The Game Changer (The Perfect Game 2)

“I won’t let you. ”

“You won’t let me?” I mocked, secretly loving the way he wanted me.

Jesus, Cassie, you’re a fucking nutcase right now. Pick an emotion. Pretend like you’re in charge here.

“No. I won’t let you. End of discussion. ” His mouth remained stoic.

“That wasn’t really what one would consider a discussion. ”

“Because there’s nothing to discuss. I’m not leaving you ever again. And you’re not leaving me. No matter how pissed off I make you, or how frustrated. I fucking love you, and I’m not going anywhere. ”

I attempted to fight back the smile that formed. “And I love you. But really, if you ever cheat on me again, I’ll cut your nuts off and hang them from the Empire State Building. ”

You’re Bossy

Jack

And now I needed the subject change. I’d relived my mistake with Chrystle every moment since I made it, and talking about cheating with Cassie fucking wrecked me inside. “You know, there isn’t much more of the story to tell if you want to quit interrupting and let me finish. ” I cracked a smile.

She crinkled her nose in response to my words, a slight smile spreading across her cheeks. I waited for what I was certain would be a smartass remark when she simply said, “OK. Finish. ”

Wrong again, buddy.

I breathed out a long, steady sigh before picking up where I left off.

I leaned against the couch in my newly rented Arizona apartment. Spring training for pitchers and catchers was in full swing, and I was still a married man.

“We should really start on divorce proceedings, Jack. ” Marc’s uneasy voice buzzed from the phone at my ear.

“Is that your professional opinion?”

“We’re only dragging this out further. She’s never going to sign something that makes her look as bad as the annulment does. As it is, there’s a thirty-day waiting period after we’ve filed the divorce paperwork. ”

My head pounded as my rage exploded. “Thirty days? Fuck!”

“I know. Let’s just get this over with for you, OK? Let me withdraw the annulment and start the divorce paperwork. Although I have to warn you, she can refuse to sign the divorce papers too. ”

“Jesus Christ, Marc. Just give her whatever the hell she wants and get me out of this. ” I jammed my finger into the End button before pitching the phone full speed against the wall of my apartment. Pieces of plastic flew into the air, leaving a hole in the wall behind it.

Shit.

The next day I opened my e-mail inbox to see a message from Chrystle’s best friend, Vanessa.

Jack,

We need to talk. I can help you. Call me as soon as you get this.

Thanks,

Vanessa

I stared at the e-mail with her phone number for a good half hour before remembering I’d shattered my phone. Before practice, I picked up a new one and almost knocked the salesman out when he suggested I change my number to a local one. I’d never change my phone number to a number Cassie didn’t have, and the mere suggestion almost cost that guy his pretty little face.

“Jack?” Vanessa said when she answered my call.

“What do you want?” I asked abruptly. This girl was Chrystle’s best friend. She knew everything Chrystle lied about and did nothing to stop it.

“I can’t let her keep doing this to you, Jack. ” Her voice broke, but I remained unconvinced and questioned anyone who could stay best friends with a person like Chrystle. “I didn’t know she faked her pregnancy,” she whispered before continuing. “I mean, at first I didn’t know. ”