James stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Jake and me.
“You won't lose me, Cassie,” He said. “I just don't want you to get hurt. You just got rid of one asshole.”
I heard a growl escape Parker.
“He's good to me, James,” I said. “He's nothing like Jeff. He even put his career on the line for me.”
“At least he waited to hook up with you until the ink dried on the divorce papers,” James said, with a laugh.
I looked back at Parker, and I heard Sammie gasp.
“You didn't,” James growled out. “When?”
“James,” I said.
Parker reached forward, pulled me away from my brother, and held me close to him.
“When?” James asked, in a deep, loud tone. “I'm not asking again.”
“Right after she got the papers,” Parker answered honestly. “She came over to talk. I was helping her figure out what she needed to do.”
“So you did her,” James snapped. “I can't believe this.”
“It wasn't like that,” Parker said. “It just happened, and it only happened once. We went on as friends. When she went to Michigan, I was a mess. I was so damn worried about Jeff pulling something. I couldn't concentrate on anything. Shit! I could barely get through my games.”
“I noticed that shit,” Sammie said. “It was pretty bad.”
“Sam,” James said in warning.
“It's true,” she said.
“I couldn't wait to get home. I had to see her. That was when I knew I was putting it all out there. I'm just as scared as she is, James. My ex tortures me on a daily basis. Please know I tried to fight my feelings. I promised myself that I would never let anyone in, but I couldn't help it. Cassie isn't just anyone. She's the one. I won't let her run, and I won't let any of you try to come between us either. She's mine, and she always will be.”
“You crossed a line, Parker,” James said. “I am not happy about this shit, not one bit. The minute you leave, I'll be on the phone with my dad. When you get to Michigan, you better be ready. I'm calling Lance too.”
“I'm more than ready,” Parker said. “I get that you're unhappy, but I need you to know that I love her, and I will not give her up. The way I see it, you have two choices. You can either get used to the idea of us, or you can punch me in the face and then get used to it. Either way, I'm here to stay. I care about your family, James, every single one of them. We're going to Michigan to put the house up for sale. When we come back, I'd like to revisit this discussion.”
I watched the look on James' face, and I was pretty sure he was about an inch away from losing his shit.
I kissed and hugged Jake. Then I handed him to Sammie.
“Guess it's not so funny now,” I said.
“He'll calm down,” she said.
“Either that or his head is going to explode all over the walls,” I said.
“You deserve to be happy,” she said. “I'm so damn happy for you two.”
“Thank you,” I said.
I walked into the other room to hug Jenny and Jeff, and when I came back, the two guys were still standing there, with their shoulders back, glaring at each other.
“Come on, Parker,” I said. “I want to get my stuff out and meet with the realtor today. You two can duke this out later.”
Parker turned away from James, wrapped his arm around me, and pulled me close.
“Nothing to duke out, Cassie,” he said, as he kissed the top of my head.
We'd made it to the door and opened it before Jenny came barreling through the room and wrapped her arms around Parker's waist.
“I love you, Parker,” she said. “See you tomorrow.”
He released his hold on me, bent down, and scooped her up.
“I love you too, Jenny,” he said. “You be good for your aunt and uncle.”
“I will be,” she said. “Can we go to your apartment tomorrow?”
“Of course,” he said. “Anytime.”
“Jenny,” Sammie let out with a laugh. “She was the one you were talking about that night.”
“On television,” Jenny said, with a huge smile on her face. “That was me.”
“Sure was,” Parker said. “You actually like to watch me play.”
“So does mommy,” Jenny said. “She watches every game. She even wears your shirt.”
“My shirt,” Parker said, as he turned to me. “She wears it while she watches me play?”
“Yep,” Jenny said. “Every time.”
Then she squirmed in his arms to get him to let her down. He did. Then he hugged Jeff who was patiently waiting next to him. After that, he leaned in and hugged Jake.
“We'll see you tomorrow,” he said, as he put his hand on my lower back to move me along. “So, you wear the jersey while you watch the games. She just ratted your ass out, didn't she?”
“Hurry up,” I said, as I hurried down the walk. “We've got things to do.”
We talked the whole way to Michigan, and it was definitely a long trip with adding on the time it took to get to the vacation house.
When we got there, Parker got out and looked around.
“This really is amazing,” he said. “Are you sure you want to do this, Cassie?”
“I am,” I answered, and I really was. “I'm going to go in and get the things I want.”
Parker followed me in, and before long, I'd boxed up six boxes of things I was taking with me. By the time we loaded them into the Escalade, the realtor had pulled in. We got right to work, and he let me know he'd have it listed before he left for the day. I thanked him for putting in the extra time and for coming out later in the day for me. He assured me that his job was to make me happy and sell my house. I knew his commission was going to be pretty good on the sale, but I was still happy that he'd gone above and beyond.
We headed to my parents' house for the night and planned to head out the next morning to get back home. When we got to their house, I totally expected my dad to be ready to go round for round with Parker. My grandma was the only one I'd told that he was coming with me. I didn't want to tell my parents and then have him change his mind and not end up going, but he did, he'd gone just like he'd said he would. I knew my grandma wouldn't tell them, but I was pretty sure James had stood true to his word as well. He'd called my dad. There was no doubt in my mind.
