Текст книги "Wanted"

Автор книги: Kelly Elliott

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Текущая страница: 11 (всего у книги 31 страниц)

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

Ellie…….

I was shaking from head to toe after I walked back in the house from yelling at Jefferson. The moment Ari told me what Jefferson had said to her earlier in the night I thought I was going to throw up. It all made sense now. I was wondering why Ari had been dancing so provocatively with a few guys. I noticed Jefferson a few times watching her but had I known what he said.

Oh. My. God…..he was such a prick! I was mad at myself also. If I had not slipped and said Ari was still a virgin Jefferson would have never have said anything to her.

THEN……to see him walk out of his bedroom with that whore who had been hanging on him all night. I couldn’t believe it. If he did this kind of shit at each party maybe it was for the best if we made this our first and our last party.

I had to stop and settle my anger. I was not only pissed at Jefferson but that fucking Crysti chick had been hanging all over Gunner when we walked into the living room. It looked as though he was trying to push her away but…..if my own brother could do it……I got a glass of water and drank it down quick. I was feeling sick to my stomach. Ari was now just sitting on the sofa lost in thought.

FUCK!

“Ari, honey let’s go get changed and go lay down. I’m not feeling very well.” I said as I walked in front of her.

“There is NO FUCKING way I am sleeping in his bed Ellie…..NO….I will walk home if I have to. No…not after what he did in there with that slut. Did you see her smile at me when she came out of his room? Did you see that? I mean….oh my god….she actually gloated right…right in my fucking face!”

Ari threw her hand up over her mouth……shit….I think she was about to get sick. Next thing I knew she was flying down the hall to Jefferson’s bathroom. Right then Gunner walked in with Jefferson. They both saw her go running by and down the hall.

“What’s wrong?” Gunner asked me as he walked in.

“Ari is about to throw up. Shit! Shit! Shit! Do you have a towel I can get wet to bring to her?” I asked Gunner as I turned and saw him walking into the kitchen. He was already making his way to the sink with a small towel and running it under warm water. My goodness….this guy was too much. Everything he did made my heart skip a beat. I walked over and stood next to him. I bumped his arm with my shoulder.

“You really are something else do you now that?!” I said with a smile. Gunner smiled at me and handed me the towel. Just then I heard Ari yelling.

“DON’T TOUCH ME! DO. NOT. TOUCH. ME! Get the fuck away from me you fucking asshole!”

“SHIT!” Gunner and I both said it at the same time as we ran towards the bathroom. Jefferson was standing in the bathroom holding a towel out for Ari, trying to hold her hair back. He looked completely shell shocked.

Ari was throwing up bad and when she wasn’t throwing up she was screaming for Jefferson to leave her alone.

I walked up and took Ari’s hair out of Jefferson’s hands. Jefferson just stepped back out of my way.

“Gunner….please get him out of here. He’s only making it worse.”

Gunner nodded his head and lead Jefferson out of the bathroom and into his bedroom.

Ari just kept say “Oh.My.God……Ohhhhh my god!!!” Over and over. I wasn’t sure if it was the thought of seeing Jefferson coming out of his room with another girl or if it was the alcohol that was making her so sick. It was probably both.

Once it seemed like she could not possibly throw up anymore she sat back and leaned against the wall. The tears where just pouring out of her eyes.

She started to laugh. “Oh my fuckin’ holy shitin’ son of a bicthin’ hell……how could I be so fucking stupid? What would make me think he would ever be interested in me Ells? So fucking stupid!” Ari shouted out.

I bent down and pushed her hair back behind her ears. “Stop crying right now Ari. What would your mother say right now if she saw you? She’d be pissed and probably telling you some stupid Katharine Hepburn quote. Pull yourself together…..you’re a beautiful, smart young women. Come on…..let’s get you to bed. You’ll see, in the morning you will feel so much better sweets.”

Ari stood up and I helped her across the hall into Gunner’s room. It had been the third time I had been in his room. Well really the second time being fully in his room. I still could not get over how neat he was!

I helped Ari get her shoes off and her shirt. She pulled her shirt up over her head and crawled under the covers. I swear as soon as her head hit the pillow she was out.

