Out of My League, Part 3

by Sharon Cummin

  “I'm glad you're staying,” I said. “When your furniture comes, I'm coming over to put together the stuff for the kids' rooms. I have a few things to add too.”

  “James and both Lances are coming over,” she said.

  “So am I,” I said. “Have a great night, princess.”

  She got out of the car, grabbed her bags, and shut my door. Just as she opened her door, I rolled my window down.

  “Text me when you get home,” I said.

  “Parker,” she said, as she turned and looked at me.

  “Text me, Woman,” I demanded.

  She let out a huff, as she got in and shut her door. I followed her out of the parking lot but turned the opposite way.

  When I walked into my apartment, I walked over to my mantle and looked around. Then I took some things that were very important to me down and looked at them. They were perfect for Jenny and Jeff's rooms. The ding of my phone had me putting the stuff to the side so I could check it.

  Princess: I'm home, wannabe.

  Me: Good to know, princess. I have a few things for the kids' rooms.

  Princess: From where?

  Me: My mantle.

  Princess: No way, Parker. That is your stuff, and it is important to you.

  Me: Doesn't matter. I'm giving it to them. They're going to love it.

  Princess: Doesn't matter. That is your stuff, and you are not giving it to my kids.

  Me: I most certainly am. See you soon.

  Princess: You've done more than enough already.

  Me: That's what friends are for. Goodnight, princess.

  Princess: Goodnight, Parker.

  As soon as Cassie had the keys, she text me to let me know. I knew she was so excited, and I couldn't help but be excited for her.

  I knew both Lances and James were with her, and as much as I was happy she had them there for her, I couldn't stop the jealous feeling that ran through me. I wanted to be there. I wanted to see her face when she walked into her new place for the first time, but I couldn't, and that shit stung, even as friends.

  Her furniture had come, and the guys had put together the things she needed for her room, the kitchen, and the living room. Then she sent them on their way. The minute the text came through that they were gone, I grabbed the stuff for the kids, along with a few other things, and I headed her way.

  The place looked great, and it had only been part of a day. She had about three hours before she had to pick the kids up, so we got right to work. I put the furniture together while she put up the curtains, pictures, and other things she'd gotten for them. She unpacked their clothes and put them in the dressers once I was done with them. Then she made their beds once I'd finished those. Between us, we'd gotten it done.

  When she walked out the door to get the kids, there were only a few things left, and I promised to have them done before they got back.

  I finished it all. Then I hurried out to my car to get the stuff I'd brought with me. I hurried back in and put the things I'd brought for the kids out on the dressers in their rooms, along with a few balloons. Then I put a bottle of wine, two glasses, and a vase of flowers on the living room table.

  When I heard the key turn in the lock, I couldn't wait to see the looks on the kids' faces. The door wasn't even open all the way when Jenny saw me, and her eyes lit up.

  “Parker,” she yelled out, as she ran across the room to hug me. “You're here. This is our new place. It's our own home. We don't have to stay with Uncle James' anymore. I'll miss him.”

  I leaned down to hug her, and Jeff came running too. I lifted them both into my arms and looked over at Cassie, who was holding Jake. She had a nervous look on her face, but I wasn't sure why.

  “What do you think?” I asked, as I looked between the two kids.

  “I like it,” Jenny said, as she looked around.

  Jeff nodded right along with her.

  “Flowers,” Jenny said, the moment her eyes landed on them. “Are those for me?”

  “They're for you and mommy to share,” I said. “You want to see your rooms?”

  “Yes,” she said, moving around to get free from my arms.

  I put them both down, and they were gone.

  “I love it,” I heard Jenny yell, as soon as she round the corner into her room.

  I motioned for Cassie to walk ahead of me, and then I followed her.

  “You got everything done,” she said. “Thank you so much, Parker, and thank you for our flowers.”

  “I brought wine too,” I said, with a laugh. “That's just for you.”

