Page 48

Chloe

“For real this time?” Mrs.

Coftman asks.

Gunner turns to face his mom and puts his hand on my back.

“For real.”

“Took him long enough,” I mutter; I can’t help it.

His mom beams at the two of us.

“Be careful. The next thing you know, she’ll be asking for grandchildren,” Gunner says against my ear.

I elbow him lightly in the ribs, making him chuckle.

Greyson crosses his arms and looks back and forth between the two of us, shaking his head slowly.

“I never thought I’d see the day.” He punches Gunner in the stomach.

“You have totally fallen.”

Gunner knocks his cap off his head.

“Boys,” Mrs.

Coftman says.

“Why are you here?” Gunner asks.

“What he means is, we’re so glad you stopped in. Right?” I glance up at Gunner.

“Sure,” he says dryly.

“I’m participating in a trial for a drug they’re testing for type two diabetes. We figured we’d just stop in. Of course, if you would ever tell me anything, I would have realized you had overnight company.”

“Oh, no; that’s not...” I look up at Gunner.

“I mean, we were up late into the night—”

“That’s okay, Chloe. We don’t need details; we get the gist of it.” I could die of mortification right here on the spot.

I turn to Gunner with wide eyes, but he’s trying not to laugh.

I decide right then and there that I'm going to murder him and bury his body in the backyard.

“Anyway, we have to go, so we’re not late,” she continues.

Gunner turns serious. “Do you need me to do anything?”

“I’ve got it,” Greyson says as they walk towards the front door. “You enjoy your day. Get some sleep, since you didn’t get much last night.”

“Seriously!” I throw my hands up, and Greyson laughs and ducks out the door.

Mrs. Coftman hugs me tightly. “I’m so looking forward to another woman in the family. Finally.”

Gunner’s hand runs up and down my spine. “Mom, let Chloe go.”

She pulls back and wipes her eyes. “I’m just so happy.”

I look at Gunner in alarm, but he doesn’t seem to be worried about his mother’s tears. “See ya, Sis,” Greyson calls out as he bounds down the steps.

We wave and watch them go. Gunner steps behind me and puts an arm around my waist and pulls me back against his chest. “Can I just say how good it feels to finally be able to do this?”

I smile at his words. “Is your mom okay?”

“She’s a hugger and a crier. You get used to it after a while.”

I’m not sure how long we stay that way. Eventually, we head back inside and go about our day. Gunner exercises, and I make eggs and turkey bacon for him and grab a coconut milk yogurt from his refrigerator and top it with a few banana slices and some strawberries for me. The rest of the day is peaceful and passes quicker than I would like. I stay busy working, while Gunner watches game footage. We order in for dinner and talk for a while before we both get back to work. Honestly, I can’t remember a more peaceful day.

I finally shut my laptop around ten. “I’ve got to go to bed,” I say around a yawn.

He stands up and puts out a hand to me and pulls me to my feet. “What’s tomorrow look like for you?” I ask as we head toward the back rooms.

“I was going to go with you to Grandma May’s if that’s good with you,” he says with a glance down at me.

“She would love that.” I lean my head on his arm as we walk. A huge yawn escapes me, and he chuckles.

“Get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.” He gives me a chaste kiss, and I slip into my room, thinking that Gunner is just about perfect.

Sunday passes in the blink of an eye, and so do the next two weeks. Gunner helped me pack most of my stuff and move it to his house. I left all the furniture and pretty much everything that wasn’t clothing, personal items, or cosmetics. I turned over the reins of my house to a realtor, who is in the process of selling my house. I haven't had a chance to look at anything yet, but Gunner keeps telling me not to worry about it.

As soon as my schedule is free, my realtor tells me she’ll take me to look at some houses.

Today is game day.

I’m busy typing away when Gunner walks into my office.

“Hey, I’m just finishing up,” I tell him as I finish the draft I’m working on.

When I finish, I close my laptop and stand up.

“Hey.”

“Hey.” He puts a box of food on my desk and doesn’t waste a moment before pulling me into his arms.

I lean against the wall of muscle and try not to lose my mind that Gunner is hugging me.

I never thought I’d see the day.

“How’s your day going?” he rumbles against my ear.

“Busy. How’s yours going?”

“Same. I just have a few minutes, and then I have to go. But can you do a working lunch? I wanted you to do a favor for me.” I find myself getting lost in his eyes.

“Sure. What’s up?”

He puts out his hand.

“Come with me.”

He surprises me by taking me to the medical room.

I look up at him in confusion.

“Chloe, good you’re here,” Trent says.

“Kim’s ready to take your blood.”

I frown in confusion.

“What?”

Gunner tugs on my hand and turns me towards him.

“I asked them to do some bloodwork just to make sure everything looks normal.” His eyes soften.

“Only if you agree to it; I won’t make you. But I thought maybe just lining it up and getting it done would be easier than trying to go to a doctor to get a script and all that.”

I stare up at him.

“Does it really matter to you that much?”

He stares into my eyes.

“I hate that you’re sick a lot. I just want to make sure nothing else is wrong.”

“Okay,” I say simply.

“You’ll do it?” he questions.

I give him a small smile.

“If it will help you sleep better at night, yes.”

He squeezes my hand.

“It will.”

I walk over to where Kim is set up.

“Sit right here, Chloe. This will be over in a jiffy.” She preps everything and starts the blood draw.

I look over at Gunner, but he’s got his back to me.

Kim gets the blood she needs.

“Okay, Coftman. She’s done.”

He turns back to me, and I look between him and Kim as realization dawns.

“Coftman, are you okay?” There’s humor in my voice.

“Thanks, Kim.”

