Текст книги "Wanted"

Автор книги: Kelly Elliott

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Chapter T hree

Ellie …..

Two and half hours later…….

I was getting tired of waiting for the doctor to come back into my room with my pain medicine prescription. By the time I finished telling Jefferson and Gunner what happened, I just wanted someone to shoot me. They both looked like they were ready to leave and go kick Ryan’s ass. A small part of me wanted them to. My hand hurt so bad I just wanted to cry. Thank God it was not broken. The urgent care doctor said it was a Grade 2 sprain. No torn ligaments but I needed to do something called R.I.C.E. Ari of course wrote down what RICE stood for. I couldn’t think let alone try to remember some acronym.

Gunner had been leaning up against the wall just opposite of me the whole time. I tried to keep my eyes either on Jefferson, Ari, the doctor or the floor. Every time I looked up at him he smiled and I felt butterflies in my stomach. I would smile back politely and then look away.

No one has ever had this kind of effect on me before, not even Ryan. It always bothered me that I never got those butterfly moments with Ryan that all my friends talked about. I knew deep down inside Ryan and I were never meant to be. I mean, I am not even feeling upset anymore about what happened.

Of course it could be the incredible hot guy standing across the room who was burning holes into me with his eyes. His beautiful sky blue eyes that just melted my heart and for the first time in my life, made my body tighten with anticipation…down there.

Oh holy hell….what is going on with me?

I shook my head to clear my thoughts again. I could not let this guy get under my skin. No matter how freaking hot he was. I looked up at him again and this time I felt the heat rise up my face. Gunner let out a small laugh that made his whole body tighten. I licked my lips as I watched his body respond to his laughter. My god this guy had a nice body. All I wanted to do was inspect every square inch of it.

Wait…..That fucking bastard just laughed at me! This is why I am never going to have anything to do with men again. I will die a virgin and be proud of it.

“Sooo, what are the plans for Saturday night?” Ari asked while looking at Jefferson I’m sure the same way I had been looking at Gunner.

“I know what my plans are, not sure about yours squirt.” Jefferson responded back to Ari.

“Oh.My.God! Can you please not call me that?! I am eighteen years old and not a child you asshole.” Ari hissed.

“Well you sure as hell act like a child squirt.” Jefferson stated matter of fact.

“I thought we were having a party at the house to celebrate Ellie’s graduation.” Gunner said as he looked back and forth between Ari and Jefferson. He seemed just as confused about what was going on between them as I was. I would swear they were in a staring contest with the way they were looking at each other.

“Wait…..wait just one damn minute! You’re having a party…..at your house? For us?! Oh. My. God…this is awesome!” Ari jumped up and nearly knocked over the sharps container that was to her right!

“Um, no squirt, I’m having a party at my house for Ellie. Not you.” Jefferson said as he turned to look up at me. I smiled my biggest ‘I love the shit out of you’ smile as I looked at him.

“Are you for real?! I mean I finally get to meet all of your friends and go to a college party!” I was about to act like a total fool myself and jump up and down. If Gunner had not been in the room I so would have done it.

“You bet I am Ells. You only graduate from high school once. It’s one of my presents to you!” Jefferson said as he got up to come and hug me!

I was so excited I could hardly contain myself. When I looked over Jefferson’s shoulder there was that drop my panties smile again. This time I didn’t mind it so much. I smiled back at him just as big as he was smiling at me. I have to admit I think I was more excited knowing I was going to be at a party where I knew for a fact Gunner would be. I had been to their house before but Jefferson always made sure Gunner was never home.

They lived in a two bedroom house that belonged to Gunner’s grandfather. He bought the house when Gunner moved to Austin to attend UT. Jefferson and Gunner hit it off within days of meeting each other and Gunner asked him if he wanted to bunk with him at his house. That was a no brainer. Jefferson would do anything to get out of our house with our drunken mother. I spent most of my days at Ari’s house anyway. Mansion I should say. Her dad was a big shot lawyer but you would never know they had money by the way Ari acted. That was one of the things I just loved about her.

“Am I at least invited to my best friend’s graduation party dick wad?” Ari asked with so much sarcasm it was dripping off of her.

