Текст книги "Wanted"

Автор книги: Kelly Elliott

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Gunner gave her the sweetest smile then leaned in a bit closer to me.

“Let’s get you to the doctor, what do you say?” Gunner whispered against my ear. The feel of his hot breath against my face caused my body to start to shake.

“Ahhh, yep okay, doctor sounds good, yep let’s go, let’s roll, let’s do this thing.”

Okay why was my mouth still talking when clearly my brain had checked out the moment he smiled at me? He shut the door and jumped into the front passenger seat. Jefferson started his truck and of course, Tim McGraw’s “Truck Yeah” started up. I swear to God if I had to hear that song one more time I was going to hurl.

I looked over to Ari who had a shit eating grin on her face. She leaned over and said low enough to where only I would hear her. “Okay that boy wants in your panties!!!”

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.”

4 Years later……

“Dude I cannot believe we only have one more year of college!” My best friend Jeff shouted over Tim McGraw’s Truck Yeah song. Shit, if he played that song one more time I might have to knock the shit out of him.

“No doubt! I’m just glad school is done. Man this year has been kicking my ass!” I shouted back over the damn song. Just then Jeff’s phone vibrated and lit up. We were at a stop light so he picked it up to read it.

“I’m getting a text from Ellie, that’s weird.” Jeff said as he turned the music down.

Jeff’s little sister Ellie was a senior in high school and was about to graduate in two days. I had never personally met her face to face but sure knew enough about her to feel like she was my little sister as well. He was throwing her a graduation party Saturday night. She had turned 18 in November and he had been putting off having her come to any of our parties until she was out of high school.

No one on the team was to meet her until then and even then, she was pretty much off limits. He was very protective of his little sister.

I was an only child so I didn’t get the whole tighter than tight sibling thing. I did know that Jefferson and his sister where pretty damn close though. They grew up with a drunk as a mother and Jeff pretty much raised his sister.

“Ahhh Shit, we need to swing by and pick up my sister. Something must be wrong if she wants to leave school early.” Jeff said as he made a quick U-turn.

“Holy shit…….you are actually going to allow me to meet your baby sister?! HOLY FUCK…. Let me write this shit down! I get to me meet the ever elusive baby sister of Jefferson Johnson!” I said as I let out a laugh.

“Shut the fuck up douche bag!” Jeff said as he punched me on my left arm. “Hey, I’m sorry, I know you wanted to stop by McBride’s and look at that gun.”

“I can take a look at it later today or tomorrow. No worries.” I had my eye on a Remmington Model 870 12 gage pump action for a few months now. I could always head over to McBride’s gun shop another time.

Jeff and I were planning on going out to my grandfather’s ranch in Mason in a few weeks to catch up with the old man and help out with some things he needed done around the place. Nothing made me happier than hanging out with my Gramps and helping out on the ranch. Most of the happy memories from my childhood are thanks to my grandfather and grandmother. There is nothing that I would not do for them. Nothing.

“What do you think is going on? I mean she never asks you to pick her up early.” I said to Jeff as I looked at my watch. His sister had to have at least another hour of school left.

“Shit I don’t know. I know she was happy the other day knowing everything was set for her scholarship to UT. She has worked her ass off in school. The money from our grandmother should help cover the additional costs that her scholarship won’t. I had it invested and it has done really well.” Jeff said as he sped towards Ellie’s school.

From what I gathered from hearing Jeff talk about his sister was that she was pretty damn smart. She was third in her class. Worked her ass off in high school taking every Pre-AP class she could get into and even took some ACC classes to get a jump start on her college classes. She already had enough college credits to enter UT as a sophomore. Jefferson was pretty damn proud of her and bragged about her all the time.

“Hey man, do me a favor….send her a text from my phone giving our ETA of five minutes will ya?” Jeff asked as he sped even faster towards her school. To say that he was over protective of his baby sister was putting it lightly.

For some reason my hands started to shake when I was punching in his message to Ellie. What the hell? I mean, I got a little bit excited at the idea of finally getting to meet Ellie face to face but come on? Maybe it was just my shoulder acting up. I hurt it during spring training and now I carry a bottle of Advil in my pocket everywhere I go.

Yeah, surely that was it! I mean come on, it is just Ellie, Jeff’s sister, for Christ sake. She had been over to our place a few times but Jeff always made sure I was never home when she was over. From what I can remember she looked like she was cute and I could tell she had a rocking body. I have seen her from afar plenty of times. She was really into yoga and even got Jeff hooked on it for a little while. Bastard kept trying to get me to go to some Yoga place downtown. Fuck that. The Yoga shit coach makes us do is enough for me thank you very much.

We had been sitting out in the parking lot for a few minutes and no Ellie. Jeff sent her another message but nothing.

“SHIT! I have a bad feeling.” Jeff said as he strained his neck to watch a side entrance for his sister.

“Come on, let’s just go in and see what is taking her so long.” Jeff said as he jumped out of his truck.

“Dude, do you think this is a good idea going into a high school? I mean don’t you have to do the whole check in shit so you don’t freak people out?” I said as I practically ran to keep up with him.

“Nah, I know where her locker is. They never keep this side door locked. I sometimes bring Ellie stuff to eat during her off period.”

It must have been between classes because kids were fucking everywhere. Holy fuck you couldn’t give me a million bucks to go back to high school. Just walking down the hall gave me memories I wanted to just push back down, way….way…. far down.

I noticed Jeff tense up next to me and I looked down the hall to see what he was looking at.

“What the fuck?” Jeff whispered. I followed his eyes.

