Out of My League: Complete Box Set

by Sharon Cummin

  “I don't give a shit,” I said to myself. “This is real, so she's going to have to get used to it.”

  When I pulled up the long driveway, the kids came running out. I hadn't even turned the car off, and they were already inside with their seat belts buckled.

  “Come on,” my little girl yelled out.

  “Get moving,” my boy said. “What are we going to do today?”

  “Did you record your games?” my daughter asked.

  “I did,” I answered. “We're going to the apartment to spend the day there. I've missed you guys so much. I just want some time with you. I also have a surprise for you. Do you remember Cassie? I told you all about her and her three kids.”

  “I do,” my boy yelled. “Do we get to meet them?”

  “You sure do,” I answered. “Would that be okay?”

  “Yes,” they both shouted at the same time.

  “Can we still watch a game?” my girl asked.

  “Of course,” I answered.

  They both began telling me all about the things I'd missed since I'd seen them last. There were stories about friends, their mom, and television shows. I didn't care what they wanted to talk about, I was right there listening to every single word, just like I would always be, right there for them.

  As soon as we got to the apartment, my daughter ran in looking for Cassie and the kids. They were sitting in the living room watching a movie. The moment Jenny saw us, she jumped up from her spot on the couch.

  “Parker,” she yelled. “We're at your apartment. You have so much baseball stuff.”

  “I do,” I said, as I laughed and looked over at Cassie. “Your mom said it was a lot too.”

  “My daddy plays baseball,” my daughter said. “I'm Sarah. This is my brother Sam. That's our dad.”

  “I'm Jenny,” Jenny said. “Those are my brothers Jeff and Jake. That's my mom.”

  “Do you want to go to my room to play?” Sarah asked.

  “Sure,” Jenny squealed out with excitement.

  “Hey,” I said. “I thought you wanted to watch a game.”

  “In a bit, Daddy,” Sarah said.

  “Could you say hello to Cassie before you run off then?” I asked.

  Sarah walked over, wrapped her arms around Cassie, and then pulled away.

  “Hello,” she said.

  “Hello,” Cassie replied. “It's really nice to meet you.”

  “Can we go play now?” Sarah asked, and both Cassie and I burst into laughter.

  “Go,” I said.

  Sam looked over at Cassie, and she smiled at him.

  “Would you like to watch this movie with us?” she asked, and he nodded. “Come on over.”

  He ran over and sat down on the couch next to her.

  “You're pretty,” he said, as he looked up at her.

  “You're pretty handsome yourself,” she said.

  Just like that, it was like we'd all been hanging out together forever. Between the kids playing in the bedrooms, all of us playing board games, eating dinner, and watching a baseball game, they all had a great time, and they were all exhausted.

  Having five kids in my apartment was different than just two or three. It was definitely louder and much busier, but it was awesome, and I wouldn't have changed a thing.

  The kids were spread out between the couches and the floor with pillows and blankets. There were bowls of popcorn set between them and drinks sitting off to the side. Every one of them remained silent as the movie they'd picked together played on the television. I looked over at Cassie from my spot on the floor to see her eyes fighting to stay open.

  “You tired?” I mouthed.

  “Just a little,” she mouthed back.

  Sam scooted in closer to her, and she wrapped her arm around him. Before I knew it, they were both asleep. It was so damn adorable.

  When the movie was over, I told Sarah she needed to go pick up her room. She gave me a nasty look. Then she took off to get to work, and Cassie sent Jenny in to help her. The two of us began picking up blankets from the floor and folding them.

  “I think I need a bigger place,” I said.

  “Really?” Cassie asked. “Why is that?”

  “I plan to do this often,” I said.

  “Okay,” she said, waiting for me to say more.

  “We need more room, Cassie,” I said. “You see how crazy this was.”

  “I thought it was kind of cozy,” she said. “I liked it.”

  I dropped the blanket I was holding, walked over, and wrapped my arms around her.

