Page 27 of Game Changer
“Not until next summer,” Taylor replies.She makes a face.“We have to work around the hockey season.”
“Of course.”I smile.“I get it.We…had to do that too…” My voice trails off.
Her expression shifts to concern.“So what happened?”
I heave a small sigh.“I discovered he was cheating on me the night before the wedding.”
“Oh my God!That’s awful.”
Somehow the group around us has altered to include Lacey and Everly, separating Jax and JP.
“That must have been hard,” Everly, Jax’s aunt, says.Her expression is neutral, her voice impersonal.She’s very cool and composed.
“I probably shouldn’t be sharing all my personal woes with strangers,” I say apologetically.“Let’s just say it was a disaster and move on.”
They all exchange glances.“Sure,” Taylor says.“Any wedding-planning tips?”
“Hire a wedding planner.”I laugh.“Seriously.We hired Katelyn Bennet.She’s married to Tanner Bennet, who plays for the Aces?”
They all nod.
“She’s amazing.It was so good to have someone who knows the best places and people to hire, and makes things run smoothly.”
“That’s a good idea,” Everly says.
“I don’t know,” Taylor says.“I’d kind of like to plan things myself.”
“Oh, you totally can!”I nod enthusiastically.“You can be as involved and hands-on as you want, if you have a good planner.”
“We should check out some names,” Everly says.
“Oryoucould plan my wedding.”Taylor bumps Everly’s shoulder with a smile.“You love planning.”
“I do.”Everly grins and her face warms and softens as she smiles at her friend and future…in-law.I can’t quite remember how she’ll be related to Taylor.This familyiscomplicated.
I spot appetizers on the low cocktail table and excuse myself to step over and get food.I’m starving.That meal on the plane was a long time ago.I load up a small plate with skewers of tortellini, salami, cheese and olives, some nuts, and crackers.I rejoin the women.“I’m so hungry,” I say, then pop an almond in my mouth.
“We’re having dinner shortly,” Everly says.
“Aline’s an amazing cook,” Lacey adds.
“Er, what was Mr.Wynn talking about when he said ‘you can’t keep stealing other men’s women?’ ”
Taylor grimaces.“He was talking about JP.He, er, dated a woman who was his brother’s girlfriend.”
“Remember that night they were all here?”Everly says to the others.“It was only a little awkward.”She rolls her eyes.
Lacey laughs.“Oh my God, it was terrible!You were all picking on JP.”
“He deserved it,” Everly says.“And yes, I did tell him that to his face.”
I watch this with fascination.“Jax didn’t mention that when he told me about the family drama.Wow.”
We’re joined by Jax’s sister at that moment.Riley seems hesitant, which is howIshould be feeling, not her, so I give her a warm smile and shift to make room for her.“Hi.”
“Hi.Aline said to let everyone know we’ll eat in about fifteen minutes.”
“By then, I’ll have cleaned every plate on that table.”I nod to the appetizers.“I need to try those little bruschetta things.”I fill my plate again.
