Out of My League: Complete Box Set

by Sharon Cummin

  Jenny and Jeff were headed toward the apartment when my door opened.

  “Come on,” he said, as he reached in and grabbed my keys.

  I got out and heard the door shut behind me. His hand tapped at my back to urge me to move. When we got to the door, he let us in. I walked over and let my body fall down onto my couch.

  “I don't belong here,” I said, as I looked up at him.

  “Yes, you do,” he said, as he walked over to put Jake down in his play area.

  “How long has he known?” I asked him.

  “Not as long as you think,” he answered.

  “Do you know how he found out?” I asked.

  “I do,” he answered.

  “How?” I asked.

  “You need to ask him, Cassie,” he said.

  “No, tell me,” I said. “You'll tell me the truth, even if it's not what I want to hear. I know you'll be honest. Please tell me, Parker.”

  In that moment, I trusted Parker more than I'd ever trusted anyone before in my life.

  Chapter 22

  Parker

  I heard her grandma call my name in warning, but I couldn't stop the words that were already leaving my mouth. The look on her face said it all. She didn't know. I felt that shit down deep. How could she not? Her brother had another sister. That's a big deal. They were both around her constantly. How had she not seen it? How had they kept it from her? Why had they kept it from her? That was the biggest question of them all.

  When her parents walked in, she was already leaving. Hearing her say she didn't belong pulled at my heart. They should have stopped her, but they didn't. She also said she shouldn't have come, and that freaked me the fuck out. Was she going to run, I wondered? I wouldn't have put it past her. She'd come a long way since she'd moved to Pennsylvania, and there was no way she needed to feel anything but proud of herself.

  I went after her, but she didn't want me there. She needed a few minutes alone, and I gave that to her. She was already upset from what she'd just found out, and I wasn't about to make it worse by causing a scene in the middle of the hospital.

  I popped my head back into the waiting room to find her dad, standing there, staring a hole through me.

  “What the fuck did you do?” Scott snapped.

  “Me?” I asked, shooting him back a shitty look of my own. “It wasn't me that just broke your daughter's heart. It was all of you. I'm the one going after her.”

  I turned to her grandma when I said that last part. She motioned me over, stood up, and hugged me.

  “Take care of her,” she said, as she pulled back and handed me a folded piece of paper.

  I shoved the paper into my pocket and took off out the door.

  As soon as the elevator doors opened on the first floor, I took off toward the parking lot. She was just pulling out, so I hurried to my car and took off after her. I pulled into the lot of her apartment complex and parked a few vehicles away. When she didn't get out right away, I walked over and knocked on her window. She needed to be inside, in the apartment that was hers. She needed to be where she belonged, and I was going to make sure she got there.

  When Cassie asked me if I knew, I wasn't going to lie. As much as she was hurting, there was no way I was going to add to the list of people that had been dishonest with her. I told her she needed to ask her brother, and that was true, it was his story to tell. Then she shocked me. She said I'd tell her the truth, even if she didn't want to hear it. She said she knew I'd be honest. What was I supposed to say to that?

  I got Jenny and Jeff ready first and tucked them into bed. Then I got Jake ready and settled him in as well.

  When I walked back into the living room, I found Cassie crying on the couch, and my heart hurt for her. She'd already had enough shit going on in her life, and her own family had just added to it. If they'd been honest when she'd gotten there, it wouldn't have ended up being nearly the mess it was. I sat down on the couch, reached out, and pulled her close. She nuzzled into my chest, and I wrapped my arms around her.

  “What do you want to know?” I asked.

  “I don't know,” she answered.

  I could hear her phone dinging like crazy from her purse and reached over to grab it.

  “You want to answer this?” I asked.

  “Not yet,” she answered, and I turned it to vibrate, before setting it down on the table in front of us.