  “You're something else,” I said, as I hugged her tight.

  “Can you believe not long ago I was freaking out about how I was going to spend my days alone with my three?” she asked.

  “Seems silly after a day with five of them, doesn't it?” I asked.

  “It sure does,” she said, “but five is definitely enough. I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted.”

  We both laughed. Then we went back to folding all of the blankets. I was honestly surprised that I'd even owned so many of them.

  Once the kids were done cleaning, I told my two to get their things. My ex had given me a time to bring them back, and if I was one minute late, that shit would come back at me in court, or I'd have to pay my way out of it. I wouldn't mind giving her money if it went to the kids, but it never did. It always went toward her expensive lifestyle.

  “Take this while I'm thinking about it,” Cassie said, as she handed me my key back.

  “That's fine,” I said, as I brushed her off. “I've got another one.”

  “Parker,” she warned.

  “Don't give me that, Woman,” I returned, with my own look of warning. “You're going to be over here often. Who knows, maybe you'll need to come by while I'm gone for something. It's better that you have it. Before you say something cocky, which I know you will, no other woman has ever been here, and nobody else has a key.”

  Sarah and Sam walked out from their bedrooms, and they both headed right for Cassie.

  “Will you come over next time we come to see daddy?” Sarah asked, as she wrapped her arms around Cassie's waist.

  “Would you like me to?” Cassie asked her.

  “Yes,” Sarah said, as she nodded her head. “Can you bring the kids too?”

  “Yes,” Cassie said, with a laugh. “I'll bring the kids, but I want you to promise me something, both of you.”

  She knelt down and put her arms around both of the kids.

  “If you ever want to spend time with your daddy alone, you just tell me,” Cassie said, as she looked from Sarah to Sam. “It will not hurt my feelings, and nobody will ever be upset about it. Time with your dad is very special, and if you want him to yourself, that is totally fine. Can you promise me that?”

  “Yes,” Sarah said, as Sam nodded. “I promise. I like you being here though. It's really nice.”

  “I like it too,” Cassie said. “I can't wait to see you guys again.”

  My kids hugged Jenny, Jeff, and Jake, and I gave Cassie a kiss on our way out the door. I'd had such a good time watching the kids play together and playing with them. When I dropped them off, I was in a much better mood than usual, and I couldn't wait to see them again. When they walked through their front door, I could hear them telling their mom about Cassie and the kids. She didn't react, as she shut the door behind them without one word to me.

  I hurried back home to Cassie and the kids, but when I got there, they were gone. The place was clean, so she couldn't have been gone long at all. She'd even picked up what the kids hadn't in the bedrooms. The living room was spotless, and every dish was done in the kitchen. I was pretty damn impressed with how fast my woman moved. As I looked around, I paid attention. My key wasn't there, not unless she hid it somewhere for me to find anyway.

  I pulled my phone from out of my pocket and typed out a message.

  Me: Where are you?

  Cassie: We went home. It was getting late, and I needed to get the kids
to bed. I wasn't sure how long you would be.

  Me: I'm on my way.

  I shut my lights off and headed back out the door.

  Cassie: What?

  Me: I'm not going without you now that you've admitted your love for me.

  Cassie: You're never going to let me forget that, are you?

  Me: Not anytime soon.

  Cassie: You know anything about a certain picture being deleted from my phone.

  Me: I might know a little something about it. We don't need shit like that between us, Cassie. You're the woman for me. What are you doing?

  Cassie: Just putting the kids to bed.

  Me: Then I want you ready for me.

  I set my phone down and took off toward her apartment.

  When I pulled into a parking spot and looked toward her apartment, all I saw was a dim light. Had she gone to sleep after I'd told her I was on my way, I wondered? That would be something her cocky ass would do just to prove she was the one in charge. If she did, she'd be getting out of bed real quick. I was not leaving until morning, and there wasn't a damn thing she was going to do about it.

