Game Changer by Kelly Jamieson Page 0,52

when they’re done, we gather up our stuff and as we trudge across the lawn in the dark I hold her hand so as not to lose her in the crowd.

Back at the cottage, we go to our separate rooms. It’s getting harder and harder to do that.

She told me she missed sleeping with me.

Christ, I miss it too, except I want so much more than just sleeping with her. It’s becoming torturous, and I almost regret inviting her to come here with me, except that if I hadn’t, she wouldn’t be here, and well, it’s tough to regret being with Molly. She’s like sunshine and glowing flames and starlight. I love how happy she is about everything I show her, full of questions and appreciation for the history and the beauty of this place that’s so special to me. It’s not new or fancy, but it’s comfortable and familiar.

Tomorrow I have something special planned, if the weather cooperates.

And it does.

“We’re going out later,” I tell her after dinner the next evening. “So don’t fall asleep.”

She tilts her head and gives me side-eye. “You told me no late-night parties.”

“Ha ha. It’s sort of a party. Dress warm and bring the bug spray.”

“Hmm. I’m curious.”

We’re watching TV, thanks to the satellite I installed on the roof a few years ago. I check a sports news channel, because as of yesterday, the free agency period began.

“Holy shit.” I stare at the TV and the news that two of my teammates, Olaf Pilkvist and Gabe Gandy, who are unrestricted free agents, have signed big contracts with other teams.

“What?”

Molly understands how it works and we discuss it. “We knew the team couldn’t keep all of us because of the cap. But they let Pilker and Gander go.” I shake my head.

“That’s good news for you, right?”

“Maybe?” I’d like to think so. “That definitely frees up cap space.”

Gander is one of my best buddies on the team. This sucks. But it’s a business.

I head into the bedroom to grab my phone so I can text my former teammates my congrats. These sound like great deals, especially for Gander, who’s a fourth-line winger. He played great for us last year, but I think it had more to do with his linemates than his own talents. Not being snarky, just realistic. Fans love him, though, because he’s gritty, so it’s kind of a loss for the team.

As we continue to watch TV, Molly dozes off. I let her sleep because it has to be really dark before we go. And I kind of like watching her sleep, admiring the smooth curve of one cheek, the shape of her lips, her bright silky hair spread on the dark cushion.

When I nudge her awake later, she’s a tad grumpy.

“What?” she mumbles. “What are you doing?” She frowns blearily at me. “What’s going on?”

“We’re going out, remember?”

“Ugh. I don’t want to. I just want to sleep.” She closes her eyes again.

“Come on. It’s the perfect night for it.”

She grumbles but hoists herself off the couch, wiping her mouth. “I think I was drooling.”

“Maybe a bit.” She wasn’t.

She trudges into the bathroom, then the bedroom, returning dressed in long pants, socks and a hoodie. I’ve already changed and have a big duffel bag packed with the things we need.

“Where are we going?” she whines as we climb into the car.

I have to smile. “You’ll see.”

A few minutes later I pull into the gravel parking lot of the Cove. I haven’t brought Molly here yet. It’s an open area for boat launching, which of course is not happening at this time of night. We’re the only ones here.

I lead her out onto one of the docks. It’s a floating dock and it rises and falls gently beneath us.

I drop the bag and pull out a double sleeping bag. I spread it on the wooden surface and pull out two cushions then the thermos of red wine and a plastic container of crackers and cheese.

“A late-night picnic?” She sits beside me on the sleeping bag.

“Sort of.” The distinctive odor of Deep Woods Off reaches my nose. Not Molly’s usual perfume, but she’s still sexy.

“I am kind of hungry.” She reaches for a cracker.

I pour wine into a plastic glass and hand it to her.

“Thank you. This is…fun?”

I grin. “Look at the stars.”

She tips her head back and gazes upward. Above us, the Milky Way shimmers. Thank God it’s a clear night. “Wow,” she says slowly. “Look at them…so many…”

“Yeah.” I lay down, shoving