"He kissed you?!" Becca looked at me in shock as I told her about the events that had transpired between Rob and me.
"Yeah, and I totally freaked out." I placed my hands over my face in shame, thinking back on things. I felt bad for leaving so abruptly but I just wasn't prepared to deal with that situation. I was really caught off guard.
"And then you bailed? On Rob Gronkowski?" Becca questioned me like she was validating whether or not I had lost my mind and I nodded, "What is wrong with you?"
"Well for one, he's Rob Gronkowski. Second, I was so not prepared to be in this situation and three, his daughter is in my class..." I came up with every reason I could think of in hopes of making myself feel better.
"Ava Snow... You like him!" She accused as she pointed her long finger at me, a grin spreading across her face, "Who cares if his daughter is in your class? It's preschool, how much favoritism can you have? More time in the sand box? What's really holding you back?"
"He's just not my... type." I shrugged my shoulders and reached for my soda.
"What? Tall, dark and handsome?" Her eyes had widened and once again she looked at me like I was certifiably nuts, "Isn't that every woman's type?"
"Becca, he has a reputation that I'm not comfortable with. I'm twenty seven... I'm thinking marriage and kids. I certainly don't need a guy that was just motorboating random girls last week and partying like a frat boy." I tried to prove my case to her, Rob may have some physically appealing attributes, but his social life completely negates them, "Yeah he's handsome but I need more to go on than that."
"Okay... I guess I can see what you're saying." She laughed softly and I could only imagine the thoughts going through her head, "Personally, I think I would've wanted to hear what he had to say... just out of curiosity at least."
"I know but I felt nervous around him, I didn't want to just fall for whatever may have come out of his mouth. You know?" I was used to dealing with shady guys, I had always worn my heart on my sleeve and it always screwed me over, "Besides, who knows who his flavor of the week or month is."
"Who cares Ava?! And don't discredit yourself just because Brandon was a jerk. You're beautiful.... and hell, maybe Gronk just hasn't settled down because he hasn't found the right girl. It doesn't always have to mean something negative." She tried to plead her case and I appreciated her bringing me back to a more positive outlook, "I mean, after all he called you when he needed help with Mia, not his flavor... if there even is one. Just sayin'."
Maybe Becca had a point but we were getting way too far ahead of ourselves. Just because Rob kissed me, it doesn't mean that he wants to wife me, hell it doesn't even mean that he wants to date me. I guess I should've listened to what he had wanted to say to me but truthfully, running made it so much easier, even if I regretted it.
Becca's phone buzzed and she looked up at me, "It's game time. Do you want to watch?"
"I don't watch the Patriots but nice try." I laughed shaking my head at her offer.
"Oh come on. You can't tell me that you aren't at least a little bit tempted to watch him play." Knowing Becca, she wasn't going to give up without a fight, "He's gonna be looking all sexy and strong in his uniform and stuff..."
"You are not right!" I couldn't control the laughter that came over me, sometimes I swear there are no limits to the lengths Becca will go to in order to get her way, "You can turn on the game, but I still hope they lose!"
Becca turned on her tv, excited that I had given in to her request and I made myself comfortable on the couch. While I may not have been thrilled at the idea of watching the game, I was a little anxious to watch Rob play; there was no doubt he was extremely talented and he didn't look half bad in uniform either.
This has been a tough day for Rob Gronkowski, Chris. He just can't seem to connect with Tom Brady on the field.
The cameras focused on Rob who had just thrown his helmet in a fit of anger before plopping down on the bench. He leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees, his head dropping low as his teammates slapped him on the back as if they were trying to console him. I couldn't shake the guilty feeling that washed over me and part of me wondered if any of this had to do with our small exchange, but the other part believed I was giving myself entirely too much credit.
The game had come to an end and while I would normally be celebrating a Patriots loss, I was feeling awful. I'm not a fan of the Patriots or of their organization but I had become a fan of Rob's and I hated to see him upset.
"Well that was completely horrific." Becca mumbled turning off the tv and tossing the remote aside.
"Something like that." I sighed, reaching for my phone on the coffee table and checking the time.
"If that had anything to do with you, every worry that you have about giving him a chance should be out the window. I don't think I've ever seen him off his game." Becca had a point, if this had anything to do with the events between us yesterday, then Rob may be much different than I give him credit for.
"Is it bad if I go see him?" I looked to Becca for some advice.
"Are you kidding?!" A smile spread across her lips, "Girl, no it's not bad."
"I just don't even know where to begin..." I ran my fingers through my hair and pulled it over my shoulder before standing up from my seat on the couch, "I don't want to make a fool of myself."
"You'll be just fine. You'll know what to say when you see him." Becca stood up and pulled me into her embrace, "You better call me when you're done."
"I will." I assured, walking towards the door and letting myself out.
I got into my car and pulled up directions to Rob's house. It was just over twenty minutes from Becca's place and I hoped that it would give me some time to reflect on what I wanted to say because truthfully, I had no idea how to begin without making a complete fool out of myself.
I pulled into his driveway and saw lights on in the house hoping it meant he was home. There were no cars in the yard but there weren't the last time I was here either. I only assumed he kept his vehicles tucked away in the garage.
I took a deep breath and opened my car door. As I walked up to his front porch I was tempted to turn and run and pretend this had never happened; but something was forcing me to stay. I rang the doorbell and with each second that passed my heart beat like a drum.
The door opened and there he stood, once again taking the breath from my lungs. His basketball shorts were low on his hips and I took in the view as my eyes traveled up his abs and to his brown eyes. He had rendered me speechless.
* Kind of a filler chapter guys, you'll have to wait and see what happens between Ava and Rob in the next chapter! Anyone have any predictions?
Thanks for all the votes and comments, you guys are the best! :)
