The Game Changer The Final Score - By L.M. Trio Page 0,110

in a couple of weeks, I’m feeling a little panicked about leaving JJ alone in the house every night while I’m gone. I want to make sure the house is thoroughly safe and secure. I’m hoping Mikey moves in soon so that he’s near. Just as I pull into the driveway, she calls.

“Hey babe, what’s up?” I ask.

“Hi, what are you doing?”

“Nothing, I just got back from the gym.”

“Great. I’m waiting for Mya to finish up her class. We’re heading to Clearwater Beach to have lunch and drinks and I want you to come meet us. I feel like going to the beach today, I haven’t been there in awhile.

“Mya hates the beach,” I add.

“I know; that’s where you come in.” She laughs. “She has to be into work by three.”

“So you’re using me?” I tease her.

“Of course not, I love your company. Plus, I need my bathing suit and stuff. Pleasssseee?” she asks in her most irresistibly persuasive voice.

“I guess, but I have to take care of something before I leave.”

“That’s fine, we’re having lunch first. What do you have to do?”

I hesitate, because I don’t feel like hearing her comment.

“Luke?”

“Yeah?”

“What do you have to do?”

“The alarm guys are coming back… I have them adding a couple of things.”

“Jesus, Luke! Seriously? It’s like Fort Knox already!”

I hold the phone away from my ear and start laughing because she’s a hundred percent right. I may have gone a little overboard. “I’ll call you when I’m on my way.”

***

(Jesse)

Mya and I wave Luke over when we see him enter the restaurant. We’re sitting at the bar on the outside deck facing the beach. He greets us each with a kiss on the cheek.

“Did you get the fortress barricaded?” Mya asks sarcastically.

“Don’t start, Mya, I’ve already heard it from her.” Luke gives her a sideways glance as he orders another round of drinks and a burger.

“Luke, I can’t,” Mya says laughing. “I have to go or I’m going to be late. You drink it. You have to catch up anyway. We’ve already had three each.”

“Are you driving?” he asks.

“No, but I’m fine anyway, your wife is the lightweight,” She teases while saying her goodbyes.

“I am not,” I add defensively.

Luke and I enjoy the warm sun, mixed with the light breeze coming from the ocean while we finish our drinks and relax to the island music playing in the background. After changing in the bathroom, we head down to the beach.

I’m relaxed and content as I lay on my stomach, feeling the warm sun shine down on my skin and Luke’s strong hands massaging sunscreen onto my back. I’ll miss him when he’s away, but we’ve planned somewhat of a schedule a while ago. I don’t have Friday or Monday classes this semester, leaving me long weekends free. I’ll fly out a couple of times a month to stay with him for the weekend. Besides, during the week, I’ll keep busy with classes and working at the gallery. As much as I enjoyed my time at The Blue, I was ready to give it up shortly after our wedding. Luke and I are in such a great place and we’ve come so far. Over the last several months my life feels settled, I know we can handle any challenges that may come our way.

As we both sleep lazily on the beach, we are startled by the sound of Luke’s ringing phone.

“Hello?… Yeah… When?... Okay…” He continues on with his conversation while I sit up next to him, desperately waiting for him to hang up. I can tell by his tone that the call is important, but I’m unable to read his expression.

“What’s going on?” I ask the second he hangs up.

“C’mon, I’ll tell you on the way home,” he says, helping me up as he swiftly picks up our towels from the beach, not bothering to shake them out.

***

(Mikey)

We finally leave the condo late in the afternoon to see the house. I have to admit, I can’t wait to see what she did with it. As we pull up in the drive, she makes me wait outside while she goes inside and checks everything out since it’s been awhile since she’s been here. The last time I had been here was the day the four of us stood in the kitchen and I gave her the go ahead to decorate.

“Okay, you can come in,” she calls excitedly from the door.

The crazy thing is, I’m actually just as excited as her about this. I’ve