Jeff: Where are you going?
The asshole was tracking my phone. He had to be. Something in his wording had me convinced. Had he ever done that before? I quickly pulled up the settings and shut my location off. Then I put the phone on vibrate. My eyes landed on the ring on my finger, the one my husband had given me when he'd promised to love me forever, and I felt sick. I pulled it off of my finger, shoved it and my phone into my purse, and got back on the road, putting even more miles between us.
I thought back to the day I'd met Jeff. I was going to the University of Michigan and majoring in business. Why? I wasn't sure. It wasn't that I was a fan of business. It was more like pulling a major out a hat. I had no intention of working my life away. That wasn't me. Everyone around me had drive and passion for something specific, but I didn't.
My dad, brother, and dad's best friend were all professional baseball players turned business owners. My mom and her best friend worked in those businesses. Even the daughter of their best friends was driven. She loved baseball, and since she couldn't play it professionally, which she would have if she could have, she started a little place for kids to go play ball and be part of a team. I'd never seen it, but she was happy with it. She'd also married my brother. Her little brother, who was adopted, was a tech head. He'd stayed locked in his room for hours at a time. Everyone around me had a plan. I had one too. I was going to find a man that could take care of me. That was my dream. I'd be the beautiful wife that would be home with the kids and the house and be ready for her man when he came home after a long day at the office.
Back to the day I met my husband. I was sitting in one of my most boring classes, and the teacher announced that we'd be having a speaker. In walked the most handsome man. He was tall with dark hair. His suit looked like it had been made to fit his body. When he took off his aviators, his dark eyes scanned the room, and I knew I had to meet him. He was so damn sexy, and there was no way not to know that he controlled everything in his life. I didn't pay attention to much of what he'd said, but I could tell how passionate he was about his business. He was into some technical hooey and owned his own company. As soon as the class was over, I walked out and waited for him to emerge from the lecture hall. I'd even missed my next class, but I didn't care. Of course I told him how great and interesting everything he'd said was. By the time he walked away, he'd asked me out for dinner, and I'd jumped at the chance.
That first dinner went very well and so did the ones that followed. I was twenty, and he was thirty five, but that didn't matter to me. He was an amazing man running a huge company. What I'd thought was probably small was actually the exact opposite.
Before long I was dressed in a beautiful gown and hanging off of his arm at some very swanky dinners. It wasn't a few months later that he'd bought the house I'd picked out and only months after that that we'd gotten married. Our wedding was honestly more amazing than anything I had ever wished for. Money was no object, and he'd made sure to have things exactly how I'd wanted them. My groom looked more handsome than I'd ever seen him. He'd treated me like a queen from the first day I'd met him, and our wedding was no exception. I'd never felt as special as I had that day. When he looked into my eyes and promised to love me forever, I knew that he meant it. Jeff was my knight in shining armor, and my life was perfect because of him.
When I got pregnant with our little girl, he was so happy. He showered her with gifts and made sure her room was filled with everything she could possibly need. The moment she was born, he began worrying about protecting her. He wanted her life to be amazing. As soon as we were home, he hired Susan, and she'd been with us ever since. I counted on her every single day. She was always right there to take care of our little girl and everything she needed. I'd sit down with Jeff for dinner while Susan took care of the baby. She'd bathe her and get her ready for bed, while I'd spend time with Jeff, making sure his needs were filled. He loved our little girl, but he worked so hard to provide for us and wasn't able to be around as much as I wanted him to be. When he'd go on business trips, I'd go with him. The baby would stay at home with Susan, but we'd call to check on her often.
The second time I'd gotten pregnant, he seemed just as excited as the first. That was when we had our baby boy. Jeff left the shopping to me that time, but he was right there with our son from the moment he was born. I even felt like he was coming home a bit earlier to be with us. He still wanted me with him at the table for dinner, and he wanted me right there with him in the evening as well. Susan would get both kids ready for bed, and by the time Jeff would be ready for bed himself, our little ones would both be fast asleep.
When the baby was around six months old, I noticed that Jeff was beginning to work later and later. There were times he'd even decided to go on business trips without me. The more he was gone, the more I missed him. He'd call to make sure I was home and that the kids were okay, then he'd hurry off the phone to a meeting or a dinner. I knew his business was at its peak, and if I mentioned it, he'd make me feel so damn guilty for being so selfish. Was it so bad that I wanted my husband home with his family? I didn't think so, but he did. He'd tell me that was what he had to do so I could have all of the things I wanted. He'd remind me that he'd bought me my dream house on the lake and tell me that it hadn't come free. I got it, I really did, but I missed his arms around me those nights he was out of town. I wanted to talk to him and tell him about my day out with the girls getting our hair and nails done. When he called, he'd tell me how much he loved me and how beautiful I was. He'd remind me of our wedding and the promises he'd made. Then he'd tell me he was working so hard so he could retire and we could all be home together. He'd talk about us growing old together and rocking on chairs while looking out at the lake. I knew it was true, it would all be worth it in the end. We'd have so much time together later.
