Page 35

Chapt er 35

Gunner

I’m in a foul mood the next morning.

I should have been in a good mood after the weekend.

And yet, I’m on edge and ready for a good workout on the ice.

Just before I open my door, my phone rings.

I grab it and answer it right away; I always do with my mom in case something is wrong.

I worry about her with her diabetes, but she always assures me she’s okay.

“Hi.”

“Hey, Love, how are you?”

“Fine. Is everything okay?”

"Yes. Why wouldn’t it be?”

I glance at the clock. “Because you’re calling me on a Monday morning, early.”

She laughs. “All right. Fine. I wanted to catch you before your day got going.”

I’m instantly alert, and I don’t tell her that I’m already at the facility for the day. “What’s wrong?”

She sighs. “Gunner, you worry too much. Nothing is wrong. I just wanted to check with you.”

“About what?”

“Is it too much to think that I just wanted to shoot the breeze and talk with you?”

I lean against my seat and force my eyes not to watch the clock. “What’s up?”

“I just wanted to say what a great time I had this weekend. Chloe is just the sweetest.”

“Are you sure we’re talking about the same Chloe?”

“Gunner,” she warns.

“I know. I’m just messing with you. She is nice.” She’s actually a lot nicer than people first assume, but I don’t tell her that. For some reason, I want to keep that to myself. There are parts of Chloe that I don’t feel like everybody gets to see, and I like knowing those parts of her.

“So, when were you going to tell me the truth about her?”

I go still. “What do you mean?”

“Oh, Son, do you really think I don’t know you that well? First off, the fact that you would have gotten engaged without telling me? How long did you think I was going to buy that story?” Before I get a chance to respond, she continues. “Besides your poor girl was obviously drowning in guilt. She tried at least two or three times to tell me the truth while she was here.”

“Really? I didn’t know that.”

“Yes. I just moved the conversation along each time. That’s not the only thing I’m upset about, though.”

I frown. “What else?”

“Why didn’t you tell me what Jenny was doing?”

I blow out a breath. “Because you don’t need to worry about it. I have it all under control.”

It’s quiet a moment. “Just like you always have everything under control, right, my boy?”

Her voice sounds sad, and my frown increases. “What are you talking about?” My words are a little harsher than I mean for them to be.

“Gunner, I love you so much. You've been so good to me over the years. But it’s time to live your own life now. I hate that you had to grow up so young; I hate that you’ve always felt like you had to take care of me and your brother. But we’re okay now. My diabetes is really well-managed, and I’m pretty healthy. And your brother is doing so well.”

“I know.”

“Do you, though?” she asks gently. “You just brought a woman to our home for the first time. Ever. And you told me she’s your fiancé, which we both know is a farce. But what’s not a farce is that you love that woman.”

I blink. “What?”

She chuckles softly. “Oh, Gunner. It was all over your face.”

My eyes widen. “Really?”

She sighs loudly. “Yes. Anybody that was anywhere near you could tell. Now, are you going to tell me I’m wrong; or are you going to do something about it?”

I stare out the window, as my mind races. “I don’t know.”

“Huh, so you’re not denying that you’ve fallen for Chloe?” I don’t answer out loud, and my silence is all my mom needs. “Then why don’t you just go after her? You’ve never been afraid to go after what you want.”

“It’s complicated.”

“Gunner, if you are not going after her because of me—"

“It’s not that,” I interrupt her. “I really messed up with her.”

My mother’s voice sharpens. “What did you do?”

I cringe and lean my head against the seat. “Four years ago, when Chloe took the position of PR agent for our team, she asked me out the first time she saw me. I turned her down flat.”

“Gunner,” my mom gasps. “You did not turn down that beautiful, amazing, talented, kind-hearted woman!”

“Tell me how you really feel about her, Mom,” I mutter. “Yeah, I did. It was my first season as captain, and I was locked in. I wasn’t dating anybody, and I didn’t know her at all. It was easy to turn her down at the time.”

“Oh, Gunner,” my mom empathizes.

“Yeah. She doesn’t even call me by my first name. Hasn’t in four years. I’ve kept my distance, obviously, but kept an eye on her. With this whole thing with Jenny, they wanted me to fake date someone and I didn’t want anybody but her to do it. I didn’t want to date another woman, even if it wasn’t real. I tried to get close to her, especially over this last year or so; but it’s nearly impossible.”

“Well, yeah, after you rejected her.”

I scowl. “I didn’t reject her.”

“That’s exactly what you did, and that’s painful for a woman.”

I palm the back of my neck. “I know I messed up.”

“Don’t snap at me; I’m not the one who blew the best thing that ever happened to him four years ago!”

Her words give me pause. “You like her.” It isn’t a question.

