The Game Changer (The Perfect Game 2)

I could see why. Cassie started on about granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances, and squealed when she walked into the master bathroom. I didn’t know half the shit she was talking about, but the smile on her face was priceless. I’d take out a fucking loan to live here if I had to.

“I think we can fit ten apartments the size of yours in here,” I teased, before walking onto the balcony. The city rushed by down below, and the buildings provided the perfect landscape. I bet Kitten would love to photograph things from up here.

“A balcony? Heaven. I’m in heaven. ” Her face crinkled with delight.

“I wanna do bad things to you on this balcony, Kitten. ”

“Shocking,” she said as she rolled her eyes.

“So you like it?” I asked, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her to me. Before she could answer, I pressed my lips against hers, feeling her body go limp in my arms. I pulled away from her slowly, letting the kiss linger before finishing it with a peck against her cheek.

“It’s seriously gorgeous, Jack. I think I could live here forever. ”

“Even if it’s a little further from Central Park than you wanted?” I asked just to be sure, already knowing what her answer would be.

“It’s perfect. And the park isn’t that far away. ”

“I’m sold then. ”

“You didn’t even see the master bedroom. Or the guest room. Did you even look around?” She ran her fingers through my hair.

“I don’t need to. If you like it, that’s all that matters. ” I stepped inside and shouted toward the open front door. “Ruth. ” She peered around the door frame and smiled. “We’ll take it. What do we have to do?”

Getting Caught

Cassie

Jack talked Ruth into letting us move in as soon as possible, saying he wanted to know I’d be safe while he was on the road for eleven days. The move kept my brain occupied, so instead of focusing on the fact that Jack would be gone for so long, I thought about packing instead. It stopped me from my small freak-outs about Jack and cheating. I didn’t want to worry about him doing that, but sometimes you can’t help the way you feel.

We spent the following week packing up our small apartment, and I stayed away from the field when Jack wasn’t pitching to have more time to get everything in order. I realized that I didn’t like staying home when Jack’s team played a home game. I thought I’d feel differently because Jack wasn’t pitching, but I didn’t. I wanted to be where he was, whether he was playing or not.

But being away from the field also meant that there were no pictures of me online and that small reprieve brought a sense of normalcy back into my life I’d almost forgotten. It’s amazing how quickly we adapt to things in our lives when we believe we don’t have a choice in the matter.

I closed the top of a box, taping it shut as Jack walked through the front door. I smiled, jumping to my feet to greet him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and nuzzled against his warm skin. “Hi, babe. How was the game?”

“I don’t like it when you’re not there,” he a

dmitted, and a part of me melted with his words.

“Me either. ” I closed my eyes, breathing in the smell of him.

“And we lost. ” His tone turned grumpy and annoyed.

“I’m sorry. ”

He leaned down, giving me a quick peck on the mouth before walking into the kitchen. “I’m hungry, Kitten, and everything’s packed. ” He opened and closed our cupboards.

“There’s pasta in the fridge that I made for dinner. Just needs to be heated up. ”

He turned toward the refrigerator and opened the door. “Oh, here,” he said, reaching into his back pocket. He pulled out a folded-up piece of paper and tossed it at me.

“What is it?”

“It’s the detailed travel itinerary for the next few games. ”

“Oh. ” I unfolded it. “Is this my copy or do I need to write this all down somewhere?”

“That’s all yours. I have mine in my locker. ”