“If she wants you there squirt that is fine by me!” Jefferson said as he rubbed the top of Ari’s head like she was five years old.

“Fucker!” Ari said as she pushed his hand away. Jefferson and Gunner both laughed.

OH. MY. GOD……..that laugh of his. Like his smile, or his touch, or his massive chest was not enough to be my undoing. His laugh about dropped me to the ground. A feeling ran through my whole body every time I heard this guy laugh. What the hell?!

The doctor came back in right at the exact moment I thought I was going to combust from the look Gunner was giving me. He gave me my prescription, another round of how to take care of my hand and out the door we went. Thank God. Between Ari and Jefferson going back and forth with each other and Gunner standing across from me sending me looks that about had me wanting to rip his clothes of…I was more than ready to get the hell out of dodge.

“Hey dick wad, can you swing back by the school so I can pick up my jeep?” Ari shouted over Maroon 5 blasting out of the stereo.

“Ellie and I both have our last shift tonight.” Ari and I both worked part time at Flipnotics. It was a little coffee shop near downtown Austin.

“Oh fuck no is Ellie going to work tonight! She has to rest her hand and she is on pain meds. Are you fucking insane Ari! Thinking Ellie is going to work tonight!” Jefferson shouted back to Ari.

“Yeah, that is not a good idea going in to work tonight Ellie. You need to keep your hand and wrist elevated to keep the swelling down.” Gunner said to me as he turned around and looked at me.

WOW, he really looked like he was worried about me. My heart started to beat faster and I felt the blush creep up into my face.

NO! Wait…I needed to stop this right now. I could not let Gunner Mathews get into my heart. No. It was closed for business. Shut down, never to be opened up to any hurt again.

You will never be wanted by anyone…..Would I ever be able to get my mother’s voice out of my head?

Ari sat there and looked stunned. She just kept looking between Jefferson and Gunner and finally just laughed.

“What?! Are you both her freaking mother? No, I think not. Ells can do whatever she damn well pleases and you two ass wipes have no say in it what so ever! If she wants to go to work or not go to work that is her decision to make. I can’t believe you two…my God.” Ari said in a harsh tone directed more at Jefferson than Gunner.

Gunner gave me a small smile and turned back around and looked out the side window. For a brief second I was pissed at Ari for hurting his feelings. He was only worried about me. Just the thought of it had me thinking things I should not have been thinking about Gunner.

Holy shit……I started to blush just thinking about what his touch would feel like.  Jefferson brought me out of my wayward thoughts.

“You know what squirt you’re right, I’m not her mother but I am her brother. Ells I don’t think it is a good idea honey. Plus you are taking pain meds and you really cannot use your hand.”

Maybe Jefferson was right. It had been such a long day and I was so tired. My hand was killing me and all I really wanted to do was curl up somewhere and go to sleep and forget this whole day even happened. Well, not maybe the whole day. If Ryan had not cheated on me I wouldn’t have been graced with the presence of Gunner all afternoon.

Gunner….even when I think about him my stomach takes a dive. Does that really even happen to people? According to my mother all men are evil bastards. Jefferson isn’t an evil bastard. He would never purposely hurt anyone. Although he does seem to be doing a good job at getting Ari all fired up today. They are currently going back and forth about what is better for me again. If I didn’t know any better….

OH MY GOD! OH. MY. GOD. Jefferson likes Arianna! Holy fuck, how did I not see this?! The way he keeps looking at her and talking to her. The time he beat up Brad Roberts. Once Ari started high school and really started looking more like a girl than his little sisters….squirt friend. OMG! Jefferson pretty much dumped us both and no longer hung out with us right after that.

How could I forget he used to call her squirt? WOW….this was something I would have to think on later. Right now trying to deal with my hand and these crazy intense feelings for Gunner was enough to handle.

“Oh my god will you two PLEASE shut the hell up!”

Ari and Jefferson immediately stopped talking and Ari looked over and took my good hand.

“Ari, I hate to admit this but I really am so tired and my hand is killing me. Maybe I should rest a bit. Today has been such a long day and I’m ready for it to just be over.” I said as I looked up to Jefferson who turned around quickly to give me a smile.