We walked to the door, and I lifted my hand to knock, but I didn't do it, and I pulled my hand away.
“It will be fine, Cassie,” Parker said, as he came closer and hugged me. “Even if they're not happy now, they'll see that I'm sincere. Just give them time.”
“I didn't like the things James said,” I said. “The worst part was that I'd had some of those same thoughts before myself. I'm so sorry I judged you, Parker. That was wrong of me.”
“I'm sorry I judged you too, princess,” he said. “I was just as wrong as you were, only I wasn't seeing it at the time.”
“Can I please get a name that's not princess?” I asked.
“You going to give me one that's not wannabe?” he asked. “I'll try out a few new ones while we're here.”
“No,” I snapped. “Do not do that. I'll keep princess. I love princess.”
“Do not,” he said, with a laugh.
When the door in front of us opened, I jumped.
“You two going to stand out there all day?” my dad asked.
“No,” I answered.
“You're safe,” he said. “I'm not going to start shit with Parker.”
“You're not?” I asked. “Did James call you?”
“Of course he did,” I heard my grandma say from behind my dad. “That shit was hilarious too. I should have recorded him. He was just as bad as Lance was with him. Can't imagine what's going to happen when Jillian gets a boyfriend.”
“Thank you for bringing her, Parker,” my dad said. “I wasn't happy about her making the drive alone.”
“Neither was I,” Parker said. “I love your daughter, Scott.
”
“I know you do,” my dad said. “You don't have to give me the whole speech. I already heard what you said from Sammie. She had Carrie and mom oohing and aahing over here. I'll pass on the sweet stuff. I've had mad respect for you since the day you busted Jeff's nose. You're good for her. I can see it. As long as you treat her good, we won't have a problem. If you hurt her or one of the babies, we'll have huge problems, and Lance hitting James in the nose will be old news. All I ask is that you take care of them.”
“I can,” I began, but Parker cut me off.
“You can take care of yourself,” he said. “I got that already, but it won't be that way forever. I will take care of you, and you will let me. You're my woman.”
“Awww,” my grandma whispered.
“Don't awww me,” I said. “I know you were talking to him, but I also let him know that you're my grandma, and you'll always have my back first.”
“He's one of us now,” she said. “I'll have both of your backs, and you know it.”
“That's not fair,” I said, with a laugh.
“Get in here and eat,” my dad said. “Mom made enough food to feed all the Pirates.”
“I can't wait,” Parker said, as he reached out to shake my dad's hand.
“Welcome to the family,” my dad said. “Not sure you know what you're getting into.”
“Oh, I know,” Parker said, with a laugh.
Then he pulled my grandma in for a hug.
“Thank you for everything,” he said.
“Just want my kids to be happy,” she said.
“So, you're moving to Pennsylvania,” I said, and she just smiled, as she turned and walked toward the kitchen.
My mom walked up next to my dad and looked up at Parker.
“He's convinced you two are good for each other,” she said. “I'm going to side with him instead of James on this one. Don't make me regret it. I can be just as scary as the rest of them.”
Parker wrapped his arms around my mom and hugged her.
“I won't let you down,” he said.
My dad was right. My grandma had made enough food for a baseball team, and it was delicious. By the time we were done, I was exhausted. It had been a very long day, and I couldn't wait to get to sleep so I could get back home to the kids, but I also wanted just a little more time with my parents and grandma.
We'd just sat down to watch a movie when I heard my phone ring. Worried that it was Sammie calling about the kids, I hurried to answer it.
“Hello,” I said, without even looking at the name of the caller.
“Cassie,” a man said. “This is your realtor.”
“Yes,” I said. “Is there a problem?”
“Not at all,” he said. “Are you still in town?”
“I'm three hours away,” I answered. “Why?”
“You're not going to believe this, but we have a bid on the house, and they're offering exactly what you asked. I literally put the sign in the yard only two hours ago. They have the money already too. If you don't mind driving back up here tomorrow, you can sign right away and be done. If not, we can wait for an even higher offer. It's totally up to you. I just wanted to catch you before you got all the way home.”
“I'll take it,” I said, without even thinking about it. “If they've offered what I asked, then I'm fine with it.”
“Great!” he said. “When the banks and things open in the morning, I'll get right on it. You might have to sign later in the day. Is that okay with you? The buyer doesn't have a problem with it.”
“That's fine,” I said. “It will take me three hours to get there, so make sure you give me enough notice.”
“No problem,” he said. “I'll talk to you tomorrow then.”
As soon as I hung up the phone, I looked over at Parker.
“It already sold,” I said. “Can you believe that?”
“It is a really nice place,” he said. “That does seem ridiculously quick though.”
“That's what I thought,” I said. “I'm happy though. He said we can sign tomorrow. Do you mind going back up there? I'd love to get this over with.”
“Of course,” he said. “Sounds good to me.”
“Great!” I said. “I'm going to go get ready for bed.”