“Of course, Chloe. It should only take us twenty-four to forty-eight hours for results.”

I stand up and walk over to Gunner.

“Is it the blood or the needle?” I ask softly.

He makes a face.

“Both.”

I can’t help but smile.

“Come on, Big Guy. Let’s get out of here.” We head back to my office.

“Eat while you have a chance.”

I sit back down at my desk just as my cell rings.

A quick glance shows it’s Stan.

“I’ve got to take this; it’s Stan.” He nods and starts eating.

“Hey Stan, what can I do for you?’

The call takes longer than I was expecting. Gunner finishes and gives me a kiss on the forehead before heading back to his day. I don’t get a chance to really lift my head until late afternoon. I'm so behind from not being here. I push away from my desk and stretch. “I need to move.” I grab my iPad and start walking towards the media room to see that everything is in place for tonight. Before I get there, I stop in the medical area to get an update on a few injuries for tonight. “Hey, Rebecca.”

Rebecca turns to me. “Hey, Chloe, are you here for an update?”

“I am.”

“I’ll grab Trent.”

Trent appears a moment later. “Hey, Chloe. Did that guy find you?”

“What guy?”

“One of the players from the other team was just here, looking for you?”

I frown in confusion. “Why would a player from another team be looking for me?”

Trent shrugs and grins. “You’re just that popular.”

“Right. Anyway, do you have my injury update? I needed to walk, so I figured I’d just get it in person.” He gives me what I need, and I’m on my way a few minutes later and nearly run into a wall of muscle in the hallway.

“Chloe Liessman, hey, just who I was looking for. “

I take a step back and take in the player before me. Jason Knight, center for Indianapolis, and the guy who offered me a job. “How are you?”

“I’m good, but I’d be even better if you told me you decided to come work for us.”

I give him my professional smile, the one I’ve honed over the years. “I’m really happy working here but thank you for the offer. If I know of anybody looking for that position, I’ll let you know.”

He steps closer, and I fight the urge to step back. “We don’t want another PR agent; we want you, Chloe.”

“I really appreciate that, but—”

“It’s a really good offer. Did you look at it?”

I take a breath. “I did, but I’m really not interested.”

“Chloe.”

I turn at the sound of that voice and see Gunner and Aiden walking towards us, both scowling. Gunner walks right over to me and puts his arm around me casually; only, there’s nothing casual to the tightness in his body. “Are you still trying to get my girl to come work for your team?” His words are light, but there’s no missing the threat beneath them.

“Thought she wasn’t your girl anymore,” Jason responds easily, leaning against the wall as if he doesn’t have a care in the world.

“You thought wrong.” Gunner’s reply is low and slow.

“Hmmm. We’ll see. Well, I have a game to get to. See you boys out on the ice.”

Gunner’s hand tightens on my waist for a moment. “You good?” He’s still watching Jason walk away.

“I’m fine, Big C; nothing I couldn’t handle.” I pat his chest and glance around his shoulder to see Aiden walking away.

He spins me around and pulls me into his arms. “I know, but I still don’t like him.”

I run my hands over his chest. “Honestly, me neither.” I look up into his eyes. “You ready for your game tonight?”

“Yeah.”

“Coftman, let’s go,” somebody calls out from behind us.

“That’s my cue.” He kisses me lightly on the lips. “I’ll see you later.”

“Good luck on your game, and by good luck, I mean destroy them.”

His mouth curves into a deliciously sexy grin. “Yes, Ma’am.” I watch him go and wonder, not for the first time, how this man is interested in me. The rest of the afternoon passes in a blur, and it’s suddenly game time. My heart swells with pride for these guys, as it does every time before a game. The music starts, and the stadium rumbles with the sound. I watch as the lights begin and the images on the jumbotron slide across the ice. Pride for our team, our city, our history rolls over me as it does every single time I watch this. The crowd starts their chant as soon as the video is over.

“Let’s go Thunder, Let’s go.”

Teddy, our beloved announcer, announces all the Green Thunder staff, ending with the coaches. And then the lightning starts to flash, and the Green Thunder fans rattle the seats for the thunder, the tradition for every Green Thunder game. Teddy calls out each of our guys, and they skate out to the middle. Gunner is second to last; only Rico goes after him. He stands next to me as he waits his turn to skate out. He doesn’t acknowledge me in any way, as he is locked in and focused. I don’t say anything to him, so I don’t throw off his concentration. The crowd cheers for him as he skates to the middle. Rico is the last to skate out, and then it’s time for face-off. They all take their places, and I get my phone ready because it’s game time. After a few videos and still shots, I head back down the hallway and towards the stands. It’s been weeks since I’ve been able to sit and actually watch one of our games. I’ve worked during the home games and haven’t been to any away games for the last month. I’m eager to watch a good game of hockey, and I know the guys are going to provide it tonight. They’re having their best season ever. It’s still early, but a lot of sports authorities are saying they’ll go all the way. I certainly hope so.

I make my way through the boisterous crowd and find Sebastian’s family’s row. I haven’t sat with them for a while, but I feel good about it tonight. Everybody welcomes me with warm smiles and hugs as I make my way through the row. I finally land in a seat between Amber and another fan. “Hey,” Amber says with a quick side hug.

I settle back in my chair, ready to enjoy this game. I know right away it’s going to be a good one. Rico has an amazing save, and the crowd roars its approval. We get a few good looks at the goal but haven’t scored yet. We’re not even five minutes into the first period when Gunner takes Jason Knight into the boards. I grip the arm rests of my seat and watch it playout, hoping Gunner will back off and just let him be. But when they tangle again a few minutes later, I know that’s not going to happen.