“You’re right sweets, I’m sorry. I will let them know what happened and why you can’t come in. Tonight was our last day anyway!” Ari said as she leaned over to give me a hug.

“Thanks Ari, you’re the best!” I noticed Jefferson’s body tense up right at that moment. He must have thought of something.

“Ell’s maybe you should plan on staying the night at my place. If mom is home she is going to ask you a million questions and I’m not sure if you want to talk to her about that douche bag Ryan. You always keep a bag of clothes and stuff in Ari’s jeep right?” Jefferson asked as he pulled into the high school parking lot.

“Oh, hum, yeah I didn’t even think about mom or anything. Last thing I need is to hear her saying I told you so.” I practically whispered as I thought about my mother and how I will never hear the end of it when she finds out about Ryan.

Jefferson wants me to stay at his house…..Gunner’s house……..

Oh holy hell…..this is going to be bad. Please, please, pleeeease say that Gunner is going out all night or has some big thing he has to leave town for. Please don’t let him say he is going to be there. I mean Jefferson has never even let me meet any of his college friends, even his BEST friend, and now he is wanting me to spend the night in the same house with the guy who practically just has to look at me and I’m ready to jump him???!!

Shit! Shit! Shit!

“I mean if that’s okay with you Gunner? Ellie can take my room and I will sleep on the sofa.” Jefferson said has he jumped out of his truck to help get my things.

“Of course, it’s cool with me! Ellie can stay over anytime she likes. Our place is her place as far as I’m concerned.” Gunner said as he turned back and looked over at me winked and then gave me that freaking ass panty melting smile.

Bastard! He knew what he was doing. He cannot fool me any. He knows he has an effect on me and I’m probably nothing more than a game to him. HUMPH. I’ll show him!

Giving him back a very seductive smile, well at least very seductive for me anyway, I purred back in a very lovingly sisterly way.

“Ahhh, Gunner how very sweet of you. Now I feel like I have TWO big brothers looking out for me. You are such a good friend.” His smiled faded quicker than a Texas sunset.

HAH! Take that you bastard. I’m sure that just threw about a gallon of cold water on his libido. Huh…made me feel pretty damn good too! I had to smile at my small victory and do a little mind fist pumping.

Jefferson had opened my door waiting for me to get out of the truck. He looked between Gunner and me and frowned slightly as he helped me out of the truck.

Ari came up behind me and whispered in my ear, “I am SO looking forward to that Coach purse.” I quickly turned to look at her and gave her the most angry look I could manage.

“NEVER, going to happen’ Arianna….EVER!” I hissed through my teeth at her. Ari just threw her head back, laughed and handed Jefferson my overnight bag I kept in her jeep.

“Whatever you say sweets!”

“When you two are done talking in riddles can we get going? Gunner has some place he needs to be.” Jefferson said as he walked over to his truck and threw my bag in the backseat. Gunner gave Jefferson a strange look.

“Have fun Ells!!! I will give you a call later tonight to see how your night went!” Ari said with a laugh as she got into her Jeep ready to head off to work. She had the top off of her jeep and she was throwing her hair in a pony tail. She truly was beautiful. Hard to believe she did not have a boyfriend. I looked over at Jefferson who was staring at her before he seemed to get his wits about him and started to walk over to the driver’s side of his truck. Ari honked her horn and all I saw was her pink spare tire cover as she drove off.

I stood there and watched my bitch of a best friend drive off and leave me to fend for myself. Pesh, I will remember this. I turned and headed to climb into the back seat and Gunner took my arm. My breath instantly caught and if I didn’t know better I would have thought he had the same reaction.

“Why don’t you sit up front with your brother Ellie. I’ll sit back here.”

Boy did he stress brother! Ooops wonder if I made him mad. The thought of making him mad or upset seemed to unsettle me. My stomach started to feel sick. What the fuck? Maybe it was just my hand hurting.

“Oh, okay, um thanks. I mean, I’m sorry if I kept you from something you had to do this afternoon. Thank you for all your help by the way. I really do appreciate it.” Good Lord I somehow managed to get that all out without sounding like an idiot.

