Out of My League, Part 3

by Sharon Cummin

  “Yeah,” he said. “Well, he's right. You've done amazing with the kids. They are so damn happy, and that's because of you.”

  I nodded. Then I pulled away and hurried back out to my desk before I became a blubbering mess.

  When lunch came, I took off for the bank.

  The moment my workday ended, I headed for the store, the same one I'd been to that day, the one where James had had to come rescue me. When I walked in, I saw her, the clerk that had been there that day, so I grabbed a candy bar and headed for her register. As I waited for her to take care of the person in front of me, I thought about the words she'd said to me that day, the same ones that had played through my head multiple times since she'd said them, and she was right.

  When the customer in front of me left, the clerk rang up my candy bar without looking up and read me the total from the screen. I handed her two dollars, and she handed me my change.

  “I don't know if you remember me,” I said. “It was almost a year ago, but I was in a pretty rough spot. I'd left my husband after catching him cheating on me. I bought a lot of stuff, and when I handed you my card, it had been reported stolen.”

  “The black card,” she said, as she looked up at me. “I remember. You seem different. I hope everything worked out for you.”

  She had perked up at bit, but I could still see sadness in her eyes.

  “I need to thank you for that day,” I said.

  “What do you mean?” she asked. “I didn't do anything.”

  “Yes, you did,” I said. “I'd been through a lot, and when that happened, I didn't know what to do. Each card I had given you showed the same thing. That day could have turned out so much different. You could have called the police, but you didn't. Instead, you waited so my brother could bring me money. That was something you didn't have to do, but I'm so happy that you did.”

  “I wouldn't have wanted someone to call on me, and I believed you. You seemed genuinely surprised,” she said.

  “I was,” I replied. “You said something to me that day, and your words have played back in my head at some pretty rough times. You told me that at least I had someone. You said that you'd had to go through it alone. There were times I didn't know what to do, but I'd hear your words and know that things could be worse. Nobody should have to go through things alone.”

  I reached into my purse, grabbed the ten one hundred dollar bills I'd put in it at the bank, and folded them together, before handing them to her.

  “What's this?” she asked.

  “It's for you,” I said. “Just know that you're not alone, even when it seems like you are. It's not a lot, but I hope it helps you in some way. Take your kids out, pay a bill, or just use it to relax a bit. I probably left that day and you forgot it even happened, but I didn't. Thank you for being kind when I was a mess.”

  She looked down at the money and then back up at me, and she came around the register and pulled in to hug me.

  “Thank you,” she said. “You will never know what you just did for me.”

  “You're never alone,” I said. “Have a great day!”

  “You too,” she said, with a huge smile on her face.

  It might not have helped her for long, but she knew that what she'd done had meant something, and that was very important to me.

  I walked out of the store, and it hit me. I knew exactly what I was going to do with the rest of the money.

  Chapter 32

  Cassie

  Halloween was approaching, and James and Sammie were planning to take their kids to Lance and Lauren's. We'd been invited as well. Lauren had even text me herself. I went back and forth in my mind, trying to decide if I wanted to go. Part of me didn't want to. It wasn't right, but I was still having a bit of a hard time with the whole James' other sister thing. Another part of me didn't want the kids to miss out on having fun with their cousins. As much as I didn't want to admit it, Lauren's son and baby girl were their cousins too. It might not have been by blood, but our family had never worked that way.

  Parker said he'd paid his wife, and she'd agreed to let him have the kids. I thought he was joking, but he wasn't. He actually said I'll give you a thousand dollars if you let me take them, and she seriously agreed. How fucked up was that? He got the twins for Halloween, and that meant more to him than any amount of money.

  Then my grandma called to let me know that she was coming, which meant my parents were coming too. How could I let them come and go without the kids seeing them? I couldn't. I might have wanted to see them too, but I used the kids as an excuse. I was still mad at them too.

