Game Changer by Kelly Jamieson Page 0,85
that I might not want to see Steve.
Or Jax.
Maybe we won’t see them. The players will be signing autographs, but not all at the same time, so if we’re lucky, we can avoid them.
The event is held outside the Aces practice facility. It’s a warm September day, bright and sunny, and the place is crowded with people. I refused to wear my Aces jersey with Steve’s name and number on it, but I am wearing an Aces T-shirt, black with silver and white logo.
Cam and Josh are both wearing their little jerseys, and they’re practically spinning they’re so excited to see some of their favorite players.
The scent of hot dogs fills the air as we make our way through crowds. Of course I buy the guys hot dogs and lemonades. They get to play ball hockey with the team mascot Blade, who’s a giant basset hound wearing a brown leather bomber jacket, a scarf and goggles on his head.
I watch, smiling and laughing, but I’m on edge, constantly glancing around so if I see Steve or Jax I can duck into a hiding spot. And abandon my nephews, sure.
After the ball hockey, Blade obligingly poses for photos with Cam and Josh. As I turn to move on to another event, Cam spots Steve.
“Steve!” he calls.
Steve’s head turns and he spots us. His eyes widen at seeing me, then narrow.
He looks…pissed.
What the hell? Is he angry that I’m here? I have a right to be here. I’m still an Aces fan.
Steve forces a smile at seeing the kids. He’s met them many times, of course. They don’t know what happened at the wedding since they weren’t there, luckily, and they’re happy to see him.
“Hi guys,” he says, pausing. “How are you?”
“Good! We just played ball hockey with Blade.”
“Cool.” Steve raises his eyes to me and says curtly, “Hi, Molly. I can’t believe you’re here.”
“Why not?” I frown. “I’m a fan too.”
“I mean, I just saw a picture of you…”
“What?” I’m confused.
“We need to talk.”
I shake my head, trying to figure out what’s going on. “Obviously this isn’t a good time.”
“Oh hell yeah, it is.”
“Hey, language,” I mutter.
“Blade!” Steve calls to the mascot. Blade turns and lumbers toward us, a big dog smile on his enormous face. “Can you take these two guys and get them T-shirts?”
Blade claps his hands and holds them out to the boys.
“No…” I start to protest.
“They’ll be fine, right, Blade?”
Blade nods his big head.
“Bring them over to the autograph table after,” Steve says.
“What are you doing?” I demand under my breath.
“Come this way. I need to sign autographs in a few minutes.” He pauses. “With Jax.”
My heart bumps.
Steve takes hold of my upper arm and pulls me along with him. We go behind the table where a couple of players are signing autographs for a line of fans.
Jax is there.
Great. Perfect.
“Wynn,” Steve snaps at him, jerking his head. “Come here.”
Jax’s head swivels, and he takes in me and Steve together. His jaw tightens and his shoulders tense, but his face stays remarkably expressionless. “What’s up?” he asks, ambling forward.
Steve moves us behind a tent set up beside the autograph table. He pulls out his phone.
“Just tell me…” He unlocks it and swipes a few times, then holds it up for us to see. “What the hell is this?”
I peer at his phone and see a photograph of Jax and me at Clear Lake. We’re standing on the beach, arms around each other, smiling up at each other.
I freeze. I feel like darkness descends over the festival and only Jax, Steve and I are standing here, in a quiet bubble. I look at Jax. He looks at me.
What the hell do we do now?
My throat has gone dry, and I swallow.
I turn my gaze back to Steve. “Uh…”
“This is who you were with all summer?” he demands.
Welp, there’s no point in lying about it. I don’t like lying anyway, but he’s holding proof in his hands.
I look at Jax, trying to convey my regret. He gives a tiny, resigned nod.
“Yes,” I say to Steve.
I don’t offer any other explanation or info. What more does he need to know?
His face reddening, Steve shakes his head and turns to Jax. “What the fuck, man?”
Jax holds up his hands. “You two weren’t together anymore.”
“I know, but Jesus Christ! We were engaged! She dumped me at the altar. What did you do, go after her?”
“No,” Jax says quietly, lifting his chin. “She asked me to help. She wanted to get away from