Page 19 of Game Changer

After class, AJ caught an Uber home, sensibly not wanting to drive while under the influence of his old friend Johnnie Walker. When he got home, he went for a quick run on the treadmill to help sober up and get his mind right while waiting for Lisa to call.

“Oh, you’re home,” Britt remarked as she arrived home arms laden with shopping bags.

Moving in together to save on expenses seemed like a great, adulty idea at the time. But now I wish I’d stayed solo.

“You need to leave,” AJ puffed as he ran.

“I do?”

“I don’t want to see you right now.”

“Aren’t you a ray of sunshine. What’s wrong?”

“I’m married to you, Britt. That’s what’s wrong.”

“But I’m lovely. You should consider yourself lucky.” She was clearly attempting to make light of the situation.

“Just leave.”

***

AJ’s phone chimed as he stepped out of the shower.

Jer: Still day-drinking?

AJ: Ten-mile run. Boom. And I’m clean. Missed a call from Lis, though.

Jer: I’m coming over to make dinner. Keeping you company and supervising so you don’t get drunk and unruly. I may even stay the night.

AJ: Jeremy Lewis! People will talk!

Jer: You’re not my type. And you already have a wife.

AJ: Harsh. That pains me, man.

***

“Hey babe, I’m just heading out with Aoife. She gave me your gift. I don’t know how you managed to make this happen but it’s fantastic and I love it. Thank you. I’ll listen to your playlist when I get home, it’s downloaded onto my phone. I can’t believe you recorded yourself singing for me, I’m going to listen to it every day like a total saddo. Can’t wait to go for afternoon tea with Aoife either – you spoil me, Mr. Williams. I don’t deserve you! Gotta run, I’m being nagged. Thanks for making my birthday so special, I can’t believe you spent so much on me! We’ll talk about this later. But, thank you. I imagine I’ll drunk dial you when I get home. Sober girlfriend apologizes in advance. I love you.”

You deserve so much more, he thought as he listened to her voicemail. Guilt struck his insides.

***

After they finished eating and AJ cleared up the post-Jeremy-cooking mess, Jeremy popped open a cold beer and took up residence in front of the TV with a pint of ice cream. AJ kicked back on the recliner, half-watching Hockey Night in Canada and half-watching Lisa get tagged in various social media platforms for her birthday celebrations. If nothing else, she looked like she was having fun out with her friends.

“Question.”

“You got as long as this commercial break takes,” Jeremy answered.

“How do you deal with the money?”

“What money? My parents’ money?”

“Lis is gonna bust my balls for spending, and I quote, ‘too much money’ on her birthday present. I have more money than her, it’s just a fact. I don’t want her to be concerned about money. I don’t want her to feel guilty, or somehow self-conscious. I don’t want it to be a ‘thing’. I didn’t think of the price tag when I picked stuff for her, I just ordered flowers and sent a gift card. The necklace wasn’t even ready in time and she thinks it’s too much. I didn’t think it was enough. You have money and you’ve had plenty of girlfriends. How do you deal with it?”

Jeremy muted the TV and turned to face AJ.

Uh oh. You know shit’s serious when he mutes hockey night.

---