The buzzing didn’t stop, though. Eventually I grabbed my phone, determined to turn it off.
Instead, I saw Gibson’s name.
There was a text and two missed calls from him. I quickly called him back.
“Avery,” he said when he answered. “I was worried you were asleep.”
I looked at the clock on the cable box. “It’s only eleven thirty,” I said.
“I don’t know. I hear you pregnant ladies go to bed early.”
“Not when us pregnant ladies are young and beautiful.”
He laughed. “Listen, I want to see you.”
“Right now?”
“Right now. Come meet me.”
I sighed. “I don’t know. This pregnant lady is young and beautiful, but she’s also tired.”
“I know I’m an asshole for running out on you, but I’ll make it worth your while if you come see me.”
“Where are you?”
“Standing by the statue.”
“I don’t know.”
“Come on, the night is beautiful and nobody is around. Come meet me.”
“Fine. I’ll be there soon.”
“Can’t wait.” He hung up.
I sighed and got off the couch, my stomach a mess of butterflies. I quickly went into my bedroom, threw on some clothes, and fixed myself in the bathroom mirror. Ten minutes later, I was ready in record time. I headed out the door, grabbed my bike from out front, and headed to campus.
It was a short ride, maybe five minutes, over smooth pavement. I realized that I’d need to stop riding my bike eventually, maybe in a few months when I began to show a little bit. I pushed that thought out of my head when I saw the stadium up ahead.
I took the right-hand path and skirted along the stadium. I slowed down as I saw the statue up ahead.
Gibson was leaning against the base, a black duffel bag at his feet. He stood up and grinned as I approached.
“I’m glad you showed up,” he said.
“I was pretty bored, I guess.”
“You’d have to be to meet a boy out in the middle of the night.”
“This boy is pretty safe,” I said, parking my bike and getting off.
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”
“What did you want to see me here for?”
“I wanted to tell you something.”
I walked over to him and leaned against the statue. He leaned next to me, our shoulders touching.
“What?” I asked.
“I just wanted you to know that no matter what happens, I’m here for you. I’m broke right now, but I’m working on getting some money for you and the baby.”
I shook my head. “Gibson, seriously, you don’t need to do that. I have money, and the medical stuff will be mostly covered by the university.”
“Mostly isn’t totally. Babies are expensive, Avery, and I’m not letting you do it alone.”
“You have enough to worry about.”
He smirked at me. “Maybe I like worrying about you.”
I stared up at him, and the kiss from earlier came rushing back into my mind. “Why?” I asked him. “You don’t owe me anything. Why are you doing all of this for me?”
“You make me feel something I thought I had lost,” he said.
“What’s that?”
He leaned forward, taking my chin. “Hope. I’m not perfect, Avery, but you and this baby, maybe it’s something I can do that’s bigger than me, something more important than football.”
I stared at him, surprised by the depth he was showing me. I thought he was just some silly jock, but Gibson was constantly surprising me.
I kissed him. I couldn’t wait another second. I threw my arms around him and pressed my lips against his. He wrapped his strong arms around my waist and pulled me against him.
There was nobody else around. Campus was totally empty, since most people were out at parties, and nobody had any reason to walk past. Besides, we were in the shadows, hidden from the main path. I pressed my body hard against his, kissing his rough mouth, his tongue and lips working against mine. I felt a rush run through me again, that same rush I always felt with him. I couldn’t help myself when he pulled me tight.
Gibson took me places I had never experienced before. Gibson made me feel things I couldn’t even begin to explain. He was a mystery and an asshole, a cocky bastard with a gorgeous body. I could barely understand where he came from and all the hardships he dealt with in his life.
Which was why I could hardly understand why it was me. I didn’t understand why he was doing all of this for me, if it was just because of the baby or if it was something else.
But it didn’t matter. In the end, he was doing it for me. He was here for me, kissing me, pulling me against his hard body. That was all that mattered.