Out of My League, Part 3

by Sharon Cummin

  “I bet they would both like that,” I said.

  Just like that, the rest of my day was ruined. We went back to the office after lunch, and I sat in my chair thinking about Parker and Cindy. Would she like him? Would he like her? Would they hit it off? What did I care? I didn't, not one bit.

  As soon as five o'clock came, I hurried out the door, picked up the kids, and went home to James and Sammie's. She had dinner ready, so we all ate together, everyone but James. He was still at the office for a meeting. I got the kids bathed and ready for bed. Jake was already falling asleep, so I put him in his crib. Then Jenny and Jeff sat in my room, and we watched a movie. Before it was even over, they'd both fallen asleep. I felt like I'd just picked them up, and they were already asleep. In all honesty, I was just as exhausted as they were. I couldn't help but wonder, if it was like that then, how would it be when we had our own place and I was doing the cooking and cleaning too?

  I didn't move them from my bed, and I couldn't wait to snuggle in close and hold them. In just a few short hours, I'd be doing it all again.

  I must have fallen asleep as soon as I'd gotten into bed with them, because when I opened my eyes, what felt like two seconds later, and looked at the clock on my nightstand, it was already time to get up. The little light on my phone was blinking, so I picked it up and brought it to life. Through sleepy eyes, I saw his text.

  Wannabe: Hope the boss wasn't too rough on you and you're still alive.

  When I read the second message, I smiled and sent one back.

  Wannabe: I guess not.

  Me: I will admit, it was a rough one. It wasn't that the work was hard, I'm just not used to it. Not to mention the fact that I feel like I saw my kids for a whole two minutes before we fell asleep. I give all the single moms out there so much credit. This shit is hard, and I haven't even gotten my own place yet. I can't even imagine what that will be like.

  I hadn't even made it to the bathroom for my shower when my phone dinged.

  Wannabe: Do you regret the decisions you've made?

  Me: Do you ever sleep? No, I don't. Is it a bummer that I can't be home every second? It is, but when I was in Michigan, it was different. I barely spent any time with my own children. Now I miss them like crazy when they aren't right there with me. If you'd told me six months ago this is where I would be, I would have cried. That's not how it is though. I will do everything it takes to keep my kids right here with me. They are my life, and they will always come first. I'm ashamed of the woman I was. How crazy is that?

  Wannabe: I sleep here and there. That's not crazy. You've changed. There's nothing wrong with that as long as the change is for the better, and it is.

  Me: Thanks! I have to jump in the shower so I can do it all again. Hopefully I stay up longer than the kids tonight. Have a good day, Parker.

  Wannabe: You too, princess.

  I'd been through the whole morning without my phone dinging, so that was good. I also hadn't seen my brother all day. He'd stayed home, and that was fine by me. Lucy came out of her office for a moment, and a strange look crossed her face. Then she turned around and went right back in. Cindy looked over at me.

  “What was that?” she asked.

  “I have no idea,” I answered her honestly. I really had no idea.

  I walked down the street, to a small cafe, with Cindy, and we had lunch there. She really wasn't so bad. I actually got along with her very well. We talked about my kids and her dog. She mentioned sports more times than I could count, and that was fine. It was nice seeing someone so excited about something. As long as it wasn't partying and drinking, I was all for it. The girl had a good head on her shoulders. She was leaving the company for a better job and had goals for her future. There was nothing wrong with that.

  When I got back to my desk, my phone dinged, and I quickly reached into my purse to get it. When I opened the message, I smiled. Parker had sent me a picture of Jenny and Jeff playing catch with each other.

  Me: How long have they been there?

  Wannabe: I'm not telling.

  Me: Tell Sammie I pay for daycare.

  Wannabe: She knows.

  Me: It looks like they're having fun.

  Wannabe: Of course they are. I'm here. It's not the same though. Their loud mouth mom isn't here.

  Me: Awww. You miss me.

  Wannabe: I never said that.

  Me: You know you do.

  Wannabe: Maybe just a tiny bit.

  Me: Wow!

