The Game Changer (43 page)

“CJ’s it is.”

We speed off to my next destination. I text the guys, they’re going to meet us there. I know I should check in at home, but I’m not in the mood. Besides, I have a feeling Mikey is taking care of that.

We arrive before the others and head to our usual spot at the back bar. I’m not much of a drinker, but I’m ordering vodka on the rocks. Mikey has switched to beer halfway through dinner and is switching off with club soda now. When the guys arrive, they are raring to go, just like me. The shots start flowing and soon I can feel my head starting to spin. Alexa and her friends show up, she gives me a kiss and a hug and tells me she’s sorry to hear what has happened. Sure she is. I down another shot and keep my distance. I talk with the bartender, I can’t tell you about what, though, things are getting fuzzy. After a while, Mikey walks up behind me.

“Did you have enough yet? How about we head out?” he asks, patting my back.

“Yeah, sure, this sucks.” I slur as he guides me towards the doors and I try to get my feet to cooperate with my head. I’m wrecked and I miss JJ. I treated her like shit this morning. I need her tonight. I know I’m going to do the drunk thing and go knock on her door, beg her to forgive me and wait for me.

***

(Jesse)

De stops by dressed for her shift at CJ’s. She’s due to be in soon. We sit in my room as I try to pull myself together, not wanting to face anything that happened over the last few weeks, but, there is no time to feel sorry for myself right now. There are a lot of other people that are hurting, too. Maria and Lucca will be losing their son, watching all of his hopes and dreams crumble. De is losing her brother, who she has counted on her whole life. Mikey has to live with the guilt of continuing on this journey without his best friend, knowing how hard they worked to make it to where they are, or were in Luke’s case. Most of all, Luke’s' whole life is about to change, he’s lost everything, especially his respect for himself. Thankfully, he will not be lost forever.

I have to stay strong, make him see that it was an accident, he’s not to blame. He will have it all back someday. I didn’t handle things so great earlier. His words stung, but I should have been able to see through it, I should have known that it’s not me he is angry with. Tonight, our last night together, I will make sure he knows that no matter what happens, my love for him will never change, we’ll always be together.

“What are you thinking?” De asks sadly, realizing I’m lost in thought.

“I just need to get through to him. I know that I can, I just need some time alone. I shouldn’t have let him get to me earlier. I shouldn’t have let him walk out angry. I know he’s hurting.”

“It’s not your fault. He’s so angry, he won’t talk to anyone. He hasn’t even looked at me or my mom the last few days. My mom is a mess, my dad tried talking to him, but he won’t listen. He’s worse now than before. Mikey’s with him now, they were in AC and are heading to CJ’s.”

“It’s hitting him hard right now. He’s leaving tomorrow and he feels as though his life is over. I’ve been there. It’s a very dark place, but he’ll be alright,” I answer while trying to reassure myself.

I remember how I felt, it wasn’t something anyone was able to help me with until I was ready. I shudder at the thought, hoping it won’t take Luke as long as it took me. I focused on how being with him has helped me and that is what I need to do for him. “Go ahead. You’re going to be late. I’ll see you there.”

“I’m scared, JJ. I don’t know if I can stand to watch him spend his last night with his friends.”

“Me, too, but it’ll be okay. I’ll be there in a little while,” I answer as we hold onto each other tightly, tears flowing from our eyes.

I would have preferred to have tonight alone with him, but maybe it’s good that he spends a few hours with his friends. They’re usually good for a few laughs and maybe they can make him forget for a little while about what’s in store for him. Then hopefully, when we get home, I can make him forget for a little while, too. Luke has a lot of people pulling for him that want to help him through this.
Thankfully, the Ray’s organization has been supportive, so far. They’re not giving up on him and are looking towards his return. Luke’s hopeful about this in the beginning, over the last few days, something changed. He doesn’t want to hear anything that has to do with baseball.

