Out of My League: Complete Box Set

by Sharon Cummin

  I shook my head, and it took all I had not to laugh again.

  “You'll see,” I said to Sammie.

  She looked over at me just as my phone dinged again.

  “What are you about to spring on that poor man in front of all of us?” she asked, as I laughed at his new message.

  Parker: So, I'll just butter the biscuits then.

  “Stop it!” Sammie snapped, as she looked toward Parker. “We're trying to have a conversation over here. If you don't knock it off, I'm going to snatch her phone and read off everything it says. From the look on her face, you do not want her dad hearing it.”

  “Me?” Parker asked, with total innocence in his tone. “I was just texting her about some monkey business.”

  I couldn't stop the laugh from bubbling up and out of me. The man was driving me nuts. If he didn't stop, he'd either never get it again, or I'd end up jumping him just from thinking about it so much. It had to stop, but it didn't. The phone dinged again, and Sammie grabbed it before I could see it or shut it off.

  “The horizontal polka,” Sammie said, making sure she was loud enough for all the guys to hear. Parker narrowed his eyes at her, and she laughed. “What is that?”

  “It's a dance,” he said. “We've been talking about taking dance lessons.”

  “And you want to learn the horizontal polka?” she asked.

  I snatched the phone from her hand and sat back down. When she sat down, she was laughing so hard. I looked around the room. All of the women were laughing, even grandma, and all of the men were as serious as can be, but not one of them said a word.

  I typed frantically on my phone and hit send.

  Me: Enough, Parker. We do not need another name for it.

  Parker: So, we're back to fucking then.

  Me: Yes, we're back to fucking.

  Parker: I'm glad. That's my favorite. I can't wait to be fucking you. See, it's perfect.

  I shoved the phone back into my pocket. We were done, and there was no way I was going to say anything to get him going again. I'd been so stressed, and he'd taken it all away without even knowing it. The man was perfect, I just wasn't sure he was going to think the same about me for much longer.

  “What are you going to spring on him, Cassie?” Sammie leaned in to ask again.

  When I turned to her and smiled, her eyes widened.

  “No way!” she gasped, before hurrying to cover her mouth, and I nodded. “Shit!”

  Lance looked over, and both Sammie and I started laughing. When I looked over at grandma, she started laughing too. I knew she'd figured it out. The woman was a damn wizard when it came to that shit. Shit! She probably knew before I did.

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

  “It's girl talk,” I answered.

  “Whatever,” he said. “I'm just damn glad you girls are done having babies. Look at this place. We barely even fit anymore. We couldn't fit one more if we had to.”

  Sammie burst into laughter at his last comment, and he growled out at her.

  “I will kick your husbands ass.”

  “She is not pregnant,” James said, as he turned quickly toward Sammie. “Are you?”

  “No,” she said, as she looked between her dad and her husband.

  “Fucking music to my ears,” her dad said. “You live another day, Reid.”

  “Let's do presents,” Sammie said, as she turned to me. “You go first.”

  “No,” I said. “You can go. I bet you got my brother something really nice and super expensive.”

  “We're going to do the horizontal polka later,” she said. “That's his gift.”

  “Not funny, Woman,” James said, as he looked sternly at Sammie. “I'll smack that ass no problem.”

  “No,” Lance snapped out. “This conversation will stop right there. You go, Cassie. I need my mind off of that, or Reid will definitely not live another day.”

  “Hey,” James said. “I put a ring on it.”

  “Okay,” I said, as I hurried to get to my feet.

  I handed out my presents, and they each opened them quickly.

  “My turn,” Parker said, as he moved to stand.

  “I'm not done,” I said, as I handed him a box. “This is yours.”

  “You're giving me my gift here?” he asked.

  “No polka for you, I guess,” Sammie said, with a laugh.

  I sat down as he unwrapped the box. There was no way I could stand up with my knees shaking as much as they were. Once the paper was gone, he took off the lid, and he lifted the jersey out, as I held my breath the entire time.

  “How adorable,” he said. “It's a tiny jersey.”

  “Oh shit!” Lance snapped. “Not again.”

  I watched Parker look over at him and then slowly turn toward me. When our eyes connected, his grew wider than I'd ever seen them.

  “You okay?” I whispered.

  He shoved the paper on the floor away from his feet and he got down in front of me.

  “Really?” he asked, with concern in his eyes that had me tearing up, and I nodded. “I thought you didn't want a Little Pete Parker.”

  “I still don't,” I said, and his look of concern turned to one of pain. “Our child will not be named Pete.”

  “A baby,” he said.

  “A baby,” I repeated.

  “You okay with that?” I asked him.

  “Hell yeah I am,” he said, as excitement filled his words. “I have a gift for you too.”

  “It's not your turn,” Sammie said, with a smile.

  “Doesn't matter,” he said.

  He reached into his pocket and pulled out a square, blue jewelry box. Then he opened the lid, pulled out a ring, grabbed my finger, and slipped it on me.

  “I can't wait to make you my wife,” he said.

  “What is it with you ballplayers,” Lucy said from across the room. “You're supposed to ask her, and more importantly, you're supposed to wait for her to say yes.”

