Page 11 of The Closed Off Captain

He nods at the door. “Not here.” I walk out into the hallway, and he follows me. I keep an eye out for the director, but I don’t see him anywhere as we walk through the building and out to the parking lot.

“I’m so sorry they backed you into a corner like that. I’m going to reach out to the director again and let him know just what I think of that little stunt they pulled after I specifically told them you wouldn’t be talking about her.” I open up my iPad to begin to do just that when my phone rings. I frown when I see it’s Stan and put it up to my ear.

“What the—” I pull the phone away from my ear for a moment as he lets a few expletives fly. “Was that?”

Chapter 6

Gunner

My phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and turn the ringer back on. A quick glance shows a text from Sebastian. I don’t bother to read it. I’ll check it as soon as I finish with Chloe. Speaking of...I watch her as she talks to whoever it is that’s reaming her out. I frown, wondering what the deal is. My phone dings again, but I ignore it. When it dings twice more, I finally pull it from my pocket.

Sebastain-Dude, what was that? You’re engaged? Since when?!

Rico- So I guess congratulations are in order. When do we get to meet the lucky lady?

I mentally cringe when I see the one from my mom. I forgot she would be watching. She watches every one of my interviews, every game, anything that I’m involved in.

Mom-Gunner Michael! We are going to be having words! You’d better get over here soon and tell your mother what exactly is going on!

Zac- Did I miss something?

Aiden- just a heads-up. Stan’s on the warpath. Might want to make sure you know what you’re doing before you get back here.

Sebastian- Chloe? You finally went for it?

I stare at his words in confusion.What is he talking about?

Rico-laughing emoji

Rico-crying emoji

Aiden-might want to watch the replay of your interview

Aiden- at the end

Chloe's still on the phone, so I quickly pull up SportsStop and find my interview. I fast forward it to the end. I turn away from Chloe and watch as I stand up from the table and walk away. I frown in confusion. That was the end of it. Did I miss something?

“Well, that was fun,” Chloe says, coming up behind me. I turn back to her, as she blows out a breath of frustration.

“Who was that?” I can’t help but ask because I could clearly hear somebody yelling at her.

“Stan,” she says flatly.

“Why was he mad?”

“Oh, he was just reaming me out for everything that went wrong in that interview.”

I frown. “I’m the one who did the interview.”

“Yes. I know. Anyway, I have to head back to my office. I’ll see you tomorrow for the game, okay?”

“Yeah.” I look down at my phone again.

“What are you frowning at?” she asks, coming closer.

“The guys are all blowing up my phone. Aiden told me to watch the end of the interview.”

“Why?” she asks.

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