  “I know Lance and Lauren were working against each other on a project and fell in love. They were together before anyone found anything out. I believe your mom was there, and Lauren was talking about her parents. Her mom was a real bitch and kicked her out after her grandma passed away.”

  “Really?” she asked, as she looked up a little.

  “Yes,” I answered. “I guess her dad had taken off years before or something. Anyway, somehow your mom picked up on it. I think Lauren showed her a picture or something, and she ended up telling them.”

  “James watches out for her,” she said. “I thought it was nuts, but I get it now. My mom even seemed close to her. Do they talk on the phone and stuff?”

  “I don't know,” I answered.

  “She's not her daughter,” she said, with hurt in her words. “I should not have come here. If I had known, I wouldn't have.”

  “Don't say that, Cassie,” I said. “James can't help that his biological father was an asshole. You're his sister too.”

  “Just as much as she is,” she said.

  “That's not true,” I said. “It's different for you and him. He's known you since the day you were born. He grew up with you. He loves you.”

  I took her chin in my hand and lifted it so I could see her eyes, but she tried to pull away.

  “Look at me,” I said sternly, and she actually listened. “He loves you.”

  “I know he does,” she said.

  “Maybe he didn't tell you because he thought you already had enough on your plate,” I told her.

  “She was defensive the moment I got here,” she said.

  “Because she knows that he loves you,” I said. “She has nobody, Cassie. Lance and your crazy family are it for her. She's had it rough. James was a mess. He even talked to me about it. He said that he didn't want to hurt you, and you weren't even around, hadn't been for a long time. He has always worried about you. You are his sister first. She is too, I'm not going to lie, but I am telling you, it is not the same.”

  She put her head back down against my chest, and I held her in silence for a long while. Her phone hadn't stopped buzzing the entire time.

  “You really should get that,” I said. “They're already freaking out over two babies being born. I can't even imagine how worried they are about you. You should have seen your dad's face when I left.”

  “They all lied to me, Parker,” she said. “Every single person that's supposed to love me lied to me. I've never been one of them.”

  “Do not say that,” I snapped. “Every single one of them would put their life on the line for you. You don't know how damn lucky you are. I will not let you think any different either.”

  “I never went to watch James play,” she said. “Did you know that?”

  “Yes, I did,” I said. “Believe me, I knew then, and I know now too. He's made that very clear to me.”

  “I never cared about the game,” she said. “It was everything to them.”

  “You've come to see me,” I said. “I've seen how happy they've been to have you there.”

  Her phone buzzed again, and I picked it up.

  “It's been your dad, mom, grandma, and James,” I said.

  The damn thing buzzed again in my hands.

  “And Lucy,” I added. “It won't be long before one of them is banging down your door.”

  While I was talking, I changed my name from Wannabe to Sexy Beast. Then I went back to her regular message screen.

  “Fine,” she snapped, as she snatched the phone from me. “I'll call my grandma. You'd better go. It's getting late.”

/>   “I'm so sorry,” I said.

  “It's not your fault,” she said. “It's theirs.”

  “I don't want to leave you like this,” I said. “If I wasn't going on the road, I'd stay.”

  “Go,” she said roughly. “I'm not your problem.”

  “I never said you were,” I said just as roughly. “Call your grandma.”

  “I will after you leave,” she said.

  “Now,” I demanded. “At least let them know you're okay.

  “Fine,” she said.

  I stood up from the couch to leave.

  “Call me anytime,” I said. “I mean it.”

  “I'm not bothering you anymore, Parker,” she said. “This is the busiest time for you, and I will not do anything to get in your way.”

  “Call me!” I said, much harsher than I should have.

  She shook her head and did something on her phone. Then she put it to her ear. I stood for a few moments to hear her tell her grandma that she was home and that she didn't want any visitors. I mouthed the word bye, and she mouthed it back. Then I turned the knob and opened the door. As the door was closing, I heard words I didn't want to hear.

