Page 23 of The Closed Off Captain

I shake my head. “There is no wedding.”

“Where’s the ring? If you like it, you gotta put a ring on it.”

I turn around and face Gunner. “Okay. Time to go.” Gunner’s wearing his sexy smirk that makes my heart squeeze. “Bye, Grandma May.” I shut her door most of the way but keep it open a crack, so I can peek in on her. I head over to the kitchen and check her cabinets and fridge and make a quick list on my phone for what I need to grab. I peek in one last time, and she’s already asleep.Good.Gunner waits for me at the door.

“You ready?”

He opens the door for me, and we head out into the hallway and back the way we came. “I’m sorry about all that. I would claim temporary insanity, but she’s always like that.”

He glances down at me. “She’s great.”

I smile. “Yeah. She is.” I keep my phone out and work on my list. Gunner opens the door to his truck for me, and I climb in. “Thanks.”

“Where to?” he asks once he climbs in.

I look up from my phone. “What?”

He nods at my phone. “Where do you need to go to get that stuff?”

“Oh, if you can just take me home, that would be great. I’ll take care of this.”

He looks over at me, one hand on the wheel; but we haven’t pulled out yet. “Let’s just get it done while we’re here; it will save you the trip coming back later.”

“I don’t want to put you out; I can just—”

“You’re not putting me out.” He starts backing out. “Where to?”

I realize I’m not going to win. “Walmart.” He nods and starts driving. “Thank you.” I pull it up on my app. “Do you need directions?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay. Left at the light.”

We arrive less than ten minutes later. “I’ll be fast.” I climb down and close my door behind me. I walk towards the entrance and am shocked when he falls into step next to me. “You don’t have to go in,” I tell him. He’s got his black hat pulled low over his eyes again.

“I have to grab a few things.”

I laugh. “Like you shop at Walmart.”

“I do.”

“You shop at Walmart?” I ask, raising my eyebrows. He doesn’t answer me, and I veer over to the shopping carts. “Want to just meet up front in like twenty minutes? Will that give you enough time to do all your shopping?” I ask with a smirk.

He picks up a basket and leaves me. I work through my list and start making my way toward the front. It’s when I get nearly to the front that I take in the group of people gathered. My stomach plummets, and I instantly redirect that way. Even in the midst of a large group of people, Gunner stands heads and shoulders above everybody else. I take in the strained expression and stiffness in his shoulders. Gunner has never been super great with the public. I’ve worked at it over the years with him, but he is just really uncomfortable around people, especially a large group. I leave my cart and push through the crowd until I get to him. He’s signing something for a woman in front of him, but there are lots more people shoving stuff at him. If we’re not careful, this could get out of hand fast. “Okay, everybody. That’s all for now.” There’s a collective groan, but I don’t care. “Come see him on the ice at a Green Thunder game soon; he won’t disappoint.” Most of the crowd starts to dissipate, but there are always a few who think they’re above the rules. Two guys approach Gunner, who’s quiet beside me.

“Hey, Man,” one of them says. “Can you just sign this real quick for my girl?”

“No, he can’t,” I say. “Come to the next signing event, and he’ll be happy to sign anything for you.” My words pour off my tongue, well-practiced over the years.

The guy turns his attention away from Gunner and to me for the first time. “And who made you his boss?”

“I’m actually the PR agent for the team,” I tell him with authority in my voice.

His other buddy steps up next to him. “I’m pretty sure it’s not on you to decide if he wants to sign something or not.”

“Actually, it is.” I hate guys like this that won’t just let it go.

He puts his hand out. I’m not sure exactly what it is he’s going to do, but I refuse to step back. “You touch her, and we’re going to have a problem.” I tense at Gunner’s words and eye the men, even as Gunner moves his shoulder in front of mine. I tap on his arm, but he ignores me. “Move on.”

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