Page 77 of The Closed Off Captain

“Okay, Gunner and Chloe,” Stephanie holds up the card she’s reading. “In the 1988-89 season, 4 players finished with 150 points or more. Who were these 4 players?” I smile immediately.

Stephanie drops the card onto the table. “She knows. Of course, she knows.”

I glance up at Gunner. “Do you know this one?”

He smirks slightly. “Yeah.”

“Go ahead,” I tell him, waving my hand.

“You do the honors.”

I don’t wait any longer. “Wayne Gretzky—”

“Well, that’s a given. I could have gotten that one,” Amber says.

“Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman, and Bernie Nicholls.”

There's a collective groan when I finish. I turn to Gunner, and he smiles and gives me a high five. “Did you two like prepare for this game ahead of time?” Stephanie asks, leaning back in her seat.

“Yes. Gunner quizzed me on all the hockey trivia he could before we came tonight. He said it was the only way I was allowed to come.” I keep a straight face as I say the words.

Bri turns to Gunner. “You did?”

I laugh as Gunner chuckles. “I’m just kidding.”

“Well, it’s good I didn’t have that same quiz before I started game night, or I still wouldn’t be here,” Bri says. I laugh along with the others as we pick up the game.

“How are things going with that girl, Gunner?” Bri asks.

I feel my smile fade. “Yeah, what’s her deal?” Amber asks.

I let Gunner field this one because it’s his story to tell. “She’s a friend from high school.” He pauses a moment. “And her mom is my mom’s best friend.”

There’s a collective groan. “Exactly,” I can’t help but add. “But it seems to be blowing over. I think she’s realized that she’s not going to get anything from Gunner. I told her as such when she came over to my house.”

Bri gasps. “She came over to your house. To do what? Talk?”

I laugh, but there’s no humor. “No. Actually, she came over to threaten me.” I feel Gunner stiffen beside me, but I don’t look at him.

“She threatened you?” Stephanie repeats.

“I mean, she did, but it was fine. She’s psycho, but she left after I threatened to put my lawyer on this case.”

“After she hit you,” Gunner mutters.

“She hit you?” Bri asks in horror.

“Did you hit her back?” Amber asks hopefully.

I smirk. “No, because of said lawyers, but it was just her bag.”

“She left a black eye,” Gunner practically growls.

I shrug. “It was a heavy bag.”

“That’s insane,” Sebastian says with a serious frown.

“Yeah. That should have never happened,” Rico adds.

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