I glance up and see Gunner skewering Benji with a glare that could fillet a fish on the grill. The other man clamps his mouth shut.
My composure restored, I inhale a deep breath and turn to Benji.
In a blink, I flick my smile ‘ON’. “Sorry, Benji. Now’s not a good time. Myboyfriendjust came back home, so I can’t talk now.”
Benji swallows hard. “Rebel, I know what you’re doing. I know my dad made things weird. Just five minutes. I only need five?—”
“We can meet up later,” I clip.
Gunner makes a growly sound in protest.
I ignore that and glance at April. “Do you mind if I…”
“Go.”
I smile gratefully.
The man at April’s side looks at me with concern.
I nod at him. “Welcome back, Chance.”
He smiles slightly.
I throw a wave at Cordelia who’s been ducking behind the hood of a truck for the entire conversation.
Satisfied that I’m giving the best performance of my life, I keep my smile in place and tug Gunner out of the garage.
Sunshine warms the top of my head and forces me to squint. Cars zip by, carrying normal people living their normal lives to normal destinations. Despite how tumultuous the past five hours have been, it calms me to see that the world is still turning. The sky isn’t falling. I’ll be okay.
I feel a presence beside me and then Gunner rumbles, “Where’s your truck?”
“Why?”
“Keys.” He holds out a hand.
I frown, but he doesn’t seem like he’s in the mood to argue and, since I did spring a kiss on him without permission, I figure it’s fair to let him grunt and growl and throw his weight around. Just this once.
Gunner accepts my keys and surprises me by setting his hand on the small of my back. The air rushes from my lungs as he guides me to my car and opens the door for me. I recall that he did the same thing after we left the game together that night.
After I settle in, he jogs around the truck to the driver’s side. The entire car rocks when he folds his giant body into the driver’s seat.
Gunner drives in total silence. I twist my bracelet around and around on my wrist, unsure of what to say to him. He ignored me before he left for the playoffs, and it spoke volumes. He literally can’t stand the sight of me.
And yet…
I kissed him in front of his team captain and Benji.
If the roles were reversed, and someone I despised put his lips on me without permission, I’d be furious.
I’d probably even sue.
Nerves tighten in my stomach. What if Gunner tries to sue me for harassment?
I imagine getting carted off to the station by Gunner’s father.
He did kiss me back though. And he even hugged me.
So… is he angry about the kiss or not?
