Page 64 of Gunner

Giggling, I shook my head no.

I turned my head away, embarrassed by what I had to tell him.

Gunner placed his hand on the side of my neck, turning my face to look at him.

“What’s goin’ on, Haizley?”

Taking a deep breath, hiding my face in my hands, I mumbled, “I’m not healed yet.” I knew he was confused. I knew he wouldn’t understand what I was saying, but I couldn’t bring myself to say the words.

“Oh shit. I forgot.”

Dropping my hands on the bed, I glared at him. “Forgot what?”

“About your piercing.”

Sitting up, I stared down at him. “How do you know about that?”

I watched as he swallowed before he too sat up. “Don’t be mad, baby.”

I stood up from the bed and turned on him, my hands on my hips.

“Don’t be mad? How do you know I have a piercing, Gunner? Indie told me she didn’t put it in the system.”

“She didn’t,” he confirmed with a heavy sigh.

He sat on the side of the bed, hunched over, his elbows resting on his knees.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I waited for him to answer. I refused to ask the same damn question for a third time.

After another moment or two, when he still hadn’t answered, I dropped my arms. Looking around the room at my bags, I decided I could get them later. I grabbed my purse and yanked the door open.

“Haizley!”

I chose to ignore Gunner’s yell and hurried down the stairs. Jogging down the hallway, I ignored the looks sent my way when I entered the main room.

“Haizley, you ok?” a big man asked, causing me to pull up short before I reached the door.

“I need to go. Amber is with Aspen. Can someone please let her know I will be back first thing in the morning?”

“Haizley, goddammit! Let me explain.”

“Go to hell, Gunner!”

The big man stepped in front of me, preventing Gunner from reaching out. “What the fuck did you do?”

“Move, Tank,” Gunner growled.

Tank, who was aptly named, crossed his arms over his chest. He wasn’t as tall as Gunner, but he was twice as wide.

“Thank you, Tank,” I whispered and walked to the front door.

“Haizley, you aren’t leaving!”

I held up my fist behind me, my middle finger extended, and walked out the door.

Climbing into my car, I sat for a few minutes, breathing in and out.

How did Gunner know about my piercing? Indie swore she didn’t tell anyone.

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