Out of My League, Part 3

by Sharon Cummin

  I'd just gotten into bed when I heard the ding of my phone. I was pretty sure it was my mom checking in to make sure I'd gotten through the day in one piece. She was the only one that knew what a softy I really was, and that was exactly how it needed to stay. I reached over to grab my phone and couldn't believe my eyes.

  Princess: Merry Christmas! I hope you had a good day.

  Really, I thought? Whatever. Then I thought about Thanksgiving and how she'd been alone. Was she alone again, I wondered? Sammie and her family were going to Michigan, so there was a huge chance Cassie and the kids were all alone. I knew I should ignore her just like she was ignoring me, but I couldn't do it. It felt like shit being alone, and I didn't want her to have to feel that way too.

  Me: It was fine. How was yours?

  Her answer came fast.

  Princess: You know that shit storm I told you about? Well, it blew in full force. I just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas. Goodnight, wannabe.

  That was it. Goodnight, wannabe, I thought. She was the one that sent me a message. Then she was blowing me off. The woman knew exactly how to irritate me, and she was doing a fine job of it.

  “Whatever,” I said, as I put the phone back on my nightstand.

  I flipped over a few times. Then I let out a huff and grabbed the phone. I wasn't going to be an asshole and not answer. There was no way. That was her job.

  Me: Goodnight, princess.

  I put the phone back down, my head hit the pillow, and I closed my eyes, but sleep never came. Instead, I thought about her. Was she alone? What did she mean the shit storm blew in full force? Did she mean Jeff? Had he come to Pennsylvania to fuck with her knowing she was alone for the holiday? He'd paid attention before. Had he gone by her parents to see if she was there? Shit! Maybe she meant her parents. That was possible. Maybe they found out about everything with Jeff. Had something happened with them? My mind went back to her loser of an ex. She'd flinched more than once when I'd moved my hand around her. Was it because of him? Had he hit her?

  “What the fuck?” I hissed out, as I flipped over yet again. “Go to sleep, Parker. She's not your damn problem. You have enough of your own to deal with. Don't add any more to the mix.”

  I tried to sleep, but I couldn't. She kept popping into my mind, the damn woman.

  As soon as the sun began to shine through the window, I got up, grabbed my phone, and sent her a message.

  Me: Has the shit storm passed?

  Of course, she didn't answer me. After an hour had gone by, I sent another one.

  Me: Were you referring to your ex or your parents?

  Another hour passed and nothing, so my mind started working. Had something happened after she'd sent that last message the night before? What if Jeff had been there and came back? Was she alone with the kids? Would he hurt her? Someone had raised a hand to her. There was no doubt in my mind about that. It couldn't have been her family, there was no way. I knew them. They would never hurt one of their own or anyone else for that matter. That only left him, the asshole ex of hers.

  I got out of bed, grabbed a pair of jeans, and pulled them on. Then I reached into my drawer and pulled out the first clean t-shirt on the stack. When I held it up to put it on and saw that it was a Pirates' shirt, I let out a laugh. If she was fine and ignoring my messages, my shirt would irritate the shit out of her, and I was good with that. I slid my feet into my sneakers, grabbed my keys and phone, and took off out the door, feeling like a damn stalker.

  Just as I turned onto James and Sammie's street, it hit me. Shit! What if Cassie wasn't alone? What if they hadn't gone to Michigan? Sammie said they were going. There was no way her parents and grandma would let her back out. What if Cassie had gone with them? That was possible. If she had, that was fine. Then I wouldn't look like a total dumb-ass for showing up like a crazy man.

  When I pulled up the driveway, I let out a breath of relief. I was safe. The Escalade was there, but that was all. Sammie's van was gone. They'd gone to Michigan. Cassie couldn't have gone with them. There was no way her crew would have fit in the van with the rest of them. Would they? Shit! Maybe they would. If so, I'd knock on the door, and she wouldn't answer. Then I'd go back home and pull my head out of my ass.

  I walked up to the front door of James and Sammie's house and took a huge breath. Then I lifted my hand, released the breath, and knocked, totally unsure of what was going to happen. That was something I was definitely getting used to when it came to Cassie.

  Chapter 5

  Cassie

  I walked down the stairs to find all of the kids playing in the living room. They were laughing and jumping around. I hurried into the kitchen and over to Sammie.

  “I didn't hear them get up,” I said. “They shouldn't have come down here without me. I'll talk to them about that.”

  “Cassie,” she said, as she reached over and put her hand on my shoulder. “I'm so sorry. I had no idea what you were going through. I assumed things, and that was wrong of me. They wanted to come down and play with the kids and your parents. I don't expect to never do anything with them. I just need some help. You shouldn't have kept all that from us.”

  Just as I started to reply, grandma walked into the room with an upset look on her face. Then James walked into the room a few seconds later. He let out a huff, grabbed a cup of coffee that had been sitting on the counter when I'd walked in, and then turned to leave the room, but our dad walked into the room before he reached the door.

  “You ready to go to Lance and Lauren's?” James asked my dad in a rough tone.

  My dad nodded but didn't speak. I looked over at grandma to see her glaring at Sammie.

