Out of My League, Part 3

by Sharon Cummin

  I took Jake. Lucy took James. James watched Sammie. Lance took the three bigger kids by the hands. We walked down to where the players were, and I could see men and women surrounding Parker. I moved to step to the side so I could wait for the rest of my family and called Jenny and Jeff over to me. Parker looked toward us, said something to the people around him, and came over.

  “You guys did really good,” I said.

  “Of course,” he said, and before he could speak again, I cut him off.

  “I know, you're on the team,” I said.

  “Exactly,” he said.

  “That was so fun,” Jenny said. “I saw you looking up at me.”

  “I was,” he said. “I saw your arms waving all around.”

  “I had to get your attention,” she said.

  “You always have my attention,” he said, and she smiled.

  “Do you want to come over?” Jenny asked. “Mommy said we can have pizza.”

  “I'm sure Parker is busy,” I said. “The players go across the street and hang out.”

  “Not all of them,” he said, as he looked at me. “I'd love to come over.”

  “Yeah,” Jenny said, as she spun around.

  “I have to shower first,” he said. “That way I don't smell up your apartment. As soon as I'm done, I'll be over.”

  James was walking toward us.

  “Make sure you walk out with them,” Parker said. “It's crazy busy out there.”

  “Of course she's walking out with us,” James snapped, as he stepped closer. “She's my sister. Come on, Cassie. Sammie's ready to go.”

  “See you later, Parker,” Jenny said.

  “See you later,” Parker said.

  Then he turned around and was gone.

  “Don't be such an ass,” I snapped out at my brother.

  “I did nothing wrong,” James said. “You ready?”

  “Yes,” I answered.

  We walked toward everyone else.

  “You planning on coming again?” he asked from over his shoulder.

  “Would that be a problem?” I asked. “Am I invading your space?”

  “No problem at all,” he growled out, before turning toward Sammie and leading the way out.

  “No problem at all,” I mumbled from behind him.

  “Walking a real fine line, Cassie,” he mumbled back.

  “Leave her alone,” Sammie said, as she swatted him on the arm.

  I got the kids in the car and headed home. By the time I got them into the apartment, I heard my phone ding.

  Sammie: I'm going to kick your ass. His mouth has not stopped since we drove away. Parker is a great guy, Cassie. Don't let anyone mess it up. And before you reply, I already know that you're just friends, and I'm calling bullshit on that. Let me know when you're home. Your brother's orders.

  Me: I'm home.

  Sammie: Thank you! We love you.

  Me: Love you too.

  I ordered pizza, and it must have arrived the same time Parker did, because he was the one that brought it in. When I tried to hand him the money, he shooed me away, so when he wasn't looking, I slipped it into the pocket of his jeans.

  I got plates out and served the kids. Then I filled a plate for Parker. I knew he had to be starving. When I set the plate in front of him, I noticed how damn good he smelled and how sexy he looked fresh from the shower.

  “Shit!” he yelped, as he moved back from the table. “I can't eat pizza in this.”

  He grabbed the jersey at the back of the neck and pulled it up and over his head, leaving him in only a t-shirt. A very tight, black t-shirt. He got up and put the jersey over the back of a chair I had by the door. Then he came back, sat down, and dug right into his pizza. I was right, the man was starving.

  Dinner was over, we watched a movie, and the kids were ready for bed. When Jenny asked Parker to tuck her in, it hit me. They were getting too close to him. I was getting pretty damn close to him too.

  When he came out of her room, I looked into his eyes and knew I was in trouble. It wasn't too late for the kids though, I could still save them from heartbreak.

  “You didn't have to come over for them,” I said. “You could have gone out.”

  “Didn't feel like it,” he said.

  “They're getting close to you, Parker,” I said, and so am I, I thought.

  “Yeah,” he said, as his eyes narrowed slightly.

  “I need to be careful,” I said.

  “What the fuck does that mean?” he asked, with a hard look appearing on his face. “I haven't done one thing wrong to them or to you.”