I picked up her clothes and laid them over a chair. I walked over to Gunner’s dresser and looked at the few pictures he had. One picture was of an older couple. They looked so happy and so much in love. I bet these where his grandparents. Then there was a family picture. A handsome young man in a military uniform and a very beautiful girl, she must have been in her late 20’s or early 30’s along with a very handsome boy. This must be Gunner and his parents. I had to smile at the little crooked smile he had even then. There were a few other pictures of just the young women. She really was beautiful. She had shoulder length brown hair and beautiful green eyes. Gunner had her smile.

I looked back at Ari who was sound asleep. I guess I should go clean up the bathroom. I walked into the hall and stopped when I heard Jefferson and Gunner talking. I shouldn’t have but I put my head up to the door so I could hear them.

“Jeff man you got to explain how the fuck you ended up sleeping with fucking Rebecca. You can’t even stand her.” I heard Gunner trying to whisper.

“I don’t know okay?! I had too much to drink and she was fucking coming on to me all fucking night. Then watching Arianna out there practically dry humping every fucking guy she was dancing with….I. Don’t. Know. I just snapped. I sure as shit couldn’t have Ari. Rebecca kept hinting around about having sex and I guess I just gave in.”

I could not believe my ears. My own brother….all I could think of was Ryan and how he said almost the same exact thing. Maybe my mother was right….all men are just out for one thing.

NO…not Jefferson….I won’t believe he did this on purpose. He needs to explain to me why he just broke my best friend’s heart.

“You just gave in? That’s fucking bullshit and you know it. You were pissed at Ari before she even got here Jeff. You did this on purpose dude. You might not realize you did it on purpose but you did. You invited Rebecca here knowing that she was going to be hanging on you all night. You might not have planned to sleep with her but you did. You were trying to push Ari away Jeff and I think you were successful by what I just heard her yell out in the bathroom.”

“You don’t think I can see that? It fucking killed me when she was screaming at me not to touch her. Knowing I’m the one who caused this…..oh god…….it’s tearing me up inside Gunner. I’m no better than that fucker who hurt Ellie…..and worse of all…..I not only hurt Ari, I hurt Ellie. Oh god….did you see how she was looking at me Gun? I fucked up with Ellie big time.”

“Dude you fucked up with Ari big time also. You know the girl likes you….what’s with this you don’t like her bullshit.” Gunner asked Jefferson.

“I don’t understand my feelings for Ari. She has me so fucking messed up all the goddamn time. She has for at least the last 5 fucking years. FUCK!” Jefferson shouted so loud it caused me to jump and my elbow hit the door.

“Come in.” I heard Jefferson say.

FUCK A DUCK! Shit…..I slowly opened the door and saw Jefferson and Gunner both sitting on the end of Jefferson’s bed. I looked at the bed and it was a mess. I instantly felt sick to my stomach knowing what had happened in here not too long ago. I put my hands up to my mouth in a reflex. Gunner jumped up and ran over to me.

“Ellie what’s wrong sweetheart? Are you sick? Do you need to throw up?” Gunner asked as he bent down to look into my face. I shook my head no and slowly dropped my hand away from my mouth. Just the feel of Gunner’s hands on my shoulders instantly calmed my nerves. I looked around Gunner and saw Jefferson sitting there staring at me.

OH. MY. GOD…..he had tears running down his face.

My first instinct was to run to him. I had never in my life seen him cry. I looked up at Gunner who was still looking down at me with worry in his eyes. I took a step back to get out of Gunner’s grip. Jefferson started to stand up and walk towards me.

“Don’t! Just…. don’t Jefferson. What you did tonight it was…it was just….I don’t even want to think about it anymore. I only wanted to let Gunner know that Ari is asleep in his room. Did you need anything out of your room? I could get it for you.” I said as I looked away from Jefferson and back to Gunner.

“Um, no it’s okay I’ll just wear a pair of Jeff’s shorts.” Gunner turned to look at Jefferson and then back at me. He walked me out of the bedroom and leaned in close to me. “Is Ari doing okay Ells? What made her sick? Did she drink too much beer ‘cause I will feel like shit if that’s what made her sick?” Gunner said with the most concerned look on his face.

