I pushed my hand through my hair and let out a sigh. Looks like their mother not only fucked up Ellie’s thinking of how love is, she fucked up Jeff’s too.

“Jeff, I get that you don’t want to lose her. I mean I REALLY get it.” I said as I looked over at Ellie and smiled. “But what are you going to do when she gets tired of waiting for you. When she ends up with someone like Jason Reed? She’ll get married; have kids, live a life that in the long run you will not be a part of. Do you think you can handle that? Are you going to be ready for that when it happens?”

Jeff tipped his head back and finished off his beer. “I don’t know Gunner. I honestly don’t fucking know dude.”

“Well Jeff you better fucking figure it out and do it soon. That girl is not going to just sit around and wait for you. If you want her….you better fight for her and let her know how you feel.” I finished off my own beer and got up and walked towards Jack….I needed to dance with Ellie.

“Hey Jack, You got any Vince Gill?” I yelled into his ear over the music.

“You know I do! What are you looking for?”

“I want you to play “Whenever You Come Around” next okay?”

Jack gave me that big ole smile of his and nodded. “You got it dude.”

I walked back over to Jeff. Fuck I was starting to get a little drunk. I sat down and looked at him. I was going to bite the fucking bullet.

“I love her.”

Jeff snapped his head and looked at me. “Ellie?”

“Of course Ellie, who the fuck else would I be talking about!”

Jeff just smiled at me. “When did this come about?”

“Earlier. It just fucking hit me like a brick wall. Scared the fuck out of me and it was a good three or four minutes before I could even talk or move.” I looked over at Ellie who was now just standing in the middle of the dance crowd talking to Heather and Ari. God, there was not a damn thing I would not do for her.

“Gunner you know I trust you with my sister, I really do. I love you like a brother and there is nothing on earth I would rather see than my sister happy with you.  Just take care of her dude, don’t hurt her and please just be patient. She has been through a lot you know? Just….just don’t push her into anything to fast okay?”

I looked over at Jeff. “I would die first before I let anything or anyone hurt her. I need you to know that Jeff. I really need you to know that I love her and I will protect her with everything I have.”

Jeff got up and slapped my back. “Well fuck dude….that’s all I needed to hear. No wonder you are getting fucking drunk!”

Just then Jack started to talk.

“Alright y’all I am going to slow it down again with a little Vince Gill.”

I got up and walked towards Ellie who was now heading my way.

“Sweetheart dance with me?” I asked as I ran my hand down her face.

“Of course I will Gunner.” She smiled at me and my knees just about went out from under me. Would these intense feelings every settle down?

The song started and I pulled her as close to me as I could. She buried her head in my chest and held me tighter. We danced slowly to the song as I started to sing the lyrics to her as I held onto her.

I loved this girl and I will spend the rest of my life proving to her how much I love and want her.

Ellie looked up at me with tears running down her face and my heart just stopped.

“Oh baby please don’t cry, please, please don’t cry.” I said as I wiped away her tears.

“Gunner, I…..I’ve never felt like this before…you’re so amazing and the things you say and do just leave me breathless. I’m so afraid I am going to wake up and to find out this is all just a dream.”

I smiled down at her and pulled her back into me as we finished dancing to the song while I sang along with Vince. “I promise sweetheart, this is not a dream.”

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

Ellie…..

Everyone was slowing starting to leave Gunner and Jeff’s place around one am. Jack had packed up long before and Jefferson just had the stereo playing for the last two hours.

I was a bit shocked at how much Gunner and Jefferson both drank. Ari was well on her way to being drunk. Because I had had a few beers we decided to just spend the night here. Heather got a ride home with Amanda and Brad. Amanda was only drinking soda’s all night since it was Brad’s birthday party and knew he would be drinking.

I started to clean up when I felt Gunner come up behind me and wrap his arms around me waist.

“Sweetheart we have someone come in and clean up. Come sit with me for a little bit.” He said as he leaned in close to my face. The heat from his mouth set my whole body on fire. God the ache between my legs when he was this close to me was almost too much to take.

I turned around and smiled up at him. “Okay, inside or out?”

He returned my smile and took my hand. We walked past Jefferson and Ari who were at the moment complaining about who had to sleep on the sofa….Jefferson or Gunner or Me and Ari.

“Why the hell can’t you just sleep with me in my bed? I promise to keep my hands to myself.” Jefferson said to Ari with a wicked laugh.

“Yeah right dickwad…I may be drunk….but I ain’t that drunk. You are on the sofa….I’m taking your bed.” Ari said as she walked past Jefferson and walked to his bedroom.

Gunner and I went outside and sat down next to the coolers. He reached in for a beer.

“Umm, Gunner how much more are you going to drink?” I asked as he stopped the bottle before it even hit is lips.

“Why? You afraid I might get too drunk and take advantage of you tonight?” He said with a wink. I instantly felt my face blush. He let out a chuckle and took a drink of the beer.

“No, I’m not worried about that at all. I don’t really think you are that drunk. Are you?” I asked as I looked down towards the ground.

“Ellie, I just wanted to celebrate tonight that’s all. Come here and sit on my lap again……”

After all those years of watching my mother drink the last thing I wanted was to worry about Gunner drinking all the time.

“I know what you’re thinking Ells and no, I do not drink like this all the time okay sweetheart? I was just so happy that we are together and well….I just wanted to let my guard down a little tonight. I promise I do not make a habit of getting drunk.”

Gunner downed his beer. I could tell he was getting wasted but he looked so damn cute.

“Are you excited about going to the ranch Ellie?” Gunner asked as he moved his hand up and down my back. My god his fingers tips had magic inside them. I could hardly breathe let alone think.

I took a deep breath and tried to clear my head. “YES! I’m very excited. I’ve always wanted to go to a ranch and see lots of cows and ride a horse. OH please say we can ride a horse?!” I said as I bounced in Gunner’s lap.

“Fuck Ellie please don’t move like that okay?” Gunner adjusted me on his lap and I of course felt the heat rise up in my cheeks.

“Oh…I’m sorry. How many girls have you brought out to meet your grandparents?” I asked as I looked at his eyes slowly started to droop lower and lower.

“What?”

“You know, how many girls have you brought out to the ranch.” Gunner’s head looked like it was moving in slow motion as he looked at me.

“None….I’ve never brought anyone out to the ranch ‘cept for Jeff and Brad and Josh…..never brought no girls there. I was waiting for you Ellie. Only you.”

Oh wow if that didn’t make my heart start beating faster. I mean I knew he was drunk but I also knew he meant what he said.

“I want to kiss you Ellie…..but I don’t think I can right now ‘cause I might want to do more than kissing.” Gunner said now with more of slur.

I had to giggle. “Like what kind of more?” I knew I shouldn’t be going there but……I was.