The Other Game

by J. Sterling

  Shit. I’d forgotten about that part. “I am. Cassie has some big photography project she’s working on all weekend.”

  “All right. Drive safe,” Gran said, then added under her breath, “It is sort of a deathmobile.”

  “I like that car. Truck. Whatever it is,” Gramps muttered as he lifted the remote to change the channel.

  When Melissa’s car pulled up out front a few minutes later, I shouted good-bye and jogged outside.

  “Hey,” she said with a smile, and I wished like hell that friends were allowed to make out. Her short shorts crept up on her thighs as she pressed down on the gas, and I wanted to rest my hand there more than anything else in this moment.

  I tore my eyes away from her legs and looked at the road. “Thanks again for doing this. I really appreciate it.”

  “I wasn’t doing anything anyway. And Cassie’s being unreasonable and annoying right now, so I was happy to get away.”

  “Any idea why she’s being extra difficult?” I couldn’t help but be curious since I didn’t know much about Cassie’s personal history, other than the bits and pieces I’d overheard.

  Melissa sighed. “I think she’s comparing Jack to her dad, and her dad’s basically a giant liar. I don’t think she realizes that she’s making Jack pay for her dad’s sins, but that seems to be what she’s doing. Or maybe it’s somehow wrapped up in it.”

  I completely understood. Jack and I were both well versed in Fucked Up by Your Parents 101.

  Nodding, I asked, “Did you try to tell her that?”

  Melissa frowned at me before looking back at the road. “Of course I tried to tell her that, but she won’t listen. She has to come to that conclusion on her own. It can’t come from me,” she said grimly.

  “You know he’s going to flip out when he gets home Sunday and she’s not there to pick him up.” Usually I looked forward to picking Jack up after his trips, but thanks to all the drama, this time I was dreading it.

  “I know. I’ll be prepared for all hell to break loose at some point on Sunday.” She ran her fingers through her hair before tossing it over her shoulder. “You know, you could do me a solid and send me a text when you pick him up. That way I can mentally prepare myself for his arrival.”

  I huffed out a small laugh. “How are you so sure he’ll come there?”

  “Are you kidding?” She shot me a look that said I’d lost my mind. “Of course he’ll come there. He’ll come straight there. Don’t tell me I know your brother better than you do,” she said before making a right into the complex.

  I glanced around, looking for Jack’s truck as she pulled into her covered spot and cut the engine. “No, you’re right. He’ll come right over. And he won’t be happy.”

  “His truck’s over there.” She pointed somewhere behind us and off to the right, and I scanned the area before seeing it. “And his keys are in here.” She popped open her glove compartment before pulling them out and placing them in my palm.

  “Thanks again for the ride.”

  I got out of her car and started to wave good-bye but was stunned when she walked over and wrapped her arms around my waist. Her head pressed against my chest, and I instinctively weaved my fingers through her hair.

  “You’re welcome,” she said before letting me go. “Don’t forget about that text.”

  “I won’t,” I promised.

  Melissa walked a few steps away but paused and turned around to look at me, conflict in her eyes. Then her eyes hardened, and she spun around to head toward her apartment.

  Just when I started to think we might be having a moment, it ended before it began.

  Damage Control

  I sat in Jack’s truck, drumming my fingers on the steering wheel as I waited for the team bus to arrive. To be honest, I wasn’t excited about the conversation that lay ahead of us. Jack wasn’t going to be happy to see me in his truck instead of Cassie. Hell, I knew he’d be confused more than anything.

  The bus pulled into the parking lot, huffing out black smoke, and my nerves surged. I got out of the truck as the brakes squealed loudly and the bus came to a stop. A moment later, the team started piling out one after the other at a sluggish pace.

  I saw Jack before he saw me, his face expectant as he scanned the parking lot for his vehicle. When he noticed me leaning against it, his expression fell, and he gave me a small nod of acknowledgment.

  He retrieved his bag and slung over his shoulder, and headed toward me at a slow pace. Jack looked tired, which wouldn’t be good for his mood. I knew that from experience.

