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“Jaydence! What have I told you about your language?” Jamal pulled JJ on his lap and began tickling his daughter, making her burst into giggles.
“You wouldn’t have to tell me to stop using the words if I didn’t hear them fromyou!” JJ said between gasps. “Besides, jackass isn’t a cuss word. It’s in the Bible.”
Cassie chuckled. The kid had a point. Still, an eight year old with a potty mouth probably didn’t go over too well in school. “How about you leave the cursing to yourjackassfather,” Cassie heard herself say. “After all, ladies don’t use foul language.”
“Cassie, softball players aren’t ladies. And let me tell you, I plan on being the best softball player in the world. Even better than Jenny Finch.”
Cassie had no clue who JJ was talking about. Nor did she know anything about softball.
“I have no clue who that is and I am not familiar with the game of softball.”
JJ looked at Cassie like she had grown horns out of her head. “Not know aboutsoftball?Who in the heck doesn’t know aboutsoftball?!”JJ cried.
“I’ll tell ya who, kiddo. The bookworm sitting next to ya.” Jamal made eye contact with Cassie over his daughter’s shoulder and winked at her. Again. The man was insufferable. Cassie rolled her eyes.
“Bookworm, huh? You like to read?” JJ asked her.
“Yep. Not that I have much time to read for pleasure right now. Mostly I read textbooks. I’m in college.”
“Well, I like to read, too. Have you read Harry Potter?”
“I have. But have you? What grade are you in, JJ?”
“Second. And yes, I’ve read them all. I read on a sixth grade level. Just because I’m an athlete don’t mean I’m not smart, too.”
Cassie smiled. “I didn’t think you weren’t.”
“So, Harry Potter. Let’s talk about it. And then I can teach you about softball. Deal?”
“Deal.”
“Alrighty. Meet us at Dolese Park tomorrow at one.”
Cassie’s eyes went wide. “Us?”
“Yeah. Me and my daddy. Since you don’t knowanythingabout softball, you probably can’t catch and throw. And if I’m going to teach you, I need someone who can do that. My daddy throws me grounders all the time, so he will work. Plus, he’s my ride. You think I can get to the park on my own? I’m only eight.”
“Grounders?”
JJ rolled her eyes. “Man, I’m in for some work.”
Jamal stood up from the table and pushed a lock of Cassie’s hair behind her ear and Cassie felt a shiver run down her spine. Curse her reaction to him. She didnotneed that. At. All.
“I guess it’s a date then, Bambi. My daughter has deemed it so.” And with yetanotherwink her way, Jamal grabbed his daughter’s hand and walked toward the exit. “I’ll text you, so don’t think of backing out!”
“You don’t have my number!” she called to his retreating back.
“Don’t act like I can’t get it,” he called back, all without even missing a step.
Aria whistled under her breath. “Wow, Cass. That. Was. Sexy. That man has it bad for you. It’s obvious.”
“He’s only known me for like, three hours, Aria. Stop being dramatic.” Cassie rolled her eyes and sighed. She was at a loss for words, which was unfortunately becoming a bad habit she hoped to kick. Soon.
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Jamal threw a Thunder t-shirt over his head and groaned at the creaking in his back. He was too young to feel so old. He had tossed and turned all night, just couldn’t get comfortable in his big king-sized bed that, for the first time, felt too empty. Still, he was meeting Bambi at the park for a day full of softball and hopefully, some casual flirting. His daughter had perfect timing last night. He knew there was no way the dark-eyed beauty would go anywhere withhim, but the way his daughter tricked her into spending the day withthemwas awesome.
True to his word, he had texted the raven-haired beauty as soon as he had gotten up that morning, having gotten her cell phone number from Callie. He had gotten a snarky text back from her about his car’s extended warranty, but she had agreed to meet him and his daughter at the park at one. Jamal knew she probably only agreed to do so because of his daughter’s adorable nature.
