Jeff stared out at Ari. She looked over once and smiled and Jeff turned away. “I can’t do it Gunner. I cannot risk losing her. If things didn’t turn out she would be gone for good. I don’t think I could live my life if she was not in it……even if that just means being friends. ”
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