Out of My League, Part 3

by Sharon Cummin

  Jenny made sure to cling to me the whole time. She'd tell me how much fun I was and how she missed me when I was gone. She'd even asked me, more than once, to take a picture of the two of us and send it to her mommy.

  I'd text back and forth with Cassie each day, but I hadn't seen her once, not since the day she'd gotten the news about the divorce. Also the day she'd friend and unfriend me just as quickly. She never mentioned it, and I wasn't about to look like some desperate fool in need of her attention. I wasn't, not one bit.

  I was sitting at home alone when the call came, the one I'd been waiting what felt like forever for, and it was the exact news I wanted. I hadn't wanted to leave the friends I'd made, and most importantly, I hadn't wanted to leave my kids. I didn't want to leave Cassie either, even though there was still a chance she was going to be leaving. We were friends, and that mattered to me.

  As soon as I hung up the phone, I wanted to tell her. She was the first one that popped into my mind. I grabbed my clothes, with my phone still in my hand. I hit the button to call her, as I moved around my room, trying to get dressed.

  “Hello,” I heard her whisper.

  “Shit!” I snapped out. “You're at work.”

  “I am,” she said, in a quiet tone.

  “I'm so sorry,” I said.

  “Are you okay, Parker?” she asked, slightly louder than before.

  “I had to tell you,” I said.

  “What?” she asked, with worry in her tone.

  “I'm staying,” I said.

  “Really?” she asked, with excitement in her voice.

  “Yes,” I said.

  When she didn't say anything right away, I thought maybe I'd lost the call.

  “Cassie,” I said.

  “That's great,” she said, with seriousness in her tone. “It's what you wanted, and it will keep you close to your kids. I'm happy for you.”

  Not a few seconds later, she spoke again.

  “Yes, James,” she said. “I'll be right there.”

  “Is he mad?” I asked.

  “I don't know,” she answered.

  “I'm sorry,” I said. “I had to tell you. I have to call my parents, and I'm heading over to Sammie's place to tell her. There's no way I'm letting her hear it on the news. She'd tear me a new ass if I did.”

  “I bet,” she said. “I have to go. Boss man is calling.”

  “I really am sorry,” I said.

  “Don't be,” she said. “I'm happy for you. I really am.”

  I finished getting dressed and took off toward Sammie's, calling my parents on the way there. They were just as happy as me. Before I walked into Sammie's, I sent a quick text.

  Me: I didn't get you in trouble, did I?

  Princess: It's okay. I'm glad you called. Just so you know, James is headed toward Sammie's. He said he needed to talk to her, but it didn't feel right. He was acting weird. I almost got the feeling he knew it was you on the phone. I'm not sure how though?

  Me: Thanks for the warning.

  Princess: If he asks, it wasn't you.

  Was she serious, I wondered? Why the fuck not?

  Me: Why's that?

  Princess: Really?

  I was pissed by the time I read that.

  Me: Is it beneath you to talk to someone like me?

  Her response shocked me.

  Princess: Fine, tell him. It's your funeral. I have work to do. We can't all sit around scratching our asses while we wait to throw the ball around.

  Me: Very funny.

  Princess: I thought so. Bye, wannabe.

  Me: Bye, princess.

  She'd said to tell him. I knew she was just being a pain in the ass, saying he'd kick my ass if he knew we were talking, but I didn't care. It was the first time she hadn't made me promise not to tell him something, and I was tired of having him not knowing we were talking looming over me. I just wasn't sure how she'd react if I really did tell him.

  I walked into Sammie's place to have four kids run into me only a few steps through the door.

  “Parker, “ Jenny yelled, as she jumped up and down. “Sammie said you weren't coming.”

  “I thought I'd surprise you,” I said.

  “Will you play with us?” she asked.

  I looked up to see Sammie and Lance talking. I knew the other Lance was at work. Lucy would be there too. That only left James and Lauren, and I already knew he was on his way.

  “Let me talk to Sammie first,” I said, as I pulled away from the kids and began walking.

  “Parker,” Sammie called out. “I didn't think you were coming.”

  “Where's Lauren?” I asked.

  “At home with the little ones,” she answered. “She's being a pussy with the whole being pregnant thing. She's tired.”

  When Sammie laughed, I laughed too.

  “That's not very nice,” Lance said. “She's not always pregnant like some people.”

  “I'll have to give her shit,” I said.

  “I don't know,” Sammie said, as a smile crossed her face. “She'll either bite your head off or turn into a ball of tears. That woman has some emotions going on. What are you up to?”

  “I came to tell you I'm staying,” I said.

  “Seriously?” she asked, and I nodded. “I'm so damn happy.”

  She started jumping up and down with her big belly in front of her.

  “Settle down, Woman,” I said. “You look like you're about to pop.”

  “Shut up, jackass,” she snapped out, as she wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged me.

  “I'm so happy for you,” Lance began, “and for the Pirates. They would have lost a great one.”

  “Thanks,” I said, as I hugged Sammie back.

  “Get your hands off my woman,” I heard James say from behind me. “You got a thing for every woman I'm close to.”

  “What?” I asked, as he came closer.

