Page 26 of Game Changer
Mr.Wynn turns his attention to me.“New girlfriend,” he says.“Or are you two gonna surprise us and tell us you’re married, like Théo did last year?”
I shoot Jax an alarmed glance.
“She’s not my girlfriend, Grandpa.Just a friend.”
I hear someone behind me choke.Great.They know.
“Uh huh.”Grandpa frowns.“Sure.”
“She’s not his girlfriend, Dad,” someone speaks up.
I turn to see one of the guys…Jax’s uncle Asher, I think?
“She’s engaged to Steve Shevchuk,” Asher says, giving me a narrow-eyed look.“He plays for the Aces.”
“Jesus Christ!”
I jump at Bob Wynn’s shout and whirl around, wide-eyed.Nervously I edge closer to Jax as Mr.Wynn glares at him.“You kids!You can’t keep stealing other men’s women!”
My thoughts freeze with confusion and I blink rapidly.
Everyone starts murmuring.Asher’s comment has clued everyone in that I’m the runaway bride they heard about.
Jax speaks up.“No, Grandpa, that’s not it.”
“I’m not engaged to Steve,” I say firmly, loudly.Then I add glumly, “Not anymore.”
“Youwere?”Bob Wynn snaps.
“Er, yes.”My gaze darts around the room, and heat washes up my throat and into my face.
Bob slaps a hand down on the arm rest of the chair where he sits.“Dammit!Jackson, you should be ashamed.”
I suck in a breath and turn to Jax.“I’m so sorry,” I whisper.
He shakes his head.“Grandpa, we’re not together.She wanted to get out of Chicago, so she came with me.That’s all.”
Bob Wynn frowns.“Well, that’s as stupid as a screen door on a submarine.”
“It was my idea,” I speak up.“I begged him to let me come.He didn’t want to do it.”
Jax rolls his eyes and sighs.What’s with that?I’m trying to help him out.
“Interesting,” Asher comments.
I resist the urge to scowl at him.
Crap.Jax was right.His familyisnuttier than squirrel shit.
I turn back to Bob Wynn and smile.“Mr.Wynn, your grandson is a knight in shining armor.He saved me when I needed help.I’m very grateful to him, and I apologize for showing up uninvited at your family party.I’m a little intimidated by all the hockey talent here.”
His frown eases and he slowly smiles.“Well, aren’t you a sweetheart.Jax, get this girl a drink.”
I catch Chelsea Wynn’s eye.She grins and gives me an approving nod.I smile weakly.
Jax and I make our way to a bar set up on the sideboard in the dining room.He pours us each a glass of red wine and we rejoin the party.
“So when is the wedding?”I ask JP and Taylor.