  “What's this?” Jenny said, as she came out of her room, holding one of the things I'd brought for her.

  “I figured you liked baseball, so I brought you each something from my own collection,” I said. “I thought it would be nice for you to have something from the team.”

  “Thank you,” she said, as she put it back on her dresser and hopped up onto her bed. “This is really ours?”

  “It is,” Cassie answered her. “It's our new home. We'll still go visit Jillian, James, and Jackson all the time.”

  “I'm so excited,” Jenny said, as she got down from the bed. “Let's go see your room.”

  Jenny took Jeff's hand and walked down the hall to his room. Then she ran over to his dresser and turned back to him.

  “Parker brought you something cool too,” she said. “You and baby Jake get to share a room.”

  Jeff hopped onto his bed and fell back onto his pillow with a huge smile on his face.

  “I'd say he likes it too,” I said.

  Cassie walked over and put Jake down in his new crib. Then she sat down on the edge of Jeff's bed. When she pulled Jenny close, she looked between her and Jeff.

  “You each have a few toys in your toy boxes,” Cassie said. “We'll add to them a little at a time.”

  Jenny nodded, and a big smile stretched from one side of her face to the other.

  “We love it, Mommy,” she said. “It's perfect.”

  I looked down at the three of them from where I was standing, and I could hear Jake playing in his crib. In that moment, I was so damn proud of Cassie. She really had made everything perfect for her and the kids.

  “I'll go order pizza,” I said, before turning and walking toward the living room, so they could have a moment alone.

  By the time they came out, I'd placed the order and had gotten out some paper plates, napkins, and juice pouches I'd brought.

  Cassie turned on the television in the living room for the kids. It was about one eighth of the size of mine. Just another example of how much she'd changed. The Cassie I first met would have bought one much larger. I'd offered to help her, even said she could pay me back, but she wouldn't have it. She'd used James' card to buy everything. She even had a sheet with every penny she'd spent written on it. Cassie was paying him back, that was something she had promised, and it was also something that made me even more proud of her.

  “I have to go shopping,” Cassie said, as she walked by me and opened her empty refrigerator. “I really didn't think this through. I was just so excited to have them here, in a place of their own.”

  “It'll all work out,” I said, as I reached out, grabbed her shoulders, and pulled her toward me.

  She didn't fight me. Instead, she leaned her head forward against my chest.

  “This is the first time I'm going to live without restrictions, without having someone to answer to,” she whispered. “It's also the first time I'm going to be alone with my kids. How sad is that?”

  “You were alone with them for Thanksgiving,” I said, with a laugh.

  “Very funny,” she said, as she smacked at my side. “That was a disaster.”

  “But you made it through it,” I said, as I lifted her chin until our eyes connected. “You'll make it through this too. You're a good mom, and those kids love you. They are happy, and that's because of you. You're not alone, Cassie, especially with that crazy ass family of yours. You will never be alone.
You even have a friend.”

  “Thank you for everything,” she said, as she pulled back and away from me.

  I reached over to get the wine and poured us each a glass.

  “I still need so much stuff,” she said. “I guess I never realized what it took to actually have the essentials. I actually got my own place. It isn't what anyone that's ever known me would have expected of me, but it's mine, and I can afford it on my salary. I have a lot to pay James back for, but I'll do it.”

  “Of course,” I said. “I'm sure he knows that too. You're getting five million in six months.”

  “Oh, I'm not paying him back with that,” she said, in a rough tone. “This is my new life. I will not taint it with that asshole's money. He will have nothing to do with this. The only thing his money will pay for is a lawyer, well two actually.”

  I looked down at her and shook my head.

  “What?” she asked nervously.

  “I'm so damn proud of you,” I said, as I reached out again, pulled her close, and hugged her as tight as I could.

  “I'm glad someone is,” she said.

  When I heard her sniffle, I pulled back a bit and looked down at her, but I kept my arms around her.