  Wannabe: I know. I can't believe it myself.

  Me: So funny. Some people have work to do you know.

  Wannabe: I have playing to do anyway. Talk to you later.

  I saved the picture to my phone and looked down at it. They really were having a great time.

  “Those your kids?” Cindy asked, as she looked down at my phone.

  “They are,” I said. “My littlest isn't there though.”

  “They're so cute. I want at least two kids one day,” she said.

  I heard my phone ding again and quickly pulled it back so only I could see it.

  Wannabe: I forgot to tell you, I'm coming to your work tomorrow with Lance.

  Me: Why???

  Wannabe: Why the ???

  Me: You can't come here. Why would he bring you here? James will flip his shit if he finds out we talk to each other.

  Wannabe: I don't know, something about a favor. So, it's a crime that we talk? People do it all the time. Don't worry, princess, I'll keep my distance. I wouldn't want anyone to flip their shit.

  Me: Parker.

  Wannabe: Goodbye.

  That meant it was over. No matter what I sent, he wouldn't answer, so I didn't even bother.

  Lucy said goodbye to Cindy and me, and she had the biggest smile on her face the whole time. The woman was up to something, I just wasn't sure what it was.

  By the time I got home, dinner was on the table, and everyone else was eating. I walked around the corner and up the stairs. A few minutes later, there was a knock at my door. When I opened it, James was standing on the other side.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “I'm fine,” I answered.

  “Everything go good at work?” he asked.

  “Perfect,” I answered.

  “I know Cindy can be kind of annoying, but she knows her job,” he said.

  “She also knows how to ogle the boss,” I said, as I fell back onto my bed. “I think it's disgusting by the way.”

  “What?” he asked.

  “I thought her eyes were going to pop out of her head and follow you around yesterday,” I said.

  “Really?” he asked.

  “You are so dumb sometimes, James,” I said. “It's a good thing Sammie puts up with you.”

  “Watch it, Woman,” he said. “Are you pissed that we started dinner without you? We saved you some.”

  “I'm not hungry,” I said.

  “Did something happen today?” he asked.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Is it Jeff?” he asked.

  “No,” I answered. “I'm just tired. This working thing is no joke.”

  James let out a laugh.

  “It's not that bad,” he said.

  “I know,” I said. “I'm just tired. I'm going to get the kids ready for bed and relax with them. Can you send them up when they're done eating? I'll come down to get Jake.”

  “Yes,” he said. “I'll bring Jake up too. You're sure everything is okay?”

  “Yes,” I said. “Now go eat before Sammie eats your food too.”

  He walked away, but I could hear him laughing all the way down the stairs.

  As soon as the kids came into my room, Jenny and Jeff started talking about Parker and how much fun they'd had with him. That wasn't helping me one bit.

  The rest of the night went just as fast as the last, and before I knew it, I was back at work again. There were more calls and things to do, so the morning was busy. My stomach was growling from not eating dinner the night be
fore and only an apple that morning, so I couldn't wait for lunch. I was on my last task and was ready to jump up from my desk and run to eat the sandwich I'd packed myself, when I heard Cindy gasp from beside me.

  “What?” I asked, as I looked over at her.

  Her mouth was open, and she was staring straight ahead, right by my head.

  “It's,” she began, but stopped before starting again. “Lance Smith knows Pete Parker.”

  “Of course he does,” I said. “James played with Pete.”

  “Cassie,” Lance said, as he walked up to my desk. “How's it going? The boss treating you okay?”

  “Everything's good,” I said, as I looked toward Parker, who had stopped walking a few feet back.

  “I'm glad to hear it,” Lance said, as he took a step back. “How's it going, Cindy?”

  “Great,” she said, as her eyes stayed frozen on Parker.

  Lance turned and motioned for Parker. Then they both walked into Lucy's office.

  “You know Lance Smith,” Cindy said.

  “Yes,” I said.

  “How?” she asked.

  “James is my brother,” I answered. “Lance it basically my uncle.”

  “No way!” she yelped.

