The Game Changer (40 page)

She genuinely seems surprised as if she has no clue. “What in the world are you talking about?” she asks as she gives me a nervous smile.

“Your art buddy.”

“Blake? Pleeaazzze! Is that what this is about?” she asks as she lets out a little laugh.

“I don’t see the humor. I show up unexpected and you two are walking out of class, looking like...” I shudder, I can’t even say it, let alone think about her being with someone else, especially him.

Again she laughs. “Luke, you’re being silly. I am his only friend in this school. That’s his personality, it doesn’t even faze me. He knows one hundred percent that I have no interest in anything more than being his friend; he knows all about you. Basically, we have our art in common and that’s pretty much it.” She takes my hand and places my arm around her shoulders.

I pull her close to me and kiss the top of her head, knowing that I am the only person she wants. “I know... he just gets to me for some reason.” The kid makes me jealous, I admit it. He connects with her about art, he knows everything about it, just like her, it’s the one area I can’t compete in. Besides, he’s this rich, snobby, good looking kid from New York who thinks he’s better than everyone. Figures, he picks my girlfriend for the one person in the whole school that he likes.

“Luke, if I got mad every time someone put their arm around you or tried to get you to notice them, especially you know who... we would be fighting all the time,” she reminds me.

“Okay, let’s change the subject.” She has me there. She puts up with a lot of shit from people and never gives me a hard time about it. She knows I only want her.  I pull her into a bear hug and kiss her cheek. “But I’ll be here every day for the next few months, keepin’ my eyes on him,” I joke as I tickle her.

She laughs. “Okay, you do that.” She rolls her eyes, making fun of me.

***

(Jesse)

“I can’t believe I’m home for the next few months. Are you happy, or are you goin’ to get sick of me?” he teases as we enter the front door.

“I don’t know. I guess we’ll see,” I answer, leading him to my room.

“So, what’s new? What are you workin’ on?” he asks, flipping through my sketch pad, sitting on my bed. “I like this.” he says, showing me one of my sketches.

“Well, there was a contest for all South Jersey area high schools and they selected five paintings to display at the Accent Gallery in Ocean City for an event that they are having the second week in December. Mr. Collier selected one of my paintings and one of Blake’s to enter, they both were chosen,
along with three other students from other high schools.”

“Awesome! Why didn’t you tell me?” he asks excitedly as he pulls me onto his lap.

“I just found out today.”

“Will I be able to go?”

“Of course. They’re going to invite us there one of the nights of the show. They’ll do some type of brief introduction or something like that. Mr. Collier said he’ll give us more details once he gets them.”

“Great, I can’t wait. I’m glad I’m home,” he says, flipping me around and laying me back on the bed. “God, I’ve missed you,” he utters, lying beside me, kissing me softly.

“Me, too,” I answer as the chills run through my whole body, pulling him closer to me, excited, knowing he’s  home.

The moment is quickly interrupted. “Are you guys here?” De beckons from the hallway with Mikey chiming in.

I push Luke off me. He lets out a sigh and rolls over onto his back, covering his eyes with his arm. “We’re in here!” I call out, quickly sitting up. Mikey bursts through my partially open door with De right behind him. Mental note to self, next time, lock doors.

“Oh, sorry. Wow, you guys don’t waste time, do ya’?” Mikey asks sarcastically. “We just left you like two seconds ago.”

“Dude, didn’t I just spend a whole month alone with you? And De, you and JJ see each other every day,” Luke says, still with the arm thrown over his eyes.

“I’m leaving. I have a game tonight. I wanted to see if you were coming,” De says defensively.

“I’m comin’,” Mikey answers.

“Yeah, well, I know why you’re coming,” De says to him as she shoots him a look, then looks at me and rolls her eyes.

“What? She’s hot.” He laughs as his phone buzzes.

“She goes out with Bobby Miller, ya know?” De argues back.

“That’s
his
problem.” He laughs, holding out his phone for her to see. “Does she know that? Cause she just texted me, inviting me over, she’s home alone for the next hour. Well, guys, I’m outta here,” he says as he walks out the door.

“Pig!” De yells out after him.

He can be heard laughing as he leaves the house. Luke doesn’t comment or change his position, but I can see him shaking his head. I follow De into the kitchen.

“Can you believe him? He’s such a pig. That slut, Ana Leery, was all over him in the hallway today. She asked him to meet her after the game at CJ’s.”

“He is a pig. Bobby Miller is so nice. I can’t believe he goes out with her,” I agree.

We stand around and bash Mikey a few more minutes, before she leaves. I tell her we’ll be at the game tonight. Then, I head back to my room where Luke is waiting patiently. I lie down next to him, rambling on about Mikey being a sleaze.

“Did you lock the door?” he asks, ignoring my tirade as he leans over me and begins kissing my neck and lips, making me forget what I was even talking about.

“Uh, huh,” I answer, my mind filled with nothing but him.

“Good,” he says, his mouth covering mine.

(Luke)

I wait anxiously in the airport for her arrival. February was the last time she flew out to see me. She had a four day break for President’s Day Weekend and it was the last time we were alone. Mikey and I flew in only for the day a couple of weeks ago because our schedule has been non-stop since our season started. We held our 2
nd
Annual Olivia Martell Fundraiser and there was no way I could miss it. We had a game the following night, so it had to be a short trip.

She’s been feeling down, it’s that time of year. Last week was the third anniversary of Olivia’s death and JJ’s having a tough time. I wish I can be with her, but we’ve talked as much as possible and she’s excited about her and De spending spring break with us. I can’t wait; she’ll be here for her eighteenth birthday. I planned the week out pretty good. My schedule works out perfect, we’re playing the Thresher’s tonight and tomorrow, which is awesome, because it’s at Bright House Field, the Phillies’ Spring Training Camp. We’re off for Easter, back to Clearwater on Monday and Tuesday,
and then home games the rest of the week. I’m happy there’s not a lot of traveling involved; all of the stadiums this week are within a half hour distance from home.

