The Other Game: A Dean Carter Novel (The Perfect Game #4) (14 page)

Being home without Jack was weird as hell. It was one thing when he was gone for an away series of games; I always knew he’d be home soon. But him being upstate for months was a different beast altogether. And we weren’t sure when exactly he’d be back for good. It all depended on how well the team did this summer, and how far they got into their post-season.

I missed him like crazy and found myself spending more time in his room than in my own. It helped just being in there sometimes, made him feel less far away.

I was in his room studying one just before dinner about a week after I’d flown home. The doorbell rang, and I heard either Gran or Gramps scrambling to get up to answer it.

“I’ll get it,” I shouted so they could stay seated. When I pulled open the door, a man stood there, holding a clipboard like a delivery guy, but he wasn’t wearing a uniform.

“Are you Dean Carter?”

“Maybe,” I said evasively, not sure what the hell was going on.

“I have a delivery for you. Sign here, please.” He shoved the clipboard toward me and handed me his pen as I looked on the ground for a package of some sort since he wasn’t carrying one.

“What is it?” I asked as I signed where he’d indicated.

He waved a hand toward the gunmetal-gray Mustang parked at the curb, its windows tinted almost black.

Stunned, I stepped outside. “Um, I think this must be a mistake,” I said, babbling like an idiot.

He frowned, impatient and not at all amused. “Do you know Jack Carter?”

“That’s my brother,” I said, still goggling at the brand-new car.

“Well, he must like you a lot. It’s yours.” He dropped a set of keys into my hand before handing me a copy of the paperwork I’d just signed.

I stood there with my jaw hanging open, unable to move or even believe what I was seeing. I knew damn well that Jack could afford this, but I didn’t need a brand-new car. It was too much.

When I ran inside the house for my phone, Gramps shouted after me, wanting to know what was going on. Ignoring him for the moment, I dialed Jack’s number and waited.

“What’s up, little brother?” he asked, his tone filled with mischief.

“I think you know,” I practically stuttered.

“What do you think? It’s been your favorite car since you were thirteen.”

“Jack, it’s too much. Really. I don’t need something like that, I swear.”

“I know you don’t
need
it. But I
wanted
to get it for you. Just let me do something nice for you, okay? And by the way, a new Honda is coming for Gran and Gramps tomorrow. You’ve been warned. Gotta go,” he said, and I stopped him before he hung up.

“Wait! Thank you. It’s too much, but thank you. It’s gorgeous.”

“I know it is.” He laughed before ending our call.

Well, shit. I had keys to a new Mustang burning a hole in my pocket and nowhere to go. My phone vibrated in my hand, and I looked down.

Cassie
: Are you back?

Cassie
: Come over.

Cassie
: I miss you.

Cassie
: I’m bored.

Cassie
: But that’s not why I want you to come over.

Cassie had blown up my phone with five text messages in a row, and I laughed as I typed out my response.

Dean
: On my way.

I ran back into the living room and hugged Gramps.

“Do you see that?” I pointed out the living room window toward my car—
my car
—on the street.

Gramps squinted. “I see it.”

“It’s mine. Jack bought me a damn car!”

Gramps pushed out of his recliner and walked closer to the window. He took a good look outside and turned to me with wide eyes. “Jack bought you that?” When I nodded, he turned and called out, “Ma! Get out here and see what Jack did!”

She came around the corner, her expression a mixture of concern and confusion. “What he did? What could he have done? Jack’s not even here.”

“That!” Gramps pointed at my Mustang.

“What about it? It looks like a bullet.”

“It’s mine,” I said with a smile.

Gran’s eyebrows shot up nearly to her hairline. “Yours? He bought you a car?”

“Apparently. And yours is on the way.” I laughed, knowing that Gran didn’t like big surprises. If I warned her now, it would at least give her a little time to adjust to the idea. “And don’t try to talk him out of it. He’s stubborn and pig-headed. He won’t take it back.”

“Well, I—” Gran stopped and shook her head, clearly at a loss for words.

“It’s really nice, isn’t it?” I draped my arm around her shoulders as I towered over her.

She peered out the window again. “It’s more than just nice. You be safe driving that, you hear me?”

I nodded. “Cassie just texted me, so I’m going to head over there. You guys okay if I leave?”

“Of course. Go. Have fun.” Gran swatted at my back. “Tell Cassie hello from me, please.”

“Tell the kitten I miss her,” Gramps called after me with a hearty laugh.

“I’m telling Jack you’re in love with his woman!” I shouted as I ran out the front door.

Before I left, I walked around my car, inspecting it from every angle. It was gorgeous.

Jack was right; I’d loved Mustangs ever since I was a teenager, admiring their sleek lines and body style. The gunmetal color looked badass against the darkness of the tinted windows, and I shook my head, my mind still blown as I clicked the unlock button on the key fob.

