Page 17 of Game Changer

What the hell have I done?

I’m going to fuck up the best thing to ever happen to me, aren’t I? Because of Britt.

No, numb nut, because you’re a spineless douche-canoe who couldn’t say no when she asked you for a favor.

A favor! Mowing her lawn is a goddamn favor.

Favor, my ass.

Turning his head, he saw that Jeremy had made a beeline to intercept the rest of the team as they arrived. AJ assumed it was with the intention of keeping them away from the crying-into-empty-shot-glass enforcer who was propping up the bar and singing along with the old-style jukebox in the corner.

“Dude. You’re so sad Tim McGraw could write a song about you,” Jeremy said as he signaled another round of drinks from the bartender. “In fact, he’s probably written an album about you already.”

Please no more shots.

“I really am so sad, Jer. I don’t even have a good answer for her. When she asks, and we both know she’ll ask, I don’t have a good reason why I married Britt. I have a long list of bullshit reasons that I can’t even justify to myself. She’s not going to buy my bullshit and I’m going to lose her. Shit. I’m going to lose her, aren’t I?”

AJ lifted his head off his arms and looked at Jeremy.

Jeremy shrugged in reply, “I dunno, man. I really don’t. What you did was totally fucking stupid. And loyal. And inexplicable. But it’s done. We gotta move forward or it’ll destroy you. You gotta start making future plans and let go of the ‘I married Britt, what the hell am I gonna do?’ stuff. There’s a way forward and out of this. You haven’t slept with her – keep it that way and you can get an annulment – focus on that,” he winked at AJ. “Lisa loves you, focus onthat. Don’t focus on Brittany Ellen Knight.”

“When did you get so smart, Jer?”

“Who says I’m smart? I have a terrible track record with chicks. But I know true love when I see it, and I see it with you two.”

AJ agreed. He’d never felt this way about anyone before and it kind of scared him. Having such strong feelings about a girl over five thousand miles away was unnerving. What would he feel like if she ever stood in front of him? Just how much love was a person capable of? Every time she smiled at him, he thought his heart would explode in his chest and the very idea of losing that because of Britt filled him with anxiety and pain.

I can’t lose her. It’s that simple. I need to do whatever it takes.

You mean whatever it takes as long as it’s not rocking the boat with Britt.

Ugh. Talk about being under the thumb.

Tim McGraw’s ‘Rest of our Life’ came on and AJ threw Jeremy an accusing glare. Jeremy shrugged with a ‘wasn’t me’ type gesture.

Pretty sure I’m going to for-real marry that Irish girl someday.

Chapter 5

With each day that took him further from his wedding day and closer to his ‘divorce day’, AJ relaxed a little bit more. He was focused on school, hockey training and, while they didn’t have a definitive end date for his fake-marriage to Britt, he was mostly looking forward to being free of the shackles of a marriage that he’d stupidly gotten himself into.

Five months after the papers had been submitted to the Probate Office AJ still felt as guilty and stupid about signing his name as he had on the day they got married.

He still spoke to Lisa every day, as often as their schedules permitted – actively avoiding any discussions involving talk of them planning a trip to meet each other. “Where’s the urgency of ‘true love’?” she’d joked. It had stung, and he knew she had a right to be upset that he kept avoiding the subject, or giving her a string of excuses, but he couldn’t risk her finding out about Britt. Sunday afternoons were his favorite. They curled up in their beds and watched a movie ‘together’ while they chatted on the phone and ate snacks. They took it in turns to pick the movies. Today it was lady’s choice.

“You get new jammies?” he asked her as she got settled on the bed with her popcorn and M&M’s.

“I did,” she replied, sounding impressed that he’d noticed. “You like them?” she asked, showing him her new ‘I can’t even’, pjs.

“They’re cute. They’d look better on your floor though.”

“Shh! AJ Williams. We’re watching this movie. Don’t distract me.”

“But you’re so pretty when you’re distracted. Those pink cheeks…”

“I’ll turn off the video chat if you’re not careful,” she warned.

“You wouldn’t!”

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