Out of My League: Complete Box Set

by Sharon Cummin

  “What the fuck was all that Pirate shit?” James asked, from right behind me.

  “I'd been talking to her earlier in the week about baseball and how much I like hanging out at Sammie's place,” I said. “Would it bother you if I liked the Pirates?”

  “The Pirates,” he said roughly.

  “I'm really starting to like the game. Wait! Are you jealous that I didn't watch when you were playing?” I asked, with a smirk.

  “No,” he snapped. “It has nothing to do with that.”

  “That's a relief,” I said, as I walked by him and toward the stairs. “I guess I'll see you in the morning, boss.”

  I began casually walking up the stairs. The second he couldn't see me anymore, I took off for my room. The second the door closed behind me, I let out a loud laugh.

  “I can hear you,” I heard him yell, from the bottom step.

  I fell forward onto my bed, buried my face in my pillow, and laughed harder than I'd laughed in a long time. Things were good. Everything was going to be okay, at least for a while anyway. One thing I wasn't going to do was take my grandma's advice. I was already dealing with an asshole. There was no way I needed another one, and that was exactly what Parker was. Don't get me wrong, he had his good moments, but there were cocky ones too, and those outweighed the good.

  Chapter 12

  Cassie

  I woke up early the next morning. There was no way I was going to be late, and I had to drop the kids off first. Both Sammie and James were pissed that I was putting them in daycare. I explained that I needed to be able to take care of them on my own. They agreed, but only under one condition. Until Sammie had the baby, she could pick them up twice a week to take them to play ball at her place. It was actually a good idea. I knew them being there all day was going to be an adjustment. If she picked them up, it would give them a small break and something to look forward to.

  I'd already dropped the kids off and was sitting in the parking lot at the office with time to spare. I'd done it. I'd made it. I was waiting for James, and at five minutes to nine, I heard my phone ding.

  Wannabe: Have a good first day at work, ever!

  I couldn't stop from laughing. That shit wasn't funny, but it was.

  Me: So not funny.

  Wannabe: How's it going?

  Me: I got the kids where they need to be. Now I'm sitting in the parking lot, at work, waiting for my brother.

  Wannabe: You mean your boss. Don't be calling him your brother. They'll kick your ass for that. How did the kids do?

  Me: Really well. They ran off and started playing. The ladies there seem really nice. Jake went right to one of them.

  Wannabe: You can check in with them online, right?

  Me: Yes. Stop worrying. You're going to make me do it too. I need to do this, Parker. Sammie is going to pick the kids up twice a week and bring them to play ball. They'll have that to look forward to, so that's a good thing.

  Wannabe: That's cool. What days?

  Me: I'm not sure. Whenever she feels up to it.

  Wannabe: If I'm there, I'll help her.

  Me: You don't have to do that. I don't need them liking you more than they already do.

  Wannabe: How is that a bad thing? I like hanging with them. They're not all stuffy like some people.

  Me: I thought this was a nice send me off to work conversation. What are you doing up so early anyway?

  I saw James pull into a parking spot not far from me, so I hurried to send one last text.

  Me: I have to go. James is here.

  I watched James get out of his car. Then I heard the ding and looked back down.

  Wannabe: Have a good day, princess. Don't piss off the boss too much. You'll make his head explode.

  I burst into laughter just as I heard the knock on my door. James pulled my door open, so I quickly grabbed my purse, shoved my phone into it, grabbed my keys, and got out.

  “What's so funny?” James asked roughly.

  “Nothing,” I answered.

  “Doesn't look like nothing to me,” he said.

  “I'm just trying to have a good first day at work,” I said. “Is that against the rules?”

  James walked away, and I laughed again.

  “Please tell me you don't have a rule against laughing,” I said.

  He stopped at the door with his hand on the handle. Then he turned to me.

  “Do not make me regret this, Cassie,” he said sternly, as he pulled the door open and walked into the building.