“It was no problem at all Ellie. Besides the fact you have a hurt hand, I’ve rather enjoyed my afternoon. A lot.” Gunner said with the sweetest smile. Okay, this guy really knew how to confuse me already.

I looked down to where he still had his hand on my arm. He quickly dropped his hand and opened the truck door for me. I turned to smile at him right as he was shutting my door. Once Gunner was in, Jefferson fired up his truck and started to head to their place. He reached over and messed around looking for a song before “Truck Yeah” started up again.

“NOOO!” Gunner and I shouted at the same time. Jefferson just threw his head back and laughed. He looked over at me and gave me a wink and pulled out onto the main road.

I am so going to delete that song from his iPod the first chance I get!

My heart was pounding and I felt like I was fighting for every breath. What was wrong with me? I had been to Jefferson’s place plenty of times. It was a cute house and I loved going there. The house was a two bedroom house with a huge backyard in Hyde Park. It was a white house with blue trim. The front porch had a porch swing on it and I always thought how nice it would be to just sit on that swing and read a book. I’m sure Gunner’s grandfather paid a small fortune for it but Jefferson said it was a good investment.

Gunner has never once asked for rent from Jefferson. They just split the rest of the bills. The only problem with this place was…..it was for sure a bachelor’s pad. The few times I had been there I noticed all the football and Architectural stuff everywhere. I’m still amazed that both Gunner and Jefferson had decided to major in the same field. It’s no wonder they became best friends. They both loved football and Architecture and football.

We turned down Avenue F and my heart started to pound so loud and fast I was sure Jefferson and Gunner could hear it. Jefferson pulled up and parked next to what I’m guessing was Gunner’s truck. It was an older model F250 beige truck. What was it with Texas boys and their trucks?

“Is that your truck Gunner?” Regretting it the minute it came out of my mouth. I mean come on Ellie, who else’s truck would it be?

“Yep! That’s my girl! My Gramps gave her to me when I got accepted into UT. She’s a 1998 F250 that was used on the ranch but, she has never failed me yet.” Gunner said jumping out of the truck and opening my door for me.

Hmm, manners, good looking and a rocking body. Yeah this guy is too good to be true. I would do good to keep telling myself that.

“You refer to your truck as a girl?” I looked over at the truck and back at Gunner. OHHH mistake…there was that damn smile again. Wait? When did it go crooked? Maybe it was just the way he was smiling right now. I don’t think I would have missed that….would I? My head was spinning and my hand was throbbing. Good lord I’m so fucked with this guy.

Gunner let out another one of those laughs that made me go all Jello on the inside. SHIT! I should have just taken my chances with my mother.

“Yes, Ellie I refer to her as my girl. This way I know the only way my heart will ever get broken is if she breaks down on the side of the road and leaves me stranded.” He said as he gave me a wink.

Holy hell this guy was killing me, what a flirt! Okay….I can play this game! I dug down deep and pulled out my sexiest voice……

“Well…… I’m sure your heart is safe then….aren’t Fords pretty reliable? I mean, I would hate to think of your heart being broken. It would just make me all sad.” I said as I looked up at him through my eye lashes. His crooked smile got even bigger and for a moment he looked like he wanted to kiss me.

My heart started to pound even harder…holy fuck…was eighteen too young to be having a heart attack? I mean what the hell else was this?!

“Gunner!” Jefferson called out and snapped me out of my moment of weakness and I spun around to look at my brother who was holding my overnight bag and giving both of us a curious look.

“Dude, can I talk to you for a minute?”

OH. MY. GOD…what was I doing? I just flirted with my brother’s best friend, in FRONT of my brother and now he was going to chew his ass out. Or worse….beat the shit out of him!

Oh great! There goes my party Saturday night. FUCK ME!

“Hey Ells you mind heading in and I’ll bring your bag to my bedroom?” Jefferson asked as I slowly started to walk towards him.

“Umm, yeah sure no problem but, um is everything okay?”

“Of course it is honey; I just need to ask Gunner to do me a favor.” Jefferson said as he pushed me up the stairs of the front porch. I turned back around and watched as Gunner ran his hands through his beautiful messy hair while he walked up to Jefferson. Oh how I would love to run my hands through his hair. I He took one look up at me and smiled. I felt my lower lip going numb and realized I was biting the shit out of it.

