Page 56 of Battered Moves

“If you really want to get me a birthday cake, please spare us all the mess and just buy one,” he says, a smile on his face.I flip him off.

“I’m going to buy you the best and prettiest fucking cake you’ve ever eaten,” I declare. He just smirks. “Speaking of birthdays, when is yours?” I ask, realizing that we hadn’t discussed it before.

“September twenty-seventh,” he says, seemingly unfazed, but I jump up in surprise.

“That was two weeks ago! Why didn’t I know about it?” He smiles at the shock on my face.

“It’s okay. We had a nice day anyway,” he assures me.

My mind races, trying to recall what day it was, He laughs at my puzzled expression.

“It was our Sunday at the beach,” he clarifies, andmy eyes widen in realization.

“Why didn’t you tell me? I would have bought you a present or organized something special!” I say, feeling a pang of guilt. He simply shrugs, a gentle smile on his face.

“The day was special. I loved hanging with you all day at the beach, and there was pizza and a movie. It was the best birthday in a long time,” he says.

“How old did you turn?” I ask.

“Twenty-five,” he answers with a shrug.

“Fuck, I’m a shitty best friend,” I say on a groan. He points the spatula at me in a playful warning.

“Don’t even start, or I’ll have to spank you with this,” he jokes.

“Just wait, next year, your birthday is going to be the biggest fucking thing you have ever seen. We’ll go to the Florida Keys for it,” I say, and he smiles.

“Can’t wait.”

* * *

The entire apartment is filled with the heavenly scent of vanilla as the cupcakes sit in the kitchenette. The icing is already prepared, so all that’s left is to wait for the cupcakes to cool down enough to be frosted. Gunner washes his hands once more before joining me on my bed. I wrap my arms around him, squeezing him tightly, or as much as one can squeeze a mountain of muscle.

“Thank you, Gun. I owe you one,” I say, and he smiles warmly in response.

“You never do. I had fun,” he assures me. I lean in to kiss his cheek.

“God, I love you,” I say with a laugh, and he gives me a small smile.

“Right back at you,” he replies.

He leans back to stretch out, but his gaze falls on my open suitcase on the other side of the bed. He sits up straight, concern in his eyes.

“Why is your suitcase packed? Are you going back?” he asks. I reach out to touch his arm, trying to soothe him.

“Back where? No, I’m not going anywhere, I just promised the guys that I’d stay with them for a few days,” I say, hoping to alleviate his worries. Gunner’s face visibly relaxes at my explanation before a flicker of concern passes over it once more.

“Why?” he asks, his voice filled with apprehension. I laugh at his reaction.

“Why not? They’re my boyfriends. If I want to stay over for a few days, I can,” I say, and his brows furrow in confusion.

“But you have a perfectly fine apartment. Why would you move in with them for a few days? They can come over, or you can spend a night there. There’s no need to move out,” he argues, clearly not understanding my decision. I can’t help but get a little bit agitated at his reaction.

“Relax. I’m not moving out,” I assure him. He lets out a huff of frustration.

“Yeah, whatever. It’s late, and I need a shower,” he says before standing up and making his way towards the door, determined to put some distance between us. “Goodnight.”

“Gunner!” I call out, rushing to stand up from the bed, but he’s already closed the door behind him. I quickly open it and make my way over to knock on his door, but there’s no response.

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