  “Take a step back, Parker,” he began, “or Lance busting your nose will be the least of your worries.”

  “James Reid,” Sammie snapped out. “What is your problem, and why are you not at work?”

  “I came to see my beautiful wife,” he said in a sweet tone, before turning it rough again. “I also came to have a word with my friend.”

  “What's that about?” Lance asked.

  “He's staying,” Sammie said. “Parker is staying.”

  “Yeah, I heard,” James said through clenched teeth.

  “How's that?” Sammie asked innocently.

  “He called my sister to tell her,” James answered.

  “How do you know that?” Lance asked roughly.

  “I walked out of my office while they were on the phone,” James said, his voice filled with irritation and anger.

  “I just called her to tell her I was staying,” I said innocently.

  “Before you came here?” James asked.

  “I was getting dressed to come here,” I said, with a shrug.

  The man was pissed. There was no missing it, but I wasn't about to give in to him.

  “When did you call your parents?” James asked.

  “On my way here,” I answered.

  “You like her,” Sammie shouted, as her hands went up to cover her mouth.

  “What?” I asked. “No.”

  “You do too,” she said.

  “I do not,” I argued.

  “Bullshit!” she said, with a smile filling her face from ear to ear. “You told her before you told your parents.”

  “So what,” I said.

  “So you like her,” she said, sounding like a thirteen-year-old girl.

  “I do not,” I replied.

  “You so do,” she said.

  “Enough!” Lance barked out.

  Sammie looked toward her dad, and her eyes widened. Then she turned back to me.

  “You're in trouble,” she whispered, not hiding her smile one bit.

  “I can still bust your ass,” Lance snapped at her.

  “I don't know about th
at,” James said, as he pulled Sammie in close to him.

  They were one crazy bunch. One I was not willing to get in the middle of.

  “Leave her be,” James said.

  “Exactly,” Lance snapped.

  Just like that, they turned their attention off of each other and back to me. Like I said, crazy bunch.

  “I didn't do anything wrong,” I said, still standing by my innocent act I'd started with.

  “Look,” James said, “she's a mess.”

  “James,” Sammie snapped.

  “You'll barely be around for months,” James continued. “Not to mention the fact that she's not even divorced yet. She's working at her first job, and we just found her a place of her own.”

  “Don't worry,” I said, “I don't want someone like her.”

  “What the fuck does that mean?” James snapped. “What's wrong with her?”

  “She's a mess,” I said. “you just said it yourself.”

  “You'll be on the road, stopping at bars, and doing whatever with whoever,” James said. “I don't need her thinking she matters only to find out that she really doesn't.”

  “Exactly,” Lance snapped out again.

  When I opened my mouth to speak, Lance cut me off.

  “You think me breaking his nose was bad? He was family. You're not. I love you man, but my girls come first.”

  “What the fuck is it with all of you?” I asked.

  “I know how it is on the road,” Lance said.

  “So, the same people that lived the life are the same ones that are judging me?” I asked.

  “Yes,” James answered. “We know the life well.”

  “Really?” Sammie asked, turning to him.

  “I didn't do that shit,” he said, as he turned to her. “I was too damn busy worrying about what your ass was doing.”

  Then he turned back to me.

  “I don't need her falling for your ass, Parker,” he said.

  “I don't think you have to worry about that,” I said. “She can't stand me or what I do. Apparently, she has the same opinion the rest of you have too. I'm out of here.”

  I turned and made it almost to the door before Jenny ran in front of me.

  “You leaving?” she asked.

  “Yeah,” I answered. “I'll be back another time.”

  She looked up at me with the saddest look on her face, and I realized just how attached the kids were getting to me. I leaned down to hug her, and that was when it hit me that I was getting pretty attached myself.

  Chapter 17

  Parker

  I walked into my house more pissed than I'd been in a while, besides what that asshole did to Cassie that is. James had been a total dick. Out of anyone, I thought he'd be the one to understand that what I did for a living didn't mean I was a certain way. Shit! When he was a ballplayer, he was so damn stuck on Sammie. I was wrong though. He had the same view that Cassie had, and it was bullshit. I'd never done shit for him to feel that way about me, not when we played together or any other time. Maybe it was because she was his sister. That had to be it. He knew I wasn't half the asshole Jeff was, not even close. I wasn't perfect, nobody is, but I would never hurt a woman. He knew I wasn't a cheater either. He also knew the shit I'd been through, so his reaction pissed me off even more. My own friend had turned on me.

  I'd just fallen back onto my couch when it hit me. He said she was getting her own place. What did that mean? She said she'd chosen the house on the lake. Had she decided not to move there? She must have. Why would she move out of James and Sammie's if she was planning on moving back to Michigan in six months? She'd have to furnish the whole place. That would be a total waste of money if she was only going to be there for half a year. Maybe she didn't care. She was getting five million from the divorce. Was that it? Would she really waste all that money, or was she staying?

  I couldn't stop myself when I reached over and grabbed my phone. She was still at work, but I didn't care. I didn't give two shits about James and his big brother attitude, and I wanted an answer.

  Me: You got your own place?

  It only took a minute before she answered.

  Princess: How do you know that?

