“And now we just wait?” I asked Trina quietly.
“Yep.”
I Insist
Jack
I walked out of the clubhouse, eager to see Kitten. It was my first outing as a New York Met, and I’d been credited with the win. I pitched six innings and gave up three hits, no walks, and one run. I scanned the crowd of waiting women and children, searching for the one who owned my heart.
There’s my girl.
I smiled as soon as our eyes met, the pure fucking joy it brought me to see her made me feel like the biggest pussy on earth. I noticed the hot chick standing next to her, but I didn’t give a shit. My heart belonged to my Kitten, and I’d never fuck that up again. I hustled over to her, scooping her up in my arms before I planted a long, dramatic kiss on her waiting mouth. My tongue begged for her lips to part and once she finally opened them, I had to remind myself where we were. I pulled back from her slowly, holding her face in my hand. “I missed you,” I whispered, mentally patting myself on the back as her cheeks turned pink.
“Uh, babe. This is Trina. She’s Kyle’s girlfriend.” Cassie’s voice stuttered, and I stopped myself from announcing it to the entire tunnel.
Jack Carter makes his girlfriend lose her composure with just one kiss! Oh yeah, he’s THAT good.
I extended my hand to Trina, shaking hers firmly. “Nice to meet you.”
Way to go, Peters.
“Thanks for hanging out with Kitten.”
Trina’s forehead creased as she shot Cassie a confused look. “Kitten?”
“Oh my gosh, don’t listen to him.” Cassie swatted my arm. “Don’t call me that to other people like it’s my name,” she demanded, which made me want to pull her aside and show her who was boss.
She was.
“It was nice to meet you, Trina. I’ve gotta take this one home now.” I winked as I interlocked my fingers with Cassie’s, pulling her away from the crowd.
We exited the stadium where waiting fans lingered for autographs, pictures, and whatever else they could get from us players. Cameras flashed as Cassie and I walked past, and I pretended not to notice when two women screamed my name. Cassie jumped at the sound of their voices. “It’s OK, Kitten.” My fingertips brushed against her shoulder. Even with Cassie by my side, women still behaved like lunatics.
“Jack! Will you sign my son’s ball?” A man’s voice echoed into the night air.
I glanced at Cass, and she smiled, slowing her pace to a stop. “Sure.” The rest of the fans quickly gathered around, and I scanned the group, only signing balls and posing for pictures with kids or guys.
“Can I get a picture, Jack?” I looked up to see a pencil-thin, busty blonde batting her eyelashes at me. I wanted to fucking puke.
I looked at Cass sympathetically as she nodded, letting me know she didn’t mind. With a terse “Not tonight,” I barely looked in the woman’s direction before throwing my arm around Cass and walking toward the car. The woman mumbled “asshole” under her breath, and Cassie’s shoulders tensed.
Anxious to get going, I scanned our surroundings, not wanting to be surprised by anything or anybody as we walked toward our waiting car. I spotted a large, muscular silhouette in the distance. “How do you like Matteo?”
Cassie stopped abruptly, turning to face me. “Can you believe he’s Sal’s cousin?”
I laughed because I’d thought the exact same thing when he picked me up earlier. “No! I almost died when I fucking saw this guy. He’s good-looking, right?”
The guy looked like someone you’d see on a billboard or a shopping bag at the mall. I hired a fucking model to drive my smoking hot and incredibly kind girlfriend around town.
I’m an idiot.
“Yeah, he’s pretty good-looking,” she responded matter-of-factly.
I could always fire him.
Or hit him.
“You don’t get to leave me for some driver.” My body tensed as jealous insecurity raged through me.
Her face contorted; I could see that my words were settling for her. “Uh, you’re insane.”
“I might be insane, but I mean it. You can’t ever leave me for someone else.” The very fucking idea of Kitten leaving me for another guy made me want to rip someone’s head off. I’d die before I let that happen. This girl is my world.
“Jack, where is all this coming from?”
“I don’t know. Maybe I think since I fucked up so badly, the only way for us to be even is for you do the same thing.” I shrugged and watched as her face changed from concern to anger.
She placed her hand firmly against her hip as she lit into me. “First of all, you don’t get to tell me what to do. You also don’t get to be the one to dictate what makes us even when it comes to your colossal fuckup. Do you understand?”