I was so pissed I would not smile at that asshole. His smiled faded and he waved. So I did what any other girlfriend would do in my shoes.
I gave him the finger and got up to leave.
“Wait…where’re you going?” Ari said as she struggled to get out from under the blanket.
“I’m leaving. I think I’ve seen enough.” I took one last look and Gunner was standing there staring up at me with a shocked look on his face.
I can’t believe it….how could he…he knows I’m sitting right here and I can see everything! Why would he do that?
You will never be wanted by anyone…….
My mother’s words just kept playing over and over in my head as we walked out to my car.
“SHUT UP!” I screamed out as I threw my hands over my ears.
“Jesus Ellie I didn’t say a damn word!”
I stopped and looked at Ari confused. “What?”
“What to your what? Why did you yell at me to shut up? I wasn’t even talking!”
I shook my head to clear my thoughts. SHIT! I’m losing my mind.
“Fuckin’ A…I think you’re stressed out with school Ells. You took too many classes and you’re stressed out from not seeing your man enough. I think you need a vacation. Like to a certain ranch under a certain live oak tree!” Ari said as she used her elbow to hit my arm while she winked at me.
“ARGH! The last thing I’m going to do is go anywhere with that prick. He can take Lori.”
I started to walk faster. I needed to get out of there. I couldn’t breathe.
“Ellie stop right now. ELLIE! STOP!” Ari shouted.
“WHAT?”
“Okay I get that you’re pissed but holy shit. It was a kiss on the cheek in front of thousands of people including you….his GIRLFRIEND! Do you honestly think that Gunner is cheating on you with this girl? Don’t you think it could be something totally innocent? Maybe you should at least let him explain before you fly off the handle.”
I started to calm down a little. Ari was totally right. What the hell was wrong with me? I just couldn’t shake this feeling that something bad was about to happen. The floor was going to fall out any day now I just knew it.
“You’re right, let’s go back.” I turned and started to head back into the stadium when I saw the little bitch walking out. There was a guy standing there I hadn’t even noticed when we walked by the first time. She walked right into his arms and they kissed. I stopped dead in my tracks. Wow…bitch sure does move from guy to guy.
Just then Lori the bitch looked up and noticed us.
“Ellie? Is that you? Gunner’s girlfriend?” she asked as she walked towards me and Ari.
Well at least she got my name right this time and called me Gunner’s girlfriend instead of Jefferson’s little sister.
I smiled and introduced Ari to her.
“It’s a pleasure. Um this is Michael, my fiancé.”
WHOA…shut the front door! What did she just say? Of course I knew I could count on Ari right at that moment.
“Your fiancé huh? So what where you doing down on the field earlier?”
Subtle Ari…real subtle.
“My uncle is one of the trainers. I came to say good bye to him and a few of the guys I took classes with. I’m not coming back to UT after this semester. Michael’s company is transferring him to New York so that’s where I am heading.”
I finally found my voice. “Wow, that sounds exciting. So, did you happen to see Gunner to say goodbye?”
She smiled and shook her head. “Yes, you are very lucky Ellie. Gunner loves you very much. He couldn’t stop talking about you the whole time. I’m really glad things worked out the way they did.” She said as she looked up at her fiancé.
Okay…….…I felt like a total idiot. Maybe Gunner will forget all about me giving him the finger. A girl can hope can’t she?
“So are you going to keep ignoring me the rest of the night?” I asked Gunner as he sat there and watched TV. He looked exhausted and I knew he was. He played a good long hard game and by the time he got to his house he was more than ready for bed. He didn’t look very happy when he opened the door and I was sitting there waiting for him.
“Listen Ellie, I’m tired, I don’t feel like watching TV anymore and I don’t feel like talking…I’m not in the mood for your bullshit tonight.”
My bullshit? What the hell! I have not even said a word. Shit was he still pissed I gave him the finger?
“Wait…….I’ve haven’t even said anything to you. I got you a beer, made you a sandwich and just sat here while you came down from your game. Why are you pissed at me Gunner?!”
Gunner slammed his hands through his hair and sighed. He stood up and looked down at me and shook his head. “Are you staying here tonight?”
“Do you want me to stay the night?” I asked as I looked up at him.
“I don’t really give a fuck Ellie if you stay or not.” He turned and walked to his bedroom.
I felt the tears starting to burn my eyes. I will not cry…I will NOT cry. I wish Jefferson was still up but as soon as he came home he went straight to bed. Some Thanksgiving this turned out to be. I slowly got up and grabbed the dish Gunner’s sandwich was on and his empty beer bottle and set them in the kitchen. I grabbed my keys and purse and started to head for the front door. I had to hold it together just long enough to get in my car and leave and then and only then would I start crying.
I quietly shut the front door and practically ran to my car. Just as I opened the door and was about to swing it open to get in I saw an arm come across and shut the door. I screamed and spun around ready to kick someone in the balls. Except I didn’t see some strange mass murder, I saw Gunner.
“What the fuck! You scared the shit out of me you asshole!” I whispered realizing it was around one in the morning and my scream probably woke up one or two people.
“Ellie it’s late, don’t drive home this late. Come back inside.” Gunner said in a tired voice.
“Well you shouldn’t really give a fuck if I drive home now or not, now should you Gunner.”
He took his hand and ran it through his hair….his signature I’m frustrated or angry move…..God why did that turn me on so much?
“Now if you don’t mind, I’m going home and please tell Emma I’m so sorry but I won’t be joining y’all for Thanksgiving dinner this weekend.”
I turned and grabbed the door handle to open it and Gunner slammed the door shut again.
“Ellie, get your ass back in the house now.”
I was so mad that I started shaking…how dare he tell me what to do!
I turned and looked at him. “FUCK OFF!” I tried to push him away but he wouldn’t budge an inch that built mother fucker! I pushed again and again and even tried to put my foot on my car for extra leverage and nothing worked.
“Are you done yet?”
“No! How dare you tell me what to do! You’re acting like a prick and I wouldn’t stay here if you got on your hands and knees and begged me to.”
Before I knew it he had lifted me up and was carrying me into the house. I instantly felt his erection which totally caught me off guard. I couldn’t yell because it was so late and I didn’t really want to end up in jail tonight.
Once we got in the house I started to struggle to get out of his arms. Jesus….he was strong and I was not making any headway. He grabbed my purse and threw it down on the sofa and forced my keys out of my hand all the while still holding onto me. I was trying to squeeze my legs tighter on him but I think I was only turning him on more!
He started towards his bedroom. SHIT! I couldn’t yell because I would wake up Jefferson. Once he got in his room and shut the door with his foot, the next thing I knew he slammed me up against the wall and started to kiss me. At first I did nothing in return, but after I felt his erection pushing up against me and the sweet feel of his lips, I could not resist. I grabbed his hair in my hands and started kissing him back.
Oh god this felt so good and so right. I don’t even remember why we were fighting. Oh yeah, he was acting like a prick. I started to pull away from the kiss.