The Game Changer (20 page)

De and I exchange our gifts earlier in the day on Christmas Eve. She got me a really pretty pair of earrings and a silver bracelet to wear with my dress on New Year’s Eve. As I am getting ready for the party I look over at the pile of neatly wrapped presents I have sitting in the corner of my room. I look at the small package on the top of the pile. I bought a gift for my mom. It is a little ceramic guardian angel picture frame. I put a picture of me and her that I laminated in the frame. I’m going to bring it to the cemetery tomorrow. I’m not sure why I wrapped it, I would just have to unwrap it once we get there. My eyes begin to water, but I quickly wipe them away when I hear the doorbell ring. I give myself one last look in the mirror and go to the door. My dad is in the kitchen, putting the food out.

“Merry Christmas, Sweetheart. Look at you. You look gorgeous!” My Aunt Kathy says as she hugs me with a surprised look on her face. Besides my dad, my Aunt Kathy and Uncle Billy are one of the only other people that saw me at my worse after the accident. 

“She does, doesn’t she?” my dad says as he comes to the door.

“Okay, don’t embarrass me,” I say, feeling my cheeks get hot.

“I’m not going to embarrass you, but at some time tonight, I want you to fill me in on what you’ve been up to,” Aunt Kathy says excitedly. “And someone else is looking pretty handsome himself,” she says as she hugs my dad.

“Don’t embarrass me, either. It’s one of my Christmas presents from JJ.” He smoothes his hands across the front of his new shirt.

“Very nice, good taste,” she says, winking at me.

De and Timmy are walking up and I introduce them to Aunt Kathy and Uncle Billy.  Maria and Lucca walk in next as I continue the introductions.

Soon the house is full of people. My dad has introduced me to his friends from work, it is the first time I have met them. Two of the guys work in the kitchen with him. One of the women is a waitress and the other is a hostess at the restaurant. One of the guys has brought along his wife. 

Matt and Lori come with Billy. Cathy is dropping by later with Eddie, a guy she has just started seeing recently. Everyone is having a good time; my dad did such a great job.

I’m talking with my Aunt Kathy in the foyer when Luke and Mikey arrive. Luke stops to talk to Timmy, who is standing by the family room. 

“Hey JJ, Merry Christmas,” Mikey says, bending down to kiss me hello. “This is Megan.”

“Hi, nice to meet you,” I reply. She is an attractive girl with shoulder length, straight brown hair and beautiful blue eyes. She seems more conservative than the girls I usually see him with. I’ve never seen her before.

“This is my Aunt Kathy,” I introduce them as Luke walks up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist, giving me a squeeze as he flips my hair out of the way and gives me a huge animated kiss on the cheek. “Merry Christmas!” he says in his cute, playful voice.

“Merry Christmas!” I grin as the goose bumps cover my body.  We stare at each other probably longer than we should have when I realize my Aunt is standing beside me, taking it all in. “Luke, this is my Aunt Kathy.”

“Nice to meet you,” she says as she reaches over to shake his hand, while glancing at me.

“Nice to meet you too. JJ, where’s David?” he asks, twisting my hair in his fingers.

“In the kitchen,” I reply as I watch him walk to the kitchen to talk to my dad.

“Okay, girl, spill. Who are they? And what’s the story with you and that Luke kid?” she asks, chuckling. She grabs a drink and hands me one, pulling me into the other room. “I can’t believe I’m having a drink with my niece as I get the dirt on her love life. Funny, but this reminds me of your mom and me when I was your age. Only, I’m in your mom’s role this time.” We both laugh. I know it’s true because I’ve heard the stories growing up. Aunt Kathy was a teenager when my mom and dad were first married. My mom and dad were young and had a lot of parties back then. Aunt Kathy would always stay with them for the weekend.

“There really isn’t much of a love life. Luke’s my friend and De’s brother. They live across the street. You met their mom and dad earlier.”

“You look like more than friends to me,” she says.

“Well, there may have been a couple of times when we crossed the friend’s line.” I smile, excited to finally confide in someone. “But, Luke has a lot going on; we’re just friends. He’s a year older than me. He and Mikey play baseball, they’re really good. He’ll be gone once the school year is over.” I sigh.