  It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. James had a smile on his face, as he introduced me to the girl that would be training me. She was great, and I'd only had to see him twice after that. Each time, he smiled and was very nice. When he'd walk away, I'd see the girl next to me checking him out, and it took all I had not to burst into laughter.

  I heard the ding of my phone, but I didn't touch it. The girl next to me leaned in.

  “You can check it,” she said. “As long as your not on it long, he won't say anything.”

  I nodded and pulled my phone from my purse.

  Mom: Is he being nice? If not, I'll kick his ass.

  I typed out a quick reply.

  Me: He's been fine. Thanks for having my back though.

  I'd just put my phone back into my purse when I heard another ding.

  Grandma: Good luck! You've got this. You can do it. I'll be here to hear all about it later. Is he bossy?

  Again, I typed out a quick reply.

  Me: No, he's not. Everyone here loves him. The girl training me keeps checking him out. Gross.

  I laughed, as I put my phone away again.

  “You seem popular,” the girl said.

  “Not really,” I said. “It's just my family telling me to have a good day at the new job.”

  “It's just a job,” she said.

  “Not everyone sees it that way,” I said, before thinking to myself. “Including me.”

  I was doing everything she was telling me to do, and by late morning, she said we'd caught up and could take a small break. I walked out back with her to get some air while she smoked a cigarette.

  “How do you like it so far?” she asked.

  “It's great,” I answered.

  It was a job, and it would prove to a judge that I could hold my own, so it was perfect.

  “Mr. Reid is pretty hot,” she said. “A little eye candy helps to get through the day.”

  “No thanks,” I said.

  “You married?” she asked.

  “In the process of a divorce,” I answered.

  “That sucks,” she replied.

  I wasn't sure how old she was, but I knew she was definitely younger than me.

  “It does,” I said. “I'm good with it though.”

  “That's good,” she said. “A bunch of my friends are sports fans, so we like to hang out after games at some of the local bars and stuff. Some of the players even come in. If you want to go out, we go almost every weekend.”

  “I'll keep that in mind,” I said. “Thanks for the offer.”

  “You seem pretty cool,” she said. “It could be fun.”

  We walked back into the building and got back to work. By the time lunch time came, I needed a break. Part of me wanted to go by the daycare to check on the kids, but I knew it wasn't the best move. If I did, they would expect it again the next day, and I knew it wouldn't always be possible, especially once the girl training me left and I was on my own.

  “You hungry, Cassie?” I heard Lucy before I saw her.

  “Yes,” I answered.

  “Come on,” she said. “My treat.”

  The girl next to me looked over and spoke.

  “She's never taken me to lunch. Do you know who her husband is?”

  Before I even had a chance to answer, she did it for me.

  “Lance Smith,” she whispered.

  “I'll be right back,” Lucy said, as she started to walk toward the bathroom. “Then we'll go.”

&n
bsp; “There are more than enough old players around here. Mr. Reid is the youngest of them. You know what would be really cool, seeing a younger player, like a current one. That would be awesome.”

  The way her eyes lit up when she talked had me smiling. If she only knew, they weren't all what they were cracked up to be, not at all.

  “Ready?” Lucy asked, as she walked toward us again.

  I grabbed my purse and rounded the desk.

  “Yes,” I answered.

  “How's your first day been?” she asked, as we walked toward the front door.

  The second the cool air hit my face, I looked over at her with a smile.

  “What?” she asked.

  “You know the girl training me?” I asked.

  “Yes,” she answered. “Her name is Cindy. She's nice.”

  “She is nice,” I said, and a huge smile spread across my face. “She was checking my brother out. Said he was eye candy. That is so disgusting.”

  Lucy laughed.

  “Your brother is cute,” Lucy said. “You can't fault her for seeing that.”

  “She also said your man is old,” I said, letting a little giggle escape me.

  “My man is not old,” Lucy said defensively. “She better not check him out.”

