The Game Changer (The Perfect Game 2)

Cassie’s lips formed a closed-mouth smirk. “Gran’s smart. ”

My fingers twisted through long blonde strands of her hair as my mind drifted for a moment, convinced this was only a dream. I’d waited to be right here, holding this girl in my arms, for so long now I almost couldn’t believe it was really happening.

“Back to the story. ” Her words cut through my thoughts.

“I’ve missed you!” Gran squeezed me before looking me up and down. “You look healthy, so that’s good. ” The smile expanded across her whole face until her eyes were scrunched into half moons.

“I missed you too, Gran. ” I leaned down to plant a kiss on her well-aged cheek.

“You look bigger,” Gramps said with a nod of approval, and I laughed, hugging him tight.

“I’ve been working out. I have to at this level. ”

“You always worked out,” Dean said as he walked out of his bedroom and into the living room. Since I left home to play ball, I don’t think Dean ever planned to move out. I couldn’t blame him really. Gran and Gramps were the best.

I reached for him and pulled him into a tight bear hug before he choked out an unrecognizable sound.

I laughed. “Not like this. Not to this level, this many days or hours. It’s literally a whole new ballgame being in the majors. ”

“Is it harder?” Dean asked.

“Way harder. They can hit my ninety-four-mile-per-hour fastball. And they can hit it far. ”

“That sucks. ”

I opened my mouth to respond. “How’s the kitten?” Gramps interrupted with a cheeky grin, and my smile fell.

Gran tapped her foot against the carpet. “Let Jack put his things in his room. We can talk about all of this over dinner. ”

I shot Gran a look that screamed “thank you” before walking down the hallway to my old room. I looked around at my things, untouched since I’d been gone. A framed picture of Cass and me sat on my nightstand. I reached for it, running my finger across the curves of her face. Overcome with the desire to call her, I grabbed some loose paper and started writing. I’d only do this sort of bullshit for her. No one else. Ever.

Kitten,

The postseason is officially over. I was going to move out of my apartment in Arizona and fly straight to Alabama to pack my stuff, but I missed Gran and Gramps. So I’m sitting in my bedroom at home, thinking about the last time we were all here together. I miss you almost as much as Gramps does. Ha!

I forgot how much being home makes me feel secure. Maybe it’s just nice to be surrounded by people who genuinely love and care about you, instead of people trying to take advantage of you. Who would have thought I’d be so easy to manipulate?

I talked to Marc the other day about the annulment and he got the paperwork started. Hopefully it will all be over soon, and I’ll be there before you know it, begging for your forgiveness and praying you’ll take me back.

Please don’t give up on us.

I’ll always love you.

Jack

P. S. I saw your photographs online today. They’re really beautiful, Cass. I’m so proud of you.

Heading into the kitchen, Dean and Gramps were already sitting while Gran finished up at the stove.

“Can I help you, Gran?” I asked before reaching my seat.

“No, dear. You sit down and start talking. ”

I laughed. “Talking? About what?”

“Oh, you know what! What’s going on with everything? When will your divorce from that awful woman be finalized?” The spoon in Gran’s hand shook with her anger as she mumbled something under her breath.

“Marc filed the paperwork for an annulment. We’re just waiting for her to sign it. ” I shrugged, feeling the weight of Dean’s and Gramps’s stares on my shoulders.