What the hell? My stomach did a total dive when I looked and saw a girl standing with her side facing towards us. I knew in an instant….this was Ellie.

“Ellie what the hell is going on? I got your text honey, WHAT is going on?” I barely heard Jeff say to his sister. Ellie turned to look at Jeff and my breath caught in my throat when I saw her. She was the most beautiful thing I had ever laid my eyes on. Her beautiful blue eyes were red and bloodshot and she had a dazed and confused look on her face. I looked down and saw her holding her hand and it appeared to be hurt. I immediately balled my hands into fists. The anger that built up inside me knowing someone had hurt her shocked the shit out of me.

“What the fuck did you do to my sister you asshole? I will KILL you if you have hurt her!” Is all I heard before I tore my eyes away from Ellie. Jeff had some douche bag kid pinned up against the lockers. I have seen Jeff mad but I have never seen him loss his temper like this.

Just then Ellie walked up and tried to pull Jeff off of the kid but she jumped back and let out a cry like she was in pain. No way was she going to get anymore hurt. I walked up and placed my hands on her shoulder to get her out of the way. The moment my hands made contact with her body I felt a jolt go from my finger tips to my toes.

What the fuck was that?

“Stand back here Ellie so you don’t get hurt sweetheart.” I said as I brought her a few feet away from where Jeff was going insane on some high school kid. Ellie turned and looked up at me. Her eyes widened in surprise. My god she had the most beautiful blue eyes. Her hair was a beautiful light brown and was wavy and just past her shoulders a few inches. All I wanted to do was run my hands through her hair. I could not even form the next words in my head.

By the way she was looking back at me, she felt the same way. She was staring at me like I was trying to take her soul. I felt her shudder under my touch and I let out a small laugh. She narrowed her eyes at me and looked over my shoulder at the commotion going on behind me.

There was some guy now yelling at Jefferson. I needed to get him out of here before we both got our asses put in jail.

I gave Ellie a reassuring squeeze, smiled down at her and then turned my attention onto Jeff.

“Jeff, take it easy man. Calm the hell down dude; he’s not worth going to jail for!” I said to Jeff in a calm voice. I knew he was upset and I needed to bring him down.

“I’m going to kill that fucker if he hurt her in anyway Gunner, I.Will.kill.him!” Jeff shouted as he looked over at the douche bag.

Just then I heard another girl shout out; “OH FUCK….. ELLS! Jeff! We need to get Ellie to the hospital like RIGHT NOW!”

I looked over and saw Ellie’s hand swelling pretty quickly. The anger that started to build up inside me once again scared the shit out of me. I had not had this much anger since my senior year of high school where I took it out on a few guys by way of fighting. This fucker did something to hurt Ellie and all I wanted to do was smash his head on the floor.

“Dude listen to me, your sister is hurt. We need to get her to the doctor right now. Don’t worry about this fuck wad Jeff. We can take care of him later” I said to Jeff as I looked over at the mother fucker who hurt Ellie somehow. I wanted to kill him right there.

“I will be back for you bastard.” Jeff hissed through gritted teeth. I pulled on Jeff’s arm to get him moving, “Let’s go Jeff.”

Jeff and Ellie and the other girl started to make their way out of the school and to Jeff’s truck. I had seen that we passed the cafeteria on the way in so I ran in and quickly bought a bottle of water and asked the lady for a small bag of ice for Ellie. By the time I got back outside I was jogging back to Jeff’s truck. I heard Jeff and the other girl bickering about something. I thought I heard Jeff call her Arianna at one point.

Once Ellie was in the back seat I reached in and gave her the ice.

“Thank you ah, um, Gunner.” Ellie barely got out her words. Damn it she must be in a lot of pain. Poor girl can barely talk.

“No problem Ellie. Try to keep it up above your heart sweetheart and here take these Advil.” I said as I handed her the water and a few Advil from my pocket stash and tried to give her a reassuring smile. My god she was beautiful. Her friend leaned over and told her to breathe.

“Hey, I’m Ari by the way. Ellie’s best friend” I gave Ari a smile and looked back to Ellie.

“Thank you” Ellie said as she took the Advil. As soon as her fingers brushed against my hand I felt jumpage in my pants. Holy Fuck this girl was affecting me in ways I had never known was possible.

“Let’s get you to the doctor what do you say?” I said as I leaned in close to her ear. I know I should not have done that but dammit I had to know how she smelled.

Daisies….She smelled like the daisies Grams grows in her garden. It was a pure sweet innocent smell. She shivered with the feel of my hot breath against her face.

I. Am. So. Fucked.

“Ahh, yep okay, doctor sounds good, yep let’s go, let’s roll, let’s do this thing” Ellie said in the sweetest voice I had ever heard. God, she was cute as a button when she stammered on her words.

I shut the door, quickly adjusted my problem in my pants and jumped into the front seat. Jeff started his truck and yep…sure enough…it was still on Truck Yeah. I swear I’m going to delete that song on his iPod the first chance I get.

“Ari is dead wrong on what Ellie?” Jeff asked while pulling out of the parking lot. I just couldn’t wait to get the hell out of there. I was still worried they would call the cops. The sooner we got out of there the better.

“Nothing Jefferson, she is just delusional that is all. She is seeing things that are clearly NOT there.”

“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!”

I was pretty sure I had heard Ari just call Jeff a dick wad. What was up with Jeff? He never would be so rude to someone. In the last five minutes I have heard him to tell this poor girl to shut up, bicker with her like a married couple and he pretty much just called her crazy. Huh? Wonder what was up with that. I am going to have to ask him about this Ari chick later.

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