I turned back towards the door and opened it. As soon as I walked in I had to smile. It smelled just like Jefferson in here. And it smelled just like…….. Gunner…….oh yeah….

I was fucked for sure.

Chapter F our

Gunner…. .

The moment Jeff had asked Ellie to go inside I knew something was up. FUCK! I needed to be more careful around her, especially in front of Jeff. In just the short amount of time I had been around her today I wanted to know so much more about her. What were her favorite flowers, her favorite restaurant, band, and movie?

Holy fuck, what the hell was going on with me? I had this incredible urge to just be around her. I mean I have been with girls, plenty of girls but none of them have ever affected me the way Ellie has. Just touching her alone causes me to get a semi. What the fuck is that about? She’s my best friend’s sister who just broke up with her douche bag boyfriend this morning.

Gunner man…..chill the fuck out.

Well, let’s get this over with. I walked over to Jeff but not before I looked up and saw Ellie looking down at me biting her lip. I’m pretty sure it took all my strength not to let a moan out from just the sight of her chewing on that lip. I knew she was worried about what Jeff was about to say to me, especially since she just attempted to flirt with me for the first time today. God she was cute as a button but holy shit she was so innocent and yet, so seductive at the same time.

She gave me a weak smile and turned to walk into the house. I let out a big sigh and walked up to Jeff.

“What’s up dude? Is everything okay?” I asked getting ready for the first punch to be thrown.

“Yeah dude its all good. Listen, I totally forgot I had a date tonight with Rebecca. I’ve been putting this off for weeks now. If I call her now and cancel..….” Jefferson said as he looked back at the house.

“Gunner, I hate to ask this of you but, can you stay home tonight and take care of Ellie? I don’t want to leave her alone. She has never taken these kinds of meds before. I mean I know I’m asking a lot out of you to sit and watch my sister. I think she would okay with it. Actually, I kind of think she might like you dude.”

I just stood there stunned into silence and I looked around for a second. Where the fuck was my best friend Jeff? The one who refused to let any of his friends meet his baby sister until after she was out of high school. The Jeff who actually threatened us with bodily harm if we ever laid a hand on her.

This day just keeps getting more and more fucking weird.

“Umm, no I don’t mind at all.” I said to Jeff as I looked at him with a stunned expression on my face.

“Jeff, man can I just ask you a question?”

“You know you can Gun…shoot.”

I ran my hands through my hair again trying to decide how you tell your best friend you are attracted to his baby sister you literally just met hours ago and he was about to leave you alone with her for who knows how many hours?

“Jeff, Umm, I mean I don’t mind at all staying home tonight, I didn’t have any plans but dude. You’ve never let anyone of your friends around your sister, matter of fact you threatened us with bodily harm if we ever laid a finger on her. So, now you’re just going to leave her here with me, alone when you use to make me leave anytime she would come over? I mean I think she is beautiful and, umm, I kind of…um, well I……..FUCK…..I don’t really know what I am trying to say here Jeff I’m confused as hell.” I said as I looked back up towards the house and then back at Jeff who was just standing there smiling.

Jeff let out a laugh that caught me by surprise.

“What the fuck is so funny?” I asked looking at him like he had lost his mind.

“Dude, you got it bad. So fucking bad you can’t even talk straight!” Jeff said as he laughed his ass off and I just stood there in stunned silence.

“You don’t think I didn’t notice the two you staring at each other all afternoon? Or the fact that Ellie was devastated by what that fucker did to her but five minutes after she saw you she was pretty much like, Ryan who?” Jefferson said as he let out another laugh.

“Wait, I’m so fucking confused because Ellie has always been off limits. Dude you told me once you would cut off my balls if I ever so much as looked wrong at her. Are you trying to set me up for something here? I mean, if you want a fight we can just head to the gym and duke it out Jeff. Fuck man don’t play around with me like this.” I practically begged him. Yeah.….something was not right here. I don’t fucking beg anyone for anything.

