Page 82 of The Closed Off Captain

I frown. “What do you mean?”

“She’s not here. Is she sick? I figured you would know.” He throws the words out, and they instantly annoy me. Not just because if she really was my fiancé, I would know; but also, because I hate that I don’t know where she is.

“Don’t worry about her.” My words aren’t exactly friendly, but I don’t really care.

He puts both hands up. “Okay. I was just checking. No need to get upset.”

I watch him go through narrowed eyes. “I don't like that guy.”

Sebastian lets out a loud laugh behind me. “You are so gone, Cap.”

I’m already on my phone, dialing Chloe. “Do you think she’s okay?” Rico asks. “She never misses work.”

That’s exactly what I’m concerned about. When she doesn’t answer, a bad feeling settles in my gut. I stride towards the locker room and take off my skates. I don’t take the time to change out of my practice clothes. “I’m going to check on her. Tell coach.”

They wave me on, and I jog through the building and out to my truck. I run through the events of last night and try to call her two more times. Each time she doesn’t answer, another bolt of worry slides down my spine. I push the speed to get there, hoping and praying that my girl’s okay.

Chapter 36

Chloe

I wake to incessant banging. It takes a moment to realize somebody is banging on my front door. I roll over, hoping they’ll go away. When they don’t, I throw back my covers and drag myself out of bed. The only thing I can think of is that one of my neighbors is having an emergency of some kind. I hurry to the door and pull it open, nearly stumbling in the process. I blink in surprise. “Gunner?” In my current state, I forget to call him by his last name.

He does a complete onceover before stepping inside. I step back to allow him entrance, even as I try to figure out why in the world Gunner’s here. I frown, trying to remember what time it is or better yet, what day it is. It all comes rushing back—the dairy last night, the throwing up and stomach cramps, the lack of sleep, the calling in to work. And with it, comes the pain. My entire body aches and feels like I’ve been through the war. My knees buckle slightly, and Gunner reaches out a hand and steadies me with a hand at my waist. “What’s wrong?” I’m finding it hard to think with his hand on my waist and him in my personal space. But then I remember that I threw up during the night and haven’t had a shower yet. I step back, and he drops his hold on me. “Are you sick?”

I nod, incapable of saying anything more. I should be mortified, standing before him in my pajamas and completely a mess. Instead, all I can focus on is the fact that he’s here at all. “Aren’t you supposed to be in practice?”

He runs a hand over the back of his neck. “It’s finished. When did you get sick? Why didn’t you tell me? Was it something you ate?”

I blink and then blink again because I’m pretty sure that’s the most he’s ever said at one time. My stomach cramps again, and I put a hand over my belly. Gunner tracks the movement. “I got dairy last night. I was sick all night, but I think it’s passing through my system now.”

“How’d you get dairy?” He looks mad, and I can’t help my smile.

“Easy, Big C. It was a mistake.”

“Who made something with dairy and didn’t tell us? We asked.”

I know I’m a little out of it still, but my heart can’t help but take notice of theusand thewe. “Don’t worry about it. She already called and apologized.”

“Who was it?”

I smirk. “What are you going to do? Go take on Brielle? I’m pretty sure Aiden will have something to say about that.”

“What did she do?”

“Relax. She forgot she put sour cream in her dip. It’s not a crime; I should have known it tasted too good to be dairy free.”

His scowl deepens. “How do you forget that you added something with dairy in it when somebody asks about it?”

“It was an honest mistake; let it go.”

“Yeah, well, you had to pay the price for it,” he grunts out.

“It is what it is. I’ll admit, I might have been cursing her name during the night when I was puking my guts out, but it’s not so bad now.” My stomach cramps again, and I feel like it’s mocking me.

He puts a hand on my elbow. “Come on.”

I don’t pull away. “Where are we going?”

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