  Add all of that to the fact that I'd never really had Halloween with my kids. The year before, our lives had just been turned upside down. Our first real Halloween needed to be one to be remembered, so I'd finally sent back a message letting Lauren know that we would be there too.

  When we took the kids costume shopping, they had so much fun. Jenny and Sarah had agreed on matching costumes, and Jeff and Sam had done the same. Parker had found an adorable baseball costume for Jake. As soon as he picked it up, his eyes were filled with excitement. There was no way I could say no to him. On top of all of the costumes, the kids wanted to decorate the apartments. I told them we wouldn't be home long enough to worry about it, but they insisted that they needed just a few decorations. Parker agreed, and I shot him a look, the one telling him not to mess with me. His smile grew, as he leaned in and kissed me on the head.

  “Not this time, princess,” he said. “They get the decorations.”

  He wasn't kidding either. Parker let them get whatever they wanted, and when we got to the register, he wouldn't even let me pay for my own kids' costumes. I argued, but he gave me his best don't mess with me look, and his was much worse than mine, so I gave in.

  As soon as we got back to his place, the kids started decorating. They had stuff everywhere. There were even webs on his trophies. I honestly thought the man was going to lose it, but he didn't. Instead, he laughed just as hard as I did. The man was amazing. He even made sure my kids had a bag, with the same decorations, to bring home with us. I thought the excitement would have worn off, but it didn't. We walked in our door, and Jenny and Jeff started all over again. I couldn't remember a time in my life where I'd had that much fun.

  When I finally got the kids to bed and fell into my own, I couldn't wipe the smile from my face. Just as I closed my eyes, I heard the ding of my phone and reached over to get it.

  Parker: Really? Do you think I don't put on clean boxers? If you ever put money in my drawer again, I'm going to spank that ass so hard. Then I'm going to bring you right to the edge of an orgasm and deny you of it, over and over again. You get me, Woman?

  I did it so he knew I wasn't to be messed with either, but it hadn't really worked, and I knew it. Just the thought of him spanking my ass had me ready to get him alone again, but I wasn't about to tell him that.

  Me: You wouldn't dare?

  I hit send with a smile on my face. Before he could reply, I sent another message.

  Me: Goodnight, sexy beast.

  Parker: So not fair, princess. Goodnight!

  Halloween came, and the kids were all dressed and ready to go. I started taking pictures, and Parker was right there behind me taking his own. Between the two of us, the kids were going crazy.

  “We have to get to Aunt Lauren and Uncle Lance's,” Jenny said, as a frustrated look took over her features.

  Aunt Lauren, I thought. She was their aunt. The kids loved her, everyone did. I even did before I found out who she was. What made it even harder was that she loved us all too, and she was very good to my kids, even after I'd been a bitch.

  “Let's go,” Parker said, as he picked Jake up. “Come on, ballplayer. You're with me today.”

  When we walked in, I let out a laugh. Big Lance was sitting on the couch with a baby in each arm. For such a tough guy, he sure was a softy when it came to his family. My grandma hugged Parker tighter than she did me, and I was actually a lit
tle jealous, until I saw how happy it made him. When I turned around, the kids were gone.

  “They're fine,” Lauren said. “Jackson had his toys all out and waiting. He couldn't wait for them to get here.”

  “That's a lot of kids,” I said.

  “Doesn't matter,” she said.

  I took Parker's hand, and we walked together to the living room.

  “I love the costume,” my mom said, as she got up from where she was sitting and walked over to Parker and held her hands out to Jake.

  What happened next surprised me. Jake didn't lean into her hands. Instead, he pulled in closer and put his head down on Parker's shoulder. Parker looked at my mom with wide eyes like he was in trouble.

  “That tells me something right there,” she said. “I'm glad he feels safe with you.”

  “He better,” Parker said. “I'd do anything for him and for the rest of them too.”

  “That's what I like to hear,” my dad said, as he got up and walked over to say hello to Jake.

