Page 2 of Game Changer
She’s persistent.I’m starting to feel like a jerk for turning her down.“Sorry.Can’t.I’ll take you home.”
I parked in a parking garage a couple of blocks away, so we set off down the sidewalk.I keep talking, mostly so Kiera can’t suggest something else for us to do that I don’t want to.
Once I’ve dropped her off at her apartment in River West, I let out a sigh of relief.I like women in general and I’m usually a helluva lot better at picking someone to have a fun evening with.
I know it’s a dick move, but instead of going straight home, I stop by the Irish pub where I know my buddies Heart, Rico and Gander are having beers.Just for one.I really do have a meeting with Paul in the morning.
“Hey!Jax!”they all great me as I approach the table.
“Hey.”I pull out a wooden chair and drop into it.“How’s it going?”
“Excellent.Where’s your hot date?”
“Just dropped her off at home.”I grimace and shove a hand through my hair.
They all make a low sound of understanding.
“Welp, have a beer,” Rico says, lifting a hand to attract the waitress’s attention.She speeds over with a big smile, and I order a Goose Island Belgian Ale.
The White Sox are playing the Royals on the big screen TV I’m facing.I check out the score—White Sox leading five-three.
“Ready for the wedding this weekend?”Heart asks.His name is Brian Erhardt, but we call him Heart or Hearts.
We all groan.
“I’d rather stay home with a case of beer, a bag of Doritos and the remote control in my hand,” Rico says.
“I’d rather rotate my tires,” Gander says.
We all laugh.
Rico sighs.“Flowers, decorations, finger foods, frilly female clothing, missing sports on Saturday afternoon.So much fun.”
“Women love weddings,” I say.“This girl I was out with tonight was trying to get me to bring her as my date.”
“Jesus.She doesn’t even know Chucky and Molly.”
“I know.”I shrug.“I don’t get it.”
“She’d get to buy a new dress and shoes and cry during the ceremony,” Rico says.
“We’re so cynical.”
“Yep.”
“If men planned weddings…” I rub my chin.“They’d be different.”
“Oh hell yeah!We’d wear sweats and our old T-shirts and sneakers.”
“Serve beers and pizza,” I add.
“We’d crack open cold ones as soon as the minister pronounces them husband and wife,” Rico says.
“We’d walk down the aisle to Led Zeppelin,” I add, grinning.“ ‘All My Love!’ ”
“Yeah!Perfect!”Rico and I bump fists.
“And the reception would be a big party with beer pong and boat racing.”I lift my ale in a toast as we all guffaw in delight at planning our dream wedding.“No speeches,” I add.