  “What's wrong?” I asked.

  “I'm so damn afraid of messing up,” she said.

  “You won't,” I said. “Those kids are in the best situation they've been in yet. You did that. You stepped up, and you will continue to. I can see how much you love them. No matter what you do, you're going to strive to make them happy, and you will succeed.”

  “Yeah,” she said, more as a question than a statement.

  “Yeah,” I said, and what I said next, I knew wasn't completely true. It couldn't be. “I'll be here anytime. All you have to do is call.”

  I felt her body relax in my arms, and I knew she was going to be okay. There were too many people rooting for her. There was no way she could fail. She just had to believe in herself, and that would take time.

  When the knock on the door came, I paid for the pizza. Then I walked back into the kitchen and set the boxes on the table.

  “You could always show the kids a bit about college life,” I said, as I took a step back.

  “How's that?” she asked.

  “Leftover pizza for breakfast,” I said, and she shook her head, as she laughed. “You did do that, right?”

  “Of course,” she said, as she laughed again. “I wasn't a total mess.”

  I walked by her and into the living room.

  “I like your new place,” I said to the kids. “Have a great first night.”

  Jenny and Jeff came over, and I hugged them both. Then I leaned in and rubbed Jake's little cheek. He was at an age I remembered well with my kids. It wasn't long after that I began to lose out.

  “You're leaving,” Cassie said, and hurried over as I opened the door.

  “I am,” I said, but I didn't miss the sad look on her face. “It's their first night in their new home. They need you all to themselves tonight.”

  She let out a tiny whimper, and it took all I had not to take her in my arms again.

  “You'll be fine,” I said, as I reached out and lifted her chin, so I could see her eyes. “If you need anything, all you have to do is call. I'll be here in minutes. Believe me, I don't want to leave, Cassie, but it's what I have to do, as your friend.”

  She nodded, and I let go of her chin. Then I took that step out the door and pulled it closed behind me. I wasn't kidding. I didn't want to leave her. Instead, I wanted to stay. I wanted to be part of their night. I wanted her to know she wasn't alone. I also wanted so much more.

  As soon as I got home, I got my laptop out and got to work. There was no way she needed to wake up feeling stressed. If I could do one small thing to take at least some of that stress away, I was going to do it.

  Chapter 18

  Cassie

  He shut the door, and I wanted so badly to swing it back open and ask him to come back. Part of me didn't want to be alone, but another part just wanted him to be there too. He was right, I knew he was. The kids needed me, and I needed them. It was our night, and it needed to be just us.

  Jake fell asleep early, so I put him in his crib. The other two ate their pizza and watched a movie while snuggling in against me, one on each side. We had our own place. A place where we didn't have to stay in our rooms so we wouldn't bother anyone. Not that Sammie made it that way. She didn't. That was all on me. But it was different, having our own place. The kids could run through the whole place, and everything in it was ours. There wasn't much, but it was ours.

  So many times during the evening, I'd thought about sending Parker a text, but I didn't do it. He'd already done so much for us, and I knew it wasn't right to take up his whole night. I'd already taken up so much of his time. Friends didn't monopolize every moment of their friend's time, and we were friends, he'd mentioned it again on his way out the door.

  When it was time for bed, both Jenny and Jeff climbed into my bed. I was glad I'd gotten the king. One day, Jake would be hopping up there too, and we'd need the room. I couldn't make it a regular thing, that I knew, but it was our first night, and I wanted them to feel comfortable and loved. As they each snuggled into one of my sides, I honestly felt like everything was going to be okay for them. They didn't miss the big house or even the vacation home. They were happy right where they were, and so was I.

  The next morning, I woke up before the kids, and I went into the kitchen. Parker was right. We were either going to have pizza for breakfast, or we were going out to eat. I knew I could have called Sammie and taken the kids to her house, but I couldn't make myself do it. There was no way. They were my kids, and I needed to feed them.

