Page 113 of The Closed Off Captain

“He got into a tiff with that guy before the game,” Amber fills in.

Stephanie looks to me. “He and Jason Knight, number eleven, had a run-in before the game,” I explain.

“What about?” Stephanie asks.

I shrug. “He’s been after me to join their organization as their PR agent, but I’m not leaving the Green Thunder as long as they’ll have me.”

Amber faces the ice and then grins at me. “But your boy is not having it.”

I laugh, in spite of myself. “Apparently not.”

Stephanie rubs her hands together. “This is going to be an even better game than I thought.”

“How’s Brielle?” I ask Amber, right before we start up again.

“Good, and my nephew is stinkin’ adorable.”

We settle in for the second period. Aiden wins the face-off and sends it to Sebastian, and we’re off. It’s only two minutes in when Gunner gets the puck from Zac at center ice and sends it sailing into the net. Their goalie tries for it but misses, and it’s a score. All five sticks are in the air as the guys circle and celebrate. I’m on my feet with everybody else in the stadium. Gunner's gotone of the best slap shots in the AHL, and it’s a thing of beauty when he scores with it. The celebration ends, and it’s time to get right back at it. Jason and Gunner tangle twice more but thankfully don’t fight.

We enter the third period still one to zero, but it doesn’t take long to change. Aiden goes out with a penalty, and they get a power play and Jason Knight scores their first goal. I blow out a breath of frustration as they face-off again. It’s a battle for the puck, and the hits are getting harder and harder. A few minutes later, we have all five of our team converging on the goal. It's a battle at the net, and Aiden gets it in the corner. They huddle up and celebrate. We’re hanging on to our lead, but they’ve had a few close calls. And then, it hits a boiling peak when Jason goes after Gunner with a brutal hit. Gunner spins on him and returns the hit. And then, they start circling. “Oh boy,” Amber shouts above the noise.

I fold my hands and place them under my chin and squeeze as I watch it play out. “Just let it go, Gunner,” I tell him. He doesn’t listen, and the gloves come off. They circle each other a moment later, and then Jason gives the first hit. He hits Gunner once and then twice, and I know Gunner let him. I wince at each hit. And then Gunner lets loose and starts wailing on Jason. I refuse to look away, and the refs break it up a little bit later. They both earn a penalty. Thunder fans cheer loudly for Gunner’s penalty, even though it’s longer than Jason’s.

The next two minutes are back and forth, and neither team really gets a break. Then Jason’s released from his penalty, and now it’s a power play for them. I rock nervously on the balls of my feet. They get a breakaway. Zac and Dylan are behind our net, and Aiden and Sebastian are still past center ice. Sebastian races him down, but he’s too far behind. He goes against Rico one on one. Rico keeps the first shot out, but their guy gets it in on the rebound. They huddle up and celebrate as the Thunderfans groan. I glance up at the clock. There are only three minutes left. Gunner’s penalty time runs out, and he races back into the game.

Gunner takes a slap shot from near center ice, but their goalie keeps it out of the net. Dylan gets a look after that, but it’s a miss. They get the puck to our end, but Rico keeps them out. He sends it to Gunner who sends it to Sebastian. Sebastian gets a one-on-one with their goalie, but their guy keeps it out. I look up at the clock.One minute. It’s back and forth, but the game ends in a tie. I blow out a breath; we’re headed to overtime.

“These games are so hard on my nerves,” Stephanie says as she stretches next to me.

“I know.”

“Why do they do this to us?” Amber asks with a groan.

Before we’re ready, it’s time to go again. Aiden takes his place for face-off. It will be Gunner, Sebastian, and Aiden along with Rico in the goal that will be the ones to bring this thing home. I watch as they take their places. The puck drops, and they’re off. Aiden wins face-off and sends it flying to Gunner who takes off towards the goal. He gets a good look, but it’s deflected. Their goalie sends it down the ice. I squeeze my hands together under my chin and hope and pray that Gunner doesn’t do anything to get a penalty, or Aiden. With a player out, it would be a power play for them. And with only two of our guys left to defend, it’s almost a certainty they would score. And in overtime during the regular season, the first team to score wins. “Come on,” I mutter under my breath with my eyes glued to the ice. They get a break-away, and Amber squeezes my arm as their player takes on Rico. Rico comes up with an incredible save, and the crowd goes wild. The time is ticking away, and I really don’t want to go to a shoot-out. The clock ticks under a minute. I bite my nail. “Come on.”

And then Aiden gets it on a breakaway. Sebastian and Gunner are right behind him. “Go, go, go!” The girls and I arescreaming, hanging on to each other’s arms. The three of them rush the goal and fight it out until it goes in. The horn blares, the lights flash, and the four of them huddle up. I smile and take a full breath finally.

“That’s how you do it!” Amber shouts.

Stephanie hugs me, and I laugh. “That was a great game.”

I nod in agreement. “Yes, it was. I’ve got to get down there for photos. See you!”

“Bye, Chloe.” Amber surprises me by giving me a hug. “Tell Rico not to take long.”

“I will.” I look back at Stephanie.

“I’d tell you to tell Seb the same thing, but it won’t do any good.”

I grin and wave and start pushing my way through the crowd, so I can get to where I need to be. I get down to the ice right as they start coming off the ice, all smiles. I hold up my phone and get a video that I’ll splice later. Gunner’s the last off the ice. He usually walks right past me, sometimes giving me a nod or a small smile. Tonight, he stops right in front of me. I lower the phone. “Good game, Big C.”

He grins and pulls me into his arms. “You’re all sweaty,” I shriek. But he lowers his head and kisses me. I forget about the sweat; I forget my name. All I know is that Gunner Coftman is kissing me, and I am here for it. A wolf whistle pierces through the fog his kiss created, and I pull back. His teammates surround us, cheering and whistling. I shake my head and smile wryly. Gunner smirks and gives me another quick kiss.

“I’ll see you in a few.”

The guys hound him as they start towards the locker room. “Garcia,” I call out. Rico turns back, still smiling. “Amber said not to take long.” His smile grows.

“I won’t.”

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