Page 15 of Game Changer

AJ nodded in reply and threw back the first shot in a line of twelve.

“I need to call her first.” AJ announced as he stacked his second empty shot glass on top of the first. “Before I get too drunk and land myself in trouble.”

“Good plan,” Jeremy replied after his third shot. “The more of these I have the better they taste.” He grinned.

“Why are you drinking? You’re not the idiot who fake-married his friend.”

“Maybe not, but my best friendisthat idiot and I’m here for him. Call ‘The Girl’.”

He knocked back the next shot in the line-up, scrolled his contacts ‘til he found her number and pressed the call button.

“Hey pretty girl, how was your day?”

He could tell she was smiling as she spoke; he loved her smile.

“Mr. Williams! Are you drunk? It’s the middle of the afternoon you dirty stop-out!”

“Guilty as charged, Miss Millar. Guilty as charged! It’s Jeremy’s fault.”

“Nowthat,I believe. How’s your day?”

“Better now,” he answered as he stacked the empty shot glasses inside each other. He unstacked them and stacked them again. Keeping his mind focused on a menial task, he hoped would mean his mouth would stay closed about things he shouldn’t disclose.

“Awww! You’re all mushy when you’re drunk.”

“I’m mushy when I’m sober. I’m mushierwhen I’m drunk. I’m currently somewhere in the middle. I think. You in bed?”

“Just.”

“I need to tell you something.”

He heard her suck in air and let it out slowly. “Ok?” she paused, “What is it?”

AJ took the fourth shot in the line.

Here goes nothing.

“I’m falling in love with you, Lisa Millar.”

Silence.

“Lis?”

“I’m here,” she answered barely above a whisper. “Are you just telling me this because you’re drunk?”

Why does she sound like she’s going to cry?

“No, babe.” He paused and steadied himself for a moment. “I love you. Maybe I’m only brave enough to say it out loud to you because of the tequila? I dunno. It sounds insane. Falling in love with someone I’ve never met in person before. Isn’t that insane? It’s certainly not normal.”

“Who wants to be normal anyway, Pim? Hm?”

He smiled. She always knew what to say to make him feel better.

Oh, and by the way, I married another woman today, hope you don’t mind. It’s temporary though, so don’t go losing your shit.

“AJ? Are you still there?”

“Yeah, babe, I’m here.”

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