Game Changer by Kelly Jamieson Page 0,91
e. her generosity; f. her incredible trivia knowledge.” He pauses. “Although being a know-it-all can be a little annoying at times.”
“Hey!”
His lips twitch. “In life, it’s important to know when to stop arguing with people.”
“And let them be wrong,” I finish.
He barks out a laugh, shakes his head, then continues reading. “G. her sexpertise; h. her—”
“Stop!” I press my hands to my mouth, trying not to laugh. “You’re crazy!”
“That’s not the answer.”
“Oh my God.”
“Okay, fine, the correct answer is all of the above.”
My bottom lip quivers. “Jax.”
“Your turn.”
Shaking my head, I pick up a card. “Why is Jax an idiot when it comes to relationships?” I roll my eyes. “A. He’s just an idiot; b. He’s a coward; c. Both A and B.” I pause and add my own answer. “D. He’s not a coward and he’s not an idiot. That’s my answer.”
He grins, but ruefully. “Yeah, I am. I’ve always believed marriage is for suckers. That real long-term relationships don’t exist. I’ve always been afraid that if I get into a relationship, I’ll hurt her because I’ll do something stupid like cheat on her.”
I knew he didn’t believe in relationships. I knew part of that stemmed from his parents’ divorce. But believing he would do the same thing he thought his dad did? I didn’t know that. “Do you still believe all those things?”
“No.” He meets my eyes and holds them with a steady, open gaze. “That was the idiot part. Then there’s the cowardly part.”
I blink at him.
“I talked to my mom earlier.” He lowers our clasped hands to his thighs. “I needed advice. I’ve never felt like this before. I’ve never screwed up like this before. I didn’t know what to do about it. My mom…always used to tell us that if you make a mistake, the first thing to do is admit it. Then learn from it. And don’t do it again.”
“Good advice,” she murmurs.
“I don’t want to make that mistake again…not talking about things.” He bends his head. “I’ve never been good about talking about my feelings.”
“I know.”
He lifts his head, his lips twitching. “Yeah. You told me that. I missed years with my dad because I didn’t want to talk about it. After he left, I pretended everything was fine. I was strong. I could handle my dad leaving, no problem. I kept telling everyone I wasn’t worried about my contract. But talking to you about that…helped. The way you listen and don’t judge…you never made me feel weak.”
I swallow, my heart rising to lodge in my throat. “You’re not weak. It’s not weak to have feelings.”
He nods. “That’s what Mom told me. Keeping myself closed off that way just deprived me of connecting with other people. Kept people distant. Even my parents.” He pauses. “Even you.”
My bottom lip wobbles.
“It left me all alone,” he rasps out, his fingers tightening on mine. “When I signed the contract, I didn’t have anyone to share to the good stuff with. And that’s important too.”
“Yes.” I blink rapidly, my eyelashes damp.
“I want you in my life. So I have to be brave enough to tell you how I really feel. Even if it scares the hell out of me. And I’m not scared anymore. I will be faithful to you, Molly. I know it. I don’t want anyone else. And I will never hurt you.”
We share a slow, heated smile, warmth blooming inside me and spreading from my chest outward.
He reaches out and picks up another card. “Who typically says ‘I love you’ first? Men? Women? Or both equally?”
When he looks up from the card, I gaze at him. I open my mouth at the same time he does and we both say, “I love you.”
Then we burst out laughing.
Except my laughing is almost crying because I’m so emotional and I fling myself into his arms. He wraps me up in a tight hug, my face pressed to his shoulder. “I love you. So much.
His hand strokes my hair. “I love you too, Molly.”
26
Jax
Only inches separate our faces. I drag my gaze away from Molly’s wet eyes and look at her mouth. The plump bottom lip parts slightly from the top just so I can see the edge of her white teeth. I can’t believe she’s in my arms and she loves me and I’m so fucking relieved and elated and hot for her I can barely think.
I hear her indrawn breath, feel the tremors of her soft body in my arms. Her scent surrounds us, intoxicating