Page 33 of Gunner

This was one argument neither of us wanted to be around.

Slowly backing out of King’s office, Pyro closed the door as the shouting got louder.

“I’m beginning to think they love fighting with each other,” Pyro muttered.

“It’s their brand of foreplay,” I added, shivering at the thought.

“Dodged another bullet, Gunner. However, you better fix this, cause Venom won’t be able to hold him back for long.”

“Copy that, brother.”

“Oh, and Gunner,” Pyro smirked. “Next time you and Sarah decide to fuck like rabid bunnies out by the lake, make sure no one is around.”

I gasped as my brother Pyro slapped me on the shoulder before humming the theme song to Jaws as he walked away.

I had just walked into the coffee shop, when something flew by my head. Looking around, I saw a jelly donut slowly slide down the window near me, smearing strawberry jam along the way. Turning back around, a blueberry scone hit me square in the face.

Fuck it all to hell.

Did everyone want a piece of my ass today?

That shit hurt.

“You are not welcome in here!”

Holding up my hands, I blurted. “Beth, I’ll fix it. Whatever I did, I promise I will!”

“I liked you, Gunner. Really liked you!” Beth shouted as patrons snickered, taking out their phones to record my humiliation. “I never believed the others when they said you were dumber than a box of rocks. Now, I’m not so sure!”

“I never asked Holly to marry me!” I quickly said as she picked up the tip jar that was on the counter. The one that was half full and would seriously hurt if she threw it. Beth lowered the jar and whispered. “Really? You didn’t ask her?”

“No,” I shook my head. “I swear.”

Beth smiled brightly, coming around the counter and gave me a hug. “I knew you were a smart boy. Nobody with your good looks could be that stupid.”

Patting her back, I moaned. “Thanks, I think?”

Releasing me, Beth walked back around the counter and asked. “So, what can I get for you today?”

“Uh,” I said, looking around the shop. All eyes were on me. Some laughing, others glaring. Ignoring them, I leaned close and asked, “Mike here?”

What? I couldn’t come right out and ask the woman where her daughter was. I needed to think and use the only brain cell I had. I was already skating on thin ice with King. If I let Beth know I wanted to find Sarah, that would be like giving Mike the gun and the bullet to kill me dead.

“He’s in his office. You sure you want to talk to him?”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

Beth shrugged. “Your funeral. He’s in a mood cause Sarah took off last night.”

Took off? Took off to where?

“Go on back. I’ll bring you a coffee and a banana cream muffin in a minute.”

Quickly kissing her cheek, I winked. “Thanks, Beth. You’re the best.”

Walking past the counter, I bumped into Jamison.

“Hi, Gunner!”