Game Changer by Kelly Jamieson Page 0,16

“Hi, Wynn family. Nice to meet you all.”

6

Molly

Well, I got what I wanted. Here I am, surrounded by the legendary Wynn family. Yikes. What was I thinking?

Everyone’s staring at me, and I am acutely aware that they may know who I am and that I just jilted my fiancé. And now I’m here with Jax.

Maybe I should make a run for it.

Nope, nope, can’t do that. Nothing for it but to make the best of this situation I got myself—and Jax, for that matter—into. So I smile and wave and don’t bother waiting for introductions.

“Hi, you must be Riley,” I say to the woman Jax just hugged. “Nice to meet you.”

She shakes my hand, bemused. “Um, yeah, hi Molly.”

“My dad,” Jax says. “Mark Wynn.”

“Mr. Wynn.” I shake his hand too. He smiles, and I see the interest in his eyes. He glances back at Jax.

“Call me Mark,” he says. “Pleased to meet you, Molly.”

Jax continues the introductions, and I start to lose track of who everyone is. Jax greets Taylor, whom the party is honoring, with a friendly hug and says, “Last time I saw you, two guys were fighting over you.” He slides a sly glance at JP, her fiancé.

What? I’m so curious I could burst!

Taylor laughs. “Oh yeah.”

“Welcome to the family.”

“Thank you.”

But there are more. I keep smiling and shaking hands. Finally he introduces me to his grandfather, Bob Wynn, and his wife Chelsea.

Jax was right. Chelsea’s stunning, her blonde hair in a wavy bob, her makeup impeccable, and her slim black pants, silky tank top and heels are all killer.

“It’s Jackson,” Chelsea says to Mr. Wynn in a low voice.

Oh God. What if he doesn’t even remember Jax? I cast a quick look at Jax and bite my lip.

Bob Wynn eyes Jax. “Haven’t seen you in a while, Jackson.”

“No, sir.” Jax clears his throat.

Okay, at least he recognizes him.

“Surprised you’ve lowered yourself to join us.”

“Ouch,” Jax mutters.

“Or maybe it’s just me you haven’t wanted to associate with.”

My insides tighten as I watch the exchange.

“Pretty much,” Jax agrees.

Mr. Wynn barks out a laugh. “At least you’re honest.”

“I am honest.” Jax tips his head to one side. I can see he doesn’t know what to say. He clears his throat. “I’m sorry, Grandpa.”

Bob Wynn nods.

Jax looks at Chelsea. “We need to talk.”

She tilts her head, clearly surprised. “Of course,” she murmurs.

“We’ll talk more while I’m here,” Jax adds to Mr. Wynn.

“Huh. You assume I want to talk to you after all these years,” Mr. Wynn says gruffly.

Eep. Mr. Wynn’s a little salty.

Mr. Wynn turns his attention to me. “New girlfriend,” he says. “Or are you two gonna surprise us and tell us you’re married, like Théo did last year?”

I shoot Jax an alarmed glance.

“She’s not my girlfriend, Grandpa. Just a friend.”

I hear someone behind me choke. Great. They know.

“Uh huh.” Grandpa frowns. “Sure.”

“She’s not his girlfriend, Dad,” someone speaks up.

I turn to see one of the guys…Jax’s uncle Asher, I think?

“She’s engaged to Steve Shevchuk,” Asher says, giving me a narrow-eyed look. “He plays for the Aces.”

“Jesus Christ!”

I jump at Bob Wynn’s shout and whirl around, wide-eyed. Nervously I edge closer to Jax as Mr. Wynn glares at him. “You kids! You can’t keep stealing other men’s women!”

My thoughts freeze with confusion and I blink rapidly.

Everyone starts murmuring. Asher’s comment has clued everyone in that I’m the runaway bride they heard about.

Jax speaks up. “No, Grandpa, that’s not it.”

“I’m not engaged to Steve,” I say firmly, loudly. Then I add glumly, “Not anymore.”

“You were?” Bob Wynn snaps.

“Er, yes.” My gaze darts around the room, and heat washes up my throat and into my face.

Bob slaps a hand down on the arm rest of the chair where he sits. “Dammit! Jackson, you should be ashamed.”

I suck in a breath and turn to Jax. “I’m so sorry,” I whisper.

He shakes his head. “Grandpa, we’re not together. She wanted to get out of Chicago, so she came with me. That’s all.”

Bob Wynn frowns. “Well, that’s as stupid as a screen door on a submarine.”

“It was my idea,” I speak up. “I begged him to let me come. He didn’t want to do it.”

Jax rolls his eyes and sighs. What’s with that? I’m trying to help him out.

“Interesting,” Asher comments.

I resist the urge to scowl at him.

Crap. Jax was right. His family is nuttier than squirrel shit.

I turn back to Bob Wynn and smile. “Mr. Wynn, your grandson is a knight in shining armor. He saved me when I needed help. I’m very