Game Changer by Kelly Jamieson

1

Jax

“What are you looking for in a relationship?”

I eye the woman across the table from me in the restaurant where we just had dinner. I’m pretty sure “a way out” is not the correct answer here.

It’s the honest one, though.

I met Kiera at a club the other night and asked her out. I keep doing that. I just want to have fun. And hot sex. Is that too much to ask? I don’t want commitment or—Jesus!—the M word.

“I’m not looking for a relationship,” I say, smiling to soften the message.

Why are we even talking about a relationship the first time we’ve ever gone out?

Her bottom lip pushes out and she gives me sad eyes, but then smiles. “You just haven’t met the right woman.”

“You could be right.” And I still haven’t.

I repress a sigh. Kiera’s beautiful—tall, great rack, fantastic legs. All male eyes…no, let’s go with all eyes in the restaurant turned to her when we walked in. She’s wearing a dress that’s wrapped around her like an ACE bandage and heels that could cause a serious ankle injury if she falls off them. She picked this uber trendy restaurant, with dim lighting probably designed to hide the tiny portions of mystifying food. They can’t fool me, though, because I’m still hungry. Her conversation has been limited to how much she hates her job at the bank, what a dick her ex is, and how much money hockey players make. (I’m a hockey player—that didn’t just come up out of the blue.) And the biggest turnoff? She talks to the waiter as if he’s her personal servant. I fucking hate that.

“I’d love to be your date for your friend’s wedding this weekend.”

Sweet buttery Jesus on a breadstick. That is not happening.

“I’m sorry.” I smile again. “I RSVPed a long time ago and I didn’t include a date. It would be rude to show up with one at the last minute.”

“The groom is a hockey player. I’m sure they can afford one more dinner.”

My eyebrows rise. “I don’t think that’s the issue.”

“Oh, come on.” She leans forward and actually bats her eyelashes at me. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that done before. “I’m sure they don’t expect you to go alone.”

“I’m sure they do, since that’s what I told them I’d be doing.”

My teammate, Steve Shevchuk, is getting married this weekend. I’m going stag to this event. I absolutely could have replied to the invitation saying I was bringing a plus one; I’d have no trouble getting a date. Does that sound douchey? Don’t mean it to, it’s just the truth. Anyway, taking a woman to a wedding is the worst idea. They get all emotional and damp-eyed and start thinking about their own wedding, which leads to hurt feelings when I tell them I’m never getting married. Also, when you bring a date to a wedding, only about a hundred people will ask “When are you two getting married?” It makes me nuts.

A few of the other guys are also going solo, and we’ll have fun at the open bar generously provided by Steve and Molly.

“Would you like to see the dessert menu?” Our server pauses at the table.

“Ugh, no,” Kiera say dismissively.

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “Just the check, please,” I say with a smile for the server.

“Are we going somewhere else for a drink?” Kiera asks. “Maybe dancing?”

“Sorry.” I tilt my head. “I have an early meeting with my agent tomorrow.”

“I thought your season is done.”

“It is.” We were knocked out of the playoffs a few weeks ago. “But I’m a restricted free agent and we need to talk about my next contract.”

“Oh.” She blinks.

I take care of the check, adding a generous tip to make up for having to deal with Kiera, and I usher her out of the restaurant and onto North Lasalle Drive. It’s a beautiful June evening in Chicago, the sun setting and twinkling lights coming on around us.

“We could go for a walk,” Kiera suggests, taking my arm. “On the Riverwalk.”

She’s persistent. I’m starting to feel like a jerk for turning her down. “Sorry. Can’t. I’ll take you home.”

I parked in a parking garage a couple of blocks away, so we set off down the sidewalk. I keep talking, mostly so Kiera can’t suggest something else for us to do that I don’t want to.

Once I’ve dropped her off at her apartment in River West, I let out a sigh of relief. I like women in general and I’m usually