Page 59 of The Closed Off Captain

I close the door quietly behind me and hold my laptop to my chest as I walk out into the living room. “I did. I’m getting on it right now.” He sighs, sounding tired. “Get some sleep, Coach. I’ll give you an update first thing tomorrow morning.”

“All right,” he says gruffly. “Thanks, Chloe.”

I answer the call that’s beeping in. “Hey, Stan,” I say without enthusiasm.

“Have you gotten to the bottom of this ridiculous story?”

I take a breath and stay calm. “It just aired; I’m working on it now.”

“It should have been dealt with before it ever aired, Chloe.”

I don’t say anything that will make him even more frustrated. “I’m working on it now. Like I told Coach Seers, I will update you first thing in the morning.”

“Fine. Meet in my office at ten.”

“I won’t be there in person; I’ll call in for it.”

“What do mean you won’t be there in person?”

I resist the urge to sigh. “I’m not going to be there in person; I’m almost four hours away, and I’m not planning on being back in town until late tomorrow night. But I will handle the situation, like I always do.” I feel the need to remind him of that fact.

“You’d better.” He hangs up, and I drop the phone next to me.

“What’s going on?”

I put a hand to my heart. “Coftman, you startled me.”

His eyes are focused intently on me. “What happened?”

I shake my head. “Something with Charlie Green, one of the refs who does our game. I’m looking up the full story now, but they’re trying to pull down the team with him.”

He pulls out his phone and settles next to me on the couch. It surprises me, but I keep working. I’m going to have to get to the bottom of this story before it really gets out, so I can have a handle on how we’re going to respond. “Can I do anything to help?” Gunner asks after a bit of silence.

I shake my head. “No, thanks though. You should get some sleep.” I put my headphones in, so I can really focus. And then I get to work. I lift my head sometime later and work out the kinks in my back. A glance beside me shows that Gunner’s asleep with his head against the back of the couch. I look at the clock on my computer and see that it’s after two in the morning. I look over at Gunner again and study him. It's not often that I get a chance to. He's wearing a t-shirt and a pair of dark pajama pants, and his feet are bare. It's weird to see him so relaxed and homey. I feel bad that he’s sleeping out here when he could be sleeping in bed, so I reach out and shake his arm. He wakes up and gives me a sleepy look. “Hey,” I say softly. “You should go to bed; it’s after two.”

“Did you get done what you need to?” His voice is low and raspy from sleep.

“Almost.” I nod towards the bedroom. “Go get some sleep.”

He frowns. “Are you almost done?”

“Yeah, I’ll be in soon.” That seems to satisfy him, and he stands to his feet. He stretches, and his shirt slides up, revealing his toned body. I glance down quickly.

“Night.”

I swallow. “Night.” I watch him go for a moment before turning back to my laptop. It’s good we’re not here long because this feels way too domesticated. Him asking when I’m coming to bed...it all feels like too much. I force thoughts of Gunner and his sexy, sleepy voice out of my head and get back to work. By the time three o-clock hits, I can’t keep my eyes open anymore. My head has been bobbing for the last forty-five minutes. I finallygive in and head to bed. After a yawn that feels like it’s going to crack my jaw, I push open the door to the room Gunner and I are sharing. He’s asleep, his soft breathing filling the room. I can see clearly from the light from the bathroom that he left on for me. I take off my sweatshirt and slip into the bed. I’m careful to stay to my side of the bed, but I'm too tired to worry much about it. I’m asleep almost instantly.

The next time I open my eyes, it’s obviously morning. I glance at Gunner’s side of the bed, but it’s empty. Wearily, I snag my phone and grimace. It’s almost nine. I hate that I feel both bad about sleeping in so late but also still exhausted after just a few hours of sleep. I drag myself out of bed. I’m going to need to find coffee; I have a phone call with Stan at ten. I throw my sweatshirt on over my pajamas and head out to the living room, hoping maybe I can find coffee. It’s quiet, and I head to the kitchen, grateful to find it empty. I’m not sure where everybody is, but if I can just find coffee, I have a hope of making it through my meeting at ten. My search for a coffee maker dies a sorrowful death when I come up emptyhanded. I hear the front door open, and I walk around the corner.

“Morning, Chloe,” Greyson says as he walks in the front door carrying a white bag.

Gunner walks in behind him, grinning at something; and my heart stutters in my chest. He looks so at ease and happy; it’s so different from how he normally is. He looks up, and his eyes lock with mine. I expect his smile to drop, but he surprises me. His smile deepens, and he walks towards me. “Hey, did you sleep well?” His voice is quiet, as if he doesn’t want anybody to hear our conversation.

“I’m sorry I slept in so late.”

“Not at all; you were up most the night. What time did you come to bed?”

His question is innocent, and yet it feels so not. It’s weird, like we’re a married couple. I look down before he can see my feelings written all over my face.

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