Page 95 of The Closed Off Captain

He frowns. “You didn’t come to the last set of away games.”

I wave a hand. “I have so much going on; Stan agreed to let me sit them out. I had the a brunch on Saturday and another event I have to be at Friday night.”

“Do you have to work late tonight?”

Grateful for the change of subject, I eagerly say, “No. I should be able to get home at a good time.”

“Good. Go on a date with me.”

I stare at him as my mind scrambles. I narrow my eyes at him. “You backed me into a corner.”

He smirks. “I did. Now, you have no excuse to not go out with me, unless you really are trying to avoid me.” He quirks an eyebrow.

“I’m not trying to...” I take a deep breath. “I’m not avoiding you, Coftman; but I don’t know that going on a date is a good idea.”

“It is.”

I can’t the help the laugh that bubbles up. “Oh, it is, is it?”

He smirks again. “Yeah. It’s a really good idea. I’ll even let you pick where we eat.”

I stare up at the big man. “Why?”

“Why do I want you to go on a date with me?”

I nod. “Yes.”

He studies my face a moment. “You remember when you asked me out when you first started?”

My face instantly heats, and my back goes ramrod straight. “Never mind.” I start to walk past him, but he steps in front of me again, blocking my path to the door. “Move, Coftman.”

“No, not until you listen to what I have to say.”

“What?” My voice is snippier than I intend for it to be.

“When you asked me out,” he starts, and I feel my face heat. “I had just become captain. I had told Coach that I would give it my everything. I meant it too. I was serious about my career, about my new position. I wanted to lead this team the right way,so I swore off women, outside activities, pretty much anything that would distract me. Literally the first day, you showed up, tempting me in the worst way possible.” I shake my head, but he continues. “I turned you down,” he continues gently. “Not because I wanted to, but I had literally just made a commitment to Coach that I would put hockey first. And I did. That season and the next and the next. Along the way, my teammates—my brothers started falling in love and starting families. I realized at some point that hockey isn’t everything to me; it should never have been. I wanted what my brothers had found. Only,” he pauses and makes sure my eyes are still on his. “...the only woman I wanted all of it with no longer saw me that way. She only saw me as one of the athletes on her team.” He sighs, and I feel it all the way to my toes. “I pushed away the one woman I’ve ever really wanted, and I didn’t know how to get her back. So, I’ve spent the last, I don’t know, year or so...maybe longer...just trying to do things to show you I was interested.” He gives a wry chuckle. “But I’ve finally realized, I’m going to have to just come out and tell you how I feel about you because otherwise, you’re not going to see it.”

I stare at him, unable to take all this in. “See what?” I ask in a voice that’s not stronger than a whisper.

“That I’m head over heels for you, Chloe, and have been for quite some time. I’m sorry I turned you down; I should have never done that to you. I was an idiot. I’d give anything to go back and change that day. But I can’t, so the best thing I can do is go forward. So, this is me, telling you exactly how I feel so that there is no confusion.” At some point, I realize my mouth is hanging open. I close it with a snap as I scramble to think of what to say, but I have nothing. He cocks an eyebrow. “Speechless? Come on, this can’t come asthatmuch of a surprise...right?” He looks a little uncertain. “I mean I asked you to be my fiancé.”

“Yourfakefiancé,” I point out.

“Well, yeah, but I told you I didn’t want it to be anyone else.” I stare at him, and he stares right back. Then he palms the back of his neck. “I’m making a mess of this, aren’t I?”

“I...I...” I literally don’t know what to say. “Gunner,” I finally say. “I really have to get to this meeting.” His face betrays nothing, but he takes a step backwards. I put a hand on his arm. “I’m not rejecting you; I just...I need time to think.”

He gives me a small smile. “I’ll give it to you. I’ll take it as a win that you called me by my first name. Come on, I’ll walk with you. I have to get to practice anyway.”

And just like that, we’re back to normal. He opens the door for me, and I step out into the hallway. We walk quickly down the hall, because I really do need to get to my meeting. I stop right outside the door. “Make sure you get that shoulder checked out before practice,” I tell him.

His smile starts small and then grows. “Will do. I’ll see you later.” He turns and strides down the hallway, the confident captain, ready to take on his teammates for practice. I shake my head and knock on the door before stepping inside. I have no idea where in the world all that came from, but I need to focus on my meeting right now. Later, much later, I’ll try to figure out what in the world just happened. Even so, I can’t keep the smile off my face as I open the door and step inside.

Chapter 42

Chloe

After my meeting, I head back to my office and get back to work. Only, I can’t focus on a single thing. All I can do is replay Gunner’s words to me over and over again. On the one hand, I can’t believe he said all that. On the other, it’s not like it’s a total shock. I mean we’ve been spending a lot of time together. After what Brielle said a while back, I’ve been noticing every interaction we have and paying careful attention to all of it. And yet, he still managed to surprise me. I’m pretty sure I haven’t been able to stop smiling all afternoon. I know he’s got a busy schedule today, so I don’t bother him. I pack up my bag a little before six and head out to the parking lot, so I don’t miss him. I pull out my phone and lean against his truck while I wait.

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