Game Changer by Kelly Jamieson Page 0,19

somehow I know it doesn’t help to tell Bob he’s not making sense, or ask him if he remembers the first time Jax scored a goal. He can’t remember and it’s not fair to ask him. I don’t have experience with Alzheimer’s, but I smile when Bob smiles, and make appropriate comments during the story as if it makes sense.

I meet Chelsea’s eyes. She’s used to this, I can tell. She gives me a faint smile, almost apologetic but tinged with sadness, and I return the smile with a minute shake of my head to say it’s okay.

Ash is leaving, so people stand and mingle about to say goodbye.

“You and Harrison live together. Why didn’t you two come in the same car?” Everly asks Ash.

“First rule of Wynn family gatherings,” JP says. “Always bring your own car so you can leave when you want.”

Everyone laughs.

Ash points at him in agreement.

“It’s true,” Jax says in my ear. “You ready to go?”

“Any time you are. I’m just tagging along.”

“I’ll have lots of time to visit with everyone,” he says. “I think I need to…go for a walk.”

I nod, and we take our leave too, with lots of hugs and intentions to make plans. I’m touched when Riley says, “I hope I’ll see you again.”

I shrug and peek over at Jax. “I hope so too. We’ll see.”

Everly, Lacey and Taylor make similar comments, suggesting a girls’ night while I’m here. It sounds fun and amazing, and I could use some girl power support right now, but I’m not really part of this family. I’m only Jax’s friend and I’ll probably never see them again, but I make non-committal comments and then Jax and I head out.

“Holy shit,” he says.

“You okay?”

“I don’t even know.” He rubs his mouth and pulls out of the driveway. “There’s dysfunctional, and then there’s whatever the fuck we are.”

7

Jax

I find my way back to the resort with the help of my GPS. Spotlights illuminate the palm trees around the grounds, white lights twined around their trunks. I park and we walk into the lobby. The bar on our right is open and lively. “Let’s have a drink,” I say, jerking my head toward it.

“Okay.”

There’s a huge fireplace at one end and the bar is open to a terrace. We find a table near the fire and a waitress approaches right away with a smile.

Molly studies a cocktail menu. “I’ll have a watermelon margarita, please.” She smiles back at the waitress.

“Of course. And for you, sir?”

“Have you got Gran Patrón Añejo?”

“We certainly do.”

“Great, thanks.” I turn back to Molly. “I couldn’t drink enough at the party since I had to drive back here. And I needed to drink.”

She smiles and rests her chin on one hand. “Your family is interesting.”

“Interesting? I assume that’s a euphemism for fucked up?”

She laughs. “They’re not that bad. I feel so sorry for Chelsea, though.”

I snort. “Yeah, you said that earlier.”

“Well, now seeing her with your grandpa…and it’s only going to get worse.” Her eyes shadow. “Can you imagine? The person you love most in the world, your partner in life…deteriorating like that right before your eyes, and there’s nothing you can do?” Her voice catches. “It must be so hard for her.”

“Yeah,” I say slowly. “You’re right. I noticed that everyone seems a lot warmer toward her than they used to. I guess I have some catching up to do.”

“You will. Everly’s going to make you.” Her eyes glint.

“I see you have Everly figured out already.” I smile.

“She’s kind of scary.”

“Yeah, I was always scared of her when we were kids.”

“Get out.”

I laugh. “Sort of. But part of that was probably the feud between Dad and Chelsea and Grandpa. Everly always knew we didn’t trust her mom, and that made things awkward.”

Our drinks arrive, and I relax back into the comfy chair with my tequila and let out a sigh. “I hate it that Grandpa’s not doing well. And I’ve missed so much time with him.”

“I’m sorry.” Molly’s voice is soft. “It must be hard.”

I nod but don’t say anything. She’s…pretty great. She’s just been through a hell of an ordeal herself, and she’s sitting here all sympathetic for me and my family.

“I’m sorry I caused some trouble by showing up with you.” She picks up her drink. “I never even thought that they would know about the wedding, but I guess I should have. I’m sure it’s all over social media.”

“Probably. Also, probably good to not know that. Don’t look.”

“I don’t think there’s