Gesh, every time I think he cannot be any better….he goes off and does or says something that just makes him that much better. The heat from his body and his breath on my face instantly caused an ache between my legs. I shook my head to clear my wayward thoughts.

“No Gunner, I don’t think it was the beer at all. I think it was seeing Jefferson walk out of his bedroom putting his shirt back on while some whore was smiling at her with a triumphant fucking smile on her face. THAT is what made her sick to her stomach.” I said loud enough for Jefferson to hear me. Gunner just closed his eyes.

“I’m going to go clean the bathroom and then go to sleep. Thank you so much Gunner for the party….I enjoyed myself, most of the time anyway.”

“Ellie just leave the bathroom sweetheart its fine. Jeff and I always have a cleaning company come in and clean up the house the day after a party….it’s fine just go to sleep. Please.” Gunner said as he followed me into the bathroom.

“Whatever….fine……I’m exhausted anyway. Goodnight and thank you again for letting us use your room. I really do appreciate it.” I leaned up and gave Gunner a kiss on the cheek. He smiled from ear to ear which made my heart skip a beat.

I didn’t even bother saying goodnight to Jefferson. I walked back into Gunner’s room. I just wanted to get out of these clothes and go to sleep. My head was killing me from all of the beer I drank. God I just wanted to get this night over with. I remembered seeing a tee shirt in the bathroom when I was in there earlier. I walked in and saw it lying over the tub. I took my skirt and shirt off and pulled the tee shirt over my head.

Oh holy hells bells….it smelled like Gunner. Hmmmm…..I took a big sniff and buried my face in the shirt. Yep…I should sleep well tonight!

I crawled into bed next to Ari. She was snoring away. Man oh man…she was going to feel it tomorrow when she woke up. Maybe she won’t even remember Jefferson sleeping with that bitch Rebecca! Oh, I could only hope.

Good lord….everything around me smelled like Gunner…..his pillow, the blankets…..hmmmm…..I could sleep like this every damn day. Wrapped up in his smell……the last thing I remembered before I fell asleep was dancing with Gunner as he sang in my ear. He really had such a beautiful voice.

It seemed like I had just closed my eyes when I heard Ari talking on the phone. I opened my eyes and sat up yawning. From what I could tell Ari was talking to her parents. She was fine, yes the party was super fun, yes it was just us two and Jefferson and Gunner……we slept in Gunner’s room. After a few more seconds she finally said goodbye and hung up.

“Hey there! Morning sunshine! Did you sleep well?” Ari said as she jumped up out of bed. Oh HELL no….she has to be feeling something for fucks sake. I was and I didn’t even drink as much as she did!

Just then all the memories of last night came flooding back to me. Jefferson and what he said about her virginity and him sleeping with that Rebecca chick.

“Good morning Ari….you sure are just a little to chipper this morning. How do you feel?” I asked as I watched her go into Gunner’s bathroom. I heard the faucet start and heard her laugh. I got up to walk in and see what she found so funny.

“What’s so funny?” I asked her as I looked around on the counter.

“This…this shit is funny” Ari pointed down to my skirt and shirt that was lying on the bathroom floor. ”I never thought I would see your clothes laying on the floor of a fucking hot guys bathroom….OR you dressed in said hot guys tee shirt. HOT Ells….very hot!” Ari said as she pushed my shoulder with her hand.

I let out a small laugh and reached down to pick up my clothes. “I thought I picked them up last night! Gosh I was exhausted. Um, Ari honey are you okay? I mean do you want to talk about anything?” I asked as I watched her put her hair up in a pony.

She stopped putting her hair up and looked at me. For one brief second I saw the hurt in her eyes, but it was gone so fast I wondered if it was even there in the first place.  She flashed that signature smile at me and shrugged her shoulders.

“There’s nothing to talk about Ells. What’s done is done. I had a silly crush on a guy who happened to turn out to be a real dick head; sorry I know he is your brother! If he wants to go around and fuck every girl on the UT campus….I could care less.” Ari said as she turned and walked out of the bathroom.

Ooookay…..that was not what I was expecting from her but I’ll go with it.