As I shower, my mind is going in a million different directions. My stomach is in knots thinking about seeing him tonight. I’ve never seen him like this before. Luke has never spoken to me like that; how will he react to seeing me? I’m scared. I don’t want to think about him leaving for so long. As the water splashes over my face, I wash away the tears and begin to pull myself together.

I wear something I know will get Luke’s attention. I bought it a few weeks ago, but never got a chance to wear it. He would have said he loved it since it matches my eyes. I carefully apply my make-up and spend extra time on my hair. I am trying to make it hard for him not to notice me. Funny, but I usually don’t have to try much at all to have Luke’s full attention when I enter a room. That is the one thing I love about him. We can be in a jam-packed bar or a crowded stadium and he always makes me feel as if he only sees me. As I reminisce in my mind over the last two years, I’m interrupted by the sound of Lori’s car honking. I nervously twist my ring as I give myself one more look in the mirror and head outside.

“Hey, girlfriend, how are you holding up?” Lori asks as I open the door and slide into the passenger seat.

“I don’t know. We’ll see… he’s not doing so well.”

“Yeah, I know. De told me.”

I’m feeling kind of dizzy, my stomach is sick and everything feels as if I’m watching from the outside. Before I know it, the car is parked in CJ’s parking lot and I hardly remember picking up Cathy, Billy and Sean. As everyone filters out of the car, I start having regrets about coming here tonight and facing Luke.

Billy and I had a lot of classes together and we have actually become pretty good friends over the last couple of years. He’s always respectful of my relationship with Luke. He throws his arm around my shoulder as we walk up to the door. “Hey, are
you okay?” he asks, knowing how upsetting this has been.

“It’s hard. He’s a mess. This was supposed to be so different. We should be preparing for my move to Florida, we made so many plans.”

“It’ll be okay, Jess. I don’t think there is any way of separating you two. And I’m a guy, admitting that,” he says, joking as he gives me a little shake.

“Thanks,” I say, forcing a smile at him.

CJ’s is already crowded when we arrive. I do a quick glance through, but don’t spot Luke. I’m figuring they’re in their usual spot at the back bar. As we make our way through the crowds of people, I hear someone yelling my name from the bar to the left of me. I turn around to see Blake sitting at the bar with a guy I don’t recognize. I’m not in the mood, but we make eye contact and there is no getting out of it. I tell my friends I’ll catch up with them as I make my way towards Blake.

“Hey, Jesse, my favorite girl in Bay Point,” he says enthusiastically as he puts his arm around my shoulder while holding his overly filled martini in his other hand.

Not too many people drink martinis in CJ’s. It’s really not Blake’s kind of place and I wonder why he even bothers to come.

“Hi, Blake. What are you doing back?” I say, nonchalantly slipping from under his arm. Blake couldn’t wait to leave Bay Point and head back to Manhattan. He left immediately following graduation.

“Just here for the weekend. I’m glad I ran into you. I had a feeling you would still be hanging out here. What are you drinking?” he asks.

“Nothing. I just walked in,” I answer distractedly. The pretty bartender is already waiting to see what he needs. I notice the huge pile of money sitting on the bar in front of him. He leans in to whisper something to her as he hands her a twenty. “I’ll be back in a little while to see you, I need to find De,” I say, trying to break free. The bartender fills four shot glasses and leaves a pitcher next to the glasses.

“Not so fast. You can’t just blow me off like that. I haven’t seen you since graduation! You at least have to do one shot with me,” he says, pulling me to his stool, holding me by my waist so I cannot break free. I am one of Blake’s only friends in Bay Point, although I’m not in the mood for his games tonight. My nerves are on edge. Maybe a shot is what I need. He lines up the shots, handing me one as he clinks our glasses together. My throat burns as the warm liquid flows down.

“Oh, my God. What was that?” I ask, breathing fire.

***

(Luke)

As Mikey and I make our way to the doors leading out, I happen to glance over at the side bar and spot Blake Christiansen with his arm around JJ’s waist. Mikey must have caught it too because he swiftly begins pushing me out the wooden doors.

