Page 13 of Grace on the Rocks

“So you’re totally okay with being alone for the rest of your life,” Kyle stated. Emma gave him a confused look and he explained. “You have to take a chance on someone once in your life, Emma. You can’t always assume that it’s going to be a waste of your time. Sometimes, you don’t actually have to go anywhere when it comes to a progressing relationship. Sometimes, you can spend time with someone simply because you enjoy a person’s company.”

“That sounds like a nice way of saying you don’t want to commit,” Emma pointed out.

Before Kyle could comment, the waiter presented the two with their respective food, and wished them a bon appetite. Although, technically speaking, he wished Kyle a bon appetite. Emma grabbed her intricately decorated chopsticks and immediately grabbed a crunchy roll.

“It is,” Kyle agreed. “I’m twenty-five years old, doing something I love. I’m not looking to settle down any time soon.”

“And do you actually let your dates know that on the first date?” Emma asked, once she swallowed the food. She grabbed another piece of sushi and plopped it in her mouth. Despite the rude wait staff, the sushi really was the best she had ever tasted.

Kyle lifted a shoulder. “More or less,” he said, taking a bite of his own food. “I tell them I’m not looking for anything serious, but girls always think that they’re that game changer.”

“Game changer?” Emma hadn’t meant to speak with her mouth full of food, but the term threw her off that she couldn’t stop herself.

“Yeah,” Kyle said. “You know, a girl who completely changes a guy’s perspective on life, makes him want to commit to her, settle down, refuse to sleep with anyone else. She comes when he least expects it, changing his life by being herself. She doesn’t realize the effect she has on him. A game changer. And I believe the elusive game changer will come for me sooner or later and then I’ll want to forego sleeping with whoever I want, seeing whoever I want. But I have yet to actually meet her and I’m not waiting around for her.”

“When guys meet this so-called game changer, do they actually commit to her, settle down?” Emma asked. She’d never heard this before, never heard of a game changer.

“Some do, some don’t,” Kyle said. “For those who do, though, it’s a big deal. Usually, a guy’s been hurt by his – what’d you call it? – first apple and as a result, disconnects from his emotion and subconsciously becoming afraid to commit because they’re afraid they’ll be hurt again. It takes time, but in the end, the guy’s completely happy and doesn’t regret it. But for those who don’t, everything will remind him of the game changer he let go. He’ll move on with his life and maybe he’ll settle down later on with someone else, but it’ll never be her. And he’ll never be complete or as happy as he could have been.”

“Wow.” She pushed her brow up, looking at the off-white tablecloth. “Pretty heavy.”

“Yeah. But I have yet to deal with it so I don’t really care.” He straightened. “Can I just be honest with you? I’m so glad I could talk to a woman about this stuff. I’m glad I can be up front with you. Most just have these unreal expectations and it puts a lot of pressure on guys. And I really don’t like breaking hearts.” Emma shot him a look, but his face actually seemed sincere. “I just want to have right now, and I want to meet girls who want the same thing, instead of wanting some long-term, serious relationship.”

Emma smiled. “Surprisingly enough, I’m glad I can talk about this stuff too,” she said. “Whenever I talk to guys about this stuff, they seem put off, intimidated.” She stuck her hand out across the table. “Friends?”

Kyle grinned, shaking her offered hand. “Friends,” he agreed. They both went back to their food for a few moments before Kyle, his mouth filled with rice, said, “So you’ll be at the game tomorrow?”

Emma nodded. “It’s it’s at Sea Side, I’ll be there,” she promised.

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