  “Doesn't matter,” he said, as he stood up, grabbed my hands, and pulled me up with him.

  Then he wrapped his arms around me, and his mouth came down on mine. When he pulled back, he looked into my eyes.

  “My baby, and my woman. She's going to be my wife,” he said.

  “I don't have a choice,” I said, as I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him.

  “Not at all,” he said. “I love you, princess.”

  “You're going to be Mrs. Pete Parker,” James blurted out. “That shit is too funny.”

  “I'm just glad she's a Reid and not a Smith,” Parker said, and all of the ladies let out a loud laugh together.

  “I guess we need to have a chat then, Parker,” Lance said. “We're a family here, and Cassie is one of my girls. I hope you're both ready, because I can guarantee you that every single thing you've heard about me is spot on.”

  “Really?” Parker asked.

  “Oh yeah,” Lance answered. “Bet you'll think twice about knocking her up again once I'm through, unless you're like them that is.”

  He looked between James and Lance Jr., and they both held their hands up.

  Everyone came around to congratulate us before finishing with the presents. Then we sat down on the couch and turned on a movie.

  We were only about ten minutes in when Lauren made a sound. When I looked over, she looked like she didn't feel well. She had been really quiet all day, but I thought it had something to do with it being Christmas and that maybe she was thinking about her parents.

  “You okay?” Lance Jr. asked her.

  “I'm fine,” she answered. “I've just been feeling weird all day. I hope I'm not getting sick.”

  “What kind of feeling weird?” Lance asked.

  “I don't know,” she answered. “Just a weird feeling in my stomach. Maybe it was something I ate that didn't agree with me.”

  “You should have it checked,” he said.

  “I'll be fine,” she said. “I've been so stressed over the kids, and
I've been tired as well. It's not easy having kids that close together, even if it is totally worth it.”

  We went back to watching the movie, and before long, she winced.

  “Bullshit!” both Lance's barked out at the same time.

  “Let's go,” her husband said.

  “It's Christmas,” she said, looking between them like they were both crazy. “I'll call the doctor in the morning.”

  “You want to hear my mouth all night long?” Lance asked her.

  “Not really,” she answered, in a cocky tone.

  “Then get your ass moving,” he said sternly.

  Lucy got up and got ready to go with them. The rest of stayed back with all the kids.

  Once our movie was over, we let the kids know it was time for bed. Between us, we got them all ready and had them resting in either a bed or a sleeping bag upstairs. Then we grabbed some blankets and pillows and spread ourselves out through the living room together.

  Parker was leaning back toward the couch with his head resting on a pillow. I was sitting between his legs, leaning back against him. His arms were around me, and my head was on his shoulder.

  “A baby,” he whispered into my ear. “I'm going to be a dad again.”

  “Are you sure you're okay with it?” I asked him. “Is that why you proposed?”

  “I'm more than okay with it, Cassie,” he answered. “And just for the record, I've been planning to propose for months.”

  “Just for the record,” I said, mocking what he'd said, “I would have said yes.”

  “I already told you, it doesn't matter,” he said, as he laughed and kissed me on the head. “I'm calling a builder in the morning.”

  “What?” I asked, as I turned in his arms. “Why?”

  “We need another room,” he said. “While I'm at it, I'm adding a second one too.”

  I opened my mouth, but he shook his head, and I stopped.

  “Before you even try to argue, don't,” he said. “Since you're already having my baby, I'm thinking there might just be a chance I can get you to do it again.”

  “Good luck with that,” I said.

  I turned back the way I was before, and I leaned my head on his shoulder.

  “Quit your job,” he said.

  “I can hear you,” James snapped.

  “Don't give a shit,” Parker said. “I want my wife home with the kids. I never wanted her to put them in daycare in the first place, but she'd insisted that she had to.”

  “I need to contribute, Parker,” I said, cutting into what they were about to say to each other. “I want you to be able to count on me. I'm sure you don't want me counting on you either.”

  “Of course I do,” he said.

  “What?” I asked, totally shocked at his reply.

  “You're not her,” he said. “You're it for me, Cassie. You're my princess, and we're going to live happily ever after.”

  “I'll think about,” I said.

  “Okay,” he said.

  A few seconds later, he spoke again. I was sure he was going to fuck with me, but he didn't.

  “I want to go back to court,” he said. “I need to know how you feel about that.”

  “What?” I asked, wondering why he'd said that.

  “I want more time with the kids,” he said. “It's driving me crazy that they're not here with us.”

  “Will you get it?” I asked.

  “I think I might,” he answered, with hope in his voice.

  “I'll be right there with you,” I said. “Can we take the kids on a trip?”

  “Yes, but under one condition,” he answered.

  “What's that?” I asked.

  “I pay the whole bill, and we spend what I want,” he replied.

  “Parker,” I said. “I can help too.”

  “I know you can,” he said, “but you won't. I will take my family on a trip.”

  “Do you think the twins could go?” I asked.

  “Maybe,” he answered. “I can try.”

  “We'll wait for them,” I said.

  “I have the perfect place,” he said, as his voice filled with excitement.

  “Where?” I asked.

  “California,” he answered. “I want you and the kids to meet my parents.”