  I walked up and knocked lightly on the door. If she didn't answer it, my knocks would get a whole lot louder. When I heard the click of the lock, the door didn't open, so I turned the knob, opened the door, and stepped in. Just as I closed the door behind me, I saw her, and I was instantly hard. She was standing behind the door, naked, and I wasn't waiting one second to get my hands on her. I stepped forward, grabbed the back of her neck, crashed my lips down on hers, and slammed her back against the wall. My other hand went straight for the one place I wanted to be, between her legs. When I thrust a finger into her, she bit my lip.

  “Parker,” she hissed from around my lip. “The kids.”

  I pulled my finger from her, lifted it to my mouth, and sucked it clean. Then I leaned forward a bit, threw her over my shoulder, and bit into her ass cheek, as I turned toward the hall that would lead me to her room.

  “Parker,” she laughed out, as she smacked at my ass.

  As I walked by the front door, I noticed her key ring hanging from a hook. The second my eyes landed on the key to my apartment, I pulled my hand back and let loose. When my hand connected with her ass, I felt her body jump.

  “There might just be hope for you yet, Woman,” I said, with a laugh, feeling like the luckiest guy in the world.

  Chapter 29

  Cassie

  Parker had been gone, and I hadn't been able to talk to him, so as soon as he called me, I started rambling.

  “I'm putting the house up for sale,” I said, as I walked around my apartment, picking up the mess I'd made with the kids while we were playing.

  “Hello to you too,” he said. “Are you sure? I thought you loved the place, and it sounds like a nice vacation home.”

  “No,” I said. “I'm pretty sure I'll want to be here.”

  “Oh yeah,” he said. “Why is that?”

  “You see, there's this damn baseball player. He's cocky and a total smart ass, but he's really hot, and I kind of love him.”

  “You what?” he asked. “I'm not sure I heard you.”

  “I love you, wannabe,” I said.

  “Really?” he asked in a sarcastic tone.

  “I love you, Pete Parker,” I said.

  “I love you too, princess,” he replied.

  “Hey,” I snapped. “I'm sure about the house. If I'm going to drive that far, it's going to be so I can see my parents and grandma. We're trying to get them to move here.”

  “Oh yeah,” he said. “How's that going?”

  “They said they'll think about it,” I answered, “but I can totally tell it's working. They'll be here in no time.”

  I could hear one of the guys talking to him in the background.

  “I can let you go,” I said.

  “Not going to happen,” he said sternly. “I just got you on the phone. Do you still have stuff at the house?”

  “Yes,” I answered. “There are some things I want to get, and the rest can stay when I sell it. It won't be worth paying a mover to get the furniture here. Not to mention the fact that I don't want any of it anyway. It will be nice for someone else. They'll be able to move right in if they want to. That might help it to sell faster.”

  “I'll go with you,” he said.

  “What?” I asked, sure I had heard him wrong.

  “I'll be home for a few days,” he said. “My ex won't let me see the kids, and I'd like to keep myself busy.”

  “I'm sure there are still other things you could be doing,” I said.

  “Only you,” he said, with a laugh. “I'm going with you.”

  “You're sure?” I asked.

  “I am,” he said. “I'd like to see your dream house before you sell it.”

  Parker was true to his word. As soon as he got home, he was ready to head to Michigan.

  Sammie and James agreed to keep the kids for me. There was no way I wanted to take them back a step in the new life we were creating. When we pulled up the driveway to drop the kids off, I looked over at Parker.

  “You can stay in the car if you want,” I said.

  “Because they don't know I'm going with you?” he asked.

  The next thing I knew, his door flew open. He helped the kids out, grabbed their bags, picked Jake up, and headed for the front door. I hopped out my side, hurried to close all the doors, and hurried to get ahead of him.

  “Parker,” I said in warning.

