Page 39 of The Closed Off Captain

We walk over to Olivia, and she turns to face us, beaming. She looks between the two of us with a smug expression on her face. Her lips turn into a slow grin. “I think she’ll do, Gunnie.”

I frown, and Gunner turns to me. “Chloe, meet my cousin. Olivia.”

I resist the urge to let my mouth fall open in shock. When I turn to her, she’s grinning like a Cheshire cat. “Sorry about all that, Chloe.” She shrugs, not looking even remotely sorry. “I just wanted to know if you were the real deal or after my cousin for his bank account and looks.”

“Liv,” Gunner says sharply.

I cross my arms across my chest and study Gunner’s cousin. She doesn’t look anything like him, but that’s not super surprising. Most of my cousins and I don’t look anything alike. I glance at Gunner with a question in my eye, but he gives me the slightest shake of his head. I get it; he doesn’t want her to know this is fake. I nod back, letting him know I understand. I’m really hoping this doesn’t come back to bite us. I have a feeling she’s not going to let us not get up close and personal for this photo shoot. At least she’ll stop trying to get Gunner out of his clothes, though...hopefully.

While she finishes getting set, I turn to Gunner. “How’s the shoulder?” He scowls, and I regret asking him. “Trent told you, you couldn’t play for a little bit, didn’t he?” He doesn’t look down at me.

“Yeah.”

“How long?”

“A few weeks.”

I take it in. All in all, it’s not terrible. It could be worse, but I’m sure he doesn’t feel that way right now. So, I stay quiet. After a moment of silence, I ask, “Shouldn’t you have it in a sling or something?”

“Trent told me I could keep it off for the pictures, and then I have to put it right back on.”

I mentally think through what this will mean for Gunner and for the team. I need to get out a press release about his return time and talk to Coach about what his plan for Gunner’s replacement is so I can share that as well. I run through my mind what games he’s going to miss.

“Thanks for not telling me it will all be okay.” I glance up at Gunner, confused. “Everybody keeps telling me it’s going to be fine.”

“It’s not fine,” I say in a huff. “The Green Thunder needs you. We’re going to lose every game without you playing and without your leadership on the ice. Scott is a terrible backup, and Aiden doesn’t trust him the way he trusts you. It’s going to be terrible.”

When he doesn’t say anything, I look up at him. He smirks. “At least nobody ever accused you of not being one hundred percent truthful.” A wistful expression crosses his face. “I can always count on you to tell me exactly how it is. Don’t ever change, Chloe.”

He leaves me staring after him as he starts up a conversation with Olivia. I’m still trying to figure out if that was a compliment or an insult.

Greyson walks into the room with a bag over his shoulder. “You leaving?” Gunner asks. Greyson nods. Gunner claps him on the shoulder. “I’ll be at your game next Saturday.”

Greyson nods, looking unsurprised. I wonder how many of Greyson’s games Gunner gets to.

“Are you any good?” I ask.

Greyson turns to look at me. “What?”

I shrug. “I want to come watch you play sometime but not if you’re terrible.”

His eyes widen like he can’t believe what I’m saying, but I’m totally serious. I don’t want to make the three-hour drive if he’s not even going to play. “I’m the lead scorer for our team,” he says, still looking like he can’t believe we’re having this conversation.

I nod, tucking away the information. “Good. Then I guess I’ll see if you live up to that.”

He looks over at Gunner and then back at me. I hear Gunner’s quiet chuckle, and I can’t stop the smile that creeps across my face. “You’ll find that Chloe is nothing but one hundred percent truthful, even if it hurts.”

Somehow, I don’t find Gunner’s words offensive. It’s the truth; it’s how I’ve made it this far in my career. Greyson looks back down at me. “Okay, future sis, I’ll show you.”

I’m still recovering from what he called me when he heads out the front door with a wave to all three of us. I can’t seem to shake Greyson’s endearment as we get ready to start the photo shoot. I mean, I know it’s not really going to happen, but that doesn’t keep a sense of longing for something that will never be from filling the emptiness inside.

Gunner snags my elbow, surprising me. “Hey,” his voice is low so only I can hear him. “Greyson told me you told him about us; just…” he pauses with a grimace. “Don’t tell my mom it’s not real. I already told him not to.”

Before I can ask him why not, Olivia walks over to us. “You are perfect for him.” Again, that sense of unease settles in my stomach. I look over at Gunner, hoping maybe he’ll say something, but he stays quiet. When my eyes meet his, he smiles; and my heart gallops in my chest as I quickly look away.Oh boy. This photoshoot is going to be hazardous to my health; I just know it.

“All right, Chloe, come right over here, and put your feet here and here.” I position myself exactly where she tells me to. “Gunner, you stand behind her and wrap your good arm around her waist. We’ll start nice and easy and work up to the fun photos.”

I take one glance at the smile on her face and know this is going to be terrible. Gunner steps up behind me. “Be careful of your shoulder,” I tell him just as he slides his arm around my waist.

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