The Game Changer (The Perfect Game 2)
“Ah, how much longer?”
“I need him to stay at the field from the time he drops Cassie off until we leave. ” I didn’t want to tell this guy my reasons for needing Matteo to stay. I wanted to keep that business as private as possible. “So, that’s probably an extra four or five hours. Is that possible?”
“How many days a week do you have home games?”
“We have about thirteen home games a month, with usually six or seven of them in a row. ”
I heard scribbling and the sound of papers being shuffled on the other end of the line. “That shouldn’t be a problem. ”
“Are you sure? Because if it is, I’ll need to look into other options. ” I needed a straight answer with no bullshit. If this guy wouldn’t give me Matteo’s time, I’d take Matteo from him and hire him exclusively. Or find someone else to do the job.
“It’s fine. Just make sure you give Matteo a copy of your schedule so we can write him off in the books. ”
“Great. Can you have Matteo call me when he checks in?”
“Not a problem, sir. ”
“Thanks. ” I clicked the phone off before breathing out a sigh of relief. I’d half expected more of a battle for Matteo’s time. I appreciated it didn’t come to that. Now I needed to talk to Matteo. I needed someone who wanted to watch out for her, and he needed to be able to put Cassie’s safety above his own. Maybe he wouldn’t like the idea of his pretty little model face being put at risk. I guess I’d find out.
“Hey, you’re up early. ” I turned around to see Cassie standing in the d
oorway, watching me. She looked so beautiful standing there that I couldn’t resist her. I eagerly walked toward her, wrapping her up in my arms, and squeezed. I kissed her neck, breathing in the smell of her skin.
“I’m so sorry about last night. ” She tilted her head up to look at me. “I think I just get really defensive when it comes to my job. ”
I looked into her green eyes, pushing the hair back from her face and tucking it behind her ear. “I know. It’s OK. I get it. ”
“I hate fighting with you. ” Her lips jutted out in a pout, and I smiled.
“I told you we weren’t fighting. We’re just figuring things out, OK?” I leaned down, planting a kiss on her cheek. “So listen, I talked to Matteo’s boss this morning, and he’s fine with him staying for the games. I’m going to meet with Matteo later today to make sure he can handle it. ”
She released a breath. “Handle it how?”
“I just want to make sure he’s up for it. I’m not going to ask him to do this for us if he isn’t comfortable doing it. He does have a choice in the matter. ”
“Well, how nice for him,” she said, her voice laced with bitterness.
I dropped my hands. “Am I doing something wrong, Cass? I’m just trying to make sure you’re safe and protected when I’m not around. Is that not OK with you?”
This girl is driving me fucking crazy.
“No. ” She paused before looking at the floor. “God, I’m sorry, Jack. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. ” Her eyes closed as she dropped her face into her hands. “I’m not used to anyone looking out for me the way you do. It’s a bit of an adjustment for me is all. I’m sorry. ”
“Don’t be sorry. Please don’t fight me on this. I won’t be able to concentrate on the field if I think people are harassing you or being mean or hurting you. ”
“I know. ” She nodded her head in agreement before swallowing. “I’ll try to be less crazy. I love you. ”
“You’re not crazy. ” I smiled. “And I love you too. ” I kissed her lips before she pulled away.
“I need to get ready for work. ” Her face softened.
“Go then. Stop wasting time fake fighting with me. ” I smacked her ass, and she yelped.
“Jack!”
Half tempted to chase her ass right into the bathroom, the sound of my phone ringing distracted me. “Hey, Matteo,” I said into the phone, after seeing his name and number appear on my screen.
“Good morning, Jack. Mr. Lombardi said you wanted to talk to me?”