Page 102 of Game Changer
When we get there, Grandma and Grandpa are sitting on the deck.
“Where’s Mom and Dad?”I ask.
“They went for a walk too,” Grandma says.
Grandpa frowns.
“Oh.Okay.”I’m not sure what’s going on with them, but I’m sure as hell not going to be crazy enough to think they could get back together.
“I’ll just go finish packing,” Molly says.“I’m almost ready to go.”
She disappears into the cottage, and I sit with my grandparents.
“She’s a lovely girl,” Grandma says.
“Yeah.”
I feel the unspoken questions weighing heavy in the air.How can I answer them?She’s a friend.A sweet, funny, smart, caring friend who gives unbelievable blow jobs and fucks like a dream.But she’s off-limits.She’s a teammate’s ex.
The crunch of footsteps on the gravel driveway has our heads turning and we see Mom and Dad rounding the corner of the cottage.They both wear an expression on their face that I can’t read, but it’s…something.I wouldn’t say anger, but there’s a definite tension.
Mom smiles.“Well.Just about time to go, I guess.Jax, come help me with my suitcase.”
I’m pretty sure Mom doesn’t need help with her suitcase, but I follow her into the cottage just as Molly pulls her bag out of the bedroom.“I’m all set!”she says with phony cheeriness.
“Okay, we’ll head out in a few minutes,” Mom says.
In her bedroom, she waits until she hears the sliding doors onto the deck close, meaning we’re alone in the cottage.
“Your dad says you two had a good talk in California.”
“Oh.Uh.Yeah.”
She holds my gaze steadily.“You thought Dad cheated on me?”
“Yeah.”
“Why did you think that?”
“I overheard you talking to Betsy once.You said you felt betrayed.”
She closes her eyes, nodding slowly.“I did feel betrayed.But not because he cheated on me with another woman.I felt betrayed that our marriage didn’t turn out like I expected.I felt betrayed by the fact that he was always working.Traveling.Never around to deal with family stuff.His career took precedence and mine got put on hold.That was why I felt that way.”
I swallow.
“Why didn’t you ever say anything, Jax?”
“You didn’t talk about what happened.And I didn’t want to bring up something that would upset you.”
“All these years, you believed that, though.”She closes her eyes, the corners of her mouth turning down.“I’m so sorry, Jackson.We didn’t want to burden you and Riley with our problems.But maybe we should have said more.”She sighs and opens her eyes.“I’m glad that you two talked.”
“Molly made me do it,” I say jokingly.
Mom has the best poker face.Her expression doesn’t change, but her gaze fastens on my face in that penetrating way she has.“Oh, did she?”She pauses.“Is everything okay?With you and Molly?”
“Oh yeah.Of course.”I’m lying.I should end it there, but stupidly I ask, “Why?”
“You both seem sad.Are you sure she wants to come back with us?”
