Page 30 of Game Changer

“Wanna call it a night?” he asked. She nodded and started to stand, checking the time – it was after midnight.

“You’re not leaving already, are you?” Jeremy asked.

“Yeah,” she replied, smothering a yawn.

“But, it’searly!” he protested.

Let it go, Jer.

“Foryou,it’s ‘early’,” she said picking up her bag. “Forme,however, it’s six a.m. and I need some sleep!”

Nicely handled. Let it go, Jer.

“Ok,” he answered.

Thank you,AJ silently told Jeremy. Jeremy winked at him suggestively and AJ rolled his eyes.

“Nice to finally meet you all,” she chirped. Hugging Chelsea and Ana goodbye she added, “See you in the morning.”

They didn’t offer to leave with her, they clearly all trusted AJ to get her home safely. As did she. As they walked, he instinctively put his hand on the base of her back, guiding her through the crowd.

When they got outside, his hand didn’t move.

Yeah, she’s totally your cousin. Or a friend. Doing great at fighting your instinct, eh, dipshit?

“You cold?” he asked.

She shook her head in reply, yawned again.

She’s quiet though.

As he opened the car door, he asked again, “Are you really ok?”

Nodding, she smiled softly, “Yeah, I’m ok, I’m just a bit –” she searched for the word. “Overwhelmed,” she finished.

Smiling, he closed the door with a soft thud, and they sat in silence as he drove to the hotel. It was a comfortable silence. He wanted to give her the space she needed to process everything, and not compound her feeling of being overwhelmed.

Though I really do want to kiss you.

As he walked her to her room, his hand had again found its way to her back.

Not convinced you’ll make it on your own steam, for one. And for two, I just like having my hand on you.

She’s chewing her lip again. Does she think I’m trying to corner her in the hotel room? Is she afraid I’m going to make a move? I mean, I totally want to make a move, but now I’m not sure I should.

Damnit, I thought I had your lip-chewing ‘tell’ unraveled. Is this a good lip-chewing? A bad lip-chewing?

Gimme a clue, here! Help a guy out!

When they arrived at her door, she took his hand and led him inside. He whistled softly as he admired the room. “This is niiiiiice,” he exclaimed.

“Yeah, Chelsea is great at picking hotel rooms. Tea?”

“No thanks.”

“Water?”

Shaking his head, no, he sat on the sofa as she put the kettle on for herself.

---