  “What did I do?” Sammie asked, in an innocent tone.

  Grandma shook her head, and without a word, walked out of the room and into the living room. I was right behind her, as she jumped right into laughing and playing with the kids.

  “Everything okay?” I asked her, as dad and James walked out the front door without a word to any of us.

  “Yep,” she answered.

  Sammie walked into the room and looked over at me for an answer I didn't have. I shook my head, and she shrugged. My mom was sitting on the couch, looking as if there was nothing out of the ordinary going on.

  “I want to check out your place,” my mom said to Sammie. “I know you've made some changes since we were here last. I wouldn't mind throwing the ball around a bit either.”

  “Of course,” Sammie said, as a smile filled her face.

  It didn't matter what was going on. If baseball was mentioned, Sammie was happy.

  “We can take the kids,” my mom said, as she looked over at me.

  “I'll stay here with Cassie and the babies,” grandma said.

  “I don't know,” I said.

  “I'm taking my grandchildren with me,” my mom said. “You can do things however you want once I go home, but for now, they will be with me as much as possible.”

  “Fine,” I said, giving up my fight. “I'll keep the two little ones.”

  Sammie was off and running. She got ready and got all of the kids ready in record time. Then they were headed out the door.

  “I'll make lunch,” grandma said, just before the front door closed. “Let the guys know.”

  We played with the boys, and when they couldn't keep their eyes open any longer, we put them down for a nap. I turned on the television and curled in next to my grandma to watch a movie. It didn't matter how old I got, being close to her always made everything better. The movie was paused, and we were deep in the middle of a conversation about Jeff and me when the doorbell rang. Ever since I was served the papers, that damn bell made me tense, and that time was no exception.

  “I'll get it,” grandma said, as she patted my leg and got up from the couch.

  “No,” I said. “I'll get it.”

  “Then I'll go start lunch,” she said.

  “Okay,” I said, just as the bell rang for a second time.

  She headed for th
e kitchen, and I headed for the front door. When I swung it open, my eyes went wide. There stood Parker, looking down at his shoes.

  “What are you doing here?” I whispered.

  “You wouldn't answer me,” he said, as he looked up at me with a stern look and worry in his tone. “What the fuck was I supposed to do?”

  “What?” I asked, feeling confused.

  “I sent you two messages this morning,” he said, his voice filling with irritation. “You can't say shit like the shit storm has blown in and then drop it like that. Your family is in Michigan. That only leaves Jeff. Did he come here? Did that fucker do something? I know it was him. He was the reason you flinched.”

  “Quiet,” I said, as my insides totally freaked out, partly because he was standing there, but also over what he'd just said.

  “No,” he snapped, as a look of anger covered his face. “Why? Is someone here? Is it him? Did you let him in? Are you with him?”

  “Cassie,” my grandma yelled out from the other room, and Parker's eyes widened.

  “The shit storm,” I said, as I motioned behind me, “was my parents and grandma showing up yesterday. Sammie set me up.”

  “Shit!” he hissed. “How did it go?”

  “For meeting a grandson they didn't even know they had, I'd say not bad,” I answered.

  “Cassie,” he said, in a scolding tone.

  “Who's here?” my grandma asked, as she walked into the living room.

  She would be at the door any second, so I had to do something.

  “A friend of James,” I said.

  Guilt instantly filled me when the look on Parker's face changed to one I could have sworn was hurt, but I knew better, that wasn't it. I shook my head and laughed.

  “Knock it off,” I said. “You've already added me to your number.”

  “What?” he asked.

  “James isn't here,” she said, as she came into view, and a huge smile appeared on her face. “I can't believe my eyes. How have you been, Pete? I saw that shit about them possibly trading you. Tell me it isn't true. I haven't seen you in so long, not since they auctioned you off. I should have been on that date.”

  She reached out, grabbed his arm, and walked toward the living room. I tried to come up with a way to stop her, but I wasn't fast enough.

  “You can wait for James in here,” she said. “They shouldn't be too long. He's over at Lance and Lauren's house with the rest of the guys. I'm making lunch, so they'll be here. Those men won't miss food. You should stay. How are you feeling about your situation?”

  “Trying not to think about it,” he answered, but I didn't miss the worried look on his face.

  “You don't want to go, do you?” she asked.

  “Not at all,” he answered, “but you know how it is. You've been around the game long enough.”

  “My poor boy,” she said. “It would be a huge step for your career.”

  “It would be,” he said, “but that's not everything.”

  I couldn't believe my ears. What did he mean it's not everything? He was a professional ballplayer. How could that not be his everything.

  “How are the twins?” she asked.

  “Twins,” I blurted out without thinking.

  He looked at me for a moment before turning his attention back to my grandma.

  “Okay,” he answered her.

  “That getting any better?” she asked.

  “Not really,” he answered.

  I couldn't help but wonder exactly what they meant and how my grandma knew so much about him.

  “That sucks,” she said. “I don't get it. You deserve better.”

  “Neither do I,” he said, as she looked over at me quickly before looking back at her again. “Not everyone feels the same way you do.”

