Sorry to have left you guys hanging with a very stubborn Punk, but this chapter could change things...only thing is will it be for the worse or better? Thanks for all the adds and reviews...enjoy!
Punk was up and out of the house before Gabby got up. He had a few days away to think things over and try to get them back to feeling normal. Despite wanting and desperately needing to sleep, he had stayed up half the night thinking about Gabby. It didn't matter how many times he told himself that she was someone's sister, he had feelings for her and they were growing stronger by the day regardless how hard he tried to ignore them.
Punk managed to get an hour of sleep before the plane landed in South Carolina and he went to claim his luggage. Pulling his Cubs hat down to disguise himself, he headed towards the bus that was picking him up and saw that Kofi was waiting outside.
"Hey Kofi, when did you get here?" Kofi looked at Punk and immediately noticed he looked worse then usual.
"I just arrived about twenty minutes ago. You alright man, you don't look so good."
"Yeah, just the usual, lack of sleep and a lot on my mind." Punk and Kofi climbed aboard the bus and got comfortable in their usual spots.
"Anything you need to talk about, you know I'm up for listening."
"It's not a big deal, I just want something I can't have and quite honestly don't need." Kofi looked at his road mate, confusion displayed on his face.
"I'm not sure I understand. What could you possibly want so badly?" Punk was quiet and Kofi thought for a minute. The week before Punk had talked a lot about Gabby, but he didn't think much of it. Looking at him now though, Kofi realized that Gabby fit the description. He had met Gabby through Adam and knew how protective Adam was; it was obvious Punk didn't want to cross that boundary. "I think I know what this is about; what's going on with Gabby?"
Punk let out a sigh and smirked; he could never get anything past Kofi. "It's a long story."
"Well we've got an hour drive to the arena, so you've got time." Punk took off his hat and ran his hand through his hair before telling Kofi about everything from his feelings for her to the kiss on the couch and even including the awkward night out with his friends. When he was done, he found it odd that Kofi had a wide grin on his face. "I don't understand the problem here Punk. It's obvious that she likes you just as much as you like her."
"Kofi you've been drinking too much Jamaican coffee because you're crazy! Gabby could have any guy she wanted; she's young and beautiful. Besides that if Adam even found out about the kiss there would be hell to pay and I can't say I blame him. If I found out one of my sisters was dating a coworker, nonetheless one that's ten years older, I would be less then thrilled."
"Punk do you honestly think she got all dressed up to impress your friends? Come on man! I know you've taken your share of chair shots to the head, but I think you need to see where this goes. I understand you swore off any kind of romantic relationship, but you can't live in an environment where you're both denying your feelings." Punk nodded as he chewed on his lip ring.
"What about Adam? I was warned when she moved in and we both told him it would never happen."
"Adam needs to lighten up; Gabby is a grown woman with her own career taking care of herself. He doesn't get to make the decision as to who she dates or doesn't date. I'm sure he won't be thrilled, but if he loves her and you two are happy together, then he'll eventually get over it."
"I like how you can solve my problems in twenty minutes. This has been weighing heavy on me for the last week and I wasn't sure how I was going to focus through my match with Jericho tonight. Thanks Kofi, you're the best road wife a guy could ask for and no matter what happens with Gabby, you'll always be the number one woman in my life." Punk let out a laugh as Kofi threw a pillow at him, which he caught and slipped behind his head. He was on another five day work stretch and he was determined to figure out this thing with Gabby before he got home; hopefully Kofi was right and she did feel the same way, or he'd be the one looking like a jackass.
Gabby was curled up on the couch late Tuesday night eating popcorn and watching Marley and Me. She was currently in tears crying over the death of the loveable yellow lab; even though she prepared herself, the death of the dog got her every time. She was so caught up in the movie and controlling her sniffles that she didn't hear Punk come in.
"Gabby what's wrong?" Gabby jumped at the sound of his voice quickly wiping the tears from her eyes using the sleeve from her hoodie. Before she could answer, Punk looked at the screen and nodded. "There's a reason I don't watch this movie; I saw it one time, I'm not ashamed to say I cried, but I swore I'd never watch it again." Gabby smiled slightly as she stopped the movie while still trying to pull herself together. She hadn't expected he'd be home so early and she was not looking her best dressed in flannel pajama pants, a cami and her favorite zip up hoodie. Her hair was an untamed mess falling out of the ponytail holder that she flipped it into. The two sat on the couch in silence until Gabby spoke up.
