Out of My League, Part 3

by Sharon Cummin

  I cried out his name, as I came one final time. Then he thrust in one more time, and I felt jolt after jolt of him fill me.

  I fell onto the bed, and he fell onto me. Having his body against mine felt so good that I never wanted to move again. He eventually rolled to the side, and I looked over at him, as his fingers moved gently up and down my back.

  “You were the reason Jeff gave in,” I said.

  “Not just me,” he said. “The other guys were there too.”

  “I can't imagine that car ride?” I said.

  “It was definitely interesting,” he replied.

  “Were you the only one that hit him?” I asked.

  “I was,” he answered. “I shouldn't have, but I couldn't help it. Just know it was well deserved.”

  “You broke his nose,” I said.

  “Really?” I asked. “We didn't stick around to find out.”

  “The damn thing is crooked,” I said.

  “He has enough money to get it fixed,” he said.

  “Parker,” I said.

  “What?” he asked. “It's true. Maybe next time he'll think twice before he puts his hands on a woman. I'm just glad it won't be my woman.”

  “You're woman?” I asked.

  “Yes,” he said. “You said yourself you were mine.”

  “You asked me at an unfair time,” I said.

  “Doesn't matter,” he said. “You said it.”

  “You know that makes you mine too?” I asked.

  “Of course,” he said. “I'm all yours. You can have all of this anytime you want it.”

  I shook my head, and he started laughing, as he continued moving his fingers along my back.

  “Whatever you're doing feels amazing. You can do that anytime you want to as well.”

  He leaned down and started placing tiny kisses on my shoulder.

  “What did you come to talk to me about today?” I asked.

  “I came to tell you that you're mine,” he said. “What did you want to tell me?”

  “That I liked you as more than a friend,” I answered. “I just wasn't sure what you were going to say.”

  “So you picked the word love instead?” he asked.

  “I didn't mean for that word to fly out of my mouth,” I said, as my eyes began to close.

  I was fighting as hard as I could to keep them open, but what he was doing was only making it harder.

  “I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. I'm just glad you had your grandma there. She's pretty great,” he said.

  “You're talking to her, aren't you?” I asked.

  “Would it be bad if I said yes?” he asked.

  “Not at all,” I answered. “She's pretty great, and she's always taking in strays. That's how we got Lance and Lucy.”

  “Strays,” he said.

  “Yep,” I replied, with a giggle. “Just remember whose grandma she really is. I love you, wannabe.”

  “I love you too, princess.”

  The next thing I knew, I opened my eyes and looked over to see that he was still there. It wasn't a dream, but it had sure felt like one. Parker was really in my bed, and we were both completely naked. Then I looked at the clock, and I jumped out of bed.

  “You have to go,” I blurted out.

  He opened his eyes, looked over at the clock, and sat up.

  “I don't want to,” he said.

  “The kids are going to be up soon,” I said.

  “What's wrong with that?” he asked. “This is going to be happening a lot, Cassie. I'm not home enough. When I am, I'm going to be with you.”

  “Parker,” I said, as I hurried over, picked up my panties, and shook my head.

  “Do not Parker me,” he said. “I'm not going anywhere. This is most definitely happening.”

  “But what if,” I began, but he cut me off before I could finish my sentence.

  “What if nothing,” he said. “There is no what if. I'm here to stay. So, unless you have plans to kick me to the curb, I'm going to be here. I will not hurt you or the kids. They are important to me too you know. I've become pretty attached to them. I even gave Jenny a shout out on television. What more do you need?”

  “You're right,” I said. “We both have to be all in or it will never work between us.”

  I reached into one of the drawers of my dresser and pulled out a pair of panties. Then I pulled them on. Parker was already dressed when I turned toward him.

  “How the fuck did you do that?” I asked.

  “I've learned to get ready fast over the years,” he said. “Either that or get my ass chewed out a good one. I have my kids today. I want the four of you there too.”

  “You can't just spring four new people on them, Parker,” I said.

  “I'm not,” he said. “They already know about you.”

  “What?” I asked. “How? You just said you loved me last night.”

  “Doesn't mean I didn't already know, and you were the one that said it first,” he said. “You think you can handle two more kids?”

  “I just learned how to handle three,” I said, with a laugh. “Two more would be prefect, but that's it.”

  “Come on,” he said, as he grabbed his dress shirt and walked toward my bedroom door. “You don't want a Pete Parker Jr. running around? You think on that while I start some coffee.”

  He opened the door and walked out of my room. I'd already gotten my pants on and was pulling my shirt over my head, as I followed right behind him.

  “There is no way that is happening,” I said. “I'm sorry, but no. Even if we were going to have more than five kids, which we are not, we would not name our son after you.”

  He kept walking without saying a word, and I thought for sure I'd hurt his feelings.

  “Shit!” I said, as I caught up with him and grabbed his arm. “I'm sorry. That's your name. I shouldn't have said that.”

  “There is no way I would ever name a child that,” he said, as he reached for the coffee and burst into laughter. “I was just fucking with you.”

  “That was so wrong,” I said, as I grabbed two cups and set them on the counter. “Pete Parker Jr. does have a bit of a nice ring to it.”

