Out of My League, Part 3

by Sharon Cummin

  I hadn't heard a thing from Jeff's world, and I couldn't believe it. By then, he'd had to have gotten his nose checked. That shit was broken for sure. I heard the crunch myself. If he was coming after me with the law, it would have happened by then, and it didn't. There was no way he was going to be able to sue me if he hadn't even filed a police report. It would have been his word against mine and the guys I was with that day. Unless he had cameras in the house. Did he have cameras? There was only one person to ask, and there was no way I could ask her without ratting myself out.

  Cassie had sent me a message each morning asking about my hand, and I always replied with a new picture. Honestly, it took all I had not to send one with my hand wrapped around my cock. She was the one that put that shit in my mind, so she would totally deserve it. I didn't do it though. Why? Because that text was always the start to our daily conversation, and I knew if I sent it, the conversation would be over before it even started, and I didn't want it to be. Not to mention the fact that I didn't want her grandma to see that. She was on my side, and there was no way I was going to lose her. That woman had power when it came to Cassie and the rest of their gang. She was the one that held it all together. She was the one with all the control, and that was not something I was taking lightly.

  Cassie had found a good daycare center, the one I'd sent her. The kids were all signed up. I wasn't happy about it, but I'd asked around during the week and had heard some awesome things about the place.

  That was pretty much how my days between Christmas and New Year's Eve went. I thought about Jeff and waited to see if I'd hear from his lawyers or my manager about what happened. I thought about Cassie, her finding out about what I did to Jeff, and her putting her kids in daycare. If she did find out about Jeff, she didn't say anything. I thought about Cassie and Jeff. Was he always that way with her? How could she have loved someone like him? Had it really all been because of his money? Sammie and Lauren had both sent me a few messages, but I blew them off each time. I told Sammie my hand still hurt, and I told Lauren I was busy with the team. If their men had told them what happened, they hadn't mentioned it. I definitely wasn't going to be the one to out what I had done, not to anyone. It was a week in the life of a Pirate, one that didn't want to be seen anyway.

  I sat on my couch, with a beer and a bag of chips, watching the bright ball slide down the pole as people on the television screamed out the count. If Cassie saw me, she'd definitely rethink the things she'd said about me. My life wasn't exciting at all, not in the way I'd want it to be anyway.

  The exact moment the year lit up on the television screen, my phone dinged. If it was my mom, I was going to cry, I thought, as I reached for the phone.

  Princess: Happy New Year, wannabe!

  I couldn't help but laugh when I read it.

  Me: Happy New Year, princess!

  Princess: I won't bother you. Just wanted to say Happy New Year. I know you're probably busy.

  Me: I bet you're way busier than I am.

  Princess: I doubt that. I'm surround by kids and the rest of the gang.

  I thought for a moment before sending a reply. It could go two ways. I could let her believe that I was out having a great time, or I could let her see the real me. Did I really give a shit what she thought? For some reason, I did.

  I held my phone out as far as I could and snapped a picture. You could tell I was on my couch, with my feet up, a beer and bag of chips in my lap, alone.

  Me: Don't discount what you have, princess. It's actually pretty amazing. Goodnight!

  I attached the picture to the message and hit send. She needed to know how lucky she was to be sitting there with her kids and all of her family. I would have given anything to be sitting in the spot she was in right then.

  Chapter 11

  Cassie

  After two months, Lance and Lauren's house was finally perfect. We all showed up there with food and drinks to ring in the new year. The kids were having a blast. They were running from room to room, playing with Jackson's toys, and having a party with hats, streamers, and horns. The closer it got to midnight, the slower they moved. By the time we sat down to watch the ball drop, there were sleeping kids everywhere. Sammie had fallen asleep, leaning in against James' shoulder. Lauren was sitting on Lance's lap. My dad had my mom wrapped in his arms. Lance was on the floor, leaning back against the couch, with Lucy sitting between his outstretched legs. She was leaning back against his chest, and his arms were wrapped around her. Grandma was sitting on the couch, and I was squeezed in next to her.

  It was my first New Year's Eve alone, and I was okay with that. As I watched the ball slide down the pole, I thought about Parker. Was he out having a blast, or was he with his kids? I pulled my phone out of the back pocket of my jeans and brought it to life. When I thought about saying Happy New Year, he was the one I thought of. The second it turned midnight, I hit send on the message. When his reply came, I was happy to see that he'd even taken the time to read what I'd wrote. I didn't want him to think I was going to be a pain, so I told him I wouldn't bother him. When he said I was busier then him, I looked around the room and laughed. Then I replied. What I got back shocked me. He was alone, or at least that was how he made it look. It wasn't the picture but the words that went with it that got me.

  Wannabe: Don't discount what you have, princess. It's actually pretty amazing. Goodnight!

  That was it. He was done talking. That had quickly become our way of telling the other the conversation was over. I'd been the one to start it, but just like other things, he began using it too, especially when I didn't want him to.

  I let it go, but I thought about his words as I helped my dad get my kids into my Escalade. Then again as we carried them up the stairs at Sammie and James' house and to their rooms. I kissed them each on the forehead as I tucked them in, one by one. Once I said goodnight to my parents and grandma, I went to my room and got into bed. Then I thought about his words again. He'd been alone, without his kids or his family, all night. I'd been surrounded by screaming kids and crazy adults, but they were my family, every single one of them. It had been a fun night, even if I'd ended it alone.

  As I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep, I realized that not once that night had I thought about Jeff. I didn't care where he was or what he was doing. If we'd been together, I would have been sitting with him, while the kids would have been in their beds as if it were any other night. Was that what I would have wanted? No. Not after I'd seen how much fun the night could really be. Not at all. Not ever again.

  When my parents and grandma said goodbye, which was a day later than it was supposed to be, my mom cried. She'd wanted me to go with them. So had my dad, but my grandma was right there by my side. They knew it wasn't a good idea for me to be that close to Jeff, but they were sad they wouldn't see me. Even though I was going to start my job with James, my mom kept saying I'd be back once the divorce was final. I didn't argue. There would be plenty of time before that would need to happen. Not to mention the fact that I hadn't even decided what I was going to do. There was a chance I would move back to Michigan, but there was also a chance that I wouldn't.

  “We'll see her,” my grandma said, trying her best to reassure my mom.

  Then she turned to me, took my hands in hers, and leaned in close to my ear.

  “Take some time,” she whispered. “Make some friends. Not everyone is like Jeff. There are good people in the world, good men. Even if they aren't what you originally expect them to be. They might not all be superheros, but they definitely aren't all wannabes. I love you, Cassie. Don't throw away everything good just because you had something bad.”

  “I love you too, Grandma,” I said, as I kissed her cheek and pulled back to look at her. “I get the feeling you'd definitely approve.”

  A huge smile covered her face.

  “Approve of what?” my mom asked.

  “I was just telling Cassie she needs to pay more attention to the Pirates,” grandma answered.
>
  “She's never liked the Pirates,” my mom said.

  “She does now,” grandma said, with a laugh. “Let's go. Cassie needs to rest for her first day on the job.”

  I hugged them all again. Then I watched as they walked to the car and backed down the driveway. When I took a step back and closed the door, I jumped.

  “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.”

  “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.