The Game Changer (The Perfect Game 2)

I dropped my head back against the couch pillows. “I swear she knows all this before she does it. It’s the same shit she did to Jack with the annulment, knowing he would have to prove her claims were false. ”

Dean made a quick sound of disgust. “I’m convinced that little bitch knows exactly what she’s doing before she does it. ”

I yawned, covering my mouth with my hand before wiping at my tired eyes. “I’m so tired. Dean, can I come over and see Gran and Gramps tomorrow?”

“You’d better. They know you’re here. ”

We all stood up at the same time, and I hugged Dean tight, thankful he stopped by, before walking into my old room. I looked around at the empty walls; the memories still existed within the confines of this space, even if the mementos didn’t. The front door closed and Melissa knocked softly before opening my door.

“Do you miss living here?”

I smiled. “I miss you. ”

“Duh. ” Her face crinkled with pleasure.

I moved to sit on the bed and patted the empty spot next to me. “So, tell me what the freaking deal is with you two. ” I nodded my head in the direction of the door Dean just exited. Melissa shrugged her shoulders and I leaned into her. “I know you like him. Why are you torturing him?”

“Who said I like him?”

“I can tell you like him. What I can’t figure out is why you won’t tell him that. ”

“I don’t know,” she admitted before changing the subject. “But I do know that you’re taking your frustrations out on the one person who would literally do anything for you. Breaking up with Jack won’t fix you or make you better. It will only break you more. And you know it. So stop pretending like you don’t. ”

“Nice subject change. ”

She hopped off the bed, leaving me with her words before blowing a kiss into the air and closing the door behind her. Brat. I hated how well she knew me.

I woke up the next morning feeling refreshed. I couldn’t remember ever sleeping so soundly. I rolled over and reached for my cell phone when I realized it wasn’t near me. I’d turned it off before I left New York and hadn’t turned it back on. No wonder I slept so well.

Normally I’d search frantically for my phone, but I decided it was nice to be disconnected and left it turned off in my purse. After brushing my teeth, I walked into the living room. Melissa was sitting on the couch, watching TV. “Morning. ”

She clicked it off before turning to face me. “Morning. Hungry?”

“Starved,” I admitted. I couldn’t remember the last time I ate anything, and I hadn’t been hungry at all last night. But now my empty stomach growled and twisted.

She chuckled before standing up and making her way into the kitchen. “Well, I only have cereal and toast. That’s gonna have to do. ” She popped her head out from behind the cabinets. “Unless you want to go out to eat?”

“No, thanks. Cereal and toast is perfect. ”

“Go sit down. I’ll get it. ” Melissa shooed me away with her hand, and I made my way to the table.

“You know what I think the worst part about all of this is?” I watched as my tiny best friend balanced bowls, milk, and cereal boxes in her arms.

“That you’re an emotional mess who thinks her life would be better off without Jack Fucking Carter in it?” She cocked an eyebrow in my direction, and I frowned.

“No. Smartass. ” I took a deep breath before finishing my thought. “It’s that I’m supposed to stay quiet. While people post all these things and say whatever they want about me and Jack, I’m not supposed to defend myself. And I hate the way that feels because I feel like I’m being bullied in a way, you know?”

“You are kind of being bullied,” she agreed, setting everything on the table before plopping two pieces of bread into the toaster.

“So I feel like by keeping my mouth shut, I’m telling all these people that it’s OK to do the things they’re doing. Like my silence condones their behavior. It doesn’t feel right to keep quiet. It should be OK for me to stand up for myself. ” I poured cereal into my bowl until it overflowed onto the table. I picked up the scattered pieces and popped them into my mouth.

“That’s why people in your situation normally have a PR person, or a publicist, or a lawyer on their side. Those people speak out on your behalf. Which brings me to something I want to talk to you about anyway. ”

“What?”

“As your personal publicist, it’s my job to—”

I laughed, mocking her tone. “As my personal publicist?”