  “In three months, I'll have the house, so I'll work for James until I can pay him back for everything. Then I'll be gone. Coming here was a mistake. I don't know what I was thinking.”

  I clicked the door shut, then I stood there.

  “Not everything about you coming here was a mistake,” I whispered. “Please don't leave.”

  I walked toward my car feeling like the biggest piece of shit for being the one to tell her something so huge and feeling even worse for having to leave her right after it happened, even if she didn't want me there in the first place.

  Chapter 23

  Cassie

  I didn't want him to leave. It took all I had not to run to the door when it closed behind him, swing it open, and beg him to stay, but I couldn't. I wasn't Parker's problem. He had somewhere to be, and that was way more important than him listening to me cry about my life. It felt so damn good having his arms wrapped around me, and I missed it the moment he let me go.

  “What about Parker?” my grandma asked, pulling me from my thoughts.

  “What about him?” I asked.

  “He's here,” she said.

  “What does that have to do with me?” I asked.

  “Cassie,” she said.

  “What?” I asked. “How's the baby?”

  “Super cute,” she said.

  “How's Lauren?” I asked.

  “She's doing okay,” she answered. “They said it won't be much longer.”

  She didn't give me a moment before she spoke again.

  “Your parents are really upset, Cassie,” she said. “Your dad was so upset when James asked him not to say anything. They didn't do it to hurt you. Your parents had just found out you were here and heard everything you were going through, so when James asked them to give you some time before telling you, they agreed. James wants you here, Cassie. I hope you don't leave.”

  “You do?” I asked, shocked at her words.

  “Oh, I'd love to have you home,” she said. “I also don't want you anywhere near Jeff. You have a lot of support here. Parker is here too.”

  “Stop mentioning Parker. He has nothing to do with me staying here,” I said.

  “If you say so,” she said, and I could hear the grin through her voice. “Who knows, maybe I'll move here too.”

  “Grandma,” I said in surprise.

  “I mean it,” she said. “I want to spend every minute I have with my kids.”

  “Your kid lives with you,” I said, with a laugh.

  “You know what I mean,” she said. “Don't be a smart ass. Everyone except for your mom and dad are here now. Even if I didn't see you, I knew you were there, but now you're not.”

  “I don't know that I can stay, Grandma,” I said.

  “Think about Jenny, Jeff, and Jake,” she said. “It's not just about you, but you already know that. I'm proud of you, Cassie, so damn proud. Don't be mad at us. You kept something too, and every single one of us forgave you.”

  “I don't know,” I said.

  “Is that really why you're mad?” she asked.

  “Yes,” I said. “I don't know.”

  She didn't say anything back, and I knew she was waiting for me to explain.

  “They're so close,” I said. “Even mom seems close to her.”

  “Your mom feels bad for what she's been through,” she said. “James had your dad, your mom, you, and me. Lauren had a mom that treated her horribly. She had her grandparents. She lost one, and when she lost the other, her mom kicked her out.”

  “I know,” I said.

  “How?” she asked. “Did Lauren tell you?”

  “No,” I answered. “Parker did.”

  “Parker,” she said.

  “Do not start,” I said.

  “Not everyone is Jeff,” she said.

  “Not everyone is a Pirate either, Grandma,” I replied.

  “He's a person, Cassie,” she said, defending him. “He's a good one too.”

  “I'm going to get some sleep,” I said. “The kids are already in bed, and I think I'll join them. Tell James and Sammie I said congratulations, and tell Lance and Lauren as well, once they have theirs. Text me and let me know everything is okay.”

  “I love you, Cassie,” she said.

  “Love you too,” I said.

  I'd just gotten into bed, and my phone dinged. I let out a long breath. Then I reached for it. When I hit the button and saw the message, I burst into laughter and instantly felt so much better.

  Sexy Beast: How's it going?

  Me: Really?

  Sexy Beast: What?

  Me: Everything is okay. Thank you for the laugh, sexy beast.

