Page 58 of She Wolf

Panties incinerated.

Chapter Thirteen

Gunner

This feels like a big day. I woke up early and got everything that I needed to get done, done. I ran—even though I hate it—and worked out. Got to the rink for a skate and then had our mug shots taken in our new jerseys for next season. We grumbled but it’s nothing compared to media day—which will be here before we know it.

Callan also asked for my help moving some equipment around his home gym because every year he changes the layout, kind of like a refresh. A new season. A new start.

As I’m heading back to my house, I quickly return a missed call I had earlier from my brother. He rang a few times after we bombed the playoffs and I’m not too proud of the whiskey fueled whining I did. It rings a few times and then he’s saying hello.

“Hey Tann, how’s it going?” I say, as I walk down the street.

“We’re doing okay. Heading to San Diego for a long weekend to see Gretchen’s folks. How about you? Gotten over the playoffs yet?”

And even though Stanford and now Santa Barbra have softened him up he still hangs his ou’s with the best of ‘em.

“Yeah, I’m good now. We’ll go all the way next season; I’ve got a good feeling.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear it. When I called last, you sounded like a soppy mess.”

“Yeah, yeah. So, when do I get to see my fancy-ass little brother?” I know I may give him a little shit now and then, but I’m proud of what he’s made of himself—even if I couldn’t tell you what his actual job is. It’s definitely in engineering and sustainability…or something like that.

“We talked about visiting during the season opener, we’ll come for a couple of days and then head home with mom and spend a few days there.”

That would be awesome. “Okay, no problem. Anytime, you know that. And as soon as we get the schedule, I’ll let you know when I’m West Coast bound.”

“Great. Sooo, how are things on the love front?” his chuckle vibrates down the line and my eyes roll, even though he can’t see me. “You spoke to Mom.”

“I did. Then June came into the kitchen, so I was on speaker with the both of them.”

“Then you know everything there is to know.” I can’t hold the sigh in. Gossipy old ladies.

“Not really. They gushed over Coralie and Jack and said you were taking it slow. But I wanna know how slow we’re talking because I can’t imagine you onlyalmostgetting what you want. That’s not Gunner-style.”

“Don’t you worry about me,” I smirk as I near my house. “She’s putty in my hands.”

“Right, so you haven’t fucked her then,” he digs and my eyes narrow.

“You watch your fucking mouth, you’re not too big for a skate up the ass,” I grit out while I punch in the number for my gate.

“You are such a meathead,” he laughs at me again.

“And you’re a little geek,” I shoot back.

“And you can’t lock her down for shit.”

He’s cruising, this one. “Don’t make me take a flight all the way over there to beat your scrawny ass.”

“I’m above average actually, I just didn’t hulk out the way you did like a fucking mutant.”

I can’t help the laugh that falls out of my mouth. “You’re not great with your comic book references considering it’s basically in your DNA to be obsessed with them.”

“Intellect doesn’t automatically correlate to a love of fantasy and sci-fi, brother.”

I snicker some more and open my front door. “And you have the stats to back that up I assume?”

“Shut up. Now we’re wildly off-topic. Getting back to it. Are you happy?”

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