Page 80 of The Closed Off Captain

It’s quiet a moment. “Just like you always have everything under control, right, my boy?”

Her voice sounds sad, and my frown increases. “What are you talking about?” My words are a little harsher than I mean for them to be.

“Gunner, I love you so much. You've been so good to me over the years. But it’s time to live your own life now. I hate that you had to grow up so young; I hate that you’ve always felt like you had to take care of me and your brother. But we’re okay now. My diabetes is really well-managed, and I’m pretty healthy. And your brother is doing so well.”

“I know.”

“Do you, though?” she asks gently. “You just brought a woman to our home for the first time. Ever. And you told me she’s your fiancé, which we both know is a farce. But what’s not a farce is that you love that woman.”

I blink. “What?”

She chuckles softly. “Oh, Gunner. It was all over your face.”

My eyes widen. “Really?”

She sighs loudly. “Yes. Anybody that was anywhere near you could tell. Now, are you going to tell me I’m wrong; or are you going to do something about it?”

I stare out the window, as my mind races. “I don’t know.”

“Huh, so you’re not denying that you’ve fallen for Chloe?” I don’t answer out loud, and my silence is all my mom needs. “Then why don’t you just go after her? You’ve never been afraid to go after what you want.”

“It’s complicated.”

“Gunner, if you are not going after her because of me—"

“It’s not that,” I interrupt her. “I really messed up with her.”

My mother’s voice sharpens. “What did you do?”

I cringe and lean my head against the seat. “Four years ago, when Chloe took the position of PR agent for our team, she asked me out the first time she saw me. I turned her down flat.”

“Gunner,” my mom gasps. “You did not turn down that beautiful, amazing, talented, kind-hearted woman!”

“Tell me how you really feel about her, Mom,” I mutter. “Yeah, I did. It was my first season as captain, and I was locked in. I wasn’t dating anybody, and I didn’t know her at all. It was easy to turn her down at the time.”

“Oh, Gunner,” my mom empathizes.

“Yeah. She doesn’t even call me by my first name. Hasn’t in four years. I’ve kept my distance, obviously, but kept an eye on her. With this whole thing with Jenny, they wanted me to fake date someone and I didn’t want anybody but her to do it. I didn’twant to date another woman, even if it wasn’t real. I tried to get close to her, especially over this last year or so; but it’s nearly impossible.”

“Well, yeah, after you rejected her.”

I scowl. “I didn’t reject her.”

“That’s exactly what you did, and that’s painful for a woman.”

I palm the back of my neck. “I know I messed up.”

“Don’t snap at me; I’m not the one who blew the best thing that ever happened to him four years ago!”

Her words give me pause. “You like her.” It isn’t a question.

“Why do you sound so surprised? Of course, I like her. She’s amazing.”

“Yeah, she is; but so many people are intimidated by her. The wives don’t exactly get along with her.”

“She’s a strong, competent woman in a man’s world; of course, people are intimidated by her. But the right people will see past that and see the true Chloe, just like you have. Your friends’ wives will as well; just give them time.” I nod because I know it’s true; I already saw the process start last night. “What are her parents like?” I give her the quick version of her upbringing. “Oh, Sweetheart. Poor Chloe.”

“She’s good, Mom. She’s happy, and she loves them so much.”

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