Out of My League, Part 1

by Sharon Cummin

  “I know that I'd kick the shit out of you if you did that to me. Then you'd have to sleep with one eye open at night. Just remember that.”

  “I'd never do that to you, baby,” he said. “You're more than I can handle.”

  Then he turned to me.

  “What's my new nephew's name?” James asked.

  “Jake,” I said. “He's a month old.”

  “I can't wait to have another little one running around,” James said.

  “Seriously,” I said, as I turned to Sammie. “You're pregnant again.”

  “You sound like my dad,” she said. “I'm three months along.”

  “I'm so happy for you two,” I said. “You've always belonged together.”

  The front door opened, and in ran Jillian and a little boy that was older than her. They ran straight to Sammie and were going on and on about what grandpa had gotten. I couldn't see Lance around the bags he was carrying in his arms, but he was there.

  “Who's here?” he asked, as he walked right by us toward the kitchen.

  “Cassie,” Sammie said loud enough for him to hear her.

  “Yeah right,” he shouted. “Seriously, who is it? Did Scott get a new ride?”

  When he came around the corner and saw me with the baby in my arms, he stopped frozen.

  “Shit! It really is you. I'm going to have a talk with your dad. I had no idea you had a baby or that you were coming. What's his name?”

  “His name is Jake,” I answered.

  He leaned down and hugged me, and I reached up with my free arm to hug him back.

  “It's so good to see you,” he said before moving closer to my ear. “Whose ass do I need to kick for making one of my girls cry?”

  “About my parents and grandma,” I began.

  The horrified look that crossed his face when he pulled back had me quickly trying to ease his mind.

  “They're fine,” I said. “It's not that. They don't know I'm here, and I don't want them to.”

  “Hold on,” he said. “You're asking me, the guy who kicks anyone's ass that keeps something from him, to keep something from not only your parents but from grandma as well. I'm not so sure about that, Cassie.”

  “Please,” I said, as I stood up.

  James grabbed the baby from my arms and held him close.

  “I left Jeff,” I said. “I need to think things through and figure out what I'm going to do.”

  “Not going back to him,” Sammie snapped out from behind me.

  “Do I need to break his legs?” Lance asked.

  “That's yet to be determined,” James said. “I'll let you know if we need to pay him a visit.”

  “Nobody is paying him a visit,” I said.

  “What are you going to do short term?” Lance asked.

  “She's going to stay here,” James said.

  “I don't know,” I said. “I didn't come here to get in the way. I just needed to get away and this was honestly the only place I could think of.”

  “Thanks,” James said.

  “That's not what I mean,” I said. “Don't think it was easy for me to come here after not showing my face for so long. If I were you, I'd send me on my way.”

  “Then it's a good thing for you that we're not you,” Sammie said. “You'll stay here with us. We'll help in any way you need. You are family, and we will get you through this.”

  “You can always come and stay with Lucy and me,” Lance said. “We'd love to have you too.”

  “They'll be here,” James said sternly.

  “I'm just happy your not pregnant,” Lance said.

  When my eyes widened, he laughed.

  “You have a one month old. I'm pretty sure I'm safe, unless your name is Sammie that is,” he said with a smile. “I've already got two pregnant girls to worry about. I don't need a third.”

  “Two?” I asked.

  “You haven't met Lauren yet?” he asked. “Where is she? Is she okay?”

  “She's fine, Dad,” Sammie said. “I think she's upstairs with Lancie.”

  “I brought food for the kids. I thought it was weird that James asked me to stop. Now I know why,” Lance said, as he walked toward the stairs. “Get down here, son, and bring the rest of the gang with you.”

  A few minutes later, Lancie came down the stairs with my two kids and a woman I'd never met. I was assuming she was Lauren.

  “There they are,” Lance said, as he looked down at my kids. “Jenny and Jeff, right?”

  “Who are you?” Jenny asked, and Lance looked over at me.