  Sexy Beast: Oh, no problem. So you talked to your grandma.

  Me: Yes.

  Sexy Beast: Did she talk you into staying?

  I had to change his name. There was no way I could leave it like that. The guys were already having a fit about us being friends. I couldn't have them accidentally seeing my phone with his name like that. All hell would break loose. Just as I hit the button to save the changes, another message came through.

  Parker: I hope she did.

  Me: Aren't you supposed to be asleep?

  Parker: How can I be when my friend is hurting?

  Me: Your friend will be fine. Get some sleep. You need to be rested for tomorrow. Goodnight, sexy beast.

  Parker: I could get used to that. Goodnight!!

  I knew he was trying to get me to respond to him, but I wasn't. He needed sleep, and I wasn't going to be the reason he didn't get it.

  When I woke up the following morning, I had a text from my grandma saying that Lauren had a little girl and that they named her Jessica.

  As hard as it was to do, I stayed home the whole day. Texts came through from every single one of them. James sent them more often than the rest, but I stood strong. What they'd done had hurt me. It wasn't just a little secret. My brother had another sister. That was fucking huge.

  We were in the middle of a game when a message came through from Parker.

  Parker: The game will be on in thirty minutes. Will you be watching?

  I couldn't help but smile.

  Me: Since I'm home, not talking to my family, with nothing else to do, I guess I could turn it on. I'm sure Jenny will want to watch you. I'll turn it on for her.

  Parker: Because you have nothing else to do, really? As least she likes me. I think I like her better than I do you.

  Me: That's fine with me. I'll probably watch it with her. What else am I going to do?

  Parker: You're just talking shit because I'm so far away. Just wait until I get home.

  Me: Is that a promise or a threat?

  Parker: You are something else, Woman.

  Me: That's why you love me.

  I hit send. Then I read what I typed. Oh shit! Would he think
I meant it? I was just kidding. Damn! I forgot who I was saying that to. How many times had he called me a friend? I began quickly typing before he could reply.

  Me: I didn't mean that. It's just a saying. Shit! I know you don't love me. I'm sorry, Parker. We'll be watching the game. Good luck! Goodbye.

  I made hot dogs. Then I got out chips, popcorn, and peanuts. We put a blanket out on the floor, sat down, and ate while we watched the game. The team did great, and they won by a landslide.

  After the game, one of the reporters was talking to Parker, and I couldn't take my eyes away from the screen. He looked so damn good with sweat still on his forehead and his uniform pants clinging to his ass. He was telling the reporter how good the game had gone when I finally pulled my eyes away from the screen. Then I heard something that had me turning back again.

  “I'd like to say hi to a friend of mine,” he said. “Her name is Jenny.”

  “Did you hear that, Mom?” Jenny yelled, as she jumped up and her ketchup, mustard, and chili filled hot dog landed on the carpet, just inches away from the blanket. “Parker just said hi to me.”

  “I did,” I said, as I hurried to get to the hot dog, before it could do too much damage. “That was really nice of him.”

  Once I finally had all of the chili and condiments scrubbed out of the carpet, I grabbed my phone.

  Me: Nice one, Parker.

  It was only about thirty minutes later that I got his reply.

  Parker: What?

  Me: Please tell me it was my daughter you were talking about. If it wasn't, please do not tell her.

  Parker: Told you I liked her better.

  Me: She jumped up from the floor and all around the room.

  Parker: That's good. I'm glad she was happy.

  Me: Good for her. Bad for my carpet. She launched her ketchup, mustard, and chili covered hot dog into the air.

  Parker: She was eating in front of the television?

  Me: We were having a ballpark picnic.

  Parker: See, you do like the game.

  Me: I did it for her.

  Parker: So did I. I could have said your name. That would have been interesting. You know damn well your entire family was watching that game from their hospital rooms.

  Me: Even if they weren't, Jenny will most definitely let them all know what happened.