The Other Game: A Dean Carter Novel (The Perfect Game #4) (7 page)

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

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, looking 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.

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, “They’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.

“Yes, Gran, of course,” he said a little too sweetly before kissing her on the cheek. “Do you need anything, Kitten?”

“I’m fine, thanks.”

Gramps pulled out the empty chair next to him and patted it. “Come sit down next to me, Cassie. Or do I get to call you Kitten too?”

When he winked at Cassie as I took a sip from my glass, I almost shot water out of my nose.
Gramps just winked at Jack’s girlfriend.

I couldn’t stop laughing. “I think we should all start calling her Kitten.”

Jack shot me a murderous glare. “Only I get to call her Kitten. You’d be wise to remember that.”

“Jack, stop threatening your brother,” Gran said while waving the steam away from her face.

“Yes, Gran,” he said nicely before kicking me under the table.

I moved my foot to kick him back and missed.

Gramps leaned on his elbow and studied Cassie. “So, Cassie, Jack tells us you’re a photographer.”

She nodded. “That’s what I’m studying right now. I’d like to start my own business as soon as I graduate.”

Gramps slapped his hand against the table. “Well, that’s just great! Isn’t that great, dear?”

Cassie answered all my grandparents’ questions about her photography and her hopes for the future. Whenever we could get a word in edgewise, Jack and I both sang her praises.

The girl had a natural talent. She was a gifted photographer, and I’d never seen anyone photograph things from the angles she did. Jack seemed truly impressed not only by her passion, but by her talent as well. I had to admit that it was pretty awesome seeing them support each other’s passions.

“If it doesn’t work out, you can always go into sports photography and follow your boyfriend around the country,” Jack said with a laugh.

Everyone laughed with him, but I knew he wasn’t joking. He meant it.

“So, I’d just wake up and take pictures of you all day?” Cassie asked with a teasing smile.

“Sounds like a dream job to me.”

“Oh Lord.” Gran sighed. “Forgive me, Cassie. I did the best I could with him.”

She laughed. “It’s okay, Gran. He’s perfect just the way he is.”

I wanted to stick my finger down my throat and make a gagging sound, but knew that both Jack and Gran would murder me later for being rude, so I stayed quiet.

“Jack, Dean, come help me serve, will you?” Gran asked.

We jumped up from the table and returned carrying steaming dishes filled with homemade Italian food. It smelled fantastic. I couldn’t even eat at Italian restaurants after having Gran’s meals. She’d ruined me.

“Dig in, please. Cassie first,” Gramps said, which was his way of giving us guys a reminder to be hospitable and not attack the food like ravenous wolves.

Cassie reached for the bowl of spaghetti and dished out a huge helping before grabbing two slices of garlic bread and dropping them onto her plate. As she was dishing out some salad onto her plate, her eyes grew wide and she froze, as if she’d only realized how much food she’d piled on.

“Get enough, Kitten?” Jack teased.

“I think I got excited in my serving sizes,” she admitted as her cheeks pinked.

“Don’t worry about it. Just eat what you can.”

“This all looks incredible, Gran,” she said, her apology in her eyes. “Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome, dear. We’re so glad you came.”

“Jack, we need to talk about the draft,” Gramps mentioned between bites.

“What about it?”

The conversation continued about the upcoming major league draft and Jack’s role in it. We’d been told that he’d most likely be picked up by a team in the first round, which was a big deal that included a significant signing bonus.

Cassie apparently didn’t know a thing about it, so we all tried to fill her in on how it worked, including the fact that there would be cameramen at the house filming Jack’s reaction to whoever drafted him.

When Jack mentioned his two agents, she got even more confused, not understand how he could have agents already when he was still playing in college. After explaining the technicalities to that as well, she seemed to take it all in stride until it finally hit her that Jack getting drafted meant that he was leaving.

“When is it, anyway?” she asked, referring to the draft.

“The first Monday in June,” I answered before anyone else could.

“And then when do you leave?” Her eyes were firmly focused on Jack as if the rest of us were no longer a part of the conversation.

“I don’t know for sure, but I think right after,” he said.

She looked as if she was about to cry. “Like that day?”

“No. But within a week, I think.”

Cassie was obviously upset. Tears were going to start falling any second. How had Jack not discussed this with her at all?

I kicked him under the table and this time I didn’t miss, wanting to be sure he knew what an insensitive idiot he was.

The mood sobered a bit with Cassie’s continued questions and Jack’s nonstop answers that did nothing to soothe her. I felt bad enough until Gran asked what they planned on doing about their relationship once Jack left. Then I felt horrible for them.

The look on their faces said it all—they hadn’t talked about shit.

I mentioned something about long-distance relationships being awful, and that sent Gran and Gramps into a lecture about how beautiful and wonderful they could be. I had zero experience with it, but it sounded like a crap idea. Then again, if the only other option was to not be together, then I would try it too if I were them.

“Well, that’s enough of that talk for one night. I’m sure the kids don’t want to think about all this stuff right now.” Gran waved a hand in front of her face before rising from the table, followed by Gramps.

“No, it was really nice to hear. Thank you.” Cassie smiled, and I wondered if it was just for show.

“We’ll get the dishes, Gran. Go lie down,” my brother suggested with a smarmy smile.

“Thank you, Jack. We’ll just be in the other room,” she said before slowly making her way into the living room.

When it was just the three of us, I addressed the elephant in the room. “You two
are
gonna stay together, right?”

Jack turned toward Cassie, who was already staring right at him. “She’ll probably be sick of me by then.”

“Most likely,” she said in response.

I hoped they were kidding, assumed they were kidding, because I couldn’t believe the topic had never come up.

Leaning back in my chair, I said, “You guys seriously haven’t talked about any of this?”

“Not yet.”

“Dude, June isn’t that far away. And you’ll leave right after the draft. You two are hopeless.”

I stifled a shout as Jack rammed his foot into my shin full force.

“Why don’t you shut the fuck up, Dean, and worry about your own love life? Or lack thereof.”

I shoved out of my chair, sliding it across the kitchen floor with a loud squeak.

“Ow, Jack! Jesus! I was just saying you two should probably get your shit together and actually start doing that whole communicating thing Gran was talking about. ’Cause the last time I checked, you sort of sucked at it.”

Jack stood up and pushed his face inches from mine, breathing hard. I tensed and braced myself, worried for a moment that my own brother was going to hit me.

“You’re being a real asshole, Dean, you know that?” A muscle jumped in his jaw, telling me I’d struck a nerve.

“Jack! Sit! Down!” Cassie yelled as she tugged at the hem of Jack’s shirt.

“Let’s go,” he gritted out, and Cassie scowled at him.

“What? No. We haven’t even done the dishes and—”

“We’re leaving. I’ll do the dishes when I get back,” he shot back, acting like a little bitch.

Cassie sighed and gave me an embarrassed smile. “‘Night, Dean.”

“‘Night, Cass. Sorry.” I shrugged, feeling a little bad about the conversation and hoping she didn’t hate me, but her smile told me she didn’t.

After they left, I looked around at the mess in the kitchen. As my way of apologizing without saying sorry, I rinsed all the dishes off before putting them in the dishwasher. At least when Jack got home, he’d know I wasn’t intentionally trying to start a war with him. I’d truly been surprised to hear that they hadn’t talked about any of those things.

June was right around the corner, and then what?

I’d already started to feel like Cass was a sister to me. I didn’t want to lose her either.