Page 66 of Game Changer
I kind of feel that way, too.“I know.But we have to.”
“I’m dreading the rest of the summer, back in my apartment, doing nothing.That wasn’t how my summer was supposed to be.”Her voice trembles and I feel the emotion radiating off her.
My heart contracts sharply.If I was staying in Chicago, I could make sure she’s okay.Maybe go out to the odd trivia night.But I’m leaving again in a couple of days.How can I make it better?“Come with me to Canada.”
The air goes very still around us and Molly is motionless too, staring at me.
Did I really just say that?
After a drawn-out moment, she says, “I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”Why am I pushing this?I tried to discourage her from coming with me to California, now I’m inviting her to come to Canada.
“Because…I already imposed on you and your family once.I can’t do it again.”
“You’re not imposing at all.”I smile.“My family freakin’ loves you.And I just told you I had fun too.We’ll have fun in the boreal forest.”
Her forehead furrows.“Forest?For real?I’m kind of a city girl.”
I chuckle.“I’m kidding.There’s lots of forest if we want to go hiking, but my grandparents’ cottage has all the amenities.”
She falls silent again, seemingly contemplating this.
“It’ll just be me at the cottage, mostly,” I continue.“My grandparents and my mom are coming for a few days later in July.Maybe my dad.So you’re not imposing.”I pause.“You can even have your own bedroom.”
“Oh, well then, why didn’t you say that?”She laughs softly.“Really, Jax?”
“Yes, really.You don’t have to stay the whole summer, like I am.I mean, I’ll be back in Chicago mid-August to start skating and working out.But you could come back whenever you want.”
“I suppose.School doesn’t start again until after Labor Day.”She blinks a few times.“I know I have to talk to Steve, but he won’t be back until July 5, I think.”
“You can fly back to Chicago after that, if you want.”
“I know I have to deal with things.”
“Yeah.”
Her smile deepens.“Okay.I’ll come with you.”Then her eyes close, her long eyelashes sweeping her cheeks, and her mouth relaxes.I watch her face for a long time in the dark, as her breathing grows deeper, until I fall asleep, too.
Holding her hand.
In the morning, I awaken to find Molly snuggled up against me and my arm over her hip.For a few seconds, I enjoy it, reveling in the feel of a soft, warm woman against me, her silky hair so close to me, her scent in my nose.Then reality bites me in the ass.
Jesus!DidIdo this?
She wakes up too.Slowly.Then her eyes fly open and she jerks back.
Our eyes meet.
The room is still dark, the curtains drawn over the window and sliding door.
My body goes electric, heat burning over my skin.“God.I’m sorry, Molly.”I release her and shift myself away.
“It’s okay.”She blinks, pushing back too.
The pillows are amassed at the foot of the bed.“I don’t know how that happened.I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay,” she says again.“I don’t feel violated.”