  “I know,” I said, “but what happens when your life gets even busier and you don't have time to see them when you're home? You saw Jenny up there waving her arms around, doing anything she could to get your attention. They've been through enough. I don't want them getting hurt.”

  “Neither do I,” he snapped, as he shook his head. “It seems like I have to constantly defend myself around you and everyone you know. Sammie is the only one I've got on my side around there anymore. I have to go.”

  He walked by me and opened the door.

  “Parker,” I called out to him, but he didn't stop.

  The door closed behind him, and I burst into tears. I wasn't sure I could be his friend anymore, and if I was, I needed to take a few steps back. When I looked over, I saw his jersey. There was time to catch him, but I didn't. Instead, I picked it up, sat down on the couch, and held it against my cheek. He was there, all over the damn thing. I could smell the scent that was only his. Before I knew it, I felt my eyes closing. I got up from the couch and went to bed, taking his jersey with me.

  Chapter 20

  Parker

  When I looked up and saw her and her kids in the family section, I can't even explain how I felt. It was honestly the first time anyone was there for me. Seeing Jenny wave her arms around so I'd see her had me cracking up and almost losing my composure during the game. It was totally worth it. The best part was seeing Cassie actually paying attention. She stood at the very front and watched. I'd seen James and Lance both walk over to her, but she didn't take her attention away from the game, and that meant so damn much to me, especially coming from a woman that wasn't fond of the game and had barely ever seen her own brother play.

  Seeing Jenny and Jeff watching, even if it was only for a short time, had me thinking about the twins. I wanted them there more than anything, but their bitch of a mom refused to let them come every single time. It broke my heart each time she turned me down, but that didn't stop me from asking. Each home game I'd send a text, and each time I'd get back a no. I told her she could come too if it meant they could be there, but she wouldn't. That didn't surprise me though. She never came to a game when we were married. She was all over that shit in college, but she couldn't be bothered once I'd gone pro. She'd had more important things or people to do. I'd told her the kids could sit with the other families, but she wasn't having that. I'd even offered to get a nanny to go too, but she refused that as well. It didn't matter what I did, they weren't going, and that shit hurt. The kids wanted to go so damn badly, which only made it worse. They weren't even allowed to watch my games on television, so I'd tape them, and we'd watch them together when she actually let me have them, which was few and far between. The craziest part was that she had no problem accepting and spending the money that came from playing the same game.

  I was gone a lot in the weeks that followed. Jenny reminded me the few times I'd seen her. She'd tell me all about things I'd missed. There was no doubt, I was getting close to her, Jeff, and Jake. I felt bad each time I thought about it. How could I get close to them, when I couldn't even see my own kids. It wasn't their fault, but it wasn't mine either. I tried every chance I got, but nothing ever seemed good enough to my ex. When I did get the twins, I'd spend every second with them until I had to take them back. Each time I'd drop them off, they'd cry, and once I'd pull away, I would too. They were my everything, and she made it so damn
unbearable on all three of us.

  I missed Cassie too. That sounded crazy, and I knew it, but it was true. I'd text her when I had the chance, and she'd text me back when she could. I did notice one thing though, she was never the first to send the message. It was always me. I don't know if that was her way of protecting herself, or if she honestly didn't care as much as I wanted her to. Either way, we were talking, and that was good enough for me.

  Cassie worked hard and spent all of her spare time with the kids. That was exactly how it should have been too. She was doing a great job. I'd gotten her to bring the kids to one other game, and when I looked up at them, that shit pulled at my heart. They were there for me. I didn't need her to admit it for it to be true.

  If James hadn't talked about her all those years, and if I hadn't seen her when she'd first moved there, I never would have suspected her of being like my ex. She seemed just the opposite. There were even times I'd totally forget and take my guard down. It didn't happen often, but it did happen. She wasn't the same anymore, I knew it deep down, but that didn't make me worry any less. In the back of my mind, it was there.