Parker stood up, planted a huge kiss on my lips, and hugged me. When we were done saying goodnight, I hugged my grandma and my parents, and I felt better than I had in a long time, as I walked out of the room.
“You're going to be right there with her?” I heard my grandma ask Parker, as I headed up the stairs.
“Yeah, why?” he asked her.
“Just make sure you are,” she said.
I walked into my room and closed my door. Why was she so concerned, I wondered? It couldn't be that hard to sign some papers. She was worried over nothing.
I got ready for bed and fell asleep the second my head hit the pillow. It really had been a long day, and the next wouldn't be any shorter. At least it would be over. I'd be done.
I got up the next morning to go downstairs and help my grandma with breakfast. We all ate, played cards together, watched a show, and I was just getting ready to help with lunch when my phone rang. It was the realtor letting me know everything was good and that they'd be ready to sign around four o'clock.
I made some sandwiches for Parker and me for the road, we told my parents and grandma goodbye, and we headed back up to the vacation house. Parker seemed off, but I couldn't figure out why. He ate his food and barely said a word.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Fine,” he answered, with tension in his words.
“You didn't have to come,” I said. “You could have stayed there, or I could have rented you a car to get you home.”
“It's fine, Cassie,” he said, a little too rough for me.
“What is your problem?” I asked. “Did one of my parents say something to upset you?”
“No,” he answered.
“What is it then?” I asked.
“It's nothing,” he said sternly. “I said I'm fine.”
“I knew you coming with me was a bad idea,” I mumbled under my breath.
He'd been fine when I went to bed, I thought. What the fuck had happened between then and us getting in the car? I was aggravated that he wasn't willing to talk about it, so I turned the radio up and didn't speak either.
When we pulled into the parking lot of the realtor's office, I was too pissed to wait for him. Instead, I swung my door open, got out, slammed it shut, and took off for the front door of the place. I reached for the handle, pulled the door open, and took one step in.
“Cassie,” I heard a voice I knew all too well, and I froze, causing Parker, who was on my heels, to run right into me.
“Jeff,” I hissed.
Jeff looked from me to Parker.
“You,” Jeff snapped.
“Yeah, me,” Parker snapped back.
“Jeff's already signed the papers,” my realtor said, looking up as if everything was fine and the man who signed didn't have the same last name as me.
“A little heads up would have been nice,” Parker barked out at the realtor.
“I'm sorry,” the man replied, not as an apology but from confusion.
“You couldn't have told me that my ex husband was buying my house?” I asked.
“My house,” Jeff snapped.
I stormed over to the desk that Jeff was standing on the other side of, and I looked him in the eye.
“Where do I sign?” I asked.
Jeff didn't look at me. Instead, his eyes were glued to Parker, who'd stayed right behind me.
I signed on each line the realtor showed me, and before I knew it, we were done. He handed me everything I needed, verified that the money had been transferred into my account, and told me we were done. Without another word, I turned, grabbed Parker's arm, and only made it one step before Jeff opened his big mouth.
“I wouldn't have bought it if I really thought you were fucking him,�
�� he growled out.
Parker stopped and turned faster than I thought possible.
“Watch your fucking mouth,” he growled back.
“What are you going to do, hit me again?” Jeff snapped out, before turning his attention to me. “Can you believe he hit me? Do you really want someone like that?”
“Really?” I asked him, in a tone more stern than I'd ever taken with him before. “This coming from the guy who hit me. How about you tell me what you did to make him hit you.”
“How long did you wait to fuck him?” Jeff hissed out at me. “Did you even wait a week, or were you looking for your next gravy train right away?”
Before I knew what happened, Parker had Jeff pinned to the wall with his feet dangling beneath him.
“Parker,” I yelled. “Do not risk anything for him. I'm begging you. He is not worth it.”
Parker got right in Jeff's face.
“Just so you know, I don't need her whole family behind me,” Parker snapped out at him. “I could take you out with the money I have alone.”
Parker let go of Jeff, who hit the ground in a thud.
“If you ever come anywhere near her, you will regret it,” Parker said, as he stepped away from Jeff and grabbed my hand.
I squeezed his hand so tight. Seeing him, standing there, defending me, only made me love him more. I was safe with him. I knew he would never hurt me. I also knew he'd do whatever it took to protect me, and that was the best feeling ever, one I never wanted to be without again.
We started for the door, but I stopped and turned back toward Jeff.
“Just so you know,” I said, “I'm not spending one dime of your money on the kids or me.”
“What?” he asked, from where he was still sitting on the ground.
“I'm paying my lawyers. Then I'm giving it all away,” I said.
“How could you do that?” he snapped. “Do you know how much money that is?”
“I do,” I answered. “Do you know how many people I can help with it? I'm done with you, Jeff. You cheated on me. Then you put your hands on me. I don't want you in any part of my new life, and that includes your money. I don't need you.”
“Because you have him,” he replied.
“It has nothing to do with him,” I said confidently. “Your crazy if you think I'd ever be stupid enough to let myself depend on someone else to live again.”
Out of My League: Complete Box Set Page 38