“So, you mean to tell me Arianna that you are totally fine with everything that happened last night. You’re not the least bit bothered that Jefferson slept with another girl.” I said as I started to take Gunner’s tee shirt off and put my own clothes back on.

“Nope….I’m not the least bit bothered by it Ellie. Matter of fact, Josh gave me his number and asked me out last night. I turned him down but……. now that I think about it, I’m going to give him a call today.”

She turned and gave me a wink and headed towards the bedroom door. I saw her square up her shoulders and take a deep breath as she opened the door and headed out towards the living room. I could hear Gunner and Jefferson talking as soon as she opened the door.

Bullshit….she was totally putting up a front.

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

Gunner…..

I ended up sleeping on the sofa last night after Jeff finally passed out around 2:30 am. Once I sat on the sofa I could still smell Ellie on the sofa pillows. I probably looked like a stupid fuck with the way I was cuddling a goddamn throw pillow last night.

Jeff was up at six am dressed and ready for a run. Not sure how the fuck he managed that but he did. I got up and went for a quick run before I came back to make up some of my grams’ blueberry muffins.

I never got a chance to give Ellie her graduation gift last night so I was hoping to do it this morning. I was pretty sure I heard Ari on the phone and then heard Ellie and Ari talking. Jeff had been gone for almost two hours. I started to wonder if he was staying away to avoid the girls.

Stupid bastard.

Just then the front door opened and Jeff walked in. Looking like he just had the shit beat out of him.

“What the fuck happened to you dude?”

“I went a few rounds with bubba up at the gym. I need to work all the fucking alcohol out of my system.” Jeff said as he grabbed a water out of the fridge.

“Are the girls up yet?”

Jeff sat down at one of the bar stools and started to down his water. Man he looked like shit.

“Dude, I think you worked out too hard, you look like shit.” I said as took the muffins out of the oven.

“Fuck you dude…..I’m not the one acting like Betty Fucking Crocker!”

“Seriously Jeff, you feeling okay today, you get enough sleep?” I asked as I took a good look at him. He looked tired and his eyes were like a dead green sea.

“Yeah I feel alright. I can’t believe I drank that much last night. I fuckin’ never drink like that.” Jeff said as he reached over and grabbed the bottle of Advil that was sitting on the kitchen counter.

“Do you um, you remember everything that happened last night?” Shit…I hated to do it but I had to ask.

Jeff looked up at me and I swear his eyes glossed over with tears. “Yeah dude, I remember everything that happened last night. Believe me…I woke up wishing I had been drunk enough not to have remembered it.”

Just then the door to my bedroom opened up and Ari came walking out. Damn….she looked just as good this morning as she did when she walked in yesterday evening. I could see Jeff sit up straighter.

“Good morning!” Ari announced as she came buzzing into the kitchen. What the hell? I looked over at Jeff who was just watching her every move.

“Did you make blueberry muffins Gunner? My god! No wonder Ellie has the hots for you!” Ari said with a laugh.

“ARIANNA!” The sound of Ellie’s sweet voice caused my stomach to do a few flips. I looked up and my breath caught in my throat. She looked beautiful. I wonder if she woke up every morning looking this fucking good. She gave me a shy smile….there was that blush…..fuck I just wanted to take her in my arms and kiss the shit out of her.

“Good morning sweetheart. Did you sleep okay?” I asked as I poured her a glass of orange juice. She sat down in the bar stool next to Jefferson who was still watching Ari’s every move.

Ellie looked over at Jeff and her smile faded just a little. When she looked back over at me she gave me that smile that would make me promise her anything in the world.

“I slept okay, thank you so much for giving up your room last night for us.”

Jefferson shut his eyes for a second. Was he even planning on saying he was sorry to Ari and Ellie?

“Look Ellie….Gunner made blueberry muffins. Isn’t that so sweet? Some guys are just like that…..caring….they know how the little things just makes a woman so happy.” Ari said as she leaned against the counter and stared Jeff down. She had been sending someone a text message right before.

I did not like where this was going.

“Ari, can I speak with you in private please?” Jeff asked as he stood up.

“Um, no….” Ari said as she picked up a muffin and started to put butter on it.

