Gunner let out a laugh. “I already like him then! Anyone who likes football and knows his stats is an okay dude in my books!” We both laughed and turned when we heard Ari come running down the steps.

“Ells….thank God you’re here! Where the hell have you two been! Jefferson has been here for 45 minutes driving me fucking crazy! Thankfully my dad came home and he is now talking to him about football!” Ari stepped back and looked at me and then Gunner and then back at me again. A huge smile came across her face.

“I get the Coach purse don’t I?” Ari said as she started to laugh and hooked her arm with my arm as we walked into the house. I just laughed and I turned back around to see Gunner with my favorite panty melting smile on his face. He gave me a wink like he knew what that exchange was all about. I smiled back at him as we made our way into the house.

Gunner and Jeff stayed for about an hour longer after we got there. Ari’s dad Mark was in hog heaven having two starting UT football players in his house. Ari’s mom Susan, begged the boys to stay for dinner but they said they needed to clean up the house for tomorrow night’s graduation party for me.

Ari was acting so strange. She was much more talkative and seemed to be nervous. I could not tell if it was because Jefferson was in her house for so long or if it was something else. I noticed her staring at Jefferson a few times and I actually caught him staring at her. What the hell was going on with those two? I was beginning to think Gunner was right about Jefferson liking Ari.

Ari almost seemed like she was trying to get rid of Jefferson and Gunner. God I hope she didn’t want to talk. I was so happy right now I did not want to talk about my mother or what happened today with her or Ryan.

“Okay, well I think it is time you two guys to took off. We need to unpack Ellie and get ready for graduation tomorrow so…..you can leave anytime you want.” Ari said as she looked directly at Jefferson.

“Arianna Katherine Peterson! We do not treat our guests that way.” Ari’s mom said.

“Yes Arianna Katherine Peterson. You keep being so rude you won’t be invited to Ellie’s party tomorrow night.” Jefferson said with a wink directed at Ari.

Ari got up and walked over to where Jefferson was sitting. She bent over and got right next to his ear.

“Fuck off dick head!” She said loud enough for Gunner and I to hear but not her mother. Gunner and I both laughed as Ari stood up and walked back over to where she was sitting next to me. Jefferson’s face was red. Was he blushing or was he just pissed?

“Come on dude…I have stuff I need to take care of anyway. We can stop and grab a beer on the way home.” Gunner said has he slapped Jefferson on the back.

Jefferson got up and walked over to me. I stood up because I knew I was about to get one of my brothers bear hugs. After he gave me my hug he leaned down towards Ari.

“Watch your language squirt; you wouldn’t want to make mommy and daddy upset with you.” Jefferson whispered into her ear.

“Stop calling me squirt and while you are at it…..go to hell asshole.”

Jefferson let out a laugh and walked over to Mark and Susan to say goodbye.

Ari grabbed my hand and started to lead me upstairs. I stopped to say goodnight to Gunner. I wished we were alone because all of a sudden I started to panic. What if I made a mistake by telling him I just wanted to be friends? What if he went out with someone tonight? Or brought a date tomorrow night!

“Um, thank you again for everything today Gunner. I really enjoyed myself.” I said as I gave him a smile. He smiled back and for a second I wanted nothing more than for him to kiss me again.

“I really enjoyed today also Ellie. Good luck tomorrow at your graduation Ellie and you too Ari and congratulations on Valedictorian.”

“Thank you Gunner and thank you so much for taking care of Ellie today. I guess we’ll see you tomorrow night!” Ari said as she walked Gunner and Jefferson out.

I turned to find Mark and Susan smiling at me. They know.

“We are heading out to the club for awhile. Let Ari know we will be back later this evening sweetheart.” Susan said as she gave me a kiss on the forehead.

“Okay I’ll be sure to let her know. Thank you Susan and Mark….for….everything.”

“No thanks are needed my sweet girl.” Mark said as he kissed my cheek.

Ari and Jefferson must have filled in her parents because they never said a word about me staying there except to tell me I was always welcome in their home. They had been like my second parents since I was ten. I use to stay over at their house for days at a time. I loved them more than I think I loved my own mother.

“Come on let me show you your room!” Ari said as she dragged me up stairs.

“My room…..wait……I’m not staying in your room like always?” I asked Ari as I came to a stop at the top landing.

“Nope…I’ve been dying to talk to you every since you got here with hotter than hot Gunner!” Ari said with a laugh.

“Shut the fuck up bitch!” I said as I punched her in the arm with my left hand.

“Okay so I want all the dirty deeds on what went down with you two today and DON’T try to say nothing did. I saw the look on your face when you were walking up with him. You either lost virginity today or that boy has magic fingers!” Ari said with a wiggle of her eyebrows.

“OH. MY. GOD! You are impossible!! NO…I did not lose my V card you bitch!” I said as I followed Ari down the hall. She stopped outside a door that was right next door to her room.

“Your room sweets.” Ari said as she opened the door to the guest bedroom. My bags were already in the room and sitting on the bedside table was a bouquet of fresh daisies. I walked over to the flowers, leaned down and gave them a good long smell.

“Oh my gosh how sweet of your mom to put these in here!” I said as I sat down on the bed. For the first time since I had left my mother’s house today I actually felt like things were going to be okay.

“It wasn’t my mom who wanted the flowers in here Ellie. It was Gunner.” Ari said as she sat down on the bed next to me.

Gunner? What! How? Why?

“Wait…..It couldn’t have been Gunner, he’s been with me all day today Ari, how could he have bought flowers and put them in here?” I asked as my head started to spin.

Ari laughed. “Jesus, Mary and Joseph, how are you third in the class you shit head! Gunner sent me a text earlier today. He said he was taking you canoeing, something you requested I take, and he asked me to pick up some daisies to put in your room. He wanted them to be here when you got here.”

“How the hell did he know daisies were my favorite flower? Did you tell him?” I asked confused as hell.

“NOPE” Ari said as she made her P sound like a pop.

“Jefferson?” I asked.

“NOPE” Ari said again with a shit eating grin on her face.

“I told you that boy wanted in your panties Ells!” Ari said as she fell back on the bed laughing her ass off.

“Arianna! I am so confused. Did he just guess? Please just tell me! My god this guy has my head spinning and my heart pounding and his kiss just about knocked me off my feet.” I said as I fell back to lie next to her.

I heard a scream and saw Ari jump up.

“What the FUCK Ellie he kissed you? He kissed you????? When? I mean oh my God you bitch you kept something this HUGE from me?! I can’t believe you….. how could you?” Ari just kept going on and on.

“HOLY SHIT Ari if you would just shut up we have only been alone a whole five minutes! I will tell you!” I said laughing at how Ari was still jumping up and down.

I told Ari all about our morning and how perfect it was. I even told her about Crysti the bitch. We talked about how sweet Gunner was after we left my mother’s house, the awesome canoe ride. Then I told her every single detail about the kiss.