The Game Changer The Final Score - By L.M. Trio Page 0,39

meekly, my eyes focused solely on David as if we are the only two in the room. David’s disappointed look says everything I already feel.

“David, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have blindsided her like that… I just saw her and… I don’t know…. I swear I had no intentions of seeing her until De had a chance to tell her I was back.” I don’t care that Mikey and this guy Frank are standing here while I apologize. Only David’s opinion matters to me right now.

“Luke, enough. We’ll talk later,” David says, putting up his hand to stop me.

Mikey cuts in, attempting to break the intensity, “Uh… Luke, this is Frank,” he says as if the four of us are meeting up at a friendly golf outing together. I think he may be a bigger idiot than me.

“Hello.” I awkwardly hold out my hand for Frank to shake, which thankfully, he does.

I was feeling like a huge asshole and I’m guessing this guy feels the same way. Mikey begins to ramble about some nonsense that I’m not listening to, but I’m thankful for the distraction. I nod my head as if I’m listening while biting my lower lip so hard I can almost taste blood. What is going on in the bathroom?

***

(Jesse)

“I’m so sorry, JJ. I didn’t think he would—I’m sorry. I was planning on talking to you tonight to tell you he was back,” Deanna pleads.

I can’t face her, I feel as if I’ve been deceived by all of them. “You knew he was here? How could you not tell me? How could you do this to me? You had to know how this would make me feel,” I manage to choke out as my voice quivers and the tears stream down my face. When I finally raise my head to look at her, her eyes match mine.

“JJ, he told me he would wait until I had a chance to talk to you. He told me he wouldn’t do this here. I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”

“You all knew? Even my dad?”

“I just told David before you arrived today. He had no idea Luke was back in town. Luke arrived on Thursday. He wanted to see you right away, but Mikey and I convinced him to wait until after the art show. We didn’t want to upset you before your big night. Last night, he went to the gallery after it had closed. He wanted to talk to you, see your work. He didn’t know about Frank. He saw the two of you together and left before you saw him.”

I could not believe what I was hearing, I can hardly think straight. “You called last night; was he there when you called?”

She lowers her eyes, unable to look at me. “Yes, I’m sorry. He made me call, seeing you with Frank made him—”

“He has no right! He’s two years too late,” I say angrily, cutting her off. “I want Frank to get me out of here. Tell him to meet me right outside of here. I do not want to see anyone else right now, only Frank.” I brush the tears from my eyes and straighten myself up.

“Okay, I’ll get Frank. I’m sorry, JJ, I really am,” she says quietly as she turns to go.

***

(Luke)

My mind is still foggy when Deanna returns, I hear her say, “She wants you.” Relief overcomes me as I let out a deep breath and take a step in the direction of the bathroom.

“Not you… Frank,” she says abruptly, placing her hand on my chest to stop me from moving forward. Awkwardly excusing himself, Frank hurries off in the direction of the bathroom.

“Is she okay?” I ask meekly as my jaw tightens.

“What were you thinking? You promised me you would let me talk with her. She is so upset with me, Luke. I am so angry at you right now. She thinks I deceived her… and she’s right,” she says angrily as a tear falls from her eye.

I apologize profusely to all of them, especially David. “I need to tell her how sorry I am, she’s got to know I still love her. Whatever she decides, I promise to leave her alone if that’s what she wants.”

“I know, Luke,” David says. “I know you don’t want to hurt her. I just want to see her happy. If it is you that makes her happy, well then, I want that for her, but if it’s not you that she wants, you need to back off.