Page 30 of The Closed Off Captain

“Uh, do you want to use the bathroom first or do you want me to?”

“You can if you want; I’m going to lay here a few more minutes.”

I don’t wait a moment longer. I slip out of bed, grab my bag, and make a beeline to the bathroom...all without looking at the male in bed. When I get to the bathroom, I go to work on getting ready for the day. It doesn’t take me long; I’m used to these road trips. Twenty minutes later, my hair is straightened and pulled back into a bun, my makeup is done, and I’m dressed in Gunner’s jersey, my black pencil skirt, and heels. When I open the bathroom door, he’s still in bed; so, I try to be quiet as I move around the room.

“Why were you sick during the night? Was it something you ate?”

His voice startles me mainly because I thought he was still asleep. “I think I got dairy somewhere. I get really sick like that if I get dairy. I’m sorry I kept you up.”

I keep my back to him as I pack my bag. “You told me the list of foods you can’t eat, but you didn’t tell me you could get so sick,” he says from much closer. I make the mistake of turning around.

Chapter 14

Chloe

I swallow. Hard. He’s in nothing but low slung black sweatpants. I’ve seen Gunner without his shirt on before. I’ve seen all the guys that way—hazard of the job. But I always specifically try to avoid being around Gunner when he’s not fully dressed. There’s a reason for that.This. This is that reason.I turn back around and try to keep a cool head.

“Chloe, look at me.”

“Do I have to?”

“Yes.”

I turn around and cross my arms across my chest. “What?”

“We have our own dieticians. How is it that you’re getting sick like that? Just tell them what you can and can’t have.”

I laugh. “That’s for the players. You know—the ones who make millions a year. I’m not one of them, in case you hadn’t noticed.”

“You work for the team. There’s no reason for you to get sick like that.” He runs a hand over his head. “I thought maybe you got a slight stomachache, not that you get severely sick and can’t stop throwing up. You need to tell them; you shouldn’t take this lightly.”

Anger starts to build. “I think I know how to take care of myself.”

“Do you? Because that’s not what I saw last night. If you won’t deal with it; I will.”

“Don’t threaten me, Coftman.”

“I’m not, and would you please call me by my name? This whole Coftman thing is getting old.”

I shake my head and grab my stuff and head towards the door. “Is this what I get to look forward to for the duration of this fake fiancé thing? You bossing me around?”

He crosses his arms across his chest and shrugs. “If you need it.”

Seething with anger, I grab my bags. “See you,Coftman.” I close the door behind me and make my way down the hallway to the elevator and to the same room we ate dinner in last night; the team will eat breakfast here this morning before we get on the road. I find a table in the corner of the room and get my laptop out, so I can get to work.

The coaching staff shows up just a few minutes later, and I move to their table so I can get the updated roster for tonight’s game and get it to the media. “Morning, Chloe,” Coach Seers says as he settles at the table.

“Morning, Coach.”

“Okay. Let’s do this.”

It doesn’t take long for me to get what I need, and I’m able to move back to my table. I’m busy working as the team starts making their way into the large room for breakfast or brunch really. I see a commotion out of the corner of my eye and look up to see Kyle and Owen, two of the rookies this year, going at it. It looks like Scott is getting in on it too. I glance around the room and notice the coaching staff is already gone. I have no problem telling them to cut it out, but if it comes to blows, I won’t be able to stop it. I see Rico and Aiden getting food; both of them have their backs to what’s going on. I’m just about ready to stand up whenhecomes in. Gunner strides into the room like he owns it. I try not to notice how he fills out the navy suit he’s wearing; but it’s impossible.

“Hey.” One word from him, and it stops. “It’s game day. Get your act together.”

“Sorry, Cap,” Owen mutters.

Gunner strides past them and over to the food line. “What’d you do to Cap?” Sebastian asks from right next to me, nearly startling me right out of my chair.

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