“Oh… So, they’re the baseball stars. Your dad mentioned something about that. David likes him.” She glances towards the kitchen at my dad, Mikey and Luke laughing.

“He does. They’re always here talking sports with Daddy, especially Luke. He and De are my best friends and I don’t want to complicate things.”

“Jesse, being best friends with someone is a great thing in a relationship. That’s what most relationships lack,” she argues.

“Yeah, but he’s leaving. I don’t want to start anything. Things are good between us the way they are.”

“Wow, he is handsome. I don’t know if I could restrain myself at your age and let me tell you, he hasn’t taken his eyes off you since he’s walked in.”

We laugh as we walk back in to the other room. I go to talk with my friends for a while. Mikey and Megan join us in the family room, while Luke remains in the kitchen. Deanna seems surprised when she meets Megan, she is probably thinking the same thing as me, that she doesn’t seem like his type. I catch her eyeing Megan up when she doesn’t think anyone notices. Poor Timmy, always seems
on edge when Mikey is around. It’s probably due to Mikey and De’s constant bickering. I’m used to it at this point. One second they love each other, the next second they’re ready to kill each other.

Luke enters the room and sits himself on the arm of the couch next to me. As he converses with Mikey about their upcoming trip, he unconsciously twirls the back of my hair once again through his fingers. He’ll do that sometimes, even during Study Hall. I don’t know if he’s even aware that he does it. I’ve never acknowledged it, because I don’t want him to stop. I love the feeling I get any time he touches me, even in the most innocent, simplest way. Only problem is, it’s hard concentrating on anything else and, right now, Lori is in the middle of telling a story that I’m trying to focus on.

Sometime later, the house begins to clear out. All of our friends are gone. De and Timmy go to her house to exchange gifts before he heads home to attend midnight mass with his family; she says she’ll be back once he leaves. Mikey leaves to drop Megan at home and says he’ll be back as well. Luke and I decide to get something to eat. He grabs us each a drink, while I fix our plates. His mom and dad are sitting at the table with Aunt Kathy and Uncle Billy. We sit with them.

“Where’s Mikey?” Maria asks.

“He’s dropping Meagan off,” Luke says as he takes a piece of pepperoni bread off my plate.

“He’s wasn’t drinking, was he?” she asks.

“No,” we answer simultaneously.

“That’s why he’s dropping her off. He’ll be back,” Luke adds. “Just JJ and I are getting loaded.” He holds up his glass, saluting them. Maria and my dad both shoot him a look. “I’m kidding,” he quickly adds, laughing at their expressions; which, of course, makes me laugh, too. I know my dad won’t mind as long as we aren’t going anywhere and keep it under control.  

They shake their heads, well aware of his sense of humor. As they go back to their conversation, Luke fills me in on Megan, telling me how Mikey had met her while we finished up our plates. Actually, his plate is empty and he is now finishing up what is left on mine.

“So, who’s the blonde that’s eyein’ up your dad?” Luke whispers to me.

“What... What are you talking about?” I swing my head around to look. I hadn’t noticed any blonde looking at my dad.

“Don’t make it obvious. The one standin’ in front of the fridge. Every time he says somethin’, she’s all giggly-like.”

“What? Shut up! I didn’t notice. She works with him,” I answer, trying to take notice without making it obvious. He laughs and I hit his arm.

We grab another drink and head into the other room just as Mikey is walking in. I hand him my drink, since I’m already feeling tipsy from the first two. He’s staying at Luke’s tonight, as he does most nights. After De returns, Luke fills them in on the blonde in the kitchen, then, of course, we each have to take turns going in to the kitchen to check it out.

“Uh, she’s attractive, but, then again, so is David. How old do you think she is?” Deanna asks.

“Oh, yeah. She wants him bad!” Mikey adds.

“See, that’s what I thought!” Luke gets excited.

“Alright guys, enough. That’s my dad you’re talking about, besides, look at him, he’s oblivious,” I tease, knowing they are messing with me.