It won’t be long before she’s with me permanently. It took us awhile to convince David, but in the end, he came around. JJ and I brought him down here in November and he loves USF and so does she. After applying, she received a scholarship for the Art program. All he asks is that she stay in the dorm her first year. He’s afraid of her being alone in our condo while Mikey and I are away at games, which to be honest, isn’t a bad idea. After I thought about it, I didn’t like the idea of leaving her alone either.  

Mikey and I found the perfect condo. It was a foreclosure we got an awesome deal. We settled quickly since we paid cash.

JJ and I have been together for almost two years and my heart still feels as if it’s jumping out of my chest every time I see her. As soon as she steps off the plane with her hair pulled back in a simple ponytail, no make-up, a t-shirt and shorts; she is still the most beautiful girl I’ve ever laid eyes
on. You’d think this would have worn off a little by now, but it hasn’t. If anything, the feelings get stronger and stronger.

I rush over and wrap my arms around her, not wanting to let her go.

“I’ve missed you,” she says, kissing me softly on the lips while running her hand through the back of my hair.

“Me, too,” I say, grabbing her gym bag from her shoulder, kissing De hello and grabbing her bag as well.

We head to the baggage claim so that De can get her suitcase. JJ keeps clothes at the condo so she doesn’t have to pack much. They ask why Mikey didn’t come along with me, but, to be honest, he didn’t come home last night and I’m not really sure where he ended up. We had a home game and he went out with some of the guys afterwards.

It’s early when the girls arrive, I ask if they want to stop for breakfast, but they grabbed something at the AC airport before they left.

***

Mikey is exiting the bathroom after a shower when we arrive home. There are four coffees and a bag of bagels sitting on the kitchen table.

“Hey, my favorite girls are here!” he says as he greets them both with a big hug and kiss.

“I’m sure. If that were true, you would have been at the airport this morning,” De shoots back sarcastically.

“Oh, no. You’re not goin’ to start already, are ya?” he asks teasingly as he picks her up, swinging her around and kissing her cheek, she can’t help but laugh. “I had breakfast ready when you got here, didn’t I?” he says, pointing to the table.

***

The week goes by much too fast, but we have a great time, none the less. We have a few Florida showers here and there, but nothing that affects our plans. The girls have a relaxing time, hanging out on the beach or by the pool at the condo. Mikey and I join them whenever we can squeeze it in. When we get back from our games, we chill outside on our patio, have some drinks and eat. It’s incredible out on the patio at night; you can almost reach out and touch the dolphins as they swim past.

For JJ’s birthday, we take her out after our game to eat and we have the staff bring her a cake and sing to her. It’s a good time and she enjoys it. When we get back to the condo, JJ and I sit on the patio and have a drink while De and Mikey turn in for the evening. It’s peaceful and relaxing as we listen to the sounds of the water washing against the wooden docks. She’s nestled across my lap with her head resting against my chest as we sit in the lounge chair. I reach behind the chair where I have her gift hidden and hand it to her.

“What is it?” she asks, staring at the perfectly wrapped square box.

“Open it,” I say, kissing her on the nose.

I bought her a ring from
Tiffany’s
. The platinum wide band is laced with diamonds and I had it engraved on the inside of the band.

She loves it, I knew she would. “I’ll love you always,” she reads the inscription on the inside, which in turn, makes her cry. “It’s beautiful, I love it.”

“I love you,” I say as I kiss her and slide the ring on her finger.

“It looks like a wedding band,” she says, staring at it.

“I know. That’s why I like it. It’s only a matter of time anyways,” I say as I lift her up and place her on my lap and kiss her again.

“I can’t wait to move out here.”

“Me, too,” I reply.

***

When June finally arrives, I surprise JJ and fly home for graduation. She isn’t expecting it since we have a game that night. I’m not scheduled to pitch so I asked in advance for permission to have the night off. I can’t miss her graduation.

(Jesse)

With graduation finally behind, a group of us plan a week vacation to Myrtle Beach. It won’t be long before we’ll all be going our separate ways. Most of us are heading off to college in the next few weeks. I, personally, can’t wait. After all, I’m finally going to be living with Luke in Florida, but first, I’m looking forward to this trip and spending a few days chilling with my friends. Luke and I have the rest of our lives to spend together.

Luke and Mikey are chosen to play in the Florida State League All Star Game, which is scheduled during the time we’re in South Carolina. De and I planned on attending, but, at the last minute, she decided to stay back. Mikey pulled a muscle earlier in the week and was unable to play. I’m not sure if that has something to do with it, or the fact that she met someone while we were in Myrtle Beach.

The girls and I meet Luke halfway so that I can attend the All Star Game. Looking back, I wish I would have just stayed put. He had just flown in for my graduation and it won’t be long until I will be
living with him permanently, but, at the time, it seems like a good idea. It will be fun, it’s an All Star Game and Luke is looking forward to it. I mean, I am in South Carolina, two states away from Florida, my thinking at the time is, how can I pass it up?

***

(Luke)

The All Star Game is a lot of fun. I’m starting pitcher and thankfully, I do really well. I’m glad JJ is there with me to be a part of it. The All Star Game is a good time for everyone and it feels really good to be asked to be on the team. I wish Mikey could have played, but he still gets to attend and enjoy the atmosphere.

JJ, Mikey, a couple of guys from the team and I grab a bite to eat after the game, before JJ and I head back to the motel. We’re heading out early so that I can spend a couple of days in Myrtle Beach before reporting back to my regular team. It’s been a busy week and I’m looking forward to having the days off to chill.