Then it happened. I'd gotten pregnant again. I hadn't done it on purpose, but I knew it would be good for us. Jeff loved the kids so much. He'd want to be home with us again. I knew he was going to be so happy and even more involved than both of the times before. When I told him, he was just as shocked as I had been. It wasn't the same as before though. Something was different.
I was only a few months along when he took us up to the lake. He'd come up on the weekends, but he didn't seem any happier than he had been before. I thought he'd make more of an effort to see his family. I guess I thought he'd take some time off to be with us, but he didn't. His protectiveness didn't change though. He was still as worried as before. He wanted to make sure we were always safe and always where we should be. I'd mentioned going to see him many times, but he'd tell me that he didn't want us driving without him. I knew I was wrong to want all of his time to be spent with me, but I couldn't help it. He was my husband. We loved each other, and we belonged together.
As I snapped back to what was happening around me, I pulled off the freeway and down the road that was taking me toward the only place I could go. So many thoughts began swirling through my mind. They'd been together for over a year. He'd been with her before I'd gotten pregnant the third time. The tears began falling even faster than they had before. He'd sent me away because of her. She'd said that she didn't know I was pregnant. He was hiding it. That was why he hadn't brought me home yet. Was he ever going to? Her shit was all around my house. Was she living there with him? Who knew about them? I could tell when I looked back at Susan that she'd known. Who else knew? Did everyone? Was I the only one that didn't know that my husband was fucking his assistant? How could that be?
Chapter 2
Cassie
I pulled into the driveway and felt a knot in my stomach seeing more cars than I'd expected. None of the plates were from Michigan, so I knew that my parents and grandma weren't there. I'd never been to the house before. The guilt from that alone had my tears falling even faster. It was a very nice, two-story home. There were toys on the front porch along with a swing I knew was well used. With the money they made, they could have bought a much larger ho
me. I still hadn't figured out why they'd decided on the one in front of me.
It took all I had to push open my door and get out of my vehicle. I had no idea what kind of welcome or unwelcome I was about to receive, but I didn't have a choice. There was no place else to go. As long as it had been, he wouldn't turn me away, right? I was his only sister, the only sibling he had. It didn't matter how much time had gone by, I knew James would have my back. I also knew he'd want to go right to my parents, and I'd quickly have to persuade him not to.
My hands were shaking as I opened the back door and got the kids out one by one. It was hard trying to hold onto two young children while holding a newborn baby. I'd finally made it up the steps, but I stood still listening to sounds of laughter coming from inside. Then my mind starting messing with me again. Who was in there? Was I interrupting something? What was I going to say? I couldn't pull myself together enough to completely stop crying. He was going to see me at my worst, and that wasn't something I ever let happen. Again, I had no choice. If I'd gone to a hotel, Jeff surely would have seen the transaction on my credit card. Normally, that thought wouldn't have entered my mind, but he'd obviously been tracking my phone. Add that to the fact that he was sleeping with another woman, and I had no idea what the man was capable of.
A huge laugh coming from inside of the house pulled me from my thoughts. Then I felt a tug on my pants.
“Mommy,” my little girl said from next to me.
“I'm sorry, baby,” I said through my tears.
I took a huge breath in, knowing I was going to look like a complete loser to my brother, his wife, who had also been a friend of mine in the past, and whoever else was inside their house. I pulled my hand from my little boy's and rang the bell.
When the door opened, I expected it to be James or Sammie, but it wasn't. Standing in front of me, with a shocked look on his face, was Lance or Lancie as his sister called him. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke.
“Cassie,” he said in an unsure tone.
“To what do I owe the honor,” I heard James say before he turned the corner and came into view behind Lancie.
His eyes widened as he took me in from head to toe, and the tears that I'd been able to slow a bit came bursting out again.
“Oh shit!” he said, as Lancie took the baby that had been in James' arms. “Are you okay? What is it?”
“I left him,” I said through my sobs. “I don't know what I'm going to do.”
He stepped forward and his arms wrapped around me.
“I'm so sorry,” he said. “What happened?”
I pulled back and looked at him but didn't say a word. When he asked again, I just shook my head.
“Come on in,” he said, as he nudged me to move forward toward the living room.
When I didn't move, he shook his head and pulled my arm even more.
“Cassie,” he warned.
“I feel so dumb,” I said, as the tears began to slow a bit.
“You're not dumb,” he said. “Whatever it is, we'll get through it with you. We're your family.”
I felt the tightness in my chest release with his words. He had my back. How could I have doubted him?
Chapter 3
Cassie
We turned the corner in the living room, and that tightness came right back. Lucy was sitting on the couch. How could I have not considered that she could be there? She was my mom's best friend. Her eyes widened, and she was instantly on her feet and moving toward me.
“Cassie,” she said. “Come sit down.”
I walked over to the spot she'd just left and sat down with the baby in my arms.
“You had another baby,” I heard Sammie say from two seats away. “How did we not know?”
Sammie never did hesitate to say what everyone else was thinking.
“I did,” I whispered, as my eyes moved around the room looking for any sign of Lance. “Is your dad here?”