Mikey and Luke continue to talk about how he’s still a guy and all that stuff. I just tune them out. It’s not something I care to picture in my mind. Mikey and De head to the kitchen to eat and watch, which leaves Luke and I alone in the family room. Luke is on the couch and I’m on the chair across from him. He motions for me to come closer and I do. He pulls me onto his lap and starts kissing me.

I’m sure it is because we both are feeling tipsy and a little brazen. I finally come to my senses and pull away, but I don’t get up. “Luke, are you crazy? Everybody is in the other room right now. De can walk in any second.”

“I know, but you’re driving me crazy. I’ve been dying to do that all night, sorry,” he whispers in my ear, kissing just below it, not sorry even a little bit.

Well, at least we’re still thinking the same thing. I kiss him again. “You’re not sorry... but, I don’t want to get caught.”

“I know, but I’ve been so good lately, haven’t I?” he teases.

“Yes, but...” I’m still sitting on his lap when I hear my Aunt Kathy call me from the front of the family room. I jump out of his lap.

“Sorry, Honey, I didn’t mean to interrupt, but Uncle Billy and I are leaving. I just wanted to say good bye.”

I walk over to give them a kiss goodbye. Luke follows, also giving Aunt Kathy a kiss goodbye, and shakes Uncle Billy’s hand. I walk them to the door.

“Oh JJ, you’re so beautiful, it makes me happy to see you happy. Have fun, Sweetie. Enjoy the rest of your night. I’ll see you tomorrow. I’ll want details,” she demands. “I like him, he’s such a cutie and he’s sweet and funny.”

I smile shyly. “I know… I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Maria and Lucca are saying their goodbyes, while Deanna shows off the bracelet Timmy got her. It’s really pretty and she is so happy. Mikey, not so much. Besides the four of us, my dad’s friends from work remain. I’m happy for him. My dad does have friends and they seem like they are enjoying each other’s company. 

The four of us retreat to the family room where Mikey and Luke teach De and I a drinking game. My dad doesn’t notice; he is too busy entertaining his guests in the kitchen. Besides, I don’t think he
will mind as long as we don’t get out of hand, it is Christmas and they only have to walk across the street.

I always have the most fun when the four of us are together. I don’t think I ever have laughed so hard as when I’m with them. I would have loved to go away with them this week. After seeing my dad tonight, I think he would have been okay, but it’s too late now to change my mind.

After my dad walks his friends out, Luke and Mikey rush over to the window to see if they can see anything going on with my dad and the blonde. At first, they lie to me, but then tell me they are only kidding. It is all very friend-like, they say. Of course, when he walks back in, we laugh at him.

“What are you laughing at?” he asks.

“Nothing,” we answer at the same time.

De and I offer to clean up in the kitchen, but he says his friends have helped and everything is done.

“I’m exhausted. I’m gonna head up. If you’re hungry, there’s a ton of food in the fridge,” he says as he heads for the steps. “And… no more drinking,” he adds sternly.

“We’re not,” Luke lies, laughing.

“You think I was born yesterday? I was your age once... and not that long ago, either,” my dad jokes.

Of course, the boys are starving again, so De and I reheat some food and we all eat again. It is after three in the morning when the three of them decide to leave. I walk them to the door.

“What are your plans for tomorrow?” Luke asks.

“We’re going to the cemetery and then over to my Aunt Kathy’s for dinner,” I answer.

“I didn’t give you your present, yet,” he sounds disappointed.

“I’ll stop by tomorrow night when I get home. I want to see you guys before you leave anyway.”

“No, I want to give it to you tonight. I’ll be right back,” he says as the three of them walk down the driveway. He doesn’t give me a chance to answer. I won’t tell him no anyway. I’ll admit, it’s getting harder for me to hide my feelings for him.

He’s back within minutes, carrying a neatly wrapped package. My stomach flutters more so than usual. I’m excited to have a few minutes alone with him. As soon as he walks in the door, he starts
kissing me while pushing me back into the family room. He falls back onto the couch, pulling me down with him, his mouth never leaving mine. Finally, he stops himself. “Oh, God, you’re killing me. Do you know that?” he asks.