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.

“Baby I’m so sorry I said that to you. Please forgive me Ellie. It’s just when you gave me the finger and got up and left I had no idea why and it fucked up my whole game after that. I dropped two fucking balls and got the shit knocked out of me three times.”

Oh no! Oh shit I had no idea that by me doing that it would mess him up. I put my head back up against the wall and closed my eyes.

“Oh Gunner I had no idea I’m so sorry and it was a total misunderstanding that I don’t even want to talk about. I came back into the stadium did you not see me? I was there the whole game!”

“No Ellie, once you and Ari left I assumed you were leaving for good. I never bothered to look back up there.”

Oh I felt like a total piece of shit.

“You have to trust me Ellie.” He said as he was kissing all over my neck. My body started to tingle all over again.

“I do trust you Gunner, I’m sorry I’m so insecure. I love you more than anything.”

“As much as I want to keep this up, Ells I’m exhausted.” He said has he carried me over to his bed. He was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. I’m not sure how long I watched him sleep. I really did love him but I just had the weirdest feeling. Something was about to happen, I could just feel it.

CHAPTER FIFTY

G unner……

Ellie was in heaven with Grams in the kitchen Saturday morning. My heart was racing just watching her learn everything Grams was teaching her about how to cook the perfect Turkey as well as how to make a homemade pumpkin pie.

I walked down to the stable to find Jeff saddling up Fire Star.

“You’re going for a ride?”

“Yeah, I think I’m going to head out and clear my head. Maybe take a ride and check out that property again.”

I nodded my head. I knew he was upset that Ari wasn’t there. When I asked Ellie about Ari she just smiled and winked at me. I didn’t even have the energy to ask what that wink meant.

“I still can’t believe you plan on buying that property dude. Have you given any more thought about your plans for it? You still thinking of going the way you were thinking?”

Jeff looked over at me and smiled. “Yep, it just feels right. I talked to Jake at the office and the fact that they are going to let me work part time will help out. I always thought you were crazy to give up the position Jake offered you just so you could come out here but the more time I spend out here the more I know, this is the life I want also.”

I nodded my head again. I had the strangest feeling in my stomach. I had been having it for the last week, almost like I was expecting something to go wrong. Things with Ellie were going great…almost too good. While everyone around us had so much drama in their relationships, Ellie and I didn’t, thank God. But still, something wasn’t right. The fact that I saw Ellie talking to Jon at the football game didn’t help matters either. That fucker clearly was not getting the message to stay away from her and for some reason; Ellie was too nice to him.