Jeff was running his hands down his face clearly getting frustrated. He let out a loud sigh. “Please….I really need to talk to you……….please.”

Ari looked up at Jeff and I swear if looks could kill Jeff would have been on the floor. “Whatever you have to say to me you can say it in front of my friends. You know what those are, don’t you Jeff? Oh…wait…the type of friends that you have……you fuck them in your room during your sister’s graduation party.”

“Ari that is enough, he just wants to talk to you.” Ellie said as she looked back and forth between Ari and Jeff.

Fuck me….this was not going to go well at all.

“No this is fine Ellie. If this is how Ari wants to have this go down then that is fine by me. I was going to apologize for my comment last night that embarrassed you. It was very insensitive of me to bring up the fact that you are still a virgin and that your fucking dry humping every guy at the party might give them the wrong impression you were ready to give it up.” Jeff said as he slammed his bottle water down.

This was like a fucking train wreck that I couldn’t stop watching.

“JEFFERSON! Oh my god! How could you say that to her right now after what you did to her last night?” Ellie said as she stood up and walked up to Jeff.

“What…what did I do to her Ellie? I was trying to apologize and she is being a bitch about it.” Jeff said as he turned to look at Ari.

She was just standing there with a blank expression on her face. “You SLEPT with that girl Jefferson. You knew that was going to hurt Ari…you knew it would.” Ellie said with a crack in her voice.

“Is that what it is Ari? Are you upset because I slept with another girl because the last time I checked sweetheart….I didn’t have a fucking girlfriend.” Jeff shouted at Ari.

“Do not call me sweetheart you son of a bitch.” Ari said as a tear started to roll down her face.

“Jeff, let’s just back off here for a minute. Dude I see where you are going with this and dude I get it but…..”

“What?” Ellie said as she turned and gave me a shitty look.

Oh fuck…..

“So Gunner…..you think what Jefferson did to Ari was okay because they’re not dating? You and I both know they have feelings for each other.” Ellie said as she put her hands on her hips.

Shit she was cute when she was mad.

“Now wait a minute Ellie; don’t turn this around on me now. That is not what I was going to say. I was just saying that it is true….Ari and Jeff are not dating and really he could see or date anyone he wants. I’m not excusing what he did it’s just….it’s just….” Oh why the fuck did I think I just stuck my foot in my damn mouth. Stop talking Gunner….

“Can I just please say that I could care less what this dickwad does okay? So Jeff…have at it ….fuck whoever you damn well please ‘cause you are right, we have nothing together. Never have and you made it very clear last night, we never will. I got your message loud and clear.” Ari said as she wiped a tear from her face.

“Fuck, Ari please just let me explain….I was not trying to hurt you last night. I just got angry and you where flirting and…..”

Ellie wasn’t done with me though and she cut Jeff off…..

“So wait…Gunner. Does this mean if I had been dancing with one of the other guys all night and made you all hot and bothered, you would have gone off and fucked Crysti to help satisfy your hard on? Because that is pretty much what you did right Jefferson?” Ellie said as she walked over to Ari who was now just as confused as I was. How the hell did this turn around onto me?

“NO! Ellie, I wouldn’t do that to you but they’re not dating.”

“Neither are we Gunner……thank god for that!” Ellie turned and walked to my bedroom.

Oh holy fuck……..I started to follow her. How the hell did this just happen?

“Ellie wait a minute! How did this turn to me doing something wrong to you?” I asked her as I walked into the bedroom. Ellie turned and looked at me. She threw one of my tee shirts at me and shouted, “Because you are all fucking alike! Every goddamn one of you…..even my own brother. All you do is use your dicks to think with.”

Ellie grabbed her bag and pushed past me and walked back out into the living room. Ari was standing there waiting at the front door. What? Where were they going?

“Ellie let me drive you both home sweetheart.” I said as Jeff walked up to try and ask Ari if he could take her home.

“We do not need a ride thank you Gunner and no Jeff, you cannot take me home so we can talk. We have nothing to talk about.

“How are you getting home Ari?” I asked while I was looking at Ellie who would not even look at me now.

“I sent a friend a text message asking him if he could take Ellie and me back to my house.