  “That sounds awesome,” I said.

  Then I let my body relax against his and closed my eyes. I could feel the beat of his heart against my back, and I knew in that moment that I was going to give him his way. I was going to quit my job. He wasn't like Jeff. In fact, he was the furthest away from Jeff that any man could be. He would always do everything in his power to keep me and the kids safe, even if they weren't blood to him. Parker was a great man, and he was right, we were going to live happily ever after, and it wouldn't be from trying hard or giving in. It would be from working together and showing the other, every single day, just how much we love them.

  Epilogue

  Cassie

  I heard the click of the lock on the front door and opened my eyes, and I felt Parker's hold on me tighten. His hand was on my belly, and the warmest feeling moved through me. I turned and tapped my grandma, who was asleep on the couch we were leaning against. She opened her eyes and began sitting up. Before they'd made it to the living room, James, Sammie, and my parents were all up as well.

  Lauren walked through the room without a word, and she plopped down on the couch next to grandma.

  “You okay?” grandma whispered.

  “I'm not sure,” Lauren replied.

  My eyes traveled from an exhausted looking Lauren over to her husband. He looked worried, which only made me worry too. Then my eyes moved to Lucy and Lance. She had a huge smile on her face, while his wore a look of horror. With the way the other three looked, I couldn't believe Lucy was smiling the way she was. Had they gotten bad news or good, I wondered?

  “What's going on?” grandma asked, with worry in her words, as she put her arm around Lauren. “Is everything okay?”

  Lance grumbled. Lance Jr. stood looking exactly the same as before. Lucy's smile widened even bigger than it already was.

  “More than okay,” she said. “Lauren is pregnant.”

  “Are you serious?” Sammie blurted out. “You already have a one month old.”

  Lauren looked over at Sammie and narrowed her eyes, but before she could speak, Lucy spoke again.

  “It gets better,” Lucy said.

  “Woman,” Lance growled.

  “It's twins,” Lucy squealed. “I'm so excited.”

  My mouth dropped open, as my eyes moved between the four of them.

  “I'm ready,” grandma said.

  “For what, Mom?” my mom asked her.

  “I'm ready to move here,” grandma said.

  “I think you might be right,” my mom agreed. “It's time.”

  I looked over at my dad, who was looking back at me.

  “Yes it is,” he said. “I want to be with my kids.”

  “If someone would have told me ten years ago that one day I would have fourteen great-grandchildren, I would have told them they were crazy. You kids have made me happier than I could have ever imagined I'd be.”

  “Fourteen,” I said, as I counted through them in my mind.

  “Yes,” she said. “Who would have thought that you'd end up being the one with the most. It's still close though. With three babies on the way, that will make six for you two and five for Lance and Lauren.”

  I felt Parker's arms tighten around me when she said six for us. That meant she was counting his kids as hers, and I knew that was so damn important to him. It was just as important to me too.

  “You're not about to run, are you?” I whispered back at him.

  “Not a chance,” he whispered in my ear. “I'm happier than I've ever been in my life. You'll never get rid of me.”

  I snuggled back against him with a smile on my face.

  “You know,” grandma said. “I think we need to either even it up or have a bigger gap in that numb
er.”

  “We won't be doing anything to even it up,” Lauren said. “These two are our last. I don't care what Lance says.”

  “I think I agree,” Lance Jr. said, still standing there with a lost look on his face.

  “After I have them, I'm not sure I'll ever let him touch me again,” she said.

  “Hey,” he said, snapping right out of whatever it was he'd been lost in. “Don't say something you don't mean, baby. You won't be able to go a week without my.”

  “No,” Lance snapped out. “Do not let that next word come out of your mouth, Son. It's taking all I have to hold my shit together right now. I will not think about anyone's anything being anywhere. Do you hear me?”

  “I'm thinking grandma might be right,” Parker said, from behind me. “I'm thinking we need to widen that gap.”

  “What gap?” I asked, as I tried to pull away to sit up, but he wouldn't let me. “You must mean the one between my legs. How many babies are you thinking I should push out of there?”

  “One more after this one,” he said. “That's a fair compromise.”

  “How is that a compromise?” I asked.

  “Believe me,” he began, “it is. The thought of you always having one of my babies growing inside of you sounds good to me, but I'm willing to compromise. See how that works.”

  “How about you wait and see what nine months with me while I'm pregnant is like before you go spouting off about having another baby.”

  “Doesn't matter,” he said. “I know what I want, and I will get it.”

  “Shit!” I whispered.

  He pulled me back against him tightly, and my body relaxed instantly.

  “This is perfect,” he whispered.

  “What is?” I whispered back toward him.

  “Having my woman melt into my arms, letting me take care of things, without her mouth opening to argue about it. We should do it more often,” he said, with a low laugh that sent a shiver through me.

  I moved fast to pull away, but he wouldn't let me, and before I knew it, I'd relaxed right back against him again. He really was my perfect man.

  “I love you, princess,” he whispered into my ear.

  “I love you too, wannabe,” I whispered back, as I closed my eyes and soaked up the perfectness of my life.

  The End.

  This is not the last you'll read of the Reid/Smith family.