I had arrived at the harbor, parking my car in the closest spot I could find before stepping out into the cool air the fall evening had provided. I was still unsure that me being here was the right idea but I also wasn't prepared to deal with any regrets that may have followed if I didn't come and at least hear what he had to say.
I had all of three minutes to reflect on what I wanted to say to Rob, what I needed to say and how I wanted this to go. Part of me felt foolish, as if I had over reacted to the entire situation. I mean, did I really even have a right to be so upset? After all, I'm the one that took that kiss personal. For all I knew, it was just the norm for Rob. He was used to girls throwing themselves at him. Although I don't feel I was throwing myself at him, sure I took part in some innocent flirting but that was it.
A dark silhouette on a bench by the harbor's edge caught my attention. Judging by the size, I knew it had to be Rob. I couldn't imagine how many other 6'6 men would be out here at 8:45 on a Sunday night. At least I hoped it was him as I closed in, I certainly didn't want to encounter any stranger of that stature.
"Hey." I slowly approached him pulling him away from whatever thoughts were going through his mind and he watched as I took a seat beside him.
"Hey." Judging by the tone his voice held, he was surprised to see me and I couldn't help but to enjoy the thought that I had made him sweat a little.
Everything around us fell silent as we both looked out at the harbour admiring the picture the dim lighting and the night sky had created on the water's surface. It was so calming and serene without the hustle and bustle the daytime hours brought. Boston had always been my favorite city in the country and it was partly for the picturesque scenes like this.
"Ava..." Rob's voice cut through the silence and I turned my head to look at him, his eyes were still focused on the water before he turned to look at me, "I need you to know that nothing happened tonight..."
"It's none of my business." I shrugged returning my focus to the water. As much as I hated to say that, it was the truth.
"I made it your business the second I kissed you..." I could feel his eyes on me and I felt my heart speed up, "I never expected you to show up on my doorstep but I'm glad you did. I don't know what I was thinking. I wasn't thinking. You saved me from making a really stupid mistake."
"You don't owe me an explanation. This whole situation has just caught me totally off guard..." It was as if a huge weight was lifted from me and my heart no longer felt like it was in my stomach as he assured me that nothing had gone on between him and the mystery girl. I don't know why I cared so much but I did.
"Maybe I don't owe you an explanation but it's important to me that you know." The Rob that sat beside me was so different from the goofball Gronk everyone knows and loves, this Rob was vulnerable, "The one with the most explaining to do is you..."
"I have some explaining to do?" I looked at Rob in total confusion, what on earth did I have to explain.
"What were you doing watching a Pats game?" His lips curled up into a playful smile; the goofy Gronk had returned and I couldn't help the laughter that fell over me.
"I was curious..." I smirked, I could feel the heat spreading across my cheeks and I was so thankful for the lack of lightning to expose the fact I was blushing.
"Uh huh." His laughter slowed and the grin on his face faded. I turned to look at him, I knew he was angry about the way the game had unfolded, "Definitely not my finest moment."
"I'm sorry." I apologized, I hated that I felt I was responsible. He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees and his head hung low. I wanted so bad to wrap myself around him and console him but I quickly pushed that thought from my mind.
"Why are you sorry?" He looked back at me and I shrugged my shoulders. He let out a faint laugh as he sat up right again.
"If I affected your game like that... that's not a good thing. I mean no offense but it's not like you were catching touchdown passes left and right." I somewhat teased Rob about the situation and only hoped he would take it as that, a joke.
"Ouch." He winced in pain and I instantly felt guilty that he took what I said to heart before I saw the goofy smirk slide across his lips and soft laughter escaped him.
Silence fell around us, I wasn't sure what to say. I was kind of hoping that Rob would guide me here. Judging by what had gone on between the game and the groupie, I figured he'd have a lot to get off his chest and clear the air but it wasn't proving to be the case.
"So... why'd you call me here?" The words had escaped me without much thought and I tightly closed my eyes mentally cursing myself for being so abrupt.
"Let me take you out." Rob's confidence was very present, at this point I'm almost positive he has never been told no in his life.
"Eh... I don't know." I had serious reservations about whether or not this was a good idea. Don't get me wrong, I'm attracted to him and I've seen a side to him that surprises me but I've also seen the side that brought us here in the first place; that eternal frat boy, "We're just so... different."
"Why does different have to be a bad thing?" I could hear the question in his voice as I turned to look at him. Our eyes locked and I could slowly feel the butterflies in my stomach start to take flight.
"I'm just... I'm not really into the whole fling thing. I'm a relationship kinda girl." I shrugged my shoulders giving him the best answer I had, "And respesctfully, you're not really known for your monogamous ways."
"My track record may not be working in my favor right now but how do you know it's not just because I haven't found a girl worth my attention?" Rob defended himself before reaching for my hand, "Av... All I'm asking for is a date. One chance to prove to you that there's more to me than meets the eye."
I focused my eyes on our hands and the way his extremely large hand swallowed mine in its grasp. I took a moment to absorb what he was saying, to relish in the fact that Rob Gronkowski was in some ways, pleading with me for a chance. He certainly wasn't going to allow me to say no to him, that was clear.
"Kiss me." His voice was low and his bold statement caused my eyes to quickly land on his. The way the distant light reflected from them and the warmth they held had me feel as if my breathing was becoming labored, "If you can honestly tell me you feel nothing after that, I will leave you alone."
His face was slowly inching closer to mine and I wanted so badly to taste his kiss but at the same time I didn't want to have to acknowledge any feelings that it may stir up in me. He continued to hold my hand in his before bringing his free hand up to rest on my cheek. His eyes scanned my face before he closed the gap between us, his lips landing on mine. There was no denying that there was something there as I deepened the kiss not yet ready for him to pull away. I felt him smile before finally pulling away, he knew he had made his point and once again I realized Rob Gronkowski doesn't take no for an answer.
