Grandma May are both so passionate about the Green Thunder.”

“Yeah. I’ve watched footage of him playing hundreds of times.”

“That’s amazing.”

“It really is. Did you know they didn’t wear helmets back then? Can you imagine?”

He shudders. “No. You’ll have to show me footage; I’d love to see it.”

“That would be fun. All right. Enough about me. How about you? What's the story of your dad, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Not much to tell. He decided he wanted a different family. Left my mom with Greyson and I when we were young. My mom struggled as a single mom. She worked too hard but did the best she could.”

“She’s a great mom,” I agree.

“Yeah, she’s the best. She’s struggled with depression a lot over the years and still does at times.”

I think about what he’s not saying. “You had to help raise Greyson.” It’s not a question. When he doesn’t disagree, I know I’m right. Suddenly, so much clicks into place in my mind. Gunner working as hard as he does, leading the team as captain.

“My mom sacrificed so much when we were growing up. She worked more than she should have, and we never had enough of anything. Somehow, we got by. But now, I can help take care of her and give her what she should have always had—a home, a good car, food in the fridge.”

“I get it.” I look over at him. “You’re a good man, Gunner Coftman.”

“Wow. My first name, and we’re not even near my mother,” he says dryly.

“You earned it,” I say, patting his arm.

“We’re almost there. Want to stop here to grab food?”

“Yes. This is perfect. You stay in the car; I’ll run in and grab something for us.”

“I can come in,” he argues.

“Yeah, and then we’ll never get out of here. Just let me grab stuff; it will be faster this way. Anything in particular you want?”

“Whatever you grab is fine; I trust you.”

I turn to look at him, and he’s already looking at me. Something passes between us; I’m not even sure what it is. I nod and reach for the door handle. “I’ll be back soon.”

“I’ll watch for you and pick you up.”

“You don’t need to. I’m fine. I can just—”

“I’ll pick you up, Chloe.”

Realizing I’m not going to win, I open my door and climb down. Just as I’m about to close my door, he stops me. “Here.” I glance at his card.

“I’m good.”

“Take my card, Chloe.”

I shut the door and wave before heading inside. I grab a basket and move like a woman on a mission. Knowing the guys like I do, I first head to the fruit section and grab oranges and strawberries. Next, I grab beef jerky, cheese sticks, and a giant bag of trail mix. I ponder a moment, trying to think through what to bring for the women. “Chocolate,” I say out loud. I grab a bag of mixed chocolate candy bars and a large bag of sweet and salty kettle corn. I find the aisle with pickles and grab a large jar. On the way to checkout, I grab a bag of my favorite sweet chili Popcorners. I start to walk away and then walk back and grab one more bag in case everybody decides they like them as well. I make it to self-checkout and checkout in record time. True to his word, Gunner pulls up as soon as he sees me. He parks and runs around to my side to take the bags and put them in the back.

“Did you buy out the whole store?”

I put my hand on my hip. “Have you seen your teammates eat?”

“Good point. Thanks.” He opens my door for me and closes it once I’m safely inside.

Less than ten minutes later, we pull up in front of Aiden and Brielle’s house. I don’t wait for Gunner to come around but open my door, climb down, and start pulling out the bags. Gunner grabs most of them and starts towards the front door. “Hey, Coftman.” He turns to face me. “If it gets awkward, I’ll just get an Uber and head home.”

He frowns. “If you need to leave, I’ll take you. Why would it get awkward?”

I smirk. “You know me.”

His frown deepens. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I just mean that you know me. I’m not exactly warm and fuzzy, and I’m pretty sure your teammates wives all hate me.” I cock my head to the side, thinking. “Well, not Bri; but I don’t think it’s possible for her to dislike anybody. Anway, it doesn’t bother me; I just don’t want to make it a bad night for you. So if it’s rough, I’ll just scoot out. No worries.”

“Chloe,” he starts, but I cut him off.

“It doesn’t bother me. I’m fine with who I am; I just wanted to—"

Gunner steps close and cuts me off. “Chloe.”

“What?”

“I want you here tonight with me. Not because you’re my fake fiancé; I want you here because you’re you. If anybody has a problem with that, we’ll just leave.”

He makes it sound so simple, and maybe it is. I find myself agreeing. “Okay.” And we don’t say anything else about it. I take a quick accounting of vehicles on our way up the driveway and know we’re the last ones to arrive. We walk up the front steps and Gunner knocks on the door. “I’m glad you’re not warm and fuzzy,” he says in a low voice.

I look up at him. He towers over me since I’m not in heels. “Yeah?”

“Sounds like a caterpillar.”

His dry tone and words makes me laugh out loud, and that’s how Sebastian opens the door and finds me. “Hey, love birds, come on in.”

I step forward into the house. “You know it’s just fake, right?”

“Yep. Just like my fake dating was fake,” Seb says easily.

I roll my eyes. “Go away, Hart.” I walk past him and slip off my shoes.

“Hey, Chloe, Gunner.” Bri greets us with a smile. “I’m so glad you were able to make it.” She gives me a side hug, and I return it.

“Can you point me to the kitchen?” I ask.

“Sure. Follow me.”

I lift my bags onto the counter and begin pulling out ingredients. “We should invite Chloe more often. She brought all the good stuff,” Rico says, coming into the kitchen and snagging the entire bag of trail mix. “Thanks.”

Gunner drops off the other bags next to me and snatches the bag right out of his hands before handing it back to me. Rico just grins and leaves the kitchen with an orange instead. “Ooo. Chocolate,” Bri breathes and takes the bag almost reverently.

I pull out the jar of pickles and suddenly feel uncertain. “I grabbed these because they always say pregnant women want pickles, but if you don’t...”

She snatches the jar right out of my hands. “Oh my goodness! You are a life saver! I was going to send Aiden out to get some for me; I’ve been dying all day for a pickle.” She opens the jar with a pop and pulls one out and practically inhales it. She shuts her eyes, and I smirk.

“Should I let you have a moment with your pickles?”

She opens her eyes and laughs. “Possibly. These are so good. Thank you, Chloe. Seriously.”

“You’re welcome.” Once I’ve put all our snacks with all the other ones on the table, I stuff the plastic bags in one.

“Chloe,” Brielle says right before I leave the kitchen. “I’m glad you’re here. Give Stephanie and my sister a chance; they’ll come around.”

With those ominous words, I leave the comfort of the kitchen behind. Time to face the music.