Game Changer
Prologue

"Okay, keep your eyes closed!" A small, feminine giggle slipped through a bright smile.

"Abby, you know I don't like being led blind." Came the response of a masculine voice, wary of their situation.

"Just a few more steps, I promise!" Another giggle and three more steps before she stopped him. "Okay! Open up!" His grey eyes opened, blinking a few times in the glow of string lights.

"Oh..." He trailed off, taking in the rooftop set up. Before them sat a round table with a bottle of wine, plates of steak and potatoes, and a bowl of strawberries in the center for dessert. A stereo played softly to the side of a small dance floor. The string lights hovered above everything on the overhead lattice work.

"Surprise!" The woman announced, bouncing in excitement. "Do you like it?" He turned to look at her, drinking in her small stature. She'd worn his favorite black dress, heels to match, and fixed her red hair into an intricate braid atop the crown of her head. Her neatly made up green hues met his grey ones and he scooped her up into his arms.

"I love it!" He exclaimed, spinning her around before placing a warm kiss upon her glossed lips. "You truly are amazing, you know that?"

"Happy birthday, Tommy." She smiled at him and lay her forehead against his. "Now put me down before the food gets cold." He obliged and they both moved to their respective places at the table.

They ate with comfortable conversation floating from them. They had finished their first bottle of wine and made their way to the dance floor, holding each other and swaying together with the music. Now fairly tipsy, they decided to return to their seats.

"I've got something for you!" Abby informed him as they sat.

"This wasn't enough?" Tom laughed, shaking his head. "You do this to me every year."

"I know, but it's worth it, right?" She replied, pulling a neatly wrapped envelope from under the table, the green bow catching the light. Excitement and anxiety rolled through her in waves as she passed it over the table to him. He smiled as he accepted the gift and slid a finger under the wrapping. Once open, he pulled the actual envelope out and slipped his fingers in to remove a single letter. A confused look came over his features and he looked at her for a moment.

"What's this?" He asked.

"Take a look!" She was practically bouncing, her alcohol tipped nose and cheeks turning a brighter shad of red in anticipation. He eyed her curiously before returning his gaze to the paper.

"'Thomas Taylor, it is with great honor that we extend this offer of employment with the offices of J&R Law Associates in New York City, New York'..." His voice trailed off as he skimmed through the rest of the letter. Tom's once excitement filled eyes now grew serious as he covered his mouth and lay the letter on the table. "What is this?"

"It's an offer from that big firm in New York that you were always talking about." Abby explained. "You said you always wanted to work there, so I called them to see if they had any open positions..." Her own excitement changed to dread as he closed his eyes and held his head in his hands.

"Why?" He questioned. "Why did you contact them?"

"Well, I know we talked about moving to New York so I could pursue theater and you could get a job with a better firm." She paled, watching him shake his head.

"Abby," he began, "you shouldn't have done this." He didn't even look at her as he spoke. She shifted uncomfortably with his words. "You can't make big decisions like this without me."

"I thought that-"

"That's just it, Abigail," he snapped, finally raising his eyes to meet hers. "You didn't think. I can't just drop everything and move to New York because of some stupid pipe dream of yours!" Her heart jumped to her throat before plunging to the depths of her stomach.

"But, we-"

"Just stop, Abby." Tom held up a hand. "Stop." They sat there awkwardly, the tension between them nearly drowning the small girl. "I can't do this..." He spoke after a moment of silence.

"W-what...?" Abby's chest tightened in horror.

"I can't do this anymore." He stood, pushing his chair back slowly. "You're always making these rash decisions." His eyes met hers once again, exposing the tears that enhanced the green hue of her irises. "You take everything too seriously. You make these plans from things we talk about without consulting me."

"Tom, you've wanted to work at this firm for years. I thought this was what you wanted!" Her tears spilled one by one, trailing down her pink cheeks, leaving pale trails behind them. She watched as he turned away from her, stepping onto the makeshift dance floor.

"This is all so you can chase that damn dream of yours, isn't it?" His voice was stern as he questioned her.

"Tommy..." Abby watched him shake his head again.

"If you're that desperate for failure, then fine." He stated simply. "I won't be a part of it."

Her heart cracked.

"I've picked up your pieces for years when you've been rejected from community theater projects. I can't do it anymore."

Another crack.

"If you want to go to New York, you'll have to do it alone."

Her heart shattered.

"I'm sorry, Abby." He left, leaving her on the rooftop set up, clutching her chest and allowing the tears to fall freely.

Marry Me by Train began to play from the stereo, leaving her feeling cold and empty. The man she had given everything to for four long years had just left her like it was nothing. She could hear her friend, Samantha, comforting her about it and insulting Tom now.

Standing and wiping her tears and ruined mascara from her cheeks, she slipped her heels back on and began to pick up what was left of her attempt at a romantic birthday for the only man she'd truly loved.

She knew he was right. That was why she would do it on her own for now.