"You don't have to do this, I'm not going to be upset with you." Rob's words were soothing as we stood in his foyer waiting for the car service to pick us up and whisk us off to the Patriots holiday party, "I know it's a lot to ask of anyone. I mean this isn't a holiday party for your boyfriend who works a 9-5 at the office and I get that."
"I do have to do this." I looked up at my towering boyfriend, his otherwise happy eyes looked concerned and worried, "Its an important step in our relationship and it needs to happen eventually."
Rob bobbed his head, he knew I was right but I knew he wanted me to do it on my own terms. He knew he was asking me to adjust to his life, to dating an NFL superstar and he wanted me to be ready. I don't know what I was so afraid of. Part of me felt silly for being so nervous but the other part wasn't prepared to deal with the harsh criticism that would come from jealous female fans or just simply trying to have a normal relationship under the watchful public eye. Maybe that was it, maybe deep down I still have some insecurities about our relationship and Rob's intentions with me.
"Whatever you're thinking... Stop." His hand reached for mine and that damn smirk he always had appeared on his face as he pulled me against him, "It's not as bad as your head is making it out to be."
Silence fell over us for a brief moment before the warmth of Rob's lips pulled me from my thoughts. His kiss told me what his words couldn't, sure he told me time and time again he wanted me to be there and that he was ready to shake off the party boy image he had portrayed but those are just words in the grand scheme of things. The kiss provided me the reassurance, this kiss was different.
"The car is here. Are you sure you want to do this?" He placed his phone back in the interior pocket of his suit coat and gave me one last chance to back out, "I promise I'm not going to be mad."
"I know." I nodded, smiling reassuringly at him as I linked my arm through his, "I'm ready."
Rob lead me out to the idled town car, the chauffeur waiting with an open door. The evening air was brisk and the light frost glistened against the Christmas lights Mia and I forced Rob to put up last week. It was the perfect night for a holiday party and as soon as I pushed these nerves aside I'd be able to enjoy it to the fullest extent.
The ride to the party was pretty silent on my end, music played softly from the speakers of the car providing background noise for the conversation Rob was having with our driver. I just listened, his thumb periodically caressing the back of my hand as if he knew I was mentally freaking out. Something about hearing him talk was calming to me and my eyes explored him, taking in every gesture, every move... I adored so much about him and I still wondered how I ended up here with one of the NFL's most eligible bachelors.
The car came to a stop and the chauffeur opened Rob's door allowing him to slip out into the bustling city street. The pounding in my chest grew as my car door opened, Rob's hand extending to assist me in joining him. I took a deep breath and placed my hand in his attempting to make a graceful exit, the fact I was wearing a dress making it more complicated than it had to be.
My eyes traveled up the building, from the perfectly groomed doormen to the backlit chrome letters reading "The Ritz Carlton". Couples seemed to be entering the building sporadically, dressed in their finest attire and I only imagined that they were some how members of the Patriots organization. I remained in awe as we made our way through the lobby and to the ballroom, Christmas decorations tastefully placed around the establishment. I felt as if I had been plucked from reality and placed into a cheesy Hallmark movie.
Rob's hand found the small of my back and his lips landed on my cheek, his last attempt at comforting me as he guided me into the ballroom. This was it, this was where I would meet and interact with his teammates, his coaches, his boss, his boss's boss... My nerves were beginning to slip away as flattery took over and I found appreciation for the opportunity. It was me that Rob chose to bring around some of the most important people in his professional life, that says a lot.
"Are my eyes playin me or is this a woman I see on your arm?"
Rob laughed as he exchanged an elaborate handshake with the dapper gentleman. I know most football players like the back of my hand but when you take them out of their element and put them in formal wear, the challenge becomes a little more difficult. I was silently running through the Patriots roster in my head trying to but a name to the face.
"Ava this is L-"
"LeGarrette Blount." I finished Rob's sentence and smiled extending my hand that was quickly taken by LG's, "It's nice to meet you."
"A pleasure to meet you Miss Ava." Blount smiled at me before clapping Rob on the back, "You got yourself a keeper here."
"Because she knows your name?" Rob laughed, "Would you feel the same if I told you she wasn't even a Patriots fan?"
"Rob!" I swatted at him playfully and I instantly felt my face growing red as I turned my attention back to Blount, "I may not be a Patriots fan but I respect talent when I see it."
"Alright. Alright. She definitely gives you a run for your money with lines like that..." Blount laughed, his smile increasing by my smooth save, "My opinion stands Gronk... She's a keeper."
Rob began to laugh again, nodding his head agreeably, "She is."
I smiled, proud of myself for the good first impression I had just made and my nerves were suddenly subsiding. Rob's hand slid from the small of my back to my hip as he gently pulled me closer against his side, his lips meeting my temple. If the rest of the team was as cool and as easy going as LG, the evening would be a breeze.
Rob had walked me around the large ballroom introducing me to nearly every person we came across, most were super friendly and definitely made me feel silly for being so nervous. Then there were the uptight ones Rob warned me about before we even approached them, it was his way of making sure I didn't take anything too personal. The talking was getting exhausting and I didn't know how he did it with such ease, I guess he was used to it.
"Dance with me?" Rob's voice was low and I looked up at him, in a way it sounded more like a plea to get him away from conversation.
"Okay." I nodded, a smile slipping across my face as he lead me to the dance floor that was randomly spotted with other couples with the same idea.
He remained pretty silent as he held me against him, one large hand resting on the small of my back and the other held mine, our fingers intertwined. I very much welcomed the break from talking and took this moment to just enjoy being in his presence and the security of his arms. With each breath I inhaled the musk yet sweet scent of his cologne and I savored every bit as we swayed to the beat of the music.
Baby, that red dress brings me to my knees Oh, but that black dress makes it hard to breathe
You're a saint, you're a Goddess,
The cutest, the hottest,
A masterpiece
It's too good to be true,
Nothing better than you
In my wildest dreams
And I know that I can't ever tell you enough
That all I need in this life is your crazy love
(Die A Happy Man - Thomas Rhett)
"Thank you." Rob broke the brief silence, the tone in his voice sending a chill down my spine.
"For what?" My eyes landed on his, and once again the goofy side of Rob had subsided.
"Being here with me." He gave a slight shrug of his broad shoulder, "I know it was a big step for you."
"This makes it all worth it." I referred to the two of us tangled up in one another on the dance floor, a love song playing around us drowning out the rest of the world, "There's no where else I'd rather be."
Rob pressed his lips to mine only holding me closer to him, as if it were even possible. These were the moments with him that I loved and cherished, these were the moments that allowed me to see him as Rob and not Gronk.