  “What’s up, bro?” he asked. “Where’s my girl?” He peered inside the truck like she might be hiding there.

  “I’ll tell you in a second.” I motioned toward the Bronco, not wanting to have this conversation in the middle of the school parking lot. It wasn’t going to be pretty.

  He chucked his bag into the backseat before pausing at the driver’s door. “Tell me now. Something was wrong, huh?”

  “Just start the truck,” I said as I tossed him the keys.

  His jaw clenched tightly, he slid into the driver’s seat and started the truck, and then turned to face me. “I started it.”

  “Smartass.”

  “Tell me what the fuck is going on, Dean. Where’s Cassie?”

  I exhaled slowly, hating to be the bearer of this news.

  “Okay, just listen first. Some chick grabbed Cassie at school and showed her a bunch of pictures of you letting some girl into your hotel room in Texas. I didn’t see the pictures, so I only know what I heard. But Cassie is really messed up over it. She thinks you cheated on her.”

  “What the fuck?” He slammed his hands on the steering wheel before revving the engine and pulling out of the space we were parked in. “Did anyone tell her I didn’t fucking cheat on her?”

  “Melissa and I tried, but hell, we didn’t really know.” I gripped the oh-shit handle as he made the turn a little too quick. “Dude, slow down. You trying to kill us both?” I yelled over the sound of the wind whipping through the truck.

  “I need to get to her place. I have to talk to her,” he yelled back.

  “Well, you’re not going to get us anywhere if you don’t calm down.”

  He nodded and eased off the gas, apparently listening to me for once. Giving me a quick glance, he said, “What else? What else happened? Tell me everything, hurry.”

  “I don’t know. She saw those pictures and took off for the bathroom. I think she was crying. Melissa went in after her.”

  He stayed silent for a minute, maybe two, and I wasn’t sure exactly what was going through his head, but I knew it couldn’t be good.

  Jack’s expression darkened as he made the turn into the girls’ apartment complex. The tires squealed as he pulled us into a visitor space and came to a screeching halt. He turned off the truck, and the truck’s engine ticked for a moment as it cooled.

  “What else do I need to know?”

  “I told you everything,” I insisted, thankful I no longer needed to shout to be heard.

  “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me this when I called you? She was already upset by then, wasn’t she?”

  “Yeah, but I didn’t want you to have to deal with that kind of drama when you had to pitch. I know how important every game is for your future. I was only looking out for you.”

  Jack practically growled at me. “Next time, tell me the fucking truth so I don’t come home to this kind of ambush. A little warning would’ve been nice.”

  He hopped out of the truck before pointing a finger at me.

  “Stay put,” he insisted before sprinting toward Cassie’s place.

  I should have run after him, but I didn’t. I pulled out my phone, thinking about texting Melissa like I’d promised, but I didn’t do that either. Jack seemed pissed at me, and it made me feel like shit.

  A few moments later, a door slamming echoed in the distance, and I instinctively knew it was Jack. I glanced up to see him stalking toward me, look
ing more pissed off than happy.

  When he jumped back into the truck, I asked, “What the hell happened?”

  “She doesn’t trust me.”

  He started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot, turning the truck toward home. When he glanced at me a few blocks later, his eyes were a little wild.

  “We had sex before I left. I told her I loved her, and she doesn’t fucking trust me. At all. She never even considered that I was innocent.” He clenched his jaw, looking straight ahead as his fingers tightened around the steering wheel. “I can’t do anything right by this girl. She knows how different she is to me, and she never even gave me a shot. She tried and convicted me before even asking my side.”

  The words flowed from my brother’s mouth like I’d never heard before, full of emotion. His pain was evident, and my heart hurt for him. My mind spun as I tried to come up with something to say that might make it better.

  “Put yourself in her shoes,” I suggested, surprising myself.

  “Whose side are you on?” he asked bitterly as we cruised through the side streets, avoiding the freeway. Jack usually did that when he needed time to think, and I knew he needed that now.

