The game had ended with a Patriots victory and while I hated that Rob's success had to be tied to the Patriots, I was proud of him for playing such an outstanding game. It's as if he gets better week after week and it never ceases to amaze me.
James and I waited for some of the stadium to clear out before we began our exit. I was going to take him down to meet Rob which was probably against my better judgement at this point. However I hoped over some Boston pizza and brews, they'd get to know each other and James would see he wasn't half bad.
"Ava, you cannot date Rob Gronkowski." James had finally taken the opportunity to speak up now that we could hear ourselves think.
"Oh come on. Its not like I'm asking you to be a Patriots fan or something." I joked as I checked my phone for any missed messages, a photo of Rob and I greeting me as my screen lit up.
"Ava, I'm serious." He stopped walking and I quickly came to a halt myself. I turned to see my brother with concern all over his face. He was serious.
"Why?" I questioned him almost defensively and I had never intended to sound so rude towards him. I knew he was just doing what brothers are supposed to do.
"It's Gronk. That's why." He explained his reasoning in the simplest of ways and I would be lying if I said I didn't understand where he was coming from, "Guys like Gronkowski are not made for girls like Ava Snow. He's with different girls all the time, hooking up with porn stars and partying until he blacks out. I'd be surprised if he ever even remembers his off seasons."
Silence fell between us for a minute and I couldn't help but to take in everything James was saying because it is everything that I felt, everything that I still feel at times. I have a lot of reservations and I do spend a lot of time wondering if I'm just wasting my energy on him. I want to believe in him, he has charming qualities too.
"He's a nice guy." I defended him, all I wanted was for my brother to give him a chance. His opinion meant a lot to me.
"I'm not doubting that he's a nice guy Av." James' voice grew sympathetic and I knew that he had probably realized he was being hard on me, "Just be careful. You haven't experienced a Gronk off season."
"I appreciate your concerns, and trust me I have gone over all this. I had the same concerns that you do." I needed James to know that I actually put thought into this, that I was aware of what I was dealing with, "I just want you to meet him. Just give him a chance."
"I'll meet him but I want you to understand that I don't care who he is, if he messes with your heart or your head... The only balls getting Gronk spiked are his." A sly smile appeared on his face and I laughed at the comment, I knew he wasn't kidding but I knew that he loved his own play on words. I had to give it to him, it was funny.
"Okay. I'm alright with that." I giggled, honestly if Rob hurt me I would be more than happy to let my brother give him a piece of his mind. While my brother may not have the massive height, he's as built as they come and I had no question that Rob would still find him intimidating.
Even though my brother agreed to be open minded about Rob, the nervous butterflies in my stomach were still very much present. I just wanted everything to go smoothly and Rob still had no idea I was going to be springing a surprise visit from my brother on him. In all honesty, a few short hours ago I didn't expect to have a surprise visit thrown on me but I wasn't complaining.
"You couldn't have moved to Houston and found a football player with a more respectable lifestyle like oh, I don't know, JJ Watt?" James tossed another joke out there and again I gave him a playful shove but I couldn't deny the laughter that escaped me. As if finding Rob was part of my plan.
"Here he comes." I smiled at Rob, my stomach in knots at the upcoming introductions. I turned to my brother to make a quick plea before Rob got any closer, "Please be nice to him, that is all I'm asking."
James gave me a nod and I turned my attention back to Rob who wore the same cheesy smile that he always wore and it only grew larger the close he got. I couldn't help the sense of pride I felt knowing that he wore that smile for me, that I was the one he was going to celebrate his victory with. I'd like to think it was a new side of Gronk that I happened to be unleashing.
"Hey beautiful." I couldn't help but to feel like he only had eyes for me as he quickly narrowed the space between us, never noticing James and certainly not wasting a moment before his lips met mine.
"Hey. Great game. You were awesome!" I was beaming, I knew I was. I could just feel it, I was proud. "Thanks for the extra ticket..."
"No problem." Rob smirked before looking around, "Did you bring one of the girls?"
James cleared his throat as he quickly went unnoticed by Rob and I knew he was trying to make his presence known.
"No." I answered before looking to my brother, "Actually I brought my brother. He surprised me this morning while I was getting ready."
Rob's focus quickly turned to James and it was cute that he suddenly seemed to grow nervous, the cockiness of Gronk quickly out the door. I sent a silent prayer to the heavens that this meeting would run smoothly. The last thing I wanted was for my brother to scare him off or for the two of them to get in some ridiculous argument over football. Had Rob played for any other team, I wouldn't worry as much but that wasn't the case.
"Rob, this is my brother James. James this is Rob." I made the introduction and I'm sure the nervousness in my voice was audible.
"It's nice to meet you." Rob extended his large hand a James accepted.
"You too." James replied, "Good game."
"Thanks man."
"Well I don't know about you guys but I'm ready for some food." Both men's eyes landed on me and I gave them a smile, "Anyone up for some pizza?"
"Sounds good." James nodded, "I'm looking forward to the beer."
"I know the perfect place." Rob chimed in, "You want to follow me or all ride together?"
"Let's just ride together. Traffic is going to be crazy and I don't want to lose you because I'm not sure where you have in mind." I hated Boston traffic at times, it could be unreal but if we rode with Rob it also wouldn't give my brother the opportunity to tell me I was making a mistake. I wasn't ready to hear it because it's still a very insecure topic for me.
"Alright. Let's head out." Rob laced his large fingers through mine, it was almost as if he could sense my insecurities.
We headed out of the stadium and I have to say the relief that came over me was overwhelming. I couldn't believe that my brother had actually complimented Rob and I realized that maybe this wouldn't be so bad. Although it's only been all of five minutes and we hadn't even made it to dinner. As long as the conversation remained neutral and we didn't bring up anything to do with AFC East rivalries, then we should be just fine.