  I'd just picked up my phone and sat down on the couch when I heard a knock on the door. Part of me felt nervous. Who could it be? Was it Parker? Was it Sammie, James, or one of the others? Was it Jeff? Shit! Could it be Jeff? He'd given up on the divorce pretty quickly. Either he'd changed his mind about wanting me back, or he had something up his sleeve. He couldn't know where I lived, not yet. There was no way. Then I thought about it. If he did, would it matter? No, it wouldn't. He wouldn't come here, not before the divorce was final. There was no way he was going to risk losing everything. I'd agreed to what he'd offered. He wouldn't want me to change my mind, and he'd never risk his company. That place meant more to him than anything, even his family.

  I got up and walked to the door. When I opened it, there was a young guy standing there. He had a shirt on from the local grocery store. He also had a bag in each arm from that same store.

  “I think you have the wrong apartment,” I said, as I laughed. “I'd love for you to be right, but I don't think you are.”

  “Are you Cassie?” he asked.

  “Yes,” I answered.

  “I've got the right place,” he said. “Can I bring these in? There are more in my car.”

  “Sure,” I said, as I stepped to the side.

  He took one step in and stopped.

  “Where would you like them?” he asked.

  “In the kitchen would be fine,” I answered. “Don't worry about the floors.”

  He nodded, walked through to the kitchen, set the bags down, and then went back to his car. After four additional trips, he was finally done.

  I walked back to the kitchen, with the receipt in my hand that he'd handed me on his way out, and I looked around.

  “This food will last us for weeks,” I whispered, as I stood, wondering who had sent it.

  I looked down at the receipt to find nothing, not a single clue. The bill had come to over two hundred dollars. Who could it be, I wondered? Then I thought about my family. Would one of them have done it? Sammie and James, I thought. It had to be them. I grabbed my phone and pulled Sammie up in my messages.

  Me: Do you know anything about a huge load of groceries being delivered to my place?

  Her reply came instantly.

  Sammie: Not at all. I asked
James if you'd bought any food, and he said you could shop today. It wasn't us. Was it your parents? Was it mine?

  I read her message as I went through the first bag. I doubted it was Lance and Lucy. It definitely wasn't my parents. They knew I was getting a place but had no idea that we'd completely moved in in one day. I was going to call and talk to them later to tell them. It had to be Lance and Lucy. Who else could it be? Only my family would do something like that, I thought, and I made a mental note do something nice to thank them.

  I emptied all of the bags and put everything away. There wasn't an open space left on any of my shelves, and my empty refrigerator had taken on a whole new look. Whoever it was had really thought of the kids. There were cookies, chips, juice boxes, ice creams shaped like characters, and so many things they'd like. There were also fruits, vegetables, meats, soups, and so much more. They'd thought of me too. I had coffee and was so glad that I'd bought a coffee maker already. Whoever had done it had thought things through. I had everything to make tacos, hamburgers, spaghetti, and a steak meal. They hadn't missed a single thing for each meal. I didn't know who it was, but I was so damn thankful. It had taken the hugest load off my mind. They would never know.

  I made myself some coffee. Then I took my cup and phone and sat down on the couch in the living room, my couch. I looked around the room, feeling so damn proud of who I was becoming. There was still a long way to go for me, but I was getting there. We had our own place, and it was wonderful.

  The ding of my phone pulled me from my thoughts, and I was happy to see that it was Parker.

  Wannabe: How was the first night?

  Me: Really good! We ate pizza and watched a movie. Jenny and Jeff slept in my room with me, and the baby slept in his crib. I can't tell you the last time I've slept so good. Great call on the bigger bed by the way, and the mattress is amazing. I was so worried about the price, but it was worth it.

  Wannabe: I told you it would be. Aren't you glad you listened to me? You should do it more often.

  Me: Very funny. You'll be a busy man next week. Why don't you come over for dinner?