  “Yours. But I’m just saying.”

  Jack’s phone blared, and he glanced down at it before pressing Ignore.

  “Was that her?”

  “Yeah,” he said, fuming. “I can’t talk to her while I’m driving. Or right now. I’m too pissed off.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  He didn’t say anything for a moment, and I wondered if this would be the end of him and Cassie. The thought made me sad, which surprised me. Jack and Cassie weren’t perfect, by any means, but they were a good match. They both had issues, but I’d never thought those issues were bigger than the two of them together.

  “I need to talk to Gran,” he blurted, interrupting my thoughts.

  Good idea. I smiled to myself. Gran had a way of seeing things clearly when we couldn’t. She lived for this kind of stuff.

  Jack parked his truck at the curb in front of our house and practically jogged inside. I grabbed his bag and had to hustle to keep up.

  “Gran!” he called out as he burst through the front door.

  “Jack! How was Texas?” Gran beamed at him as she came out of the kitchen. “We watched your game on Dean’s computer. That was fun.” She gave him a tight squeeze and a kiss on the cheek before really looking at him, then sobered. “What’s the matter?”

  Jack started pacing back and forth in the living room. “It’s Cassie. She—” He paused, seemingly unsure of where to start.

  “Come on,” Gran said calmly, and shook her head at Gramps as he shuffled in with a big smile on his face, ready to welcome Jack home. “Let me get you some lemonade. I just made it this morning.”

  Hanging his head, Jack followed her into the kitchen before sitting down at the table. Gramps and I were right on their heels, not wanting to miss this conversation.

  Gran poured us each a glass and sat down at the kitchen table with the rest of us before looking at Jack. “Now, tell me what’s going on.”

  “Kitten thinks that I cheated on her!” Jack shouted.

  Gramps laughed, apparently at the nickname, and when we shot him a concerned look, he straightened up and said, “Who’s Kitten?”

  Jack frowned. “Sorry, Gramps. Cassie. I call her Kitten and she hates it, so I keep doing it.”

  Gramps shot me a conspiratorial grin and I held back a smile, knowing what would come next. Gran kicked him under the table.

  “Anyway,” Jack said, “apparently she saw some pictures of me from Texas letting this chick into my hotel room.”

  Gran raised a hand in the air to stop him. “And why were you letting a girl into your room?”

  “She was there for Brett. But Cass saw these pictures and just assumed the worst of me without even giving me a chance to explain. She’s so damn stubborn.” Jack shook his head before taking a sip of his lemonade.

  “Sounds like someone else I know.” Gran raised an eyebrow at Gramps before looking back at Jack. “I understand why you’re upset, and you have every right to be. But you also need to look at this from her point of view as well. I’m sure she’s heard all about the Jack Carter that existed before she came along. And I’m trying to think of how I would feel if I had seen something like that. My heart wouldn’t have wanted to believe it, but sometimes it’s hard to argue with what you see with your eyes.”

  “But what she saw was wrong,” I added, wanting to contribute to the conversation.

  “She didn’t know that,” Gran said. “She only knew what she saw. Or what she thought she was seeing. It wasn’t right of her to mistrust you so easily, and I’m sure that had to hurt.” She reached out for Jack and rested her hand on top of his.

  “That’s why I’m so pissed,” he said hotly. “She didn’t even ask me what happened. She just shut me out without even giving me a chance. And I haven’t done anything to deserve that.”

  I sat at the table and couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Witnessing my brother spill his heart like this was eye opening, to say the least. I always knew he had a heart, but I’d never seen him use it before.

  Gran patted his hand. “You need to talk to her, Jack. Instead of sitting here with us, you need to be over there with her. Let her explain her side, but stand up for yourself as well. Be understanding and compassionate, but still be firm. Relationships aren’t easy,” she said, pinning him with a stern gaze, “but the right ones are worth the work.”

  Her words resonated with me, reminding me of my situation with Melissa. Was she the girl for me? I thought so, but convincing her that I was right for her seemed to be an uphill battle.

