Page 45 of The Closed Off Captain

“Chloe.”

I turn back at the sound of Gunner’s voice. He gives me a look, and I’m not sure what it means. He’s not sitting on the table yet, but Trent is waiting for him. He walks over to me with a determined look in his eyes. “Yes?” I ask in confusion.

He puts a hand on my waist, and my eyes meet his in surprise. Then he shocks me by lowering his head. I think for a moment he’s going to kiss me, and all the oxygen leaves my lips. He places the softest kiss at the corner of my lips, so soft I barely feel it. I resist the urge to put my fingers where his lips just were. My heart gallops, and I stare up at him, totally unsureabout what’s going on. “I’ll see you later.” Then he turns and walks back to the table. My eyes meet Trent’s for just a second, and I see a look there that I don’t know what to do about. He almost looks...hurt. I spin around and stride right out of the room. I have no idea what that was, but I didn’t like that look on Trent’s face. I think about it all the way back to my desk. We only went out that one time, and surely he knows I’m engaged to Gunner now, not that it’s for real. Buthedoesn’t know that. I feel a little sick to my stomach. With a sigh, I open my laptop and get back to work. I work until there‘s about thirty minutes left of practice and then grab my phone and make my way to practice to get some videos and photos. I step into the empty box that the away teams use during a game. It’s the best way to get clear shots without the plexiglass in between. I’m busy taking photos and videos when I feel a presence next to me. I finish recording Rico’s save and turn to the bench, not surprised to see Gunner sitting there. Somehow, I knew it was him. There’s just a presence he has that alerts me every time he enters a room I’m in. “What’s up?” I ask and take another picture. I frown at it and erase it. It’s so hard to get good shots in hockey because the players are moving so fast. I finally get a good one of Dylan and know I can use it.

“I brought you Trent’s report.”

I turn and glance down at the paper he’s holding. “I thought Trent was bringing that by my office later.” I get a good photo of Sebastian scoring.

“I brought it for him.”

“Is Zac's injury update on there too?” I ask without looking at him.

“Yes.”

I take a few more photos and then turn to him. I’m surprised to see him watching me, not his teammates on the ice. “What is it?”

“How long did you and Trent date?”

His question takes me by complete surprise. “How did you know we dated?”

He pulls the sling further down his arm. “I wasn’t sure until just now.”

“We only went out one time.”

“How many times has he asked you to go out?”

I turn to him. “What is this? Twenty questions. Trent and I went out once. I told him it wasn’t going to work between us, and that was it.”

“He’s not over you.” His voice is low and unhappy.

I frown, thinking about the look I’d seen on his face. “I’ll talk to him. I thought he knew there was nothing between us, but—” I shake my head. “I’ll talk to him and make sure he knows. It won’t be a problem for our fake engagement, if that’s what you’re worried about.” I turn my focus back on the team and take a few more photos. “How’s the pain level today?”

“It’s fine.”

I shake my head. It’s such a Gunner response. I look at the sheet of paper in my hand. “Two weeks?” I look down at him, and he nods. “Wow. That’s...really great.”

“You don’t agree,” he says quietly.

“I want you back on the ice, Gunner, as soon as possible, along with every other Green Thunder fan and staff member. But I want it to happen when you’re completely healed.”

“I will be.”

“Okay.” I let it drop because I’m not the one to make the call. The medic staff will, and I trust them to make the right one. I finish and turn around. Since he’s still sitting there, I address him. “I’m heading back to my office.”

“Have you eaten yet today?” he asks suddenly.

“No.”

“Me neither.” He stands up. “Come on. Let’s go get something to eat.”

I frown in confusion. “Don’t you have to be here for practice?”

“Coach is about to call it,” he says, nodding at the ice.

I study him for a second, trying to figure out what’s going on. “Okay. Sure.” I start out of the box, and he follows me. I start towards my office, but he stops me.

“This way.”

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