  I saw Lance watching the whole thing, but he never said a word. When I looked over at him, he narrowed his eyes at me, and I narrowed mine right back.

  “Don't you give me that look, Cassandra,” he growled out. “These babies won't stop me from kicking your ass.”

  “They might not, but I sure will,” Parker said harshly, as he turned his attention to Lance. “That's my woman you're talking about.”

  “Yeah,” Lance said. “I've known her since she was shitting in her diaper.”

  “Doesn't fucking matter,” Parker snapped out, as he kept his eyes on Lance's.

  Lance let out a laugh and shook his head, but not another word came out of his mouth.

  Lauren and Lance Jr. ordered pizza. They'd also bought tons of drinks, chips, and of course, candy. By the time the kids were ready to trick or treat, they'd already had too much sugar, and I was exhausted.

  “You okay?” Parker asked.

  “I'm just tired,” I answered.

  “You want me to take them out alone?” he asked.

  “All five of them?” I asked.

  “Sure,” he answered. “You can stay back and relax.”

  “As good as that part sounds, there is no way I'm missing my first real Halloween with our kids.”

  Our kids, I thought. Did I seriously say that?

  “Yep,” he said.

  “What?” I asked.

  “You totally said it,” he said, with a smile filling his face. “I could see you thinking.”

  Grandma stayed back at the house to hand out candy while the rest of us traveled from house to house with our ten kids. Even the babies went for a few minutes since the weather was surprisingly warm. Before long, Sammie and Lauren headed back with the two babies. Two streets later, Jake was in Parker's arms, and I was exhausted. The rest of the kids were still having a great time.

  “I'm ready to go back,” I said. “If you don't mind taking the kids, I'll take Jake with me.”

  “I'd rather you not go alone,” he said. “It's going to get dark soon, and you're already tired.”

  “I'll go with her,” my mom said. “I'm ready too.”

  “You okay?” Parker asked me.

  “I am,” I answered. “This Halloween thing is harder than it seems.”

  We both burst into laughter, causing Jake to jump, so I quickly took him from Parker's arms.

  “You've got all four of them?” I asked.

  “We're all here, Cassie,” Lance said, as he turned toward me.

  “You promise not to give my man shit?” I asked.

  “Only for tonight,” he answered, with a big cheesy smile on his face.

  I got up on my toes and kissed Parker. Then my mom, Jake, and I headed back to Lance and Lauren's house. We weren't there twenty minutes when the rest of the crew came walking in. The kids had gotten tired and wanted to come back.

  “You want to see my tree house?” was the first thing out of Jackson's mouth.

  Both Lance Jr. and Lauren started laughing.

  “We told him he had to wait until after they collected their candy to show them,” Lance Jr. said. “I guess he couldn't take a second more.”

  “I worked on it with daddy and grandpa,” Jackson said, as he hopped back and forth from one foot to the next. “Who wants to see it?”

  All the kids started jumping around with excitement, so we quickly changed them all out of their costumes and into their play clothes. Then they were gone. I walked outside and looked up at the most awesome tree house. They'd really done a great job.

  “Daddy,” Sam yelled, as he came running toward Parker with Jeff on his heels. “Can you build a tree house like that?”

  “Can you, Daddy?” Jeff asked. “It's so big.”

  Parker looked over at me, and I could tell he was fighting with his emotions just as much as I was. He got down on his knees, and looked between the two boys.

  “Once we get a house, I'll build you a huge one,” he said. “I can't build it at either of the apartments. We need a yard for that, a big one.”

  “Cool,” Sam yelled, as he took off back toward the tree house. “Come on, Jeff.”

  “Get a house,” I said, fighting my emotions more than ever before.

  It was taking all I had not to burst into tears. My boy had just called Parker daddy, and Parker had just said we were moving in together.

