The Sweetest Game (The Perfect Game 3)

“It’s not my fault you two can’t get your shit together, so don’t get all PMS’y on me like a little bitch. ”

“Jack!” Gran said sharply. “Apologize to your brother right now. ”

Gramps pinned me with a disapproving look over his glasses. “That was uncalled for. ”

I chewed my food extra slowly, my gaze never leaving Dean’s. “Sorry,” I mumbled before narrowing my eyes and adding, “that you can’t make the girl fall in love with you. ”

Dean shook his head and looked away as he finished the bite in his mouth with a scowl.

My beautiful wife walked back into the kitchen with her fun-sized best friend, Melissa, following close behind.

“Hi, everyone,” Melissa said cheerfully.

Gran gave her a big smile. “Good morning, dear. Are you hungry? Let me grab you a plate. ” She started to stand but Cassie stopped her.

“I’ll do that. You eat. ”

Melissa pushed Cassie toward her chair and shook her head. “I already ate, but thank you. ”

“So, Fun-Size, did you have a good time yesterday?” I asked suggestively, trying to get her to admit she actually liked my brother as more than a friend. Dean froze and tipped his head to the side, obviously waiting to hear her answer.

She stared straight at him as she spoke without blinking, “It was the most fun I’ve had in a long time. How about you?”

I laughed. “Considering I married the girl of my dreams, I’ll say I had more than just fun yesterday. ”

Melissa slid into an open chair at the table and asked, “So, when are you guys leaving?”

“Our flight leaves tonight at nine,” Cassie answered, her voice deflated.

“Why can’t y’all just stay forever? Screw New York!” Melissa shouted in an overly animated voice, and I noticed Dean rubbing his temples.

“What’s the matter, Dean?” she asked with a laugh. “Head hurt?” She tilted her head as she goaded him playfully.

He glared at her and gave her a sharp nod before turning to me. “You can’t stay any longer, can you?”

I swallowed the food in my mouth, half-wishing my answer could be yes. “We have to get back so I can get ready for the pre-season. I feel like I haven’t thrown in forever, and I need to work out. You know how I get in January. ”

Being a major league baseball player probably didn’t appear like it would be that difficult from the outside. But I worked my ass off for the majority of the year. During the off-season, I still had to work out, stay in shape, and keep myself healthy. Not to mention the fact that I had to start mentally preparing myself for the season months before it actually started, which basically meant I sort of checked out from everything else. Cassie has had to learn to deal with an absentee boyfriend, whether mentally or physically, most of the time. And now I’ll be an absentee husband.

“Sucks you’re so far away,” Dean added before reaching for his glass of orange juice.

“You can come visit us anytime, Dean. Just let us know. We’d love to have you,” Cassie said with a smile.

“Thanks, Sis. ”

“What about me? Can I come visit anytime?” Melissa cocked her head to the side and Cassie rolled her eyes.

“No,” she said before laughing. “Of course, dummy. Actually, you and Dean should visit together sometime. ”

She winked and I seconded the suggestion. “You two should definitely come out together. ” Dean’s shoulders tensed noticeably as a grunt escaped his lips.

Despite how much I razzed him, I wanted to help my brother get the girl. Yesterday I had caught them hooking up before our wedding, and if I could do anything to get them together once and for all, I’d do it. The boy deserved to be happy.

Gran changed the subject before I could ask any more questions. “Speaking of Dean and traveling,” she said, “when do you start at the agency?”

“Yeah, bro,” I asked as I kicked Dean under the table. “What’s up with you and my agents?” My agents, Ryan and Marc, had offered Dean a job at their sports management company as soon as he graduated.

“It’s part-time now, but I start full-time at the end of May,” he said with a smile.