  We were friends. She'd said it several times. Shit! I'd even said it as a way of reminding myself. Not one bit of any of that changed the fact that I wanted her beneath me so damn bad. I wanted to be buried balls deep inside of her over and over again. We'd been together once, that was it, and I hadn't been with anyone since. Pathetic, right? Nobody had to tell me. I already knew.

  I wouldn't risk my heart again though, not ever. I'd told myself a million times. I'd never put another child through what my children were going through either. What made it worse with Cassie was the fact that she had three kids. Even if my heart got me and I caved, it could never be with her. I could never hurt her kids. That was how I felt. I knew it more than anything. I felt that shit deep. It was real. So, when something good happened during a game, why was she the one I wanted to tell? When I had a shitty day and felt like I'd let my team down, why was she the one I wanted to count on to make me feel better? When I looked up in the stands, why was she the one I wanted to see watching me?

  Chapter 21

  Cassie

  I was sitting on the couch, playing a game with the kids, when my phone rang. Without even looking, I picked it up and answered it.

  “Hey, Parker,” I said.

  “It's not fucking Parker,” I heard my brother snap through the line, and I silently cursed at myself for not looking.

  “Oh,” I said. “Hey, James. What's up?”

  “If I weren't freaking out, I'd be all over that shit,” he said.

  “Cut it out, James,” I heard Sammie in the background.

  “We're on our way to the hospital,” he said.

  “What?” I asked. “Is everything okay?”

  “I sure hope so,” he said. “She's in labor.”

  “Already?” I asked.

  “Yes,” he said. “You know her, always in a hurry for everything.”

  “James,” I heard Sammie snap.

  “I'm on my way,” I said. “I'll be there as soon as I can get the kids ready.”

  “Thank you,” he said. “I just hung up with mom. They're on their way to help.”

  “Tell her I love her,” I said. “I'm going to be there. I'm so excited.”

  “We love you too,” he said. “Try to hurry. Both Lances, Lucy, and Lauren will be there, but I want you to be there for the kids.”

  “I'll be there,” I said. “Never was before, but I am now. See you in a few.”

  I hung up the phone, got my shoes on, hurried to get the kids ready, grabbed my keys, and hurried out the door. It wasn't until I was in the parking lot of the hospital that I realized I didn't have my phone or my purse, but there was no way I could turn around. James and Sammie needed me, and I was finally going to be the sister I should have been all along.

  I found my way through the hospital, to the labor and delivery waiting room, with the kids. When I swung the door open, Lucy was sitting with James Jr. on her lap, and Lance Jr. was playing with Jillian and Jackson.

  “Where's Lance?” I asked.

  “Where do you think?” Lucy asked, with a laugh. “He's up Sammie and James' asses. You know he won't leave her until her and the baby are safe.”

  “You're here,” Lauren said, as she walked up behind me.

  “Where were you?” I asked.

  “In the bathroom,” Lance said. “Same place as always.”

  “That would be because your big baby is moving around inside of me,” she said, as she stuck her tongue out at him.

  I shook my head and laughed.

  Jenny and Jeff ran over to Jillian and Jackson, and they all began playing together. I sat down with Jake and let out a sigh.

  “What's wrong?” Lucy asked.

  “I left my phone and purse at home,” I said. “I was trying to get out of the apartment as fast as I could.”

  “You don't need your phone,” Lauren said, and I didn't miss the sneaky smile on her face.

  “Why not?” I asked.

  “Because you're being graced with my presence,” she said, as she walked over and sat down next to me.

  “Your mom, dad, and grandma are on the way,” Lucy said. “They must have left the second James called them. I almost wonder if they all had a hospital bag packed for them too.”

  We all burst into laughter. Just as our laughter stopped, I turned to Lucy.

  “Bring James over here,” I said. “I'll watch him. You should be back there with Sammie.”

  “No way,” she said, as she waved her hand in front of her.

  “Why not?” I asked.