  “You're not serious, are you?” he asked, with every bit of laughter gone from his voice.

  “No,” I said, as I burst into laughter. “I'm just fucking with you. How does it feel?”

  I turned to walk away, but I didn't get far before he wrapped his arms around me and held me tight.

  “Seriously though,” I said, “five is plenty. It truly is perfect.”

  Chapter 28

  Parker

  The kids were definitely surprised and very happy to see me standing in the kitchen when they got up. After giving me a hug, they took off to watch cartoons. Cassie had made it out to be something it wasn't, just like the big deal I knew she was going to make out of meeting the twins.

  We had breakfast, and I did the dishes while she got the kids ready. There was no way I was giving her a single excuse to get out of spending the day with us. It was not happening.

  I helped her get the kids into her vehicle. Then I took my apartment key off my key ring and handed it to her. I also pulled my phone out and text her my address and apartment number, just in case she'd forgotten where I lived.

  “I'm not sure about this, Parker,” she said.

  “Why?” I asked.

  “This is a big deal. What if they don't like me?” she asked.

  “They're going to love you and the kids,” I said. “Your kids like me.”

  “They met you long before we were a thing,” she said.

  “You have to meet them eventually, and I would rather it be sooner rather than later,” I said. “They asked the last time I saw them when they were going to meet you. Do you really want to disappoint them?”

  “That is not fair,” she said.

  “Didn't say it was,” I said. “I'll see you there.”

  “Fine,” she snapped. “Love you, wannabe.”

 
; “Love you too, princess,” I said.

  Then I turned and walked over to my car. As soon as she pulled out of the lot, I turned the other way and headed to what used to be my home. Was I making a mistake, I wondered? What if she pulled away from me again? What if her brother or one of the Lances convinced her that we were a bad idea? I knew I had her grandma, Sammie, and Lauren on my side. That was a pretty good start. Had the twins said anything to their mom? Would she even care? I knew she wouldn't care that I was with someone else. I just wasn't sure if she was going to add that to the arsenal of things she used against me.

  “I don't give a shit,” I said to myself. “This is real, so she's going to have to get used to it.”

  When I pulled up the long driveway, the kids came running out. I hadn't even turned the car off, and they were already inside with their seat belts buckled.

  “Come on,” my little girl yelled out.

  “Get moving,” my boy said. “What are we going to do today?”

  “Did you record your games?” my daughter asked.

  “I did,” I answered. “We're going to the apartment to spend the day there. I've missed you guys so much. I just want some time with you. I also have a surprise for you. Do you remember Cassie? I told you all about her and her three kids.”

  “I do,” my boy yelled. “Do we get to meet them?”

  “You sure do,” I answered. “Would that be okay?”

  “Yes,” they both shouted at the same time.

  “Can we still watch a game?” my girl asked.

  “Of course,” I answered.

  They both began telling me all about the things I'd missed since I'd seen them last. There were stories about friends, their mom, and television shows. I didn't care what they wanted to talk about, I was right there listening to every single word, just like I would always be, right there for them.

  As soon as we got to the apartment, my daughter ran in looking for Cassie and the kids. They were sitting in the living room watching a movie. The moment Jenny saw us, she jumped up from her spot on the couch.

  “Parker,” she yelled. “We're at your apartment. You have so much baseball stuff.”

  “I do,” I said, as I laughed and looked over at Cassie. “Your mom said it was a lot too.”

  “My daddy plays baseball,” my daughter said. “I'm Sarah. This is my brother Sam. That's our dad.”

  “I'm Jenny,” Jenny said. “Those are my brothers Jeff and Jake. That's my mom.”

  “Do you want to go to my room to play?” Sarah asked.

  “Sure,” Jenny squealed out with excitement.

  “Hey,” I said. “I thought you wanted to watch a game.”

  “In a bit, Daddy,” Sarah said.

  “Could you say hello to Cassie before you run off then?” I asked.

  Sarah walked over, wrapped her arms around Cassie, and then pulled away.

  “Hello,” she said.

  “Hello,” Cassie replied. “It's really nice to meet you.”

  “Can we go play now?” Sarah asked, and both Cassie and I burst into laughter.

  “Go,” I said.

  Sam looked over at Cassie, and she smiled at him.

  “Would you like to watch this movie with us?” she asked, and he nodded. “Come on over.”

  He ran over and sat down on the couch next to her.

  “You're pretty,” he said, as he looked up at her.

  “You're pretty handsome yourself,” she said.

  Just like that, it was like we'd all been hanging out together forever. Between the kids playing in the bedrooms, all of us playing board games, eating dinner, and watching a baseball game, they all had a great time, and they were all exhausted.

  Having five kids in my apartment was different than just two or three. It was definitely louder and much busier, but it was awesome, and I wouldn't have changed a thing.

  The kids were spread out between the couches and the floor with pillows and blankets. There were bowls of popcorn set between them and drinks sitting off to the side. Every one of them remained silent as the movie they'd picked together played on the television. I looked over at Cassie from my spot on the floor to see her eyes fighting to stay open.

  “You tired?” I mouthed.

  “Just a little,” she mouthed back.