“Why do you sound so surprised? Of course, I like her. She’s amazing.”

“Yeah, she is; but so many people are intimidated by her. The wives don’t exactly get along with her.”

“She’s a strong, competent woman in a man’s world; of course, people are intimidated by her. But the right people will see past that and see the true Chloe, just like you have. Your friends’ wives will as well; just give them time.” I nod because I know it’s true; I already saw the process start last night. “What are her parents like?” I give her the quick version of her upbringing. “Oh, Sweetheart. Poor Chloe.”

“She’s good, Mom. She’s happy, and she loves them so much.”

“I’d love to meet Grandma May and thank her for raising such an amazing girl for my boy.”

“You’re getting ahead of yourself, Mom.”

“Am I?” she asks innocently.

“Mom.”

“Are you going to go after her?” she asks.

“I have been,” I say, trying not to sound frustrated.

“Does she know that?” she asks pointedly. She sighs loudly at my silence. “Honestly, Gunner. You are so good at hockey; how are you so bad at this?”

"Thanks, Mom,” I say dryly.

“No, seriously. Women don’t want to play games.”

“I don’t either.”

“Gunner, you turned her down flat.”

“That was four years ago,” I reiterate.

“Well, I can guarantee that to her it feels like it was yesterday.”

I take in her words and really think about what she’s saying. It’s my turn to sigh. “I’ve made a mess of all of this.”

“Yes, you have; but you can make it right. This whole fake fiancé thing is just making everything even worse. Every time you do something in light of pursuing a relationship with her, I’m sure she just sees it as part of the fake relationship. Do you need to continue it?”

Clarity settles deep inside at her words. “I’m going to meet up with Jenny and explain to her in no uncertain terms what will happen if she ever comes near either Chloe or me again, and then we can end this fake relationship, so we can pursue a real one.”

“Yes. Good. Will it be okay for you to talk to Jenny?”

“Chloe doesn’t want me to, but it needs to be done.”

“If Chloe doesn’t want you to, though,” she says hesitantly.

“It’s my mess, and I’m going to deal with it and end it. I’ll deal with whatever consequences come from it. I don’t have her number. Can you get it for me?”

“Of course. And Gunner, remember who you are. You’re the boy who decided at eight that he wanted to make a career of hockey, and you’ve gone after that. Use that same tenacity to win over Chloe.”

Determination fuels me. “I gotta go, Mom. Thanks for calling and talking. I love you.”

“I love you too, Gunner.”

I hang up and glance at the time. Any extra time I had is long gone; I’ll have to put it off until after practice. I grab my bag and head inside, determination in every stride. Talking with my mom really brought clarity to me. I can’t imagine that Chloe wouldn't know I was interested in her. It blows my mind, and yet, I get it. From her perspective, she would see everything I’m doing under the guise of our fake relationship. It’s time to change that and fast.

I shove open the door to the locker room and take in several of the guys that are goofing around. I push all thoughts of Chloe to the back of my mind for now. Right now, we need to focus on hockey. We’ve got three games this week, and it’s time to get ready for them. “Hey,” I bark out. “Stop goofing around and get ready for practice.” The room settles somewhat, and we prepare for practice.

Coach Seers is in a mood during practice, and we pay for it. But it feels good. “You good?” Aiden asks as he skates next to me. We’re heading off the ice and back to the locker room.

“Yeah. Why?”

He shrugs. “Just checking.”

“Yo, Cap, why are you in such a mood?” Seb asks as he skates over to join us. “I thought you’d be in a good mood today after last night.”

I ignore him, and we step off the ice and head towards our room. “Hey, Coftman.” I turn at the sound of my name and see Trent heading towards me. “Where’s Chloe today?”

I frown. “What do you mean?”

“She’s not here. Is she sick? I figured you would know.” He throws the words out, and they instantly annoy me. Not just because if she really was my fiancé, I would know; but also, because I hate that I don’t know where she is.

“Don’t worry about her.” My words aren’t exactly friendly, but I don’t really care.

He puts both hands up. “Okay. I was just checking. No need to get upset.”

I watch him go through narrowed eyes. “I don't like that guy.”

Sebastian lets out a loud laugh behind me. “You are so gone, Cap.”

I’m already on my phone, dialing Chloe. “Do you think she’s okay?” Rico asks. “She never misses work.”

That’s exactly what I’m concerned about. When she doesn’t answer, a bad feeling settles in my gut. I stride towards the locker room and take off my skates. I don’t take the time to change out of my practice clothes. “I’m going to check on her. Tell coach.”

They wave me on, and I jog through the building and out to my truck. I run through the events of last night and try to call her two more times. Each time she doesn’t answer, another bolt of worry slides down my spine. I push the speed to get there, hoping and praying that my girl’s okay.