Page 63 of The Closed Off Captain

“I did. I had a delicious bagel sandwich. How about you all?” she calls out from the kitchen.

Gunner drops his hand from my waist but doesn’t move towards the kitchen. “Same. We grabbed bagel sandwiches and coffee,” he calls over his shoulder before gazing down at me. “I’m not just saying that, about your job. I mean it. You’re an amazing PR agent.”

“Thanks, Gunner.”

He’s looking at me with such a soft expression, and I don’t know what to do about it. Thankfully, somebody knocks at thedoor and breaks up whateverthatwas. “Gunner, can you get the door?” Mrs. Coftman calls out.

“Yeah.”

I pull my phone out of my pocket, ready to escape to the back room while they deal with whoever the company is. But Gunner’s words pull me up short. “Mrs. Prenderson, come on in.” I turn around in time to see a woman about his mom’s age pat his chest.

“Hi, Gunner, it’s so good to see you. Seems like it’s been ages since I’ve seen you last.”

“It has been a while,” he says. There’s just the slightest edge to his voice. I doubt anybody would pick it up, but I do. My feet are moving before I’ve fully thought it through.

“Hi,” I stick out my hand as I approach. “I’m Chloe, his fiancé.” I lean against his side, and he doesn’t let me down. He wraps an arm around my waist and holds me against him. I watch as she looks between the two of us, and I prepare for the worst. But she surprises me.

She gives me a small smile. “So, you’re the one that’s captured our Gunner’s heart.”

I couldn’t be more shocked, especially when her face falls. “I’m so sorry for my daughter.” Her look is so devastated, I don’t even know how to respond.

“Are you aware that she did that to Chloe’s face?” Gunner asks, his voice hard.

She gasps and turns her attention to my eye and follows the action by putting a shaky hand over her mouth. “I don’t know what to do.”

Chapter 29

Chloe

“Pam!” Mrs. Coftman comes around the corner. “What did you do to her?” she snaps at Gunner.

I step out of the way.What is even happening right now?

“Is Jenny here?” Gunner asks.

Pam looks at him. “You’re mad.” The words are almost a whisper.

I take in the look on his face as well as his arms crossed over his chest.Yeah, he’s mad.Who am I kidding? I’m mad too; we’re talking about the woman who is trying to ruin Gunner’s career.

Mrs. Coftman puts her arm around Mrs. Prenderson. “Come this way, Pam.” She levels a look at Gunner. “Gunner, I raised you better than this.” He doesn’t say a word, and I frown. Mrs. Coftman sits next to Pam on the couch and pats her leg. “It’s okay, Pam.” She gives Gunner another look.

“It’s okay,” Pam says. “He’s upset with Jenny.”

Gunner’s mom nearly hits the roof. “Sweet Jenny? Gunner, what is wrong with you? You better not be getting too big for yourself, Son.”

I can’t stay quiet another moment. “Excuse me.” My voice is crisp, cutting into the emotional state everyone is in. This isn’t my first foray into drama, and it certainly won’t be my last. “Gunner has done absolutely nothing wrong in this situation.” My first comment is directed to Gunner’s mom; my second is directed at Pam. “But your daughter has done a lot of wrong.” I look between the two of them and continue on, not letting eitherof them say a word. “You may not know what all has been done, so let me tell you.”

I feel a hand on my back. “It’s okay,” Gunner says quietly.

“It is absolutely not okay.” I meet his eyes briefly before turning my attention back to the women. “Jenny has spent the last several weeks claiming that she is pregnant with Gunner’s baby, which is absolutely not true. And yet, every sportscaster in the country seems to believe it. Gunner has lost endorsements over this, and people have turned on him. Those who were once his fans are calling him out, asking him to step up and do the right thing. The whole thing is ludicrous, and yet it keeps surfacing. I have told Jenny personally to stop and what will happen if she does not. I can and will press charges against her if she does not back down, and believe me, I have what I need to be able to make those charges stick. So, no, Gunner is not going to step back and be okay withsweet Jennybecause I’m sorry, but your daughter is not sweet. Gunner, on the other hand, is a man of character and integrity. The fact that he hasn’t gone after your daughter by now or threatened to make her life miserable makes him a saint. He’s way too nice; I, however, am not. I have no problem building a case against her. Now, I realize this is your house, Mrs. Coftman, but if this is going to continue, if you won’t take Gunner’s side on this, then we have no reason to stay here tonight. And Pam, I suggest you have a nice long chat with your daughter and get her to drop these false pregnancy claims against Gunner before it’s too late, and we take her to court.”

The silence that falls after my words feels heavy, but I don’t say anything more. “Chloe, can we talk for a moment?” Before I realize what’s happening, Gunner takes my hand and leads me from the room. I’m so surprised, I don’t even get to enjoy the feel of his hand holding mine because as soon as we get to the bedroom, he opens the door and waits for me to step inside before closing it. A second later, he’s standing in front of me. Itake a step back, landing myself against the bedroom door. He advances and puts a hand on either side of my head and leans forward. He stares at me, and I forget how to breathe. “What was that?” he breathes.

Just like that, any romantic notion I had evaporates. I try to cross my arms, but there’s not enough room between our bodies. “I was speaking the truth, Gunner. And if you have a problem with that, too bad.” I push my shoulders against the door and stare him down.

He makes a low sound in the back of his throat. “I don’t have a problem with it; not at all. That’s the problem.” His words are low and sound pained.

“I’m totally confused right now,” I tell him honestly.

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