“What the fuck is that about?” I yell as we get outside. “I’m not even gone yet and she looks pretty fuckin’ okay to me. See what I mean? That’s why I don’t want her around!” I’m yelling, but my mouth feels like it is full of marbles. I can hardly understand myself, I know I’m slurring.

“Let’s go, man, you’re trashed. It’s nothing really. I’ll go get her,” Mikey says, leading me towards the car.

“It’s something to me!” I grumble as I shove him aside and rush back through the doors. I instantly feel Mikey behind me, his hand on my back. I see her immediately, walking towards us. I ignore her. I look straight, heading to the back bar. I order another round for everyone. I pass out the drinks with one thing on my mind, to make her pay.

***

(Jesse)

“Black Hills Gold,” Blake says, answering my question about what it is that I just drank. He grins, handing me another. “Here, chase with this,” he says, handing me a purpley looking drink that has a fruity flavor to it. He has a pitcher prepared in front of him. We do the second shot and chase with the fruity drink.

“That’s better,” I answer, drinking down the whole glass in one gulp. He laughs.

“Blake, really, I have to go. I’ll be back in a little while to talk, okay?”

“Alright, if you promise to come back.” He smiles as he loosens his hold on me. “Besides, I want to tell you about this class I’m taking in New York. You’d love it.” Blake and I had become
friends our junior year, after his New Year’s Eve party. He’s a flirt, but he’s harmless. Mr. Collier always partnered us up together in Art class for projects and art shows since we’re both more advanced than the other students. He always teased me about my relationship with Luke, but he didn’t bring it up tonight. I’m sure he knows what happened. Mostly everyone does. It’s the highlight of the Sports Channel this summer. I finally make my break after, again, promising him that I will be back.

As I’m walking away, I spot Luke and Mikey walking in from the front doors, both looking extremely serious. It seems as if they have spotted me, but they keep heading towards the back bar. Mikey’s hand rests firmly on Luke’s back. Luke looks to be furious and on a mission.
Where did they come from?
I wonder to myself. I get a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach and instantly regret having those drinks, which are now going straight to my head. I hang back slightly and follow behind.

I catch up with my friends, who seem to be oblivious as they talk and enjoyed themselves. Mikey and Luke join their friends at the bar, Luke
orders shots, and he has a crazed glow to his eyes, but seems to be having the time of his life. I stand from afar, trying to analyze his mood. As I’m about to make my move towards him, I spot four girls standing slightly to the right, closely behind Luke and the guys. My heart sinks. It is Alexa and her friends. Just then, Luke turns to them, smiling, a handful of shots in the palm of his hand. He hands them each a glass. I walk over, not wanting to seem like that same shy, little girl that is insecure around her, the one who hangs in the background whenever she is near. Luke’s glazed over eyes meet mine, he turns his back on me and faces the bar, downing his shot, not waiting for the others to join. The rest of the group, except Mikey, raise their glasses to salute while they throw back their drinks. Mikey instead, catching the exchange between me and Luke rushes over to my side. He wraps his arms around me tightly.

“Hey, JJ’s here!” He says loudly, trying to sound cheerful, hoping to get Luke’s attention. The other guys all turn to say, hi, as Luke continues to talk with the bartender, ignoring me. The girls sort of giggle to themselves as they form their own little
circle. Mikey rests both arms on my shoulders and looks into my eyes. “You, okay?”

I nod my head, determined not to let them see me cry as I give him a half smile.

“JJ, it’s not a good night for you to be here. He’s wrecked. I promise, I’m trying to get him out of here. Wait for him at home,” he says quietly so only I can hear.

I nod my head in agreement. “Where were you coming from? I just saw you both walk in?”

“I actually convinced him to leave. As we were walkin’ out, he spotted you…
with Blake
. You know how he feels about that kid. Once outside, he started freakin’ out, and then headed back in. I’m afraid he’s goin’ to do somethin’ stupid. He can’t afford to get in any more trouble or have any more bad publicity. Go wait at home, okay?”

“I can’t leave him here, Mikey. I’m scared. I need to talk to him. Please try to get him outside again,” I plead.