The Game Changer The Final Score - By L.M. Trio Page 0,97

called. He’s still in LA with her.”

“Alright, girlfriend, you need a night out. Forget him,” she says as if she’s reading my mind. She begins to take out the fixings to make some martinis. “Dan, we’re going to take De out for the night. She needs to get out of here and have a good time.”

I laugh, appreciating the offer. “Mya, no, you just got home from dinner. You don’t have to do that.”

“We want to, right?” she asks Dan. He obediently nods his head, agreeing with her. “Besides, it’s been awhile since we’ve all been out and got really blasted. We can all use a night like that every once in a while!”

Mya cranks up the music while we down a few drinks at the apartment, I call JJ and tell her and Luke to meet us at the Green Iguana.

I carry my martini into the bathroom as I shower and change. I leave my hair long and wavy and shake it out wildly. I apply my make-up carefully, finishing it off with my deep red lipstick. I slip on black leggings underneath a pair of black short-shorts and grab my new, silver, off the shoulder sweater that I bought last week. I throw on my high, black boots and head back to the kitchen with my empty martini glass. I’m going to have fun, even if it kills me.

“Ready!” I say cheerily, entering the kitchen and tipping my glass.

“Yes, you are,” Mya gives me her approval.

***

(Jesse)

Hearing the blaring music in the background of my old apartment and the sound of Deanna’s voice, I can tell that she’s been drinking. I figure it’s a good idea to head over to the Green Iguana just in case she gets herself into trouble. Mya isn’t good at babysitting, but she’s great at drowning your sorrows away.

Luke and I make our way to the second level of the Green Iguana. Usually we hang out on the first level, where the atmosphere is low key, with numerous TV’s viewing sports and a decent menu to order from. The second floor is more of a club scene, with occasional bands and DJ’s, though, and De is in the mood for loud music along with dancing.

When we arrive we find her out on the dance floor dancing with some guy.

“Who’s that?” Luke asks protectively as we meet up with Dan and Mya at the table.

“Relax, Prince Charming, she’s just having a little fun. I’m keeping an eye on her.”

“Great. That makes me feel better,” Luke responds sarcastically.

Mya laughs and playfully punches him in the arm. I watch De dancing on the lighted floor with some pretty-boy-looking guy that’s practically drooling all over her.

“How much has she had?” I ask. Mya holds up three fingers while Luke places an order for another round of drinks for everyone.

I see Luke’s phone light up on the counter. He picks it up and texts.

“Look who’s back.” He holds out his phone for me to read.

A text from Mikey reads, wer ru?

green iguana, u?

home, gotta talk to u.

I raise my eyebrow, surprised to see him home. “Tell him to meet us here,” I tell Luke. He sends the text and Mikey agrees.

***

(Mikey)

It’s a long flight home. My mind is mentally drained; not just from the trip, but from all of the drama of the last couple of weeks. I need to talk to Luke about the call I received while heading to the airport. I send him a text, telling him I need to talk to him. He tells me to meet him at the Green Iguana. Even though I’m tired, I’m anxious to see everyone, especially De.

Being apart from her is making me crazy. I don’t like the way I left her hanging, I should have called her and kept her in the loop as to what was going on. I miss her terribly and, for the first time since finding out about Lora Rae, I have a little bit of hope from the phone call I received. That’s why I need to talk to Luke, I need his opinion. I don’t want to get my hopes up or hers until I have a chance to investigate.

One thing I am certain about is that I want to be with De. I’ll do whatever I have to do to protect her from Lora Rae, but I need to be with her. I realize there is no denying how I feel. We’ll have to work it out together because she is