  Sam scooted in closer to her, and she wrapped her arm around him. Before I knew it, they were both asleep. It was so damn adorable.

  When the movie was over, I told Sarah she needed to go pick up her room. She gave me a nasty look. Then she took off to get to work, and Cassie sent Jenny in to help her. The two of us began picking up blankets from the floor and folding them.

  “I think I need a bigger place,” I said.

  “Really?” Cassie asked. “Why is that?”

  “I plan to do this often,” I said.

  “Okay,” she said, waiting for me to say more.

  “We need more room, Cassie,” I said. “You see how crazy this was.”

  “I thought it was kind of cozy,” she said. “I liked it.”

  I dropped the blanket I was holding, walked over, and wrapped my arms around her.

  “You're something else,” I said, as I hugged her tight.

  “Can you believe not long ago I was freaking out about how I was going to spend my days alone with my three?” she asked.

  “Seems silly after a day with five of them, doesn't it?” I asked.

  “It sure does,” she said, “but five is definitely enough. I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted.”

  We both laughed. Then we went back to folding all of the blankets. I was honestly surprised that I'd even owned so many of them.

  Once the kids were done cleaning, I told my two to get their things. My ex had given me a time to bring them back, and if I was one minute late, that shit would come back at me in court, or I'd have to pay my way out of it. I wouldn't mind giving her money if it went to the kids, but it never did. It always went toward her expensive lifestyle.

  “Take this while I'm thinking about it,” Cassie said, as she handed me my key back.

  “That's fine,” I said, as I brushed her off. “I've got another one.”

  “Parker,” she warned.

  “Don't give me that, Woman,” I returned, with my own look of warning. “You're going to be over here often. Who knows, maybe you'll need to come by while I'm gone for something. It's better that you have it. Before you say something cocky, which I know you will, no other woman has ever been here, and nobody else has a key.”

  Sarah and Sam walked out from their bedrooms, and they both headed right for Cassie.

  “Will you come over next time we come to see daddy?” Sarah asked, as she wrapped her arms around Cassie's waist.

  “Would you like me to?” Cassie asked her.

  “Yes,” Sarah said, as she nodded her head. “Can you bring the kids too?”

  “Yes,” Cassie said, with a laugh. “I'll bring the kids, but I want you to promise me something, both of you.”

  She knelt down and put her arms around both of the kids.

  “If you ever want to spend time with your daddy alone, you just tell me,” Cassie said, as she looked from Sarah to Sam. “It will not hurt my feelings, and nobody will ever be upset about it. Time with your dad is very special, and if you want him to yourself, that is totally fine. Can you promise me that?”

  “Yes,” Sarah said, as Sam nodded. “I promise. I like you being here though. It's really nice.”

  “I like it too,” Cassie said. “I can't wait to see you guys again.”

  My kids hugged Jenny, Jeff, and Jake, and I gave Cassie a kiss on our way out the door. I'd had such a good time watching the kids play together and playing with them. When I dropped them off, I was in a much better mood than usual, and I couldn't wait to see them again. When they walked through their front door, I could hear them telling their mom about Cassie and the kids. She didn't react, as she shut the door behind them without one word to me.

  I hurrie
d back home to Cassie and the kids, but when I got there, they were gone. The place was clean, so she couldn't have been gone long at all. She'd even picked up what the kids hadn't in the bedrooms. The living room was spotless, and every dish was done in the kitchen. I was pretty damn impressed with how fast my woman moved. As I looked around, I paid attention. My key wasn't there, not unless she hid it somewhere for me to find anyway.

  I pulled my phone from out of my pocket and typed out a message.

  Me: Where are you?

  Cassie: We went home. It was getting late, and I needed to get the kids to bed. I wasn't sure how long you would be.

  Me: I'm on my way.

  I shut my lights off and headed back out the door.

  Cassie: What?

  Me: I'm not going without you now that you've admitted your love for me.

  Cassie: You're never going to let me forget that, are you?

  Me: Not anytime soon.

  Cassie: You know anything about a certain picture being deleted from my phone.

  Me: I might know a little something about it. We don't need shit like that between us, Cassie. You're the woman for me. What are you doing?

  Cassie: Just putting the kids to bed.

  Me: Then I want you ready for me.

  I set my phone down and took off toward her apartment.

  When I pulled into a parking spot and looked toward her apartment, all I saw was a dim light. Had she gone to sleep after I'd told her I was on my way, I wondered? That would be something her cocky ass would do just to prove she was the one in charge. If she did, she'd be getting out of bed real quick. I was not leaving until morning, and there wasn't a damn thing she was going to do about it.

  I walked up and knocked lightly on the door. If she didn't answer it, my knocks would get a whole lot louder. When I heard the click of the lock, the door didn't open, so I turned the knob, opened the door, and stepped in. Just as I closed the door behind me, I saw her, and I was instantly hard. She was standing behind the door, naked, and I wasn't waiting one second to get my hands on her. I stepped forward, grabbed the back of her neck, crashed my lips down on hers, and slammed her back against the wall. My other hand went straight for the one place I wanted to be, between her legs. When I thrust a finger into her, she bit my lip.