  “She should have already known that,” he said sternly, and I nodded. “I'm your uncle. My name is Lance.”

  “You're Sammie's daddy,” Jenny said.

  “I sure am,” Lance said.

  “You named your son the same name as you,” she said with a nod. “My dad did that to Jeffie. Your son is called Lancie. I like that.”

  I couldn't help but laugh. For the first time all day, I felt relief.

  “This is my wife,” Lancie said. “Her name is Lauren, and this is Jackson.”

  “Lauren's pregnant too,” Lance said. “Can't catch a break around here.”

  “This is Cassie,” Lancie said. “She's James' sister.”

  Her eyes widened, and she took a step forward.

  “You probably didn't even know he had a sister,” I said. “That would be my fault.”

  “Oh, I knew he had a sister,” she said with a laugh, as she shook her head.

  “What?” I asked, trying to figure out what was going on with her.

  She opened her mouth to speak, but James cut her off.

  “Come into the kitchen,” he said. “We need to get the kids fed. Then I'll show you to your rooms and help get them settled in for the night.”

  “They're staying?” I heard Lauren ask on my way out of the room.

  “What's her deal?” I asked. “She seems a little protective.”

  “She's actually really great,” he said, almost as if he was defending her.

  I reached into one of the bags on the counter.

  “What's that?” he asked, when his eyes landed on a mark left from when Jeff had grabbed my arm. I hadn't even realized it was there.

  “That's nothing,” I answered. “Thanks for taking me in.”

  “I'm glad you came here, Cassie,” he said. “You can stay as long as you'd like. We'll help you with whatever you need. I can't tell you what to do, but I'm hoping you don't go back to that asshole. You deserve better than that.”

  “Better than what he gives me?” I asked.

  James shook his head, as he looked over at me.

  “Better than him,” he said. “I can see things haven't changed much with you.”

  What the fuck was that supposed to mean, I thought to myself, as he turned around and walked out of the room.

  Chapter 4

  Cassie

  The two weeks that followed didn't make things easier for me at all. I was happy that the kids had Jillian to play with. They spent all of their time with her. Taking care of the baby was harder than it had ever been with Susan's help. Sammie took him often, and I was so thankful for that. That woman was amazing. I had no idea how she did it. She was moving every second. If she wasn't feeding someone, she was doing dishes or washing laundry. Her laundry never stopped. It made no sense to me. James needed to hire someone to help her. She was three months pregnant with their third child. She needed help, and my brother was doing nothing to get it for her.

  I was so stressed and no closer to deciding what to do. There was no way my brother was going to let me move in with him and his family. What were my other options, I wondered? If I divorced Jeff, I'd get the house and have enough money to take care of everything, but I wouldn't have Susan. I didn't want her anyway. She was a traitor. If she'd cared at all about me, she would have told me. I could hire someone else. Would my friends still want me around? They knew Jeff, so they might not. What would I do for friends? Who would I hang out with?
What would I do with my time? Jeff wouldn't be there, so I wouldn't be waiting for him to come home. Would I get the lake house as well? Of course I would.

  I couldn't help but wonder if he loved Erica. They'd been together for an entire year. Did he even feel bad for sleeping with me when he was sleeping with her too? How could he love me and be with her? Did he love me? He hadn't even mentioned it.

  Being in my room gave me way too much time to think, so after a few days, I tried going downstairs, but it was so loud. The kids were running everywhere. There were toys spread all around. I couldn't believe Sammie allowed her house to be so chaotic. It seemed like James was always over at Lancie's house. That was his brother-in-law and our families were close, but I didn't get why he put so much time in over there. Lauren and her son Jackson seemed to be around a lot. I knew Lauren and Sammie seemed close, which kind of bothered me a bit. It didn't make sense, I was never around, but it irritated the shit out of me anyway. Lauren's little boy was cute and very respectful, and he seemed to love Lancie. She didn't seem to like me though, and I honestly wasn't that fond of her either. She seemed extremely protective of James, and I didn't like it. She needed to take her ass home and help her husband fix up their new house so I could see my brother.

