Free The Game Changer by Marie Landry Page A

always been there, you know? It’s such a strange feeling not to talk to her regularly, but at the same time I feel incredibly childish and selfish because Ava needs her more than I do, and all I can think about is how I feel snubbed because Mom’s too busy to return my phone calls.”
    “You’re entitled to your feelings, Mel,” Olivia said.
    Melody sighed and shook her head. “I’m jealous of a ten-year-old,” she said with a hollow laugh. “How pathetic is that?”
    Olivia smiled sadly. “With very few exceptions over the last fifteen years, the only person you’ve had to share your mom with was me. You’re not used to it.”
    Melody couldn’t help the small, wistful smile that crept onto her face as she remembered the weekends Olivia spent with her in high school. Mrs. Cartwright would take the two of them shopping and to the movies, and would introduce them to people as her daughters. She made sure that Olivia always had new clothes for school, spending money for the mall, and a place to stay whenever things got to be too much at home. She even threw several birthday parties for her because she knew Olivia’s parents would forget, which they did almost every year. Mrs. Cartwright had always treated Olivia like a daughter, but she had really stepped in once Mrs. O’Dell took off.
    “I know she’s just doing what’s best for Ava. It breaks my heart that there’s this little girl who’s my own flesh and blood, living in my old room and sleeping in my old bed, and I’ve only seen her a handful of times in her entire life. She doesn’t even really know who I am, so I can understand Mom not wanting to overwhelm her after all she’s been through. I just want to help.”
    Olivia rested a hand on Melody’s shoulder. “Once your mom gets Ava settled in and things calm down I’m sure she’ll want you to be a big part of Ava’s life. Ava will need normalcy and stability, and we both know there’s no one in this world who’s capable of that more than Rita Cartwright.” She flashed Melody a grin, and Melody laughed quietly.
    “You’re right. I just have to be patient.”
    “Which we all know is one of your strong suits.” Olivia grabbed another cookie and stood.
    “I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic or not,” Melody said, swiveling around on her stool to watch Olivia as she made her way around the island to the fridge.
    Olivia’s grin grew and she cocked an eyebrow at Melody before opening the fridge and sticking her head in. “Drink?”
     
    *****
     
    “Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all,” Melody said.
    It was eleven thirty that night, and Melody, Olivia, and Angelica were waiting in a line-up outside Atlantis. The spring night was warm and cloudless, but the stars were barely visible as they competed with the bright lights of the businesses on North Front Street.
    “Stop fidgeting. What’s the matter with you?” Olivia bumped Melody’s shoulder with her own.
    “That looks like Rick’s car over there.” Melody pointed to a red sports car in the parking lot.
    “Good,” Olivia said firmly. “Weren’t you hoping he’d be here so he can see that you’re not some blubbering lump who’s sitting at home on a Saturday night drowning her misery in a pint of Ben and Jerry’s?”
    Melody almost laughed at the stunned look on Angelica’s face. “Well, something like that, I guess,” she conceded. “It’s just going to be weird to see him, especially if he’s with another woman.”
    Olivia scoffed. “Don’t let it be weird. Celebrate. Or feel sorry for the woman, because Rick is her problem now, and you’re free to find the kind of guy you deserve.”
    Olivia turned away to move forward with the crowd, and Melody gave Angelica a one-shouldered shrug before following. The bouncer at the door switched places with another bouncer, and the line-up finally began moving faster.
    “Back again ladies?” The same guy from the night before was now manning the door, and