  “Yes way,” I said. “The eye candy is my brother. I think that's gross, but to each his own.”

  “Do you know Pete?” she asked. “Have you ever met him before?”

  “I've met him,” I answered. “He's a bit of an ass if you ask me. Anyway, I'm going to go eat. I'm starving. I never ate dinner last night.”

  Just as I stood up, Lucy and the two guys walked out of her office.

  “Hey there, Cindy,” she said. “Have you met Pete. He plays for the Pirates.”

  “Oh,” she said, her body practically jumping from her chair, “I know who he is.”

  “I thought, since if was your last week, that maybe you'd like to have lunch with us. Cassie said you mentioned some current players might be nice to have around.”

  “Cassie,” Cindy snapped, as she looked over at me. “I was just saying.”

  “That my husband is old,” Lucy said, cutting Cindy off. “I get it.”

  “Woman,” Lance hissed. “You want me to show your ass.”

  “Anyway,” Lucy said, cutting Lance off as well. “I thought you might want to go to lunch with us.”

  “Lunch,” Cindy said. “Go to lunch with you, Lance, and Pete.”

  “Parker,” Parker said sternly. “Call me Parker.”

  “Would you like to join us, Cassie?” Lucy asked.

  “No thank you,” I answered. “I'm not hungry.”

  “Yes you are,” Cindy said, with a shake of her head. “You just got done saying how you hadn't eaten last night and are starving.”

  I heard Parker let out a loud breath, but I didn't look his way.

  “It's okay,” I said. “I can't really afford it. I'm going to go eat my sandwich. Besides, I wouldn't want to interrupt your double date or anything.”

  Parker let out another loud breath, only much louder than the one before.

  “Are you okay?” Lucy asked, as she turned toward him.

  “Yeah, Parker,” Lance said roughly. “You okay?”

  “Fine,” Parker answered.

  “Have a nice time,” I said, as I grabbed my phone and took off for the lunch room.

  A sudden wave of sadness shot through me, and it took all I had not to burst into tears. There was no reason for it, but it was there. I grabbed my sandwich, hurried back to my desk, grabbed my keys, and took off out the door to my vehicle. Just as I opened my door, I looked back to see Cindy laughing and Parker staring right at me. I reached up to brush away the tear that had broken free. Then I got in my Escalade and closed the door. I was so damn glad my windows were dark. There was no way I wanted anyone to see me cry, and that's exactly what I did.

  Seeing the way Cindy carried on over Parker made my chest ache. He traveled from city to city through parts of the year, and that was his life. He'd have people telling him how great he was and women hanging on his every word. Cindy acted like he was the only man alive, and I'd seen him looking much better before. It would always be that way. He'd always be recognized, and he'd always be adored. I'd thought about it before, but seeing was even worse.

  As the tears began to dry, I leaned back and closed my eyes. Before I knew it, there was a knock at my window. When I opened my eyes, I looked to my left to see Parker standing there with only a window between us. He motioned for me to roll it down, but I shook my head. When his jaw tightened and his eyes narrowed, I rolled it down a tiny bit.

  “I'm supposed to be out here grabbing something,” he began. “So, unless you want them out here looking for me, I suggest you roll the damn thing down now.”

  I let out a huff and rolled it down.

  “Shouldn't you get back to your girl?” I asked.

  “It wasn't a date,” he snapped out. “She is not my girl.”

  He leaned in and looked at the seat next to me.

  “You didn't eat yesterday,” he said. “So, why is that sandwich you were starving for still sitting there?”

  “I changed my mind,” I answered.

  “Why does it look like you've been crying, Cassie?” he asked.

  “I wasn't,” I answered. “Why don't you go back in there and do what it was you came here to do?”

  “Cassie,” he said roughly.

  “Parker,” I said, mocking his tone.

  “It's taking all I have not to take you over my knee right now and spank that ass for everything you put me through,” he growled out, and that shit went straight to my core. “I didn't know I was coming here to be new meat for some obsessed girl that's leaving. I wouldn't have done it. I can't stand that shit.”