  Jeff left me alone for the first week. Then he started sending me one or two text messages a day. I would have thought he would have asked about the kids, but he never did. All he did was give me crap and tell me to get my ass home. His threats didn't mean shit to me. He was the one in the wrong. There was no way he was turning it on me. He said I needed to be home to take care of him. That wasn't true. He hadn't even wanted me there. Didn't he have her to take care of him? His calls began, but I ignored them too. Then I got a few texts at the end of the second week that pissed me off, and I finally replied.

  Jeff: If you don't get your ass home, I will leave you with nothing.

  Me: You wouldn't do that to the kids.

  Jeff: Watch me! Your place is here.

  Me: You already have someone there.

  Jeff: Stop being so unreasonable. Give me a damn break, Cassie. I've given your ass everything you've ever wanted. Not once have I told you no. You are far from perfect. You don't do everything you should, and I've never once said anything. I've spoiled your ass more than any man ever would. Now, get your shit together and get back here. I know where you are. Don't think I won't come there and start a whole world of shit for you.

  Me: Fuck you! You can't do shit to me. I deserve everything you've ever done for me. I've been the beautiful wife on your arm and smiled at every event we've gone to. I do everything you ask. I've loved you and been by your side since the day I met you. Do not try to act like I haven't. I'm not the one that fucked someone else. You are. You've never even fucked me like you did her. Believe me, I know.

  Jeff: Seriously! I'm telling you right now that I want you home. You are my wife, and this is where you belong.

  When I didn't reply, he sent another text.

  Jeff: This is your final warning. If you don't come home, you'll be sorry. I hope your brother is willing to give you everything I have.

  I threw my phone down on my bed and went downstairs. The television was playing a cartoon, and the kids were playing with toys spread through the living room. Sammie and Lauren were sitting on the couch, and the two babies were asleep, one in the swing and one in the bouncer. I watched Lauren as she laughed at something one of the kids had just done. She didn't seem like a horrible person, there was just something about her that I didn't like. When I walked into the room where they could see me, Sammie looked up at me.

  “Are you okay?” she asked.

  I nodded but didn't speak, as I sat down on the couch next to theirs.

  “Is it Jeff?” she asked.

  “Yes,” I answered. “He's trying to piss me off, and it's working.”

  “What is he saying?” she asked.

  “Just trying to get me to come back,” I answered.

  “No way,” she said.

  “He's acting like he needs me there,” I said. “Isn't she there? You'd think he'd be happy.”

  “What are you thinking?” she asked.

  “I'm honestly not sure,” I answered. “My mind is a mess. I'm not sure what I can do.”

  “Have you thought about moving here?” Sammie asked.

  “I can't move in here,” I said.

  “Not right here,” she quickly replied. “I mean around here. We're here. Lance and Lauren are here. My parents are here. You'd have tons of family. That way you could get far away from him.”

  “How am I going to do that?” I asked, and I heard Lauren snort. “What was that for?”

  “You could get a job and get a place,” she said. “You say that as if you've never worked before.”

  When I didn't say anything, her eyes went wide.

  “You haven't,” she said. “Have you seriously never had a job?”

  “I haven't,” I said. “My parents were paying for college. They didn't want me to work so I would keep my grades up. Then I met Jeff, and that was it. I don't have a degree and wouldn't even know where to start.”

  “I'm sure your loving brother would give you a job,” she said in more of a smart-ass tone.

  “What is your beef with me?” I asked.

  I knew I shouldn't, but I couldn't stop myself. The woman did not seem to like me.

  “Nothing,” she said. “I meant it. He'd give you a job for sure. He'd do anything for you, and you haven't had a damn thing to do with him in years.”

  “I don't get it,” I said. “You're Lancie's wife, and you haven't been for that long. So how is it that you're more protective of my brother than you are your husband?”

