Page 32 of Game Changer
“What?”
“You and your dad.”Then she nibbles her bottom lip.“Sorry.Not my business, I guess.”
“My dad and I have never been close.He and my mom split up when I was fifteen.He left Winnipeg and took a job in Hershey, Pennsylvania.My mom and my sister Riley and I stayed.We didn’t see much of him after that.”
“Oh.I’m sorry.”
I hitch one shoulder.“Not a big deal.Lots of couples divorce these days.”
“Then why do you seem like you hate him?”
“I don’t hate him.”
“Okay.Sure.”She eyes me and clearly recognizes this isn’t something I’m eager to talk about.Turning her head to survey the lounge, she says, “This resort is way nicer than I expected.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty good.We should go for a walk, explore the grounds.”
“Okay.”
So after we finish our drinks, we do that.The night air is fresh and calm, carrying the scent of the ocean.The rustle of palm fronds above us is the only sound as we stroll a dark path past bungalows, around a wing of the hotel, and into one of the pool areas.
“Oh my gosh, this is amazing!”Molly gawks at the luxurious pool with cabanas and loungers.The pool glows turquoise in the dark, the water still.“I can’t wait to get down here tomorrow!”
“That’s your plan, huh?”
“Hell yeah.”
I chuckle.
“I’ll need to buy some sunscreen,” she adds.
“Pretty sure they’ll have that in that shop in the lobby.”
We keep walking.The dark sky is streaked with pale blue clouds.We follow a path to the edge of the bluff and gaze out over the navy ocean.The muted rumble of waves onto the shore carries on the ocean breeze.
Molly lets out a soft sigh.
“You okay?”I ask.
“Yes.Suddenly I’m exhausted.”
“That’s understandable.You’ve been through a lot.Want to head back to the room?”
“Yeah.”
Great.The room we’re sharing.That’s not going to be awkward at all.
Now I’m tense.
We’ve circled back to the front entrance of the hotel and enter the lobby, cross to the elevators and ride up to the fourth floor.The air in the elevator is thick.I try not to look at Molly, and I get the feeling she’s doing the same.
In the room, I flick on a light.
Molly walks over to the dresser and pulls out some clothing, pajamas, I guess.She looks directly at me.“I’ll sleep on the lounge,” she says.
I eye it doubtfully.“I don’t think it’s going to be long enough.”
“I’ll make it work.I just need one of the pillows.Since there are about ten on that bed, you should be okay.”