  “You heard me,” he said. “Please tell me you're not about to fight me on this. We will have a house, Cassie. Neither apartment is big enough for five kids. Before you say it, yes, they would fit, but it wouldn't be good for any of them. They need room to run and play and yell, all while being outside.”

  “What do you think?” James asked me, as he came over toward us. “You think dad would help me build one for the boys?”

  “I'll tell you what,” Parker said, as he took a step toward James. “I'll help you build one, if you help me build one too.”

  “Where you going to build one?” James asked, with confusion in his tone. “You both have apartments. Wait a second. I'm not going anywhere near that nasty ex of yours. You want to walk on that property, you do it alone.”

  “Apparently, we're getting a house,” I said, without thinking about what I was doing.

  “What?” James snapped. “This fucker asked you to move in with him?”

  “Not exactly,” I said.

  “Didn't need to,” Parker said. “I need my family with me, and neither apartment is going to do that.”

  “Do you want to live with him?” James asked.

  “I do,” I answered, as I looked up at Parker. “I really do.”

  “It's time to come in,” I heard Lauren yell from inside the house. “Let's go kids.”

  We all went in together. The kids began going through the candy, and all of us parents began checking it.

  When we were done, we put a movie on the for the kids in the basement, while all of the adults sat in the living room. Lance had just turned on the television when I walked over to my purse and took an envelope out of it. I walked over and handed it to Sammie. Then I went back to sit with Parker. I watched as Sammie opened the envelope, and her eyes widened.

  “Cassie,” she whispered, as tears began slipping from her eyes immediately.

  “What?” James said, with a worried sound in his tone.

  “What did you do?” Parker whispered in my ear.

  “Something I should have already done,” I whispered back at him.

  Sammie turned and handed James the check I'd written to her place. He looked down at it and then over at me.

  “What is this?” he asked.

  “I want it to go to her place,” I said.

  “No,” Sammie said. “There's no way. You should put it into accounts for the kids. Even though you don't want Jeff's money in your life, they should still have it. They could do a lot with this money, Cassie.”

  “I didn't want to, but I started an account for each of them,” I said. “I also gave James ba
ck the money he'd given me for the lawyers. That's what's left. You'll put it to good use, Sammie. I know you will.”

  “I can't take this,” she said.

  “You can, and you will,” I said. “I know Parker has donated. I know some of the other players have too. Lots of people have donated. I'm now one of those you people.”

  “This is two million dollars, Cassie,” she said, and the whole room went quiet.

  “When I came here, I didn't know what was going to happen,” I said. “I was a total mess. When my kids went there, they had so much fun, more than I've ever seen them have. They've also learned so much while being there. My little girl can catch and throw, and my little boy isn't far behind, but it's more than that. They feel good when they're there. It's been so damn good for them. It's helped me too. I play with them there. Shit! I can even play a bit myself. Not to mention the fact that I met an amazing man there, even if he is a ballplayer. Your place is amazing.”

  “Hey,” Parker snapped, as he leaned forward and pinched me on the ass.

  “My life is what it is because of you,” I said. “Plus, this way you won't have to auction my man off again.”

  “Thank you,” Sammie said, as she came over and hugged me. “I'm so damn proud of you, and not just because you wrote me a two million dollar check.”

  Everyone laughed at her words.

  “I know you've had kids and moms that have come through there that have nothing,” I said. “I want us to go through all of the boxes Jeff sent. You can give it away to people that you know that need it. Whatever is left, we can sell it, and you can have the money. However you want to do it.”

  “Cassie,” she said. “You have no idea what this money can do there.”

  “I know you're the person to make that happen. Every single one of you were here when I needed you. I know I've been a huge pain in your asses, and I am so damn happy you never gave up on me. Even you,” I said, looking at Lauren. “You're an amazing woman, and I'm sorry for every bit of shit I've given you. I was gone for a long time, and I guess I just never expected anyone could take my place in my brother's life.”

  James was right there pulling me in and hugging me.