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Trina laughed. “You won’t, Cassie. No matter what happens in your life, you’d never treat people the way she does. ”
The door opened with a loud bang and Jack walked out, a cautious smile on his face. “Hey, Trina. Kitten. ” He planted a kiss on my cheek and pulled me away.
“Hi, Jack,” Trina smiled. “I’ll see you later, Cassie. ”
“Oh, wait. ” I stopped abruptly. “Can we exchange numbers? I want to be able to text you. Especially if you disappear like you did tonight. I was a little worried. ”
“I know. I’m sorry. Here. ”
I typed her number into my cell phone before giving her a quick hug and catching up with Jack. He tossed his muscular arm around my waist and pulled me tight, our hips pressing against each other with each step.
“How was everything tonight?” he asked.
“Better actually,” I admitted, knowing that I’d been far less stressed with Matteo around.
“Anyone give you any shit?”
“Not really. ”
He squeezed me and kissed the top of my head. “So it was a good idea then, right?” he asked as we headed toward the dark car where Matteo waited, once again wearing his work attire.
“What was?” I smiled playfully, thankful for the times my mind allowed the past to fade into the distance.
“Having Matteo go with you to the games. Admit it was a good idea. ”
I leaned my head on his shoulder. “It was a good idea. Thank you. ”
Two Bedroom on the Twenty-Third Floor
Jack
Cassie couldn’t take the day off, but she promised to meet me for lunch. Unsure of what to do with my rare few hours of freedom, I went online and searched for available rentals near the Plaza Hotel. I printed out a list of places on both the Upper West Side and the Upper East Side. I didn’t know the difference between the two, but Cassie would.
After calling a few of the numbers, I set up an appointment to view a place on the East Side after she got off work. I looked over my baseball schedule for the next three weeks, paying close attention to all the days I wouldn’t be here. The team traveled for an eleven-day road trip soon, and I wondered if Cass would be able to make it to any of the away games.
I knew it was a shitty thing for me to think, but it sort of sucked that Cassie worked full time. It meant that we’d never be together when I played on the road. And I was going to be gone an average of seventeen days each month. That’s a long time to go without seeing your girl.
I’d never admit that to her though, and I knew that wanting her around me all the time was selfish. Especially after everything I’d put her through. She’d moved to New York to follow her own dreams, and I wanted to be supportive.
Aside from my own pride-filled bullshit, I honestly hated the idea of her being here alone. The press and the fans stressed me out, and I needed to know she was protected when I wasn’t around. We needed to move somewhere with a round-the-clock doorman sooner rather than later—and before I lost my damn mind.
Maybe I’ll buy her a dog? I’ve always wanted a dog. Jesus, Carter, is anything not about you?
Pulling on my ball cap, I walked out of the apartment building and toward the subway station. The cool breeze whipped across my face, and the sunshine was so bright I almost turned back for my sunglasses. Cassie texted me directions to the restaurant where we were meeting for lunch since I had no fucking idea where I was headed or what I was doing. I was half tempted to call Matteo and have him drive me, but I knew Cass would ream my ass for not getting the “New York City experience,” as she liked to call it. Plus, I needed to learn my way around.
I followed the stairs underground, stopping at the first vacant vending machine I could find. I pushed a ten dollar bill into the slot, and a blue-and-yellow Metro Card popped out. Glancing around, I watched as people slid their cards into the electronic readers before walking through the turnstiles. Memories of visiting Disneyland as a kid flashed through my mind as I slid my card through. The light turned green and the turnstile unlocked with a click.
I pushed through it, feeling like a fucking lost tourist and hoping no one would recognize me. Walking down another set of stairs, I reached the subway platform.
What a trip.
The lighting was dimmer and the air damper down here. A guy at the far end of the platform banged on some drums and the sound traveled up and down the station. The idea of having my back unguarded didn’t sit well with me, so I pressed against the wall and waited for my train to arrive.
The brakes squealed as the subway pulled in, the driver’s voice fading in and out. When the doors opened, I waited for everyone to exit before I jumped inside. Virtually empty, I had my choice of seats. I grabbed the seat closest to the doors. Two stops later, I hopped out and headed up the set of stairs; the sunlight practically blinded me so I averted my eyes to the ground.
“Aren’t you that super-hot baseball player?” Her voice stopped me in my tracks, and I looked up to see those familiar green eyes staring right through me.
“Aren’t you the smoking hot girlfriend of said baseball player?” I licked my lips and her mouth fell open. I loved fucking with her.