  “I don't think so, princess,” he said, with a serious look on his face. “It's time. I'll take what I have to, but it is happening right now. You're my woman, and I don't give a shit what any of them think. They'll have to get used to it, or we're going to have a problem.”

  “Parker,” I said again.

  “Nope,” he said, as he reached out and knocked on the door. “Don't even bother.”

  “Shit!” I whispered, as I moved around to stand behind him.

  If he was going to go in with a fire under his ass, ready to blow, then I wasn't walking in in front of him. No way!

  Sammie opened the door, and I heard her gasp. Then I heard her laugh.

  “Sammie,” Parker said, as he walked in and right by her.

  She continued to laugh, only much louder.

  “You think this shit is funny?” I asked.

  “Oh, I do,” she said. “So damn funny.”

  “You're wrong,” I said, as I walked by her to catch up with Parker. “You do know that, right?”

  “Totally worth it,” she said.

  “You're also going to have to put up with your husband after Parker pisses him off,” I said, with a smile of my own.

  “Again,” she said, as she followed us in, “totally worth it.”

  “You are so not right, Sammie,” I said.

  “Come on,” she said. “I don't want to miss the show.”

  “So funny,” I said.

  “Parker,” I heard James and felt like I was going to be sick.

  “Shit!” I whispered.

  “Now is not the time for that,” Sammie whispered.

  “Shut up!” I whisper snapped at her.

  “Hey,” Parker said, as if it were totally normal for him to be bringing my kids into my brother's house.

  “Do not hey me,” James snapped. “What are you doing?”

  “I'm bringing the kids in so you and Sammie can watch them while I take Cassie to put the house up for sale,” Parker said. “Was this not part of the plan?”

  “Everything except for you was part of the plan,” James said, as he took a step forward.

  I hurried between the two of them and took Jake from Parker's arms. It didn't help that Jake didn't want to let go of Parker.

  “What is this?” James asked sternly, as he motioned between Parker and me.

  “James,” I said, as I looked at my brother. “Don't be mad.”

  “I've got this,” Parker said, as he put his arm around me and pulled me in
close to him but back a little.

  “Do not stand there and act like you're protecting my sister from me,” James snapped.

  “I will protect your sister from everyone and everything, even if it's her own family,” Parker snapped back. “This is my woman. I love her, and I will be the one to take care of her.”

  “Parker,” I said, as I looked over at him.

  “Do not Parker me,” he said, never taking his eyes off of James.

  “I thought I told you to leave her alone,” James snapped.

  “When?” I asked. “Was it on the way to or home from Jeff's?”

  “How does she know about that?” James asked, still looking at Parker.

  “Cassie's smart, James,” Parker said, in my defense.

  “Never said she wasn't,” James said. “You're my damn friend, Parker, and you're a ballplayer.”

  “So were you, and Sammie seems fine,” Parker said.

  Sammie let out a laugh but hurried to cover her mouth when James narrowed his eyes at her.

  “We tried,” Parker said. “We both honestly tried to fight it, but there was no use. I love her, James. She's mine. I know you're not happy, but you're going to have to get used to it. I'm not going anywhere. It doesn't matter how much shit you give me, I'll still be here.”

  “Do you love him?” James asked me, as he looked into my eyes, almost as if he were willing me to say no.

  “I do,” I said. “I tried not to. He's not kidding there, James. We did try. He is so good with the kids, and our kids get along great.”

  “Wait!” James snapped, as he turned back to Parker. “She's met your kids?”

  “She has, Man,” Parker answered. “It's the real deal.”

  “Have you been to his apartment?” James asked me, looking as if my answer would definitely be no. I held up my key ring. “I have, and I have the key to prove it.”

  “He gave you a fucking key?” James growled out, looking as if his head was about to explode.

  “He did,” I answered.

  Then I pulled away from Parker and took a step toward James.

  “Please don't be mad,” I said. “I just got you back. It was my fault, but that doesn't matter. I don't know what I'll do if I lose you.