“What friend?” Jeff asked clearly annoyed.

“Josh, he gave me his number last night and asked me out on a date. I told him no last night but I seemed to have woken up with a much clearer head this morning.” Ari said as she smiled at Jeff.

“The FUCK you will. There is no fucking way my sister or you are getting in a car with that asshole!” Jeff said as he took out his cell phone. I already knew what he was doing.

“Josh, this is Jeff……..yeah I know and I want you to listen to me, you come anywhere near my sister or Ari and I promise you I will break you in fucking two pieces you got it? Good…….loose her number….” Jeff threw his cell phone onto the sofa and walked down the hall into his bedroom and slammed the door shut.

“Great….just great….I guess I will call a cab Ells.” Ari said as she took out her cell phone again.

“WAIT!.....Ari please just give me five minutes.” I turned to look back at Ellie. I practically begged her to let me have five minutes with her in private.

I took Ellie back into my bedroom and sat down on the bed while she stood up near the door.

“Ellie sweeeee……um, look I don’t know what the fuck just happened out there or what I said or did that pissed you off but you have to believe me. I have no…..absolutely no interest in any other girl but you. I already told you….I won’t give up on us Ellie. I will wait forever if that is what it takes to prove to you how I feel about you. I know we just met and you think I’m moving too fast and I promise you I won’t push you but please sweetheart…..God please just don’t push me away.” I said as I watched her whole body relax.

I looked over and saw the James Avery box. I got up and walked over to it. I picked it up and walked over to her.

“I wanted to give this to you last night but I never could find the right time to do it.” I said as I handed her the box. Her eyes lit up when she saw that it was the James Avery gift I picked up yesterday. I guess she was putting two and two together now.

“Wha…..what is this for Gunner?”

“It’s your graduation present sweetheart. I wanted to make sure you got it this morning before you left.” I said as I pushed a piece of her hair behind her ear.

“Gunner…..you really didn’t have to get me anything!” Ellie said as her blue eyes captured mine.

“Open it…please before you get mad at me again!” I said with a laugh.

Ellie let out a giggle that just traveled through my whole body. I could listen to her laugh all day.

She started to open the box and when she saw the daisy necklace her head snapped up and looked at me. She looked so confused. Why?

“How…..I mean……how did you know….the flowers at Ari’s house and now this?” She took the necklace out and handed it to me to put on her.

“How did I know what sweetheart?” I clasped the necklace and turned her around to face me.

“Did Jefferson tell you daisies where my favorite flowers?” Ellie asked me with such a confused look in her eyes.

Well I’ll be damned. I can’t believe it, they’re her favorite flower! If only I could pump my fist in the air right now!

I smiled down at her causing her to smile at me.

“Ellie, when you were in Jeff’s truck right after the whole Ryan thing…I leaned in to whisper in your ear and I thought you  smelled like daisies. Every time I see a daisy I think of my grams who has a whole garden of them and now I will also think of you sweetheart.” I said as I traced the side of her jaw line with the back of my hand.

Ellie looked down at the necklace and then back up at me. She threw herself into my arms…..fuck I have died and gone to heaven again!

“Oh.My.God! Thank you so much Gunner! Thank you for being so sweet to me and just knowing how to make me feel so much better. I love this! I will NEVER take it off….ever!” Ellie said as she held onto me so tight. I didn’t want to let her go. I wanted to take a few steps back and lay her down on my bed and just make love to her slowly and sweetly. I felt my dick jumping……… DOGS! I needed to think of dogs!

Ellie started to let go of my neck. She stepped back and smiled up at me. I leaned down and kissed her softly on the side of her lips. “You are most welcome my Ellie. Now, can I please give you and Ari a ride home? Please?!”

Ellie started to laugh. She nodded her head and we headed back out into the living room. Ari was now sitting on the sofa holding Jeff’s cell phone. She had a huge ass grin on her face.

“What are you doing Ari?” Ellie asked as she walked up to Ari.

“Oh nothin’, just deleting Rebecca’s number from Jeff’s phone.” She set the phone down on the table as Ellie and I busted out laughing.

Yep….Jeff was in for a wild ride whether he wanted it or not!