The Other Game (The Perfect Game 4)

“What are you waiting for?” When he didn’t answer right away, I sucked in a sharp breath. “You’re not in love with Chrystle, are you?” Just uttering the words made me want to throw up.

“Are you fucking crazy? I don’t even know how to love anyone other than Cassie.”

“Just making sure.” I breathed out in relief.

“I’m gonna go. I just wanted to tell you. Can you tell Gran and Gramps, please, and let Gran know I’ll call her soon?” His voice sharpened as he said, “Don’t tell Cassie. She shouldn’t hear it from you.”

My heart sank. Another damn secret I had to keep from Cassie.

I sighed. “Fine. But you better tell her soon.”

After he hung up, I sat there processing the information. More than anything, I wanted to call Melissa and tell her the news, but I couldn’t trust her to keep something like that from Cassie. And I’d have to wait to tell Gran and Gramps later, when they were actually awake.

Until then, I tried to go back to sleep, determined that this was a good thing. Jack couldn’t stay married to Chrystle now. I had to make him see that.

• • •

Someone shouted my name as I was on my way to class, and I turned to see Cassie running to catch up to me.

“What’s up?” I said, trying to act nonchalant, as if the past few months had been no big deal and I didn’t have a huge freaking secret under my belt.

Cassie smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I just wanted to tell you that I got a job offer in New York, and I’m taking it.”

It was no secret that this was something she’d wanted to do, but I had a strong feeling that Jack’s rejection helped fuel her desire to get away from here. And honestly, I couldn’t blame her.

“Wow. New York, huh?”

“Yeah. It’s a pretty incredible opportunity.”

“When do you leave?” I asked, then realized that it was the middle of a semester. Would she leave school to do this?

She looked down at her feet. “In a few weeks.”

“But school’s not over.”

“I know, but I have to give this a try. I have to see.” She looked up at me, pleading with her big green eyes for my support. “You know?”

I nodded. “I get it. That’s awesome, Cassie. Really. Congratulations.” I reached for her and pulled her into my arms for a brotherly hug.

“Thanks, Dean. I just wanted to tell you myself, you know, before Melissa told you. But I gotta jet to class.” She turned and rushed off in the opposite direction, leaving me standing there, amazed at how quickly things can change.

I called Jack when I got home from school, knowing he was most likely at the field already. When he didn’t answer, I left him a message asking him to call me, no matter what time. As if he paid attention to the clock anyway.

• • •

“Dean, I’m getting moved up!” Jack shouted when he finally called later that night.

“What? To the bigs?”

“Yes! I’m going to the show! I’m headed to Arizona!” He cheered into the phone, and I cheered with him.

“Jack, that’s incredible! Congratulations!”

When the excitement died a little, he asked, “What did you need to tell me?”

His question reminded me why I’d called him in the first place. For a second, I contemplated not telling him at all, wondering if it even mattered anymore.

“Oh yeah. I just wanted you to know that Cassie got a job offer in New York, and she’s taking it. I figured you’d want to know.”