So I intended to post this earlier this evening, but I got distracted and then Raw came on and I was further distracted checking out Punk...I marked out with the whole shaved head thing and despite the fact that he looks fresh out of prison and ready to film The Marine 4, I think it's hot :) I don't mind his hair short or long because frankly his hair is not his best feature in my book...
Anyway...a lot of you were concerned last chapter and you probably won't like this chapter very much, but don't lose hope just yet because I have plans for Punabby, so hang in there with me...oh and dear Adam will be making a return soon as well (try to keep the claws in)...
As always thanks for the continued support reading this fic with your adds, favorites and reviews...love those e-mails, they're the number one reason I keep clicking the keys on the keyboard and bringing you MORE...Enjoy...or at least try to...
After Gabby went to sleep, Punk got to work. The thoughts going through his head weren't going to rest for him to get any sleep, so he figured he might as well be productive. He walked into Gabby's room, or what was Gabby's room, and sat down on her bed looking around at all the stuff that she still had in there. He wasn't sure where to start, which brought on the thought if he was even doing the right thing. Everyone he had talked to said to let it go, Gabby had to make the decision on her own, don't do anything stupid to force her to leave, but he couldn't help himself. He knew what it felt like to resent someone and to be resented; neither feeling was a good one. If Gabby grew to resent him for not going to Atlanta, which he knew she would in time, she'd harbor feelings of hatred and who knows what else, which would ruin everything. Granted if he went through with this plan he figured she'd probably hate him, but perhaps once she saw how much better her life was in Atlanta, she'd forget about those feelings and they could eventually be friends.
Punk laughed to himself at the thought of him and Gabby being friends. Who am I kidding, that will never work. I tried being just friends with her, that's what got us into this mess…even if we can't be friends, she'll still thank me for it. This is the right thing, for both of us. Punk took a deep breath before getting up and getting to work.
Gabby woke up at nine the next morning and started on her morning routine heading for the shower doing her hair and adding some light make-up. After getting dressed, she headed downstairs to find Punk sitting on the couch with the TV on, but she noticed he wasn't watching it; instead he was absent mindedly staring into the distance. Gabby crossed her arms over her chest knowing something was up and hoping it had nothing to do with their conversation the night before.
"You're up early…"
"I never went to sleep…I came down here to watch some TV, but it didn't help, so instead I just did a few productive things around the house."
"I see…why didn't you wake me? I would have been happy to entertain you…" Gabby gave him a small smile, but quickly noticed that whatever was bothering Punk wasn't going to be solved with a smile.
"No, you needed all the sleep you could get. I knew you were exhausted after yesterday and you'll need it for today."
"What are we doing today? You didn't mention anything special…" Punk turned off the TV and stood up to face her debating if he should tell her now or just wait. Seeing how beautiful she looked, he decided to be selfish and wait wanting to remember her like she was in that moment.
"What do you say we go for a drive…"
"Umm…okay…let me grab my boots and I'll meet you in the car. Is everything okay? I'm sure you're tired, but you seem a little distant…"
"Honestly everything is not okay, but don't worry about me. I'll be fine whatever happens…" Gabby didn't know what to think about his cryptic response, but he walked out the door before she could question it. Taking a deep breath, she put on her boots and winter coat before stepping out into the cold December air. One thing she wasn't sure if she'd ever get used to was the cold weather that Chicago brought from late November until early April, but seeing that was her only complaint, she figured she'd learn to live with it in time.
Gabby got in the car and Punk silently started to drive. She chewed her lip unsure of what to say to break the silence, but for once she couldn't think of anything. Something felt off from the minute she had gotten up that morning, but she did her best to push it away and not dwell on it. However, Punk's behavior wasn't helping matters and she didn't know what to do about it. The silence continued as she realized he was taking the off ramp to head to the airport. As far as she knew he wasn't scheduled to fly out until Friday, so she wasn't sure what was going on and the knot in her stomach had her afraid to ask.
Punk parked the car feeling Gabby staring at him. He knew she was probably confused, but as he took a deep breath to explain she spoke first.
"What's going on; why are we at the airport? I thought you weren't flying out until Friday…"
"I'm not, but your flight leaves in a few hours."
"My flight; what the hell are you talking about?" Gabby felt her confusion turn to anger as feelings of anxiety invaded her body making her wish she had never agreed to this car ride.
"Gabby you're going to Atlanta…"
"No I'm not! We talked about this, I made the decision not to go, and it was my decision! Why are you doing this?"