  Me: You were right. He knew it was me.

  Princess: Shit! What happened?

  Me: Don't worry about it. Him and Lance feel the same way about me that you do.

  Princess: What?

  Me: Did you get your own place, princess?

  Princess: Yes.

  Me: You never mentioned it.

  Princess: I didn't think you'd care.

  Me: That you're staying. I do care. When do you move in?

  Princess: Why?

  Me: I can ask your asshole brother.

  Princess: In two days.

  Me: Seriously?

  Princess: Yes.

  Me: Wow!

  Princess: What?

  Me: Nothing.

  Princess: Parker.

  Me: I'd like to help you and the kids move in.

  Princess: The two Lances volunteered, and I know James will be all over it.

  Me: I'm going to help.

  Princess: My dad offered to come down.

  Me: What are you doing about furniture and stuff?

  Princess: I have to buy it all. Everything we're using is James and Sammie's stuff.

  Me: I'll take you to get it.

  Princess: No.

  Me: It's not negotiable.

  Princess: Parker.

  Me: Yes, princess.

  Princess: Nothing.

  Me: Sammie already has the kids. Tell her she needs to keep them for a few hours after you get off work. Meet me at the restaurant down the street from where you are. I'd come pick you up, but I already know your answer. We'll grab dinner. Then we'll go shopping.

  Princess: Parker.

  Me: Already told you it's not negotiable. I'll see you at five.

  Princess: If I don't show up?

  Me: Then I'll pick you up. It's your choice. Goodbye, princess.

  She knew not to reply. It wouldn't matter if she did. She was going to meet me. There was no way she wanted to find me at James and Sammie's front door again.

  I slid into a booth at the restaurant a few minutes early. There was no way I was giving her the chance to say she'd been there and I wasn't. Cassie would definitely pull that shit if she could, and I wasn't about to let her.

  When the door opened and she walked in, she looked around, and I didn't miss the smile that crossed her face when she saw me. By the time she sat down, the smile was gone, but it didn't matter, I'd already seen it. We both ordered before I opened my mouth to speak. I knew she wouldn't leave if the food was already on the way.

  “What did you tell Sammie?” I asked, curious to hear what excuse she'd come up with.

  “That I was going shopping for furniture,” she answered, “and that you were going with me.”

  When she said that, I was shocked.

  “Really?” I asked.

  “Yes,” she answered. “You said James knew you were the one on the phone. If that's true, than he knows we're friends. I see no reason to hide it.”

  “Of course,” I said, feeling shocked that what she'd just said had bothered me.

  We were both quiet for a few minutes. Once the waitress walked up and set our plates in front of us, we both started eating.

  “What happened today?” she asked, as she set her burger back down on her plate.

  “What do you mean?” I asked her.

  “When I called Sammie and told her we were going, she was all giggly,” she said. “It wasn't like her.”

  “Your brother let me know that I wasn't to go near you,” I said, before choosing to use her earlier words a bit. “I told him we were just friends. Told him you couldn't stand me or what I did for a living.”

  “Parker,” she said, but I cut her off.

  “Then he pretty much told me you were right,” I said. “Lance also pointed out that you were family, and
I wasn't. I got pissed, and I left. Neither of them gave two shits that I was staying. Sammie was the only one that cared.”

  “They both care that you're staying,” she said. “You know how they are. Just be glad you don't have a bunch of them in your family.”

  “As much as I realized they weren't the friends I thought they were, you're still lucky to have them,” I said. “If I had family that was willing to do the shit yours does, maybe I'd have my kids more often.”

  “What?” she asked, with confusion in her tone.

  “I'm just saying you're lucky,” I answered, “even if I wouldn't mind kicking both of their asses right now. I owe Jenny.”

  “What?” she asked, sounding just as confused as before.

  “She was happy to see me and asked if I'd play. I told her I would in a bit,” I said. “After the guys pissed me off, I was on my way out, and she stopped me. I told her I'd play another time. She said okay, but I knew she was disappointed. I shouldn't have left, but I couldn't be there with James and Lance a second longer. If I had, it wouldn't have been good for anyone. So, I owe her big.”

  “I'm sure she'll be fine,” Cassie said.

  “No,” I said. “I'm not the kind of guy that goes back on my word, and I don't want her to think I am. I will make it up to her.”

  When we left, we took my car and left hers there. We went from one store to the next while she put together a list of everything she wanted to get for her new place. She ordered the furniture for all of the rooms and set up delivery for the day she was getting her keys. I was shocked when I saw the things she was buying. They weren't the most expensive. Some of them were even the cheapest. There were a few times I suggested she get something better, but she refused, saying it wasn't in her budget. The only time she listened was when it came to the bed. She wanted something smaller and more affordable, but I let her know if she didn't buy the bigger, nicer mattress, I was buying if for her. She finally gave in, and I knew she wouldn't regret it.

  I couldn't believe what I had seen. She truly was a changed woman. She'd even carried the bags of the things she'd bought and taken with her. When I'd reached out to grab them from her, she'd swat my hand away, telling me she could do it herself.

  I dropped her back off at the restaurant, but before she could get out of the car, I grabbed her arm.