  “It must be rough being so important,” I said, as I rolled my eyes. “You know damn well that's why you go to Sammie's place. Shit! You even let her auction you off.”

  “I go there because I can play the game with no expectations. I can throw the ball around for fun. I can help little kids reach for their dreams. I let her auction me off so she could raise money. If you want the damn truth, the date never even happened. I paid for the date myself.”

  “What?” I asked.

  “I got one of my neighbors a ticket and told her to bid until she won,” he said. “I was the one that paid the bill. If you ever tell Sammie, I will never forgive you. Nobody knows but the person I paid.”

  “Why would you do that?” I asked.

  “I already told you,” he said, “I don't like that shit. I'm not going on a date with someone I don't know or someone that's going to hang all over me just because of who I am. If I go on a date, it will be with someone I care about.”

  “So, you've never been with,” I began, but he held his hand up to cut me off.

  “Never said I haven't been with someone,” he said. “I said I do not date.”

  “Oh my,” I said innocently, as I swung my door open unexpectedly, pushing him back. “That's so chivalrous of you. Instead of going on a date, because you wouldn't want them to get the wrong idea and wouldn't want to have to listen to how great you are, you just fuck them.”

  With my keys in my hand, I slammed my door and hurried back into the building. When I got to my desk, I slammed my keys down and threw myself into my chair.

  “You okay?” Cindy asked.

  A moment later, Parker walked in, went right by us, and walked into Lucy's office.

  “I'm fine,” I snapped out. “Let's get back to work.”

  The clock was moving so damn slow, and I couldn't take it a moment longer. I got up, collected my purse and keys, walked to the door of Lucy's office, and leaned in.

  “I'm leaving for the day,” I said. “Please make sure you don't pay me for the next four hours.”

  “Is everything okay?” Lance asked, as he stepped forward.

  I put my hand up to stop him.

  “Is it Jeff?” he asked.

  �
�No,” I answered. “It actually has nothing to do with Jeff. I'll be back first thing in the morning, and by then, I'll have pulled my head out of my ass and gotten my shit together.”

  “I'll come with you,” Lance said.

  “No,” I said, as I shook my head. “I need a minute to myself. Do not call the whole Reid crew to alert them either.”

  The whole time I was standing there, I could feel Parker looking at me, but I didn't look at him, not once.

  I got in my Escalade and drove to a park. Then I got out, walked to a bench, and sat down. What did I think about? Parker, Cindy, Jeff, the kids, me, my family, and anything else that popped into my mind. Once I couldn't feel my frozen fingers any longer, I walked back to my vehicle, sat with my heat on, and looked out my window. At five o'clock, I headed to the daycare to get the kids. Part of me felt horrible for losing four hours with them that I wasn't working. Another part of me knew I needed the time alone.

  I heard my phone ding, but I didn't check it. There was no way I could read it until I was alone. I had no idea what he was going to say.

  Once the kids were in bed, I read his message.

  Wannabe: I'm sorry. I went as a favor to Lance. He hadn't told me what I was going for. If I knew it was to shock a young fan, I wouldn't have done it. Let me point out that you were the one that made it clear you didn't want to speak to me in front of any of them. Just so you know, I don't just go around fucking every woman that says hello to me.

  Me: Cindy was super excited to meet you. Who knows, maybe she's worth a date. My family just found out about the divorce. Don't you think it would be a little weird for them to see me talking to you? Even if it was just as friends, they wouldn't be happy. You're friends with them, and I don't want to be the reason that gets messed up. You can fuck whoever you want. It's none of my business.

  Wannabe: There will not be a date with Cindy. Do you have any idea how much you piss me off? There is nothing wrong with being friends. I'm not a cheater, Cassie. Please stop treating me like I am. Have you eaten?

  Me: If I piss you off so much, why are you still talking to me?

  Wannabe: I honestly don't know. There's just something. I can't help but want to know that you're okay.

  Me: I'm fine. Does that help?

  Wannabe: If you were here right now, I'd smack that ass so damn hard.