  “I'm going to head back to the kitchen,” she said, as she patted his arm. “You stay here and wait for James. He won't be much longer. I'm so glad you stopped by. You're my favorite Pirate.”

  “I bet you say that to all the guys,” Parker said, with a laugh.

  “Never,” she said. “The way you helped Sammie when she was starting her place and the things you've done since just proves how great you are. You're one of the good ones.”

  “I'm going to head out,” he said. “I can't even remember what I wanted to talk to him about.”

  “Nonsense,” she said. “When you and James played together, you were close. Now you're closer to Sammie than you are him. I'm sure they'd both like it if you stayed for lunch.”

  Grandma turned and began walking toward the kitchen.

  “Shit!” I snapped. “You played with James.”

  “Sure did, princess,” he said, in a cocky tone.

  Grandma let out a laugh, as she walked into the kitchen and out of earshot.

  “I can't believe you're here,” I snapped.

  “I thought they were in Michigan,” he snapped back. “I thought that asshole ex of yours showed up.”

  “Sammie had them come here instead,” I said.

  “They didn't know you had a baby?” he asked, and I shook my head. “They're good people, Cassie.”

  “You don't think I know that,” I said, with a bit of growl. “They're my family.”

  He shook his head and rolled his eyes.

  “You need to go,” I said sternly.

  “We're going to talk,” he said, just as sternly.

  “There's nothing to talk about,” I said.

  “Then why the fuck did you text me?” he snapped out.

  “To say Merry Christmas,” I snapped, as I took a step closer to him.

  “That's it?” he asked.

  “Yes,” I answered. “I didn't know if you'd gone to see your parents, if you were with yours kids, or if you were alone, and I felt bad.”

  “You felt bad?” he asked, as he laughed.

  “Yes,” I answered, defensively. “And honestly, I wanted to tell someone about my parents.”

  “But you didn't,” he said.

  “No, I didn't,” I said.

  “Why not?” he asked.

  “Because, before long, you'll be out on the road doing whatever with whoever, so I changed my mind.”

  “Cassie,” he said, as he took a step closer and reached toward me.

  “No,” I snapped, as I quickly stepped back and then whispered. “I'm not stupid, Parker. I know how women are with the players. I was around that shit. You could be with anyone. What was I to you, some kind of joke? I can't believe I let you see me naked. I've been through enough, and so have my kids. For some crazy reason, they like you. I can't do this with you.”

  “Listen,” he snapped.

  His hand came up, but I didn't see it coming. I pulled back fast, and the look on his face turned instantly from one of aggravation to anger.

  “What the fuck?” he hissed from between his teeth.

  “You need to go, Parker. Please, just go,” I begged.

  Grandma walked into the room at the same time I heard the front door open. Shit, I thought. Could the day get any worse?

  Chapter 6

  Parker

  I was so damn pissed. What the fuck kind of guy did she think I was? Sure, I'd been with women on the road, but one thing I was not was a cheater. I would never be with someone else if I was in a committed relationship, not before or after the shit I'd been through myself.

  When she flinched again, I was not about to let it go. Someone had put their hands on her, and I was going to get to the bottom of it. I would never raise my hand to a woman, and she needed to realize that. The shit needed to stop, because every time she flinched, I felt like my head was going to explode.

  It was taking all I had not to lose my shit when her grandma came back into the room with a smile on her face. Then the front door opened, and I knew I was fucked. It was being put off again. How many times was she going to be able to get out of the damn conversation? I was tired of it.

  I turned to see James, Scott, and both Lance's walking through th
e door.

  “Parker,” James said, in a confused tone. “What are you doing here?”

  “He came to see you,” grandma said.

  “Me,” he said, with humor in his tone. “Why would you be here to see me? Sammie is the one that's always on your ass for one thing or another.”

  I should have laughed at his words, but I didn't. Instead, I looked over to see their grandma smiling at Cassie, who had a worried look on her face. Then I turned back to James.

  “You okay?” James asked.

  When I looked back at Cassie again, her eyes were pleading with me. I just wasn't sure exactly why. She wanted me to leave. Was she worried I'd say something? If so, about what? She'd already told them everything I knew about Jeff and the divorce. That was what I'd promised not to tell any of them. Did she think I'd tell him that we'd had sex? That shit would never happen. The four men that meant the most to her were right there, and I didn't have a death wish. There was one thing I hadn't promised not to mention, and just thinking about it had my blood boiling. I couldn't take it one more second. I needed answers, and James was just the guy I needed to ask. If he didn't have them, I knew he'd want them too.

  “Actually, James, can we talk a minute,” I said. “I didn't come here to see you, but I do have something I'd like to talk to you about.”

  “About what?” Cassie barked out nervously, before moving quickly to cover her mouth.

  I narrowed my eyes at her with a look that let her know I was not to be fucked with, and she froze.

  “Lunch is ready,” she said, in a much softer tone, with worry in her eyes. “He's been working and needs to eat.”

  “What I have to say won't take long,” I replied, with challenge in my tone and my eyes still on her.

  “Come on,” James said, as he gave Cassie a weird look. “I can wait to eat.”

  I followed him down the hall and into a room that looked to be used as an office. When I shut the door behind me, he gave me a serious look.