  Sammie's eyes went wide, and Lauren's mouth opened, but she didn't have time to speak.

  “How are my pregnant people today?” Lance's voice filled the air as he came around the corner. “I brought lunch.”

  He was something else. The man acted like they were torturing him by getting pregnant, but there he was, waiting on them hand and foot.

  “Are you building my house yet, Grandpa?” Jackson asked, as he ran toward Lance.

  “Not yet, little man,” Lance answered. “We have to get you moved into the big house before we build one special for you.”

  “How's it coming, Dad?” Lauren asked, and another bit of irritation hit me right in the chest.

  It was my own fault, but that didn't matter. The shit hurt. She was closer to all of them than I was, but my big brother was the one that hurt the most. He was mine, and she needed to take a damn step back from that one.

  “I'm going upstairs,” I said, as I got up, walked by them, and headed toward the stairs.

  “Aren't you going to eat, Cassie?” Lance asked. “You need to. Don't let that asshole get to you.”

  “It's not him that's getting to me,” I said, as I continued on without stopping to look back at any of them.

  I fell onto my bed and the tears began to flow. Did I fit in anywhere anymore?

  Chapter 5

  Cassie

  By Monday morning, I was an even bigger mess. Hearing all of the laughing and chatting over the weekend had only made me feel worse and even more disconnected to everyone. Anytime I'd felt that unsure about things before, I'd gone shopping, and that was exactly what I was going to do. The kids needed things, and so did I. I hadn't brought much with us. It had only been what I'd put into my vehicle the night before I'd gone home. We all had things at the house, so there hadn't been a need to pack a whole wardrobe for each of us. Little did I know, I'd never even get the bags out before driving off again.

  I grabbed my purse, phone, and keys and headed down the stairs toward the front door.

  “Where you going?” Sammie asked.

  “I won't be long,” I said.

  “The kids,” was all I heard before the door closed behind me.

  Shopping had always been like therapy for me. I'd think while I walked, or I wouldn't,
but I'd always feel a bit better once I was done. That day was no exception. I needed so much, so instead of going where I would normally go, I'd chosen a department store. Then I'd filled the cart so full that it was overflowing in a mound just below my chin. When I walked up to the register and put it all on the belt, the clerk's eyes widened.

  “How are you today?” she asked.

  “Wonderful,” I said, feeling as if I might just be able to take on the world and build a life for myself.

  We chatted and laughed as she rang up everything I'd picked out for the kids and myself. By the time she was finished, it felt like I'd known her for much more than ten minutes. That thought even shocked me. She seemed very nice, almost like someone I could be friends with, and she was a clerk at a department store. She was the opposite of Jeff's friends' wives, and I liked her.

  “That will be one thousand one hundred and ten dollars,” she said with a smile.

  “Not nearly as bad as I thought,” I said, as I pulled my black card out of my wallet and slid it through the card reader.

  “Can you try that again,” the woman said.

  I swiped it again, and she looked up at me with a smile I could tell was no longer real.

  “Let me try it,” she said. “Maybe it's the reader.”

  I handed her the card, and her eyes widened.

  “There shouldn't be a problem,” she said.

  When she swiped it on her side, she looked up from her screen and her eyes connected with mine.

  “I'm sorry to have to ask this, but can I please see your license for a moment?” she asked nervously.

  I reached into my purse and pulled out my license. Then I handed it to her.

  “Don't be sorry,” I said with a smile. “I'm glad that you're protecting my husband's money.

  She looked from the license to me a couple of times before leaning forward and whispering.

  “I can't give you the card back. Your card has been reported stolen. You need to have your husband call the card company. I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding. Do you have another card?”

  I felt every single bit of stress that had vanished during the shopping trip flow right through my body again. It was like I could actually feel it traveling through me inch by inch. When I reached into my purse again, I was sure it was no misunderstanding, and I was also sure the next card was going to do the same.