I just gave her my best SHUT THE HELL up look and said “PESH…You’re crazy! Have I told you lately you seriously need therapy? Seriously….. you do Arianna…I am beginning to get scared for you.” I bit back at her.

Ari threw her head back and laughed. “Bitch, you can’t tell me I am wrong on this one. Matter of fact, I would bet you that Coach purse you have been eyeing the last three months, that that boy wants you.”

I had to let out a laugh which caused my hand to start throbbing even more and my heart to break.

You will never be wanted by anyone……….

“Even if I could afford to take you up on that, I know for a fact you are dead wrong on this one.” I stated just a little too loud.

“Ari is dead wrong on what Ellie?” Jefferson asked while pulling out of the school parking lot.

“Nothing Jefferson, she is just delusional that’s all. She is seeing things that are clearly NOT there.” I said as I narrowed my eyes towards Ari.

“Well, whatever crazy shit Ari is going on about I don’t care.  I want to know right now what the fuck happened between you and Ryan!”

Ari shot Jefferson a look and rolled her eyes at him. I’m pretty sure I heard dick wad come out of her mouth also.

Shit….here we go. I have to tell Jefferson what happened and pray to God that he does not kill Ryan. I mean I truly did not care what the hell happened to Ryan anymore. I would rather like to see someone kick his ass but not Jefferson. Jefferson had to think about his scholarship and his future. Not about what some ass wipe had just done to his sister who probably deserved it. Gunner turned around and gave me a smile that melted my heart, not to mention my panties. It was almost like he was giving me the courage to start talking. I gave him a small smile back and my body actually felt like it was humming. I thought I was going to start having trouble breathing again but his smile seemed to make me forget about it.

What the hell?! I have never had a guy affect me the way this guy did. What was going on with me? I needed to focus here. I shook my head again to get these crazy thoughts out.

“Well, it all started when I got a text from Ryan to meet him in the auditorium……..

Chapter two

Gunner……..

The moment he walked into the principal’s office the air turned cold. If the look that he shot me was any indication of how pissed he was, I was in for a good, long lecture. He always started out with “What you need is ROTC or maybe I should just send your ass to military school, make something out of the worthless piece of shit you are.” I’d love to be able to tell him not to pull that drill instructor shit on me, but he would probably knock the shit out of me and I would end up in military school anyway.

My father joined the military straight out of high school. He wanted nothing more than to get away from his father’s ranch in Mason, Texas. I’m pretty sure when he dies, he will still be in the Army. He is good at what he does, if he would only leave it at the front door when he got home. He worked long hours and was often in a piss poor mood.

I looked up as I heard the door open to Mr. Deets’ office.  My father stepped out dressed in his Class A uniform and carrying his Campaign cover in his hand. Shit. He looked even more pissed then when he first walked in.

“Mr. Mathews, if Gunn…errr, um, Drew gets in one more fight, I am afraid we are going to have to suspend him from the football team. That is the last thing we want to do. We need you Drew to win State.” Mr. Deets’ said as he shook my father’s hand and winked at me. My father replied with a “humph” and turned to walk away.

My father hates the idea of me playing football. My grandfather and mother practically had to beg him to let me play when I was seven. Once I stepped out on the field I knew I found where I belonged. Football is all I have. I care more about football than I do girls….or the Army.

I stood up to leave and shook Mr. Deets’ hand before I turned to follow my father out the door. I knew he would remain silent until we got to his truck.

Shit! I don’t know why I hit Brad Jennings. Okay well I do know why. I saw the fucker behind the school push his girlfriend up against a wall and it looked like he was about to hit her. No fucking way I was going to let some douche bag asshole hit a girl.

So, I got involved.

There really was no use in trying to explain it to him. He wouldn’t understand. Even if he did he would still be pissed. It was the third fight I had been in since school started two months ago. This latest fight was the last straw with Mr. Deets’ saying I might get cut from the team.

Get cut from the team? Football was all I had. I had to get my shit together and get my head on straight. It was the first time in my life I ever felt accepted and needed…..the feeling was fucking great. The only other place I felt needed was at Gramps ranch.

Ever since my father got transferred to Fort Sill when I was just entering eighth grade, I had come to depend on football as my escape from my drill instructor father.  That man lives to tell me I need to focus on my grades and go in the Army like he did. There is no way in hell I was going in the Army.

My plan was to take the football scholarship I was offered at the University of Texas and get back to my grandfather and the ranch. Some of my best childhood memories are from his ranch. Man I love that place. I could practically smell my Grams’ Chicken and Dumplins’.

I told my grandfather that my dream was football and to get into Architectural engineering. He is, of course, one hundred percent supportive which I think pisses my father off even more.

The minute the door shut to his F150 black truck I knew the shit was about to hit the fan.

“What the FUCK do you think you are doing getting into ANOTHER fight Drew? Your mother is going to be devastated by this!”

Sure, bring my mom into it you asshole. “It’s Gunner, I like to be called Gunner.” I shot back at him a little too pissed off. I was mad that he was trying to bring my mom into this and guilt me yet again.

“The last time I looked on your birth certificate it clearly stated your name was Drew Garrett Mathews. Not fucking Gunner. Where the fuck did you come up with that name?” My father hissed at me through gritted teeth.

“Coach was telling the rest of the team how to play positions right. Said I made it down the field fast and made the most tackles and that I was an example of how to play the gunner position right. It just stuck. He started to call me Gunner and so did the guys.”

“Is that so? Think you are a hot shot ‘cause you are some star football high school player? Bullshit! You are never going to make anything out of your life playing goddamn football! Nothing! Where could you possible go in your life? You think football is going to get you anywhere?” My father said with so much hatred I cringed.

I had yet to tell him about my scholarship and made my mother and grandfather promise not to tell him. I was going to wait until after football season but fuck it.

“Sir, I got accepted into The University of Texas. I got my letter this summer. I intend on going.”

My father let out a laugh that just about made my stomach drop. “How the hell you think you are going to pay for college? I’m not helping I can tell you that right now. “

“I got a football scholarship sir; and Gramps said he would help out with a place to stay in Austin.” I said with as much strength in my voice as I could muster. He didn’t need to know Gramps already said he would cover any other expenses my scholarship lacked.

“Is that so? Well, just to let you know. Do not call me when you fail. Which you will, I guarantee it. Do not call me when you need help. Do not call me when your little football plan does not work out. As of right now, I am done with you.”