“Listen Gunner, you’re my best friend. You’re like a brother to me. I would lay my life down for you and I know you would do the same for me. If I was ever going to trust anyone with my sister it would be you dude.” Jeff said has he put his hand on my shoulder.

Just fucking great….here was my best friend trusting me with his sister and all I was trying to do was calm the erection I got every time I was around her.

“Umm…. Jeff I need to be honest with you. I think I’m attracted to your sister. I mean I would never disrespect you or Ellie in anyway. If you tell me right now to back off and never look at her again, dude I will do it. It would be hard because I’m pretty sure your sister has me tied up in knots and I’m a bit confused by this entire thing but, I would do it for you Jeff.” I said as I ran my hands through my hair waiting for Jeff’s reaction to my admission of being attracted to his little sister.

“Gunner, Ellie had a pretty fucked up childhood thanks to my mom. She pretty much told her she was useless just like she did me. In Ellie’s mind she will never be good enough for anyone. I only ask that you give her time. If she ends up having feelings for you then just see where it goes. Just keep in mind that she is innocent, very innocent and best friend or not, you hurt her, then I hurt you.” Jeff said as he gave my shoulder a much harder squeeze.

“Jeff you know I would rather die than disappointment you man. I promise you that. I promise to take care of her whether it turns out we are just friends or it becomes more than that. Always dude.”

Jeff gave me a hard ass slap on the back and we started for the door.

“Good to know Gun…..good to know! I’d hate to have to beat the shit out of my best friend. Now, let’s go see how she is settling in shall we?” Jeff said as he turned to head into the house.

My heart started to beat faster and I was not sure if I was more anxious to see Ellie in my house or by the fact that I pretty much just got Jeff’s blessings. Man, this day just keeps more interesting as it goes on. What the hell else could happen?

As we walked into the house Jeff called out for Ellie. She came from down the hallway and had her hair pulled up in a pony tail and had changed into a pair of Jeff’s sweats and a UT tee shirt. I had never seen anyone so goddamn sexy in my life. I had to walk to the kitchen to adjust the damn hard on I was getting…again! I think my dick has gotten hard more just this afternoon then it has all fucking year.

“Hey honey, how are you feeling?” Jefferson asked as he walked up to Ellie.

“I guess I am okay. I think the meds are kicking in ‘cause I am really tired.” Ellie said with a yawn.

“Let me go put this in my room and grab a few things out of my room. I really hope you don’t mind Ellie but I had plans for tonight and I’ve blown this girl off three times already. I can’t back out again. Gunner offered to stay home and help out if you need anything.” Jeff said has he walked back to his bedroom.

“Oh, umm, yeah that is totally fine Jefferson. I don’t need to be babysat though.” Ellie said as she watched Jeff go to his room and grab a change of clothes and head to the shower. I heard Jeff tell Ellie he knew she didn’t need a baby sitter then he hollered down the hall he was taking a quick shower.

I was still in the kitchen so I grabbed a beer out of the fridge. “Gunner listen, please don’t stay home on my account. I’m really fine. I think I just need to eat something and lie down and rest for a while. I’m sure I will fall asleep really fast.” Ellie said as she looked everywhere except at me. She really was innocent and damn she was beautiful.

“Don’t be ridiculous Ellie; I have no plans for this evening. I was planning on just chilling and watching a movie or two. Are you hungry? We haven’t been to the store but I can run and get you something. You probably should eat since you are taking the pain medicine sweetheart.”

She looked at me for the first time since she came out of the bedroom and her face instantly went red. My breath caught in my throat. Her eyes just held mine for what seemed like forever before she finally talked.

“I am kind of hungry. Oh gosh though, I hate to even ask you I’m so embarrassed. Um, I’m sure Jefferson has time to run and get me something.” She said as she was about to turn and go ask him through the bathroom door.

“NO! Really I’ll go get it. I’m hungry myself and I haven’t eaten since breakfast. Let me go run and grab it and I’ll be back in no time. Just let Jeff know I ran out to get us something to eat.” I yelled as I raced out the door.

I knew exactly what I would get her. I remember Jeff saying one time if she had her pick of anywhere to eat this would be the place. As I jumped in my truck and fired it up I could not help but smile. There was just something about that girl……..