  “Because her dad is back there,” she answered.

  I rolled my eyes, and Lauren didn't miss it.

  “You have no idea,” Lauren said. “That man is far worse than they'd warned me.”

  She let out a laugh, and Lance did too.

  “Your asses shouldn't be laughing,” Lucy said. “You're next.”

  Both Lauren and Lance went completely serious, and it took all I had not to laugh at the fear on their faces.

  We'd been sitting there for hours, and the kids were beginning to get restless. I was starting to feel stressed, but I was happy. I was going to be there when my brother's baby was born. I hadn't been there for the first two, but I would be there for the third and every single thing they'd need after.

  When the waiting room door opened, I thought it was my parents and grandma, but I couldn't believe it. I knew they had at least another hour to go, and I was right. I saw the jersey before I saw anything else. It was Parker. I looked over at Lauren to see a huge smile on her face, and if she weren't about to pop, I wouldn't have turned back toward the door. Instead, I would have let her have it. There was no way I could miss what she was doing, and that was fucking with me.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked, as I stood up with Jake in my arms.

  “I came to see if you needed anything,” he said, looking right at me the whole time.

  “If she does?” Lauren asked, in a sarcastic tone.

  “All of you,” he said, giving her a quick smile. “Even your pregnant ass.”

  “Ha ha,” she said, with a smirk.

  “You're busy,” I said. “You don't need to waste your time here with us.”

  “Not wasting my time,” he said sternly.

  “Don't you have to leave tomorrow?” I asked.

  “Yes,” he answered.

  “Then you need to go home and get some sleep,” I said.

  The second the kids realized he was there, they were all wrapped around his legs. The man looked like an octopus.

  “Can I take them down to the cafeteria to get them some snacks?” he asked.

  “That's not going to work,” I said.

  “Why not?” he asked, with an offended tone to his words.

  “In the rush to leave, I forgot my phone and my purse,” I said. “They'll be fine.”

  “Cassie,” he h
issed. “I can afford a few snacks.”

  “Didn't say you couldn't,” I said.

  “We'll be back,” he said. “Come on kids.”

  They all formed a line behind him, everyone but Jenny that is. She was right in the front, with his hand in hers. My girl was adorable.

  “Parker,” I warned.

  “Let it go, Woman,” he said.

  Then he walked out the door and took them all with him.

  Lauren looked over at me, and I narrowed my eyes at her.

  “Not one word,” I hissed. “You shouldn't have told him.”

  “Why not?” she asked. “He's Sammie's friend. It had nothing to do with you.”

  “Oh,” I said, feeling ridiculous. “I'm so sorry.”

  Lauren burst into laughter, and I shook my head.

  “Ouch! Shit!” she yelped out.

  “What?” Lance asked, in a worried tone.

  Lauren stood up, and her eyes widened.

  “My water broke,” she said.

  “Fuck!” Lance hissed, and his face took on a very pale look.

  “Oh no,” Lucy said. “Your dad is going to flip his shit. Come on.”

  Lucy grabbed Lauren's hand and looked over at Lance.

  “Keep it together, Son,” she said. “This is just the beginning.”

  He nodded but didn't speak, as he followed Lucy and Lauren out the door.

  “The kids?” Lauren asked, as she stopped at the door. “Who's going to watch Jackson?”

  “I've got them,” I said. “We'll figure it out. You just go have that baby.”

  “This can't be happening yet,” Lauren said, as they reached the door.

  “Oh, I'd say it is,” Lucy said, as she pulled Lauren out the door and down the hall.

  I shook my head, not able to believe that they'd both seriously gone into labor hours apart.

  When Parker came back in with the kids, I had Jake in his seat next to me and James on my lap.

  “Where did they go?” Parker asked. “She didn't have the kid already, did she?”

  “You're not going to believe this,” I said.

  “What?” he asked.

  “Lauren's water broke,” I said, still not believing it myself.

  “Shit!” he said with a snicker. “You're kidding, right?”