"It's late and I have to be up early tomorrow, so I'm just going to head to bed." Gabby stood up, but Punk grabbed her hand before she could go any further.
"Wait, can we talk first? I have a few things I need to say, but I promise I won't take long." Gabby nodded as she sat back down on the couch facing him. Punk took a deep breath before facing her and taking her hand into his. Gabby could tell that whatever it was he had to say was serious, his eyes were focused, but the familiar warmth was there.
"Is everything okay; you look worn out." Punk let out a light laugh knowing that despite talking to Kofi he still looked like hell because he still got little sleep while he was away from home. He noticed Gabby's face drop slightly, "Do you want me to move out? It'll take me a week or two, but I'll do what I need to so that you can have your space." That got Punk to finally open his mouth and say what he had wanted to say for almost a week.
"No Gabby, the last thing I want is for you to leave. I haven't been completely honest with you, in fact at one point I straight up lied to you and it's been bothering me. I hate liars and I need to make things right with you, but I'm not sure how you'll react."
"What did you lie about? I'm beyond lost right now."
"About last week when I kissed you, I've thought about it nonstop all week. I know that I promised Adam this wouldn't happen and we swore to each other that we'd be strictly friends, but I can't help feeling more for you."
"Wait, what?" The look on Gabby's face was one of shock and surprise and Punk wasn't sure how to take it.
"I like you Gabby; I think you're beautiful whether you're in your pajamas with your hair a mess or you spend an hour making sure everything is perfect. Last week when we went out with my friends I ignored you because I couldn't focus on anything but how gorgeous you looked. Honestly the whole night all I wanted to do was kiss you again, but I'd convinced myself that you didn't feel the same way. After talking to Kofi I'm apparently an idiot that missed every sign you threw at me." Gabby broke eye contact with him and he thought for sure she was thinking of a way to let him down easy.
"I'm glad Kofi got it because I was beyond frustrated with how clueless you were. I've been trying to ignore these feelings, but ever since I saw you sitting with Amy, I hated that it wasn't me. There's a lot we'll have to overcome, but I'm willing to try it if you are." Gabby looked at Punk again with the bright beautiful smile gracing her lips and he couldn't control himself. Punk pulled her close and kissed her deeply as her arms wrapped around his neck. Over a month of hidden emotions and sexual tension was released all at one time as hands roamed and clothing was removed. Punk pulled back catching his breath and looked at Gabby.
"This is not a good idea, well it is, but this isn't how we should start out."
"Yeah, you're right. I don't even consider sex until at least the fifth date."
"Five dates? Are you really going to make me wait that long?" Gabby smiled wider and nodded. Punk sat up trying to get himself under control; there was still one thing they hadn't discussed and even though now wasn't the right time, he figured they might as well get it done and over with. "Gabby, what are we going to do about Adam?"
"What about him?" Punk looked at her raising his eyebrow. "Punk I'm 23, almost 24, and I'm perfectly capable of making my own decisions. I have a career, I take care of myself and the only thing that is missing is a man to make me happy. You have the potential to be that man and I don't care what my brother or anyone else thinks."
"I just don't want to put you in a situation where you're stuck between the two of us."
"That's very nice of you, but I'm not worried about that. Let's see how this goes and we'll just keep it away from dear old Adam until we know something serious is going to come of it." Punk nodded as he rubbed the back of Gabby's hand.
"Sounds fair to me. So, what are your plans for tomorrow night? I was thinking the two of us could go out on our first date, what do you say?"
"I think it's a great idea and I'd love to." Gabby leaned in and kissed his lips again before heading up the stairs to go to bed.
When he was sure Gabby was out of site, Punk got up off the couch and pumped his fist before sending Kofi a quick 'thanks' text. After getting a drink, he thought about where he could take her for their first date and smiled to himself when he thought of just the right place.