Page 15 of The Closed Off Captain

Amber turns back to me. “Nope.”

“Oh.” I make a move to sit back down.

“Wait, you have to say now. You can’t just not tell us,” Amber complains.

Thankfully, the buzzer sounds for the second period to start. I point to the game as the noise starts up again. “Time for the second period.”

She shakes her head. “You’re evil!” she shouts above the noise.

I shake my head and point to my ears, even though I heard her just fine. The next period flies by with Aiden scoring again and Sebastian scoring as well. Rico keeps the net clear, and we’re headed into the third period with hopefully a shut-out and a perfect game for Rico. I manage to avoid conversation during the break, and we head into the third period. Gunner scores with two minutes left in the game, putting us up four to zero. I stand up after that score and start making my way to the end of the aisle. Bri turns sideways to let me through.

“It was good to see you,” she says in her sweet voice.

“You too.”

“I’m going to find out why you’re here,” Amber says as I pass her. I nod but keep moving.

“Chloe,” Stephanie acknowledges as I pass her.

“Stephanie,” I say in return. I crawl over a few more people and finally make it to the end of the row and begin to make my way through the building and down to the tunnel, so I can get a few last photos and videos of the games as the guys come off the ice. And then it will be time to head to the press room.

Chapter 8

Chloe

I smile and congratulate each of the guys as they come off the ice. They’re all riding the high off the win and complete shut-out. Gunner, per his usual, is the last one off the ice. I don’t even acknowledge him; I already made a mess of things earlier. I make sure I’m turned away, getting photos when he comes off the ice. I feel his presence, though, and realize there’s no way to avoid him, so I turn back to face him. “Good game, Coftman.”

He nods. “I’m going to announce it tonight.”

“Okay.” I remind myself that this is the only way. “I’ll be prepared.”

“Coftman,” Coach shouts. “Oh, Chloe.” He stalks towards the two of us.

“Good game, Coach.”

A pleased look crosses his face, not a smile of course. I’m pretty sure the hardened coach isn’t capable of it. “Have you dealt with this whole situation yet?” he asks.

I take a deep breath. “Yes. We have a plan going forward.”

He doesn’t even blink. “And that is...”

I glance at Gunner, but he says nothing. Frowning at him, I turn back to Coach Seers. “In my professional opinion, there’s no easy way out of this one. She’s made a pretty good case against him.” My words don’t surprise him at all. “So, we have a solution. Gunner needs to be dating somebody, like yesterday. Give him credibility; let the world focus on the girl heisdating, or in this case engaged to.”

“He’s going from not dating to engaged?”

“Well,” I begin. “He sort of stated that he was engaged during his interview yesterday.”

Coach levels a look at Gunner. To his credit, Gunner doesn’t even flinch. “So, now he needs a fiancé?” He shakes his head. “Haven’t we already done all this soap opera stuff with Brooks and Hart?”

I bite my tongue because I don’t want to be the one to tell him that we’re doing it again.Third time’s the charm and all that.Coach looks between the two of us before looking back at Gunner again. “Did she agree to it?”

My mouth tightens into a straight line, and I cross my arms across my chest. “You already knew.”

“There’s not much about my players I don’t know,” Coach responds. “For what it’s worth, I think it’s a good move.” He claps Gunner on the shoulder. “Make sure you get her a ring.”

“Oh, no,” but he’s gone before I can make my argument. I turn to Gunner. “You don’t need to—”

“What time are you free to go ring shopping tomorrow?” Gunner asks, looking down at me.

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