"Ava?" Rob was definitely surprised to see me and I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing, "What are you doing here?"
"I saw the game..." I shrugged feeling a little self conscious about why I was actually here, "I just wanted to make sure you were okay."
"You actually watched the game?" Even he seemed shocked that I had watched a Patriots game and I laughed softly.
"Yeah." I nodded, a nervous smile parting my lips. Once again, I couldn't tell if his reaction was a good thing or a bad thing.
"There you are babe!" I heard a females voice and my eyes were locked on Rob's until she came into sight, "I was looking everywhere for you."
She wrapped her arms around his midsection as if she were claiming her prize, standing there in nothing but his jersey.
"Who's this?" She smiled at me and I felt my skin crawl. Partially because of her but more because of Rob and the fact he was as much of a sleaze ball as I thought he was.
"Ava..." His voice was gentle and his eyes looked some what sympathetic.
"I-I'm sorry, I should've called first..." I tried to make a quick escape to save myself any further embarrassment. My heart dropped at the sight of her and I felt foolish for showing up here unannounced as if he would want to see me.
"Ava!" Rob called out to me and I didn't bother to look at him as I continued the path to my car, "Ava! Just hang on a minute!"
"I shouldn't have come." I opened my car door and turned to look at Rob, "I really don't even know why I'm the least bit surprised. This is just..." I shook my head, trying to keep my emotions at bay, "This is just who you are and this is exactly why that kiss should've never happened. You can do whatever you want with whoever you want, just please... leave me out of it."
"That's not fair Ava. You don't even know me! Just because the media portrays me one way doesn't mean that it's true." He tried to defend himself but his argument was invalid in my opinion.
"You're going to blame the media for your party boy ways? Really?" I looked at him in major disappointment, "The media only publicizes what you are actually doing. Sleeping with porn stars, shoving your face in girls boobs, these groupy hook ups, drinking until you can't remember.... that's not the media, Rob. That's you."
The air around us fell silent, Rob looked off to his left, his hands on his hips. I wasn't sure what to make of this moment. Was he actually reflecting on what I said or was he frustrated that I may be one of the only girls that hasn't fallen victim to his charm. Actually, I lied. I had fallen victim to his charm, that's exactly why I was here.
"I was actually dumb enough to think that I had something to do with that game today... clearly I was so wrong." My voice was soft and shaky, I had wanted so bad for him to prove me wrong. To prove to me that he wasn't what I thought he was.
"You had everything to do with that game today Ava." Rob took a few steps forward, my opened car door was the only thing separating the two of us, "You have been on my mind since the day I met you. You're amazing Ava. The way you carry yourself, the way Mia idolizes you, the way you have treated me from the second I was late walking into your classroom..." We exchanged some soft laughter as we both remembered that day, "I have never been Gronk to you... and it feels good. And to top it all off... you are so fucking beautiful. It just... You blow my mind."
I looked into the distance and let out a deep sigh before returning my focus to Rob. I could've gotten past everything else, or at least tried but I couldn't get past the fact that he had a girl in his house as we spoke. Was that really how he handled things? Was that his answer to solving his problems?
"If it was me that affected your game so much, then it's me you should've called after... not her." I gestured towards the house before ducking into my car and shutting the door.
"Ava!" Rob yelled out to me and I ignored him. I backed out of his driveway and sped off before I got sucked in any further. The things he had said were almost enough to pull me back in.
Rob and I may not be dating and maybe we haven't even been on an actual date, but like I said before, I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve. The flirting, the kiss... I guess I misjudged the entire situation.
I pulled into the lot of my apartment complex and took a deep breath allowing myself to finally think about the events that unfolded and I wiped the tears that brimmed my eyes. Honestly, I just felt stupid more than anything else. Rob is entitled to do what he wants with who he wants, I just wish he hadn't pulled me into it.
I got out of my car and headed into my apartment building, my phone vibrating repeatedly in my purse. I reached in my bag to grab the device, Rob's number lighting up the screen. I inhaled deeply and silenced the vibration hoping that it would stop but it didn't.
Rob: Ava please pick up.
Rob: Just talk to me.
Rob: Please let me explain.
Rob: Please. After I've said what I need to say you don't ever have to talk to me again.
Rob: Meet me at the harbour in 30.
I read through the text messages he had been sending and I felt small butterflies in my stomach. If he was texting me then maybe it meant he wasn't screwing around with the half dressed chick that was tramping, no pun intended, around his place. That was a good thing, right?
I let out a sigh as I contemplated what I was going to do. I could go and hear him out, or I could just walk away from everything now and not risk any further disappointment. Going could mean putting myself out there to someone who had the ability to really hurt me, but not going also meant I was risking giving up on something that could be really great. I didn't know what to do. As of right now, I'm 50/50.
