Page 81 of Game Changer

Even Jeremy had good things to say about her, which had knocked AJ for six. If he hadn’t already been lying down, he’d have at least needed a seat. In some parallel-universe style turn of events, his best friend and his girlfriend had bonded over AJ’s near-death experience. More than that, though, they seemed to have developed some kind of familial bond while he was unconscious. He hadn’t quite adjusted to this new version of reality, but he had to admit, life would probably be a little easier if they weren’t forever convinced that they hated each other.

He smiled as the conversation between his mom and Lisa turned towards school and work. This was the all-business mom he’d grown up with. He was impressed with how Lisa was fielding her Spanish Inquisition-type quick-fire questions and his mom seemed impressed with her answers.

And I didn’t even get to prep her for such a grilling.

They still hadn’t noticed he was awake. Their voices were quiet, but he could still make out what they were saying and as he lay there listening to them talk, he was convinced that he was staring at the woman he was going to marry.

I just have to figure out how to keep her from leaving me because of this Canadian Clusterfuck I’ve gotten myself tangled up in.

Lisa glanced at him and her face broke into a smile when she realized that he was awake. She practically bounded across the room and carefully launched herself at him, throwing her arms around him. “You’re awake,” she beamed.

“I am,” he smiled back at her.

“Eavesdropping?” his mother inquired from her seat in the corner.

“Lil bit.”

“Arthur Williams!” she scolded playfully.

“Mom, you know I eavesdropped the entire time I was in a coma, right? I just don’t remember most of it, but I heard a lot – even if I didn’t recognize everyone all of the time.”

“As fascinating as that sounds, and I certainly have plenty of questions for you about that for when you’re feeling a little better… That’s not quite the same and you know it.”

He turned his attention back to Lisa, who was gazing at him, adoringly.

“What?”

“Nothin’”

“Oh, please! Definitely something.”

She ran her fingers down the side of his face and down his chest until her palm covered his heart. Her eyes brimmed with tears and her jaw quivered. “In some moments I didn’t think I’d ever see your smile again. Sitting over there, when I realized you were awake, when you smiled at me, it just reminded me how lucky we all were that you fought and woke up, Pim. That’s all. I’ve missed everything about you,” she stroked his face again. “I’ve missed your smile, your eyes, your voice,” his tears trickled down her hand. “I thought I’d lost you. Seeing you awake and smiling, just hit me in the feels I guess.”

She lowered her forehead to rest against his as they shared a moment. When he lifted his eyes to meet hers once again, she said, “I love you, Pim and I really don’t want to live my life without you in it. So, I need you to keep fighting, always, ok? Even if it’s hard. Even if you feel broken. Even if you’re in some weird white-walled waiting room and scared out of your mind, I need you to never give up on yourself, and I promise not to ever give up on you, either.”

He kissed her deeply. “How did I get so lucky? You really are amazing, you know that? I’ve missed you, too, Lisa Millar. And every time I open my eyes and see you sitting here next to me, I’m reminded of how much I love you and how lucky I am to have you. You seem to have been a rock for just about everyone while I was asleep, and I don’t know how I’ll ever thank you. But I promise that I’ll fight, forever.”

Chapter 24

“So, you gonna tell me why you’ve been checking to see if my girlfriend is eating?” AJ asked Jeremy over the din of his friends scrambling to grab a slice of the pizza Lisa had smuggled into the hospital. Lisa turned her face to look out the window and everyone went quiet.

“Dude. She fainted, remember? With you out of action, someone had to make sure she was eating!”

“Ok…”

Still looking out the window, Lisa avoided looking at AJ. He was back to being able to read her like a book and she didn’t want to get into it in front of his teammates.

Hmmm. We’ll get into this later, Miss Millar. But I’m starting to get the impression you didn’t take very good care of yourself while I was unconscious and we both know that’s not cool.

“So,” he continued, changing tactics, “who is gonna bring me up to date with what has happened in the last six days?”

I know what Lisa’s version of events is, but everyone else is being pretty tight-lipped.

Before anyone could respond, the door opened. Dwight stood in the doorway, looking pale, exhausted and shaken.

What the hell is he doing here?

“Oh, hell no!”

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