  But about the rest of what Gran said, was she right? Was Melissa worth the work?

  I pictured in my mind the blue-eyed girl that dominated my thoughts, and the answer was a big fat yes.

  “You’re right,” Jack said, pulling me from my thoughts. “Thanks, Gran. Love you guys.” Jack bolted from the table and ran to his room.

  He must have changed clothes, because a minute later he yelled, “Be back later,” before the screen door slammed and his truck started.

  I stood up and leaned over to give my grandmother a hug. “How’d you get so smart, Gran?”

  Letting out a little huff, she pushed up from the table. “Years of practice,” she said with a pointed glance at Gramps before grabbing Jack’s glass and walking it to the sink.

  Meeting the Grandparents

  I assumed Jack and Cassie worked out all their issues since he came home that night wearing a huge smile. So when Gran insisted that he bring Cassie over one night the next week so she could finally meet the family, he was all too agreeable.

  “You think they’ll like her?” he asked me before leaving to pick her up Wednesday night.

  I curled my lip in mock disgust. “No, of course they won’t.”

  “Dick.”

  “Don’t be stupid. What’s not to like? She’s great. I love her. If you ever break up with her, I’m going for it,” I teased, not meaning it at all, but the look on his face made it worth it.

  “Back off.” Jack practically growled at me, and his reaction only made me want to mess with him more.

  “Just go get her already,” I said, shoving him in the shoulder.

  When he finally left, I realized that Jack had never brought a girl home before. Ever. And our entire family buzzed with the anticipation.

  “Am I going to like her,” Gran whispered to me, although I had no idea why she was whispering.

  I nodded. “You’re going to love her.”

  “How about me? Will I love Kitten?” Gramps said with a laugh.

  “Is there any girl you don’t love?” I rolled my eyes at him and he shrugged, playing with the unlit pipe in his mouth.

  “I better get back in the kitchen,” Gran said. ”I have a pie in the oven.”

  A little while later, I yelled, “Th
ey’re here,” like a kid on freaking Christmas morning. Why I was so damned excited, I didn’t really know.

  Before they could reach the door, I pulled it open and greeted them with a smile.

  “It’s about time.” I winked at Jack before pulling Cassie into a bear hug.

  “I will hurt you. Get off her,” Jack said as he playfully shoved me away.

  Cassie laughed before lifting her chin and sniffing at the air. “It smells incredible in here.”

  “It’s Gran’s homemade sauce,” I told her.

  “Welcome home.” Jack smiled down at her, his adoration obvious.

  Watching his face light up like that, I realized I’d probably pay good money to see him like this. Jack had pushed people away for far too long. It was about time he let someone in.

  “I’ll see you two in the kitchen,” I said before walking away, but neither of them paid me any attention.

  I’d just settled at the kitchen table as they walked through the entryway. Gran immediately leaned over the stove, stirring her sauce over the heat even though it didn’t need it. Gramps pretended to read the newspaper while I sat watching the two lovebirds.

  “Oh, Ma, they’re here!” Gramps folded the paper and stood up, extending his arms as he headed straight for Cassie. “You must be Cassie. It’s so nice to finally meet you.” He squeezed her hard, and her smile only grew.

  When Gramps released her, Jack reached for her hand and pulled her toward the stove. “Gran, this is my girl, Cassie.”

  Gran wiped her hands on her apron as Cassie turned to her. “It’s so nice to meet you, Cassie. We’ve heard so much about you.”

  “It’s wonderful to meet you both. Thanks for having me,” Cassie replied with a warm smile, and then asked, “Can I help?”

  I almost choked. Gran never let anyone help with the cooking. The cleaning, you bet your ass, but not the actual cooking part. Her kitchen was her domain, and she never let us forget it.

  “Oh heavens no, dear. I’m almost finished. Go sit down and make yourself comfortable. Jack, you get her whatever she needs, you hear me?” Gran’s voice took on the tone she only used with me and Jack.