Page 47 of The Closed Off Captain

“Are you free Sunday night?”

His question takes me by surprise. “Why?”

He shrugs. “Aiden and Brielle are hosting game night.”

“Who’s all going to be there?” I ask, but I already know the answer. My stomach tightens.

“Sebastian and Stephanie, Aiden and Brielle, and Rico and Amber.”

I nod, unsurprised. That’s exactly who I knew it would be. “And you,” I add.

“And me.”

“They all know it’s just fake between us, don’t they?” At his nod, I continue. “So, we don’t need to continue the charade with them. I don’t need to come.”

“I want you to.”

My eyes meet his. “Why?”

He shrugs. “I like your company. Besides, I’m tired of Sebastian and Stephanie always winning.”

“How come they always win?” I ask, curious.

“Because if it’s trivia, they always win because of her. She’s a teacher and always knows all the stuff none of the rest of us can remember. If it’s something athletic, they always win because Amber’s in and out with the baby, and Brielle...” He pauses. “She’s really nice.”

I laugh out loud. “But she doesn’t have a coordinated bone in her body,” I say so he doesn’t have to. “It’s okay; the entire world knows Aiden’s wife doesn’t.” She showed the world the night she had to go out onto the ice for a school thing. She ended up hitting Aiden with her stick in the groin, and it made national news. She was the subject of a lot of memes for a long time. I sit back in my chair. “I’m game for winning some games.”

He gives me a slow, sexy smile. “Good. I’ll pick you up at your place at seven.”

“I can drive.”

“Good to know. I’ll pick you up at seven.” I manage not to roll my eyes. “Don’t forget to eat,” he says with a pointed look at my untouched box of food.

I wave him off. “I will. Oh, and can you send me those pics? I’ll post something today. You need to too.”

“I will.” He’s gone without another word.

I get back to work and receive a text from him a short time later with the picture previews. I pick just one to add to my socials. I hover over my favorite one, the one of my hands over his back, right above his jersey. I decide not to post that one; I’m not sure why. I just know I don’t want to. I choose one of the first ones where I stand in front of him, and he has his hand around my waist. I don’t waste time overthinking it, reminding myself I’m doing this for his career and for the team. When I remember that, it’s no hardship. I post it without adding any text, but I do add some hashtags. #engaged #myoneandonly #greenthunder #greenthundercouples

I check Gunner’s socials to make sure he posted one as well. He picked the one with him close behind me, his arms wrapped around my middle, and me with my head turned, looking up at him. The post only has two words.My girl.I stare at it and try not to feel that deep down, but it’s really hard not to. I get off his socials and move over to the Green Thunder pages. I repost my picture and give an official announcement of congratulations to the happy couple. It’s weird writing it to myself, but the world doesn’t know that I’m the one writing these posts. And it’s necessary for the team and for Gunner’s image. I double check that everything is good, and then I post it.

A little while later, I make my rounds. “Trent,” I call out as I walk into the medical area. “What’s my update?” He gives me a quick update, and I write down the details for tomorrow night’s game.

“And Coftman?” I ask lastly.

He shakes his head. “He’s not cleared to play yet.”

“Does he know that yet?” I ask.

“I just told him a few minutes ago.”

“How’d he take it?”

He gives me a look. “How do you think?”

“Like a bear with a toothache.” I close my iPad. “What do you think about his return to the ice.”

“I can’t say yet.”

---