“He took the kids to get ice cream sundae supplies,” she said. “Back to the extra baby.”
“Kids?” I asked.
“The baby?” she asked, completely blowing off what I'd just asked her.
“Mommy,” I heard from next to me. “Who's that?”
The feeling that shot straight through to my chest was one of complete pain. I'd kept the kids away from my family. I'd done it for him.
“This is your aunt, baby girl. Her name is Sammie,” I said.
“I haven't seen you since you were just a little one, Jenny,” Sammie said, as she got up and walked over to my little girl. “I've never met this little guy. You must be Jeff. I'm your aunt. That guy is your uncle. His name is James. That woman is your aunt too. Her name is Lucy. She's my mom.”
“You're pretty,” Jenny said. “So is your mom. Where's your dad? Do you have one? I don't see mine very much.”
Really, I thought? Shit!
“I see him way more than I want to. He's gone to the store, but he'll be back soon,” Sammie answered.
“Who's that guy?” Jenny asked, as she looked over at Lance.
“He's my brother,” Sammie said. “His name is Lancie.”
“Is he my uncle too?” Jenny asked.
“I sure am,” he said, as he walked over. “I haven't seen you since you were so little. My name is Lance.”
“I like Lancie,” Jenny said.
Lance shot Sammie the same look he'd been shooting her ever since I could remember. Part of me missed seeing that look.
“Do you two want to play with some toys?” Lance asked, and both Jenny and Jeff nodded. “Come with me. We'll let the grown ups talk.”
Lance had James and Sammie's little guy in his arms and headed up the stairs with my two kids following behind him.
“A baby?” Sammie asked again.
“Sam,” James warned.
“Do not Sam me, James,” she snapped back. “She knew about our baby. How could she not have told us? Please tell me your parents know.”
I burst into tears again. There was no way I could hold back.
“I'm sorry,” I said. “I don't know what to say.”
Lucy wrapped her arms around me, and Sammie, who was on her knees in front of me, placed her hands on my knees.
“What's going on?” she asked. “You've never even been here before, and you drove here alone with three kids.”
“You can't tell my parents,” I said.
“Cassie,” Lucy warned.
“No,” I said. “You can't tell them.”
“I don't like that,” Lucy said.
“Or grandma,” I said.
“Are you kidding me,” Lucy snapped. “Nothing gets by her.”
“I'm not asking for you to do it forever,” I said. “I just need to figure things out. Just a little time.”
“Get to talking,” Sammie said. “We're here for you.”
“I don't know why,” I said honestly.
“Because you're family,” she said. “What happened?”
James sat down on the other side of me and put his arm over my shoulder.
“I left,” I said. “I didn't have a choice. Then I couldn't figure out where to go.”
“Are you hungry?” James asked, and I shook my head. “What about the kids?”
“Yes,” I said.
He took his phone out and started typing.
“I'm having Lance grab something on his way back,” he said.
“Why did you leave?” Sammie asked. “What happened?”
When the tears fell a bit harder, she put her hands in mine and looked up into my eyes.
“I feel so stupid,” I said.
“Don't,” she said. “Shit happens. You can't control what other people do. I'm assuming he did something.”
“I should have seen it, but I didn't,” I began. “He'd taken me to the lake house earlier than usual, and when I was ready to come home, he had reasons why it had to be put off.”
“Did you drive here from the lake house?” Sammie asked.
/> “No,” I said. “I wanted to go home and figured I'd make it easier for him if I just drove. When I got there, I was the one surprised. He wasn't the one that answered the door, neither was the housekeeper. It was his assistant.”
“Okay,” Sammie said with a confused look on her face.
“She was in my robe, and it was pretty obvious what she'd just been doing,” I said. “Then he called her baby on the way to the door.”
“Cassie,” she said. “I'm so sorry.”
I felt James' grip on my shoulder tighten, and I could have sworn I also heard a growl escape him.
“I think she's living there, with him, in my house,” I said. “I can't believe it.”
“Where's your nanny?” Sammie asked.
“With him,” I said.
“Seriously?” she asked.
“Not with him too,” I said. “I left her there. She knew. Can you believe that? She's been with us for over three years. I thought we were friends. I'd always treated her that way anyway. Her loyalty did not lie with me though. On the drive, she didn't know where we were going. I knew Jeff would want us to wait for him. Shit! He wasn't worried for our safety. I can't believe this. When she realized where we were going, she got all weird and wanted her purse. She was trying to warn him. I can't believe it. How could she act like a friend to my face and totally be stabbing me in the back the whole time?”
“I have no idea,” Sammie said. “Are you sure she knew?”
“Oh yeah,” I said. “When I went to leave, she was going to go with me, but he stopped her. He said he was the one she worked for. I didn't want her anyway. No way!”
“What did he say for himself?” Lucy asked. “That fucker is lucky we don't all go kick his ass. Does he realize who he's messing with?”
“Not much,” I said. “It was like I was being unreasonable or something. He also let me know that I wouldn't make it without him.”
Out of My League: Complete Box Set Page 2