"Because I know this is what you need…"
"You don't know what I need; you're not my father or my brother or my self conscience for that matter. I'm 24 years old Phil I think I know what I need!" Gabby began to raise her voice as her anger and frustration level grew, but Punk had expected nothing less.
"Gabby please don't make this harder then it has to be. I know you're 24 and you can make your own decisions, but take it from someone who has lived and learned and experienced more then you; passing up this opportunity is a mistake. It might take you a few days, months, hell possibly years to regret it, but you will eventually. I have had people harbor resentment towards me and I don't want to feel that from you." Gabby put her head in her hands starting to feel tears cloud her eyes.
"How many times do I have to tell you I could never resent you for a decision I make; do you listen to anything I say?"
"I listen to everything you say…I remember you telling me you wanted to see the country, see the world, granted I could show you all of that and then some, but I think you need to do this on your own. Do this for you; have your own stories and experiences…you're not going to get that if you settle now. This is just the beginning for you, you're going to do amazing things, but to get there you've got to have experiences on your own…" Gabby felt the tears running down her face as she was unable to control her emotions.
"So this is your way of pushing me away…you're breaking up with me…" Punk felt a pain in his chest, the same one he'd felt since hearing about Atlanta, but this one was far worse. He could have sworn he was dying; looking at Gabby, seeing her ocean blue eyes with tears and mascara running down her face, he wanted to take it all back, say he'd made a mistake and go home, but he knew when he resorted to this plan that there was no going back. Punk reached forward resting his hand on her cheek and was surprised she didn't hesitate or try to pull away instead placing her hand over his.
"Gabby I love you, I'll never stop, but I need to set you free. If we're meant to be together, then we'll find our way back to each other, but until then you need to live life, take risks and embrace new opportunities…I feel like as long as I'm with you that won't happen." Gabby sniffled hearing his words before she moved towards him resting her head on his chest.
"I should hate you right now for doing this to me, but I can't…I know I need to go to Atlanta, but I don't know what to do once I'm there. I haven't talked to Jack, I don't have any of my stuff and where am I going to stay? Why couldn't you have talked to me about this first rather then blindsiding me?"
"I knew if I talked to you that you'd just continue to say no. Gabby despite what you might think I hate this and I thought and contemplated going through with this, but it was the only way I could make sure you got on a plane and went through with it. As for Jack I talked to him earlier this morning and let him know. You have a room booked at the Hyatt for the week and your interview is tomorrow afternoon." Gabby shifted so that she was looking at him again feeling frustration creep up again.
"Is this opportunity really why you're pushing me away or is it something else; perhaps someone else?" Punk shook his head; he'd never expected her to go that route. Rather then taking further allegations from her, he got out of the car getting her suitcase from the trunk. Gabby followed him feeling tears form again at the site of her suitcase; this was real, this was actually happening.
"I don't want to end things with either one of us saying something we'll regret. I wish you the best Gabby and I meant it when I said I'm doing this for your own good; I'm just sorry I had to go this route."
"Punk please…please don't…I can't live without you, I don't want to…" Punk swallowed the lump in his throat trying to block out the words she had just said. He didn't have much strength left and knew if he didn't walk away now that he wouldn't.
"Good luck Gabby…" Punk leaned in placing a chaste kiss on her cheek and quickly turned away before she could wrap him up in an embrace that would leave them both not wanting to let go.
"You said you loved me…swore you'd never leave…did you mean any of it?" Gabby caught site of the blank expression in his eyes before he turned away to get in the car. She watched him drive away before pulling herself together to go inside the airport. The minute she arrived inside the ladies room, she let go letting the tears flow heavy. She pulled out her phone to see if maybe he'd had a change of heart, realized the mistake he was making, but there was nothing. Still feeling the ache in her chest, she sent a quick text to the only person she felt would understand.
Punk pulled into the driveway unsure how he had even made it home. He hit the steering wheel before resting his head against it. He'd been up all night convincing himself that he was making the right choice making Gabby go to Atlanta, but the last image of her in the rearview mirror, standing alone, mascara tears streaked down her face, her blond curls resting on her shoulders; she looked like a lost child, one being left alone and let down once again. Her last words echoed in his head, you said you loved me, swore you'd never leave…did you mean any of it? Punk took a deep breath blinking back tears. Regardless if this was what she needed or not, he was just another person in her life that had let her down, something he swore he'd never do.
Chapter 40 Preview: You'll find out how Punk and Gabby are doing and if Gabby has decided to stay in Atlanta...I'll post later this week!