  “She said it would be nice if a younger player, like a current one, came through instead of the old ones,” I said.

  “How damn young is she?” Lucy asked.

  “I'm not sure,” I answered. “I think she's a few years younger than me.”

  “That's some funny shit,” she said. “Maybe I'll have Lance bring Parker in with him before she leaves. I bet that would be a good going away present for her.”

  Fuck that, I thought, but I didn't say it. Instead, I plastered a smile on my face, as I scolded myself for saying anything at all.

  “I bet they would both like that,” I said.

  Just like that, the rest of my day was ruined. We went back to the office after lunch, and I sat in my chair thinking about Parker and Cindy. Would she like him? Would he like her? Would they hit it off? What did I care? I didn't, not one bit.

  As soon as five o'clock came, I hurried out the door, picked up the kids, and went home to James and Sammie's. She had dinner ready, so we all ate together, everyone but James. He was still at the office for a meeting. I got the kids bathed and ready for bed. Jake was already falling asleep, so I put him in his crib. Then Jenny and Jeff sat in my room, and we watched a movie. Before it was even over, they'd both fallen asleep. I felt like I'd just picked them up, and they were already asleep. In all honesty, I was just as exhausted as they were. I couldn't help but wonder, if it was like that then, how would it be when we had our own place and I was doing the cooking and cleaning too?

  I didn't move them from my bed, and I couldn't wait to snuggle in close and hold them. In just a few short hours, I'd be doing it all again.

  I must have fallen asleep as soon as I'd gotten into bed with them, because when I opened my eyes, what felt like two seconds later, and looked at the clock on my nightstand, it was already time to get up. The little light on my phone was blinking, so I picked it up and brought it to life. Through sleepy eyes, I saw his text.

  Wannabe: Hope the boss wasn't too rough on you and you're still alive.

  When I read the second message, I smiled and sent one back.

  Wannabe: I guess not.

  Me: I will admit, it was a rough one. It wasn't that the work was hard, I'm just not used to it. Not to mention the fact that I feel like I saw my kids for a whole two minutes before we fell asleep. I give all the single moms out there so much credit. This shit is hard, and I haven't even gotten my own place yet. I can't even imagine what that will be like.

  I hadn't even made it to the bathroom for my shower when my phone dinged.

  Wannabe: Do you regret the decisions you've made?

  Me: Do you ever sleep? No, I don't. Is it a bummer that I can't be home every second? It is, but when I was in Michigan, it was different. I barely spent any time with my own children. Now I miss them like crazy when they aren't right there with me. If you'd told me six months ago this is where I would be, I would have cried. That's not how it is though. I will do everything it takes to keep my kids right here with me. They are my life, and they will always come first. I'm ashamed of the woman I was. How crazy is that?

  Wannabe: I sleep here and there. That's not crazy. You've changed. There's nothing wrong with that as long as the change is for the better, and it is.

  Me: Thanks! I have to jump in the shower so I can do it all again. Hopefully I stay up longer than the kids tonight. Have a good day, Parker.

  Wannabe: You too, princess.

  I'd been through the whole morning without my phone dinging, so that was good. I also hadn't seen my brother all day. He'd stayed home, and that was fine by me. Lucy came out of her office for a moment, and a strange look crossed her face. Then she turned around and went right back in. Cindy looked over at me.

  “What was that?” she asked.

  “I have no idea,” I answered her honestly. I really had no idea.

  I walked down the street, to a small cafe, with Cindy, and we had lunch there. She really wasn't so bad. I actually got along with her very well. We talked about my kids and her dog. She mentioned sports more times than I could count, and that was fine. It was nice seeing someone so excited about something. As long as it wasn't partying and drinking, I was all for it. The girl had a good head on her shoulders. She was leaving the company for a better job and had goals for her future. There was nothing wrong with that.

