Page 96 of Game Changer
I might go to hockey games and see him play.We might run into each other, although Chicago’s a big city.Will we ever compete in trivia night again?Would that be weird?
My eyes sting and I bow my head, staring at the water, so clear you can see each smooth rock on the sandy bottom of the lake.The conversation goes on around me.
How could everything change so fast?
Mrs.Thompson wants to see the wishing well, so Jax drives them out there.I elect to stay at the cottage to get a few things ready for dinner and read the book I’m enjoying.I prepare some potatoes and vegetables.I’ll rub the steaks with the spice mix later, and there’s a salad.
I find my favorite place on the deck for catching the afternoon sun.I’m having a hard time focusing on my book, though.I keep thinking about Jax.
Dammit.
I can’t be sad about this.It’s been wonderful, and I’ll treasure every memory of every moment.Every kiss and touch.Every toe-curling, heart-exploding orgasm.The feel of his body and the taste of his mouth on mine.Every small thoughtful gesture, like bringing chairs for his mom and grandma, like taking me to see the Northern Lights, to bringing me another glass of wine when mine is empty.His patience with my PMS.
I wish it didn’t have to end.
It’s only been weeks since I was going to marry another man.There’s obviously something wrong with me if I can forget about Steve that fast and fall for Jax.
Rebound.
I close my eyes, remembering Brielle’s words.The first guy you’re with after a breakup is your rebound.That’s what this is.Once I’m away from Jax, I’ll forget about him too.Probably.
Am I that shallow?I kind of hate myself for being so fickle.I learned that lesson, though, when I found out Steve was cheating on me.I thought my heart was broken, and now…I guess it really wasn’t.Because it kind of seems like maybe I never really loved Steve all that much.
After Jax barbecues the steaks and we eat dinner, we gather around the fireplace to play another game of Trivial Pursuit.It turns out Jax’s whole family is into trivia.
This time we keep our clothes on.
We’re drinking wine and beer, laughing uproariously at jokes about Mr.Thompson’s balding head following a question about phalacrosis, which means hair falls out, when there’s a knock at the door.
We all turn toward the porch door and Jax rises.“I’ll get it.”As he opens the door, we hear him say, “Holy shit.Dad.”
Tori immediately goes on alert, and Mr.and Mrs.Thompson exchange a wide-eyed look.
“Seriously?”Tori mutters.“Mark is here?”
“Uh, he did say he might come up for a visit while Jax is here,” I say.
Three pairs of eyes fix on me intently.
I swallow.“I, uh, went to California with Jax at the end of June,” I say.“We saw him there.”
Their eyes widen.
I want to spew a bunch of stuff to Tori to tell her that Jax and his dad had a talk, and Jax found out that his dad never cheated on Tori, and they’re working things out, but that’s not my place, especially with Mark now walking into the living room with Jax.
“Oh.”Mark stops.“I didn’t realize…”
“We didn’t know you were coming, Dad,” Jax says.
Mark sighs.“I thought I’d surprise you.I should have let you know.”He pauses.“Hi, Tori.Hi, Pat.Gary.”
“Mark.”Mrs.Thompson rises with a polite smile.“Long time no see.”
“Yeah, it has been a while.”
Mr.Thompson rises too, but he’s frowning.The atmosphere that moments ago had been full of laughter and is now charged and heavy.
“Molly.”Mark smiles at me.“I didn’t expect to see you here.”
