Page 90 of The Closed Off Captain

He smirks. “I’ll do my best.” I grab the other bag of food and my bag and purse and follow him out. Minutes later, we’re settled in his truck.

“Thanks for driving. Do you mind if we stop for bread really quick?” He nods. “I’m going to need to start a log for the gas money I owe you.”

“You don’t owe me anything.” He glances over at me and smiles softly. “I like your hair.”

“I didn’t really do it.”

“I like it anyway.”

I can’t help the smile that forms on my face. It quickly drops when I remember last night and what I wanted to talk to him about. “About last night.”

“What about it?”

“I thought we decided the whole fiancé thing was over.”

Without looking at me, he says, “You decided.”

“And you agreed,” I point out. “Why did you make it sound like we were still together last night when we were talking to Knight.”

Gunner’s hand tightens on the steering wheel. “It was the best play for a guy like him.”

“Well, that may be, but we need to let it go. We’re no longer fake engaged, so no more using that. And I can take care of myself. I had him handled just fine last night.”

He doesn’t say anything, and the tension rises. I pull out my phone and check our socials from the event last night. There’s a lot of really good ones that are circulating from last night. One of my favorites is the one with Gunner and Trystan, the kid he’s going to be working with. I look through several more and then one catches my attention. It’s a photo of Gunner and me. I didn’t even know it was being taken. I’m talking with one of our sponsors for the night, and Gunner is next to me. My hands are up, like I’m explaining something. Gunner stands next to me, his attention fixed solely on me. And while he’s not smiling exactly, he’s doing that sexy smirk thing he does.

“What are you looking at?”

Gunner’s question pulls me from my stupor. “I’m just looking at pictures from the event last night. There’s one of us that popped up on social media.”

“Yeah?”

I turn it to him, so he can see when we sit at a stoplight. He looks at it and nods and then faces the front again. I spend the rest of the ride posting pictures and thanking everybody that needs to be thanked for a great night last night.

After a quick stop for bread, we head for the nursing home. I slip my phone in my pocket and grab my purse and the food bag while Gunner slips my laptop bag over his shoulder and grabs the soup. When we get to Grandma May’s room, Sue is just coming out. “Chloe, it’s good to see you.”

“Hey, Susan.”

A look crosses her face, and I know exactly what she’s going to say. “Chloe, we need to talk.”

Gunner steps close. “I’ll head inside.” Sue opens the door for him, and he steps inside. When he’s gone, Sue turns back to me. “She needs to move to the other side.”

My stomach tightens. “Did she fall again and not tell me?”

“No, she didn’t fall; but she needs more care than what she’s getting on this side. I really think it’s time.”

A million things go through my mind, but I stay calm. I’ll process everything later when I’m alone. “Okay. What needs to be done?”

She talks me through the process. It’s pretty simple. I basically sign paperwork saying that I will pay for her care and a few other papers, and then the process will start. I’m feeling completely overwhelmed when Sue leaves me after telling me I’m making the right decision. I lean my head against the wall a moment and take a calming breath. I have no idea how I’m going to pay for the care she needs. Panic threatens to take over for a moment, but I push it aside. I’ll figure it out, just like I always do. Worst case scenario, I’ll move to a smaller, cheaper apartment. Of course, with the rising costs in apartments, that may not even be a cheaper option.I will figure this out.I take one more calming breath and then step inside and plaster a smile to my face. I close the door behind me and take in the scene before me. Gunner’s sitting on the loveseat, while Grandma sits in her favorite rocker. They're talking like they’re the best of friends. I put my hand over my heart and rub at it for a moment. Gunner looks up and catches my eye. His look conveys so much, and I feel myself lost in it for a moment.

“Are you going to just stand there all day and stare?”

Grandma May’s voice snaps me out of my daydream. A genuine smile lifts my lips. “Hey, Grandma May.”

“How’s the other half of my favorite couple?” she asks.

I lean down to hug her. “We’re no longer a couple, Grandma May. See?” I flash my bare hand at her.

“And yet, you’re both here,” she points out.

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