The Game Changer: A Novel Read Online Free PDF Page A

shuddered.
    “You’re so stubborn sometimes,” she chastised.
    “I know. But I swear my heart’s in the right place.” As if I hadn’t asked her to understand enough already, I longed for her to understand this part as well.
    “Your heart and I are going to have a chat later. Get on the same page.”
    “I look forward to it.” I raised my eyebrows, and she swatted my shoulder.
    “So, once your season was over, did you move back home with Gran and Gramps in California? I think I remember Melissa telling me that you were back there.”
    I pushed my chair back from the table, grabbed both of our bowls, and placed them in the sink. I’d wash them later. And for the record, I do not do dishes. But for Cassie I’d do the whole city’s dishes if she asked. “Yeah. I flew back to stay with Gran and Gramps right after the season ended. I really missed them.”
    “I bet they missed you too.” Her green eyes twinkled with her words. I love how they do that sometimes when she’s excited or reminiscing.
    “It was nice being home, you know? Surrounded by people who actually give a shit about you and your future.”
    I wiped my hands on a dish towel before leading her toward the living-room couch. I pulled her head onto my chest and sighed as she wrapped her arm around me, her fingers gripping my skin.
    “Is it weird that I miss your grandparents more than I miss my own parents?” She giggled against my chest.
    “Nah, your parents sorta suck.”
    “So do yours,” she shot back defensively, her body tensing.
    “No shit.”
    “Well, aren’t we a pair?” She relaxed her shoulders and my nerves eased.
    “I think so.” I kissed the top of her head, breathing in her shampoo. She always smelled so damn good.
    “Were Gran and Gramps freaking out about everything?”
    My stomach tightened at the memories currently flooding my mind. “They were really sad, mostly. I think Gran took it the hardest. It hurt her knowing something was happening to me that she couldn’t fix or make better.”
    Cassie’s head nodded into my chest. “Poor Gran.”
    “Yeah. It sucked. I felt fucking horrible. I still do.” My breath hitched.
    She arched her neck, pulling back her head to look at me as cold air filled the now empty space on my chest. “Don’t do that to yourself, Jack. It’s over now.” Her mouth formed into a smile, and I tried to smile back but failed.
    “Do they know you’re here? With me?” she asked, her voice trembling. What the hell would Cassie have to be nervous about when it comes to my grandparents? They adore her. She had to know that.
    “They know. They’re over-fucking-joyed about it.”
    “Really? Were they scared at all that I wouldn’t take you back?” Her eyes focused on mine with intent.
    I grinned. “Not really.”
    Her jaw dropped slightly. “What do you mean,
not really
?”
    “Gran said she knew real love when she saw it. She was convinced that you’d forgive me. That it might not be easy, but eventually you’d come around.”
    Cassie’s lips formed a closed-mouth smirk. “Gran’s smart.”
    My fingers twisted through long blonde strands of her hair as my mind drifted for a moment, convinced this was only a dream. I’d waited to be right here, holding this girl in my arms, for so long now I almost couldn’t believe it was really happening.
    “Back to the story.” Her words cut through my thoughts.

    “I’ve missed you!” Gran squeezed me before looking me up and down. “You look healthy, so that’s good.” The smile expanded across her whole face until her eyes were scrunched into half moons.
    “I missed you too, Gran.” I leaned down to plant a kiss on her well-aged cheek.
    “You look bigger,” Gramps said with a nod of approval, and I laughed, hugging him tight.
    “I’ve been working out. I have to at this level.”
    “You always worked out,” Dean said as he walked out of his bedroom and into the living room. Since I left home to play ball, I don’t think Dean