  When I got back to my desk, my phone dinged, and I quickly reached into my purse to get it. When I opened the message, I smiled. Parker had sent me a picture of Jenny and Jeff playing catch with each other.

  Me: How long have they been there?

  Wannabe: I'm not telling.

  Me: Tell Sammie I pay for daycare.

  Wannabe: She knows.

  Me: It looks like they're having fun.

  Wannabe: Of course they are. I'm here. It's not the same though. Their loud mouth mom isn't here.

  Me: Awww. You miss me.

  Wannabe: I never said that.

  Me: You know you do.

  Wannabe: Maybe just a tiny bit.

  Me: Wow!

  Wannabe: I know. I can't believe it myself.

  Me: So funny. Some people have work to do you know.

  Wannabe: I have playing to do anyway. Talk to you later.

  I saved the picture to my phone and looked down at it. They really were having a great time.

  “Those your kids?” Cindy asked, as she looked down at my phone.

  “They are,” I said. “My littlest isn't there though.”

  “They're so cute. I want at least two kids one day,” she said.

  I heard my phone ding again and quickly pulled it back so only I could see it.

  Wannabe: I forgot to tell you, I'm coming to your work tomorrow with Lance.

  Me: Why???

  Wannabe: Why the ???

  Me: You can't come here. Why would he bring you here? James will flip his shit if he finds out we talk to each other.

  Wannabe: I don't know, something about a favor. So, it's a crime that we talk? People do it all the time. Don't worry, princess, I'll keep my distance. I wouldn't want anyone to flip their shit.

  Me: Parker.

  Wannabe: Goodbye.

  That meant it was over. No matter what I sent, he wouldn't answer, so I didn't even bother.

  Lucy said goodbye to Cindy and me, and she had the biggest smile on her face the whole time. The woman was up to something, I just wasn't sure what it was.

  By the time I got home, dinner was on the table, and everyone else was eating. I walked around the corner and up the stairs. A few minutes later, there was a knock at my door. When I opened it, James was standing on the other side.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “I'm fine,” I answered.

  “Eve
rything go good at work?” he asked.

  “Perfect,” I answered.

  “I know Cindy can be kind of annoying, but she knows her job,” he said.

  “She also knows how to ogle the boss,” I said, as I fell back onto my bed. “I think it's disgusting by the way.”

  “What?” he asked.

  “I thought her eyes were going to pop out of her head and follow you around yesterday,” I said.

  “Really?” he asked.

  “You are so dumb sometimes, James,” I said. “It's a good thing Sammie puts up with you.”

  “Watch it, Woman,” he said. “Are you pissed that we started dinner without you? We saved you some.”

  “I'm not hungry,” I said.

  “Did something happen today?” he asked.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Is it Jeff?” he asked.

  “No,” I answered. “I'm just tired. This working thing is no joke.”

  James let out a laugh.

  “It's not that bad,” he said.

  “I know,” I said. “I'm just tired. I'm going to get the kids ready for bed and relax with them. Can you send them up when they're done eating? I'll come down to get Jake.”

  “Yes,” he said. “I'll bring Jake up too. You're sure everything is okay?”

  “Yes,” I said. “Now go eat before Sammie eats your food too.”

  He walked away, but I could hear him laughing all the way down the stairs.

  As soon as the kids came into my room, Jenny and Jeff started talking about Parker and how much fun they'd had with him. That wasn't helping me one bit.

  The rest of the night went just as fast as the last, and before I knew it, I was back at work again. There were more calls and things to do, so the morning was busy. My stomach was growling from not eating dinner the night before and only an apple that morning, so I couldn't wait for lunch. I was on my last task and was ready to jump up from my desk and run to eat the sandwich I'd packed myself, when I heard Cindy gasp from beside me.

  “What?” I asked, as I looked over at her.

  Her mouth was open, and she was staring straight ahead, right by my head.

  “It's,” she began, but stopped before starting again. “Lance Smith knows Pete Parker.”