When I opened the driver’s side door, I was immediately struck with the new-car smell and the supple jet-black leather. The dashboard was black as well, with striking silver accents. It was exactly my style, and had Jack not picked it out for me, this was exactly what I would have chosen for myself. Once I could afford it, of course.

I started the engine, grinning at the sound of it, and then took off to head toward Cassie’s. The gas pedal was a hell of a lot more sensitive than Gran’s Honda or Jack’s Bronco, and when I touched it, the car jerked forward with a surge of power. The brakes were touchy too. Whenever I tapped them even the slightest bit, I was slammed into the steering wheel. I must have looked like a kid with a learner’s permit driving this thing.

Stopped at a red light, I turned up the volume on the radio and smiled as the pounding bass filled the car. Leave it to my brother to not only hook me up with a killer ride, but make sure the stereo was the best as well.

When I pulled into the apartment complex, I parked my new baby far away from the other cars, wanting to avoid door dings or any other potential parking-lot issues. Excited, I sprinted to Cassie’s door and knocked, but didn’t wait to be let in. Ever since the night of the mugging, I’d stopped feeling like a temporary guest in Cassie’s life and felt more like family.

“Sis!” I shouted from the front door, and Melissa’s familiar squeal came from her bedroom.

“Dean, is that you? I’m naked! Don’t come in here!” she shouted.

The thought of that instantly made my shorts tighten, and all thoughts of my new ride fled as my imagination went wild.

“Why’d you tell me you were naked if you didn’t want me to come in there?” I called out, teasing her. Okay, I was only half teasing because if she let me, I’d run in that room and have my way with her in a heartbeat.

“Dean!” she shouted again from behind her closed door. “I swear to God!”

“You swear to God, what? Okay, I’m coming in. You don’t have to beg,” I shouted, taking two steps toward her room so my voice would sound closer, but stopped when Cassie slapped my shoulder, startling me from my game.

“Don’t tease her,” she said with a playful smile before giving me a big hug.

“Me? She’s the tease in this relationship,” I said against the top of her head.

Melissa poked her head out through her doorway. “I’m dressed now. You can stop tormenting me.” She stuck out her tongue.

“I haven’t even started yet,” I said, channeling my brother’s confidence.

“Who invited you anyway,” she asked before coming out of her room in a tightfitting sundress.

“Don’t listen to her, Dean. She knew you were coming over. What the hell’s wrong with the two of you?” Cassie looked between us with a smirk.

“Oh, so you knew I was coming over and you got naked?” I couldn’t stop, just had to torment her the same way she tortured me without even trying.

Melissa hooked her hands on her hips. “You’re almost as annoying as your brother.”

I gasped in mock horror before walking over to her and wrapping her in my arms. “No, I’m not,” I said against her hair as I breathed in the scent of her fruity shampoo.

Her body melted against me, and for half a second I wished we were alone.

“But you have missed me, haven’t you?” I asked, and she bristled, swatting at me to let her go.

“Maybe,” she said noncommittally before walking into the kitchen and rifling through the cupboards.

“I have!” Cassie called out from the couch. “Seriously, come here and tell me about your trip with Jack. How’s his house? Did you like his roommates? Was the field nice? How is he?”

“Jesus, Cassie, annoying much?” Melissa shook her head. “Ugh, ignore me. I’m starving. You two catch up.”

“One question at a time,” I said as I sat down next to Cassie. “I already forgot half the shit you asked.”

She rolled her eyes. “How was your drive?”

I had to stop myself from scolding her the way my brother would. “It was good. Really good, actually. Uneventful. Northern California’s kind of pretty, but in a different way from here.”

She tucked her legs under her, apparently getting comfortable for an interrogation. “His roommates?”

“Super chill. You’ll love them,” I assured her. “They’re really nice. I was worried they might be arrogant or really competitive, but they’re not. He lucked out.”

I explained to her that once you got to the minor leagues, your teammates were different from those you’d played with in school. You weren’t around guys hoping for a shot to play professional baseball; you were surrounded by guys who were the best at it, and knew it.

Cassie smiled. “Oh, that’s good. I’m so glad. He told me he likes them, but it’s still nice to hear it from you. Jack said the house is great.”

“Oh shit. It’s legit. Cassie, you don’t even know. Just wait ’til you see it,” I said, unable to contain my excitement.

She poked her bottom lip out in a pout. “I hope I get to.”

“Oh my God, already. Shut up.” Melissa groaned from her spot on top of the counter. She was sitting up there, swinging her legs as she picked at the crackers and cheese on the plate she’d put together while we were talking. “Sorry, but she’s been whining since he left. She seriously thinks she isn’t going to see him this whole summer.”

I turned to Cassie, an incredulous look on my face. “You think Jack would go the whole summer without seeing you? I’m surprised he’s gone this long and survived.”

Cassie shrugged. “No, it’s just that he travels a lot and I’m busy with my internship. And I don’t know when we’re going to see each other.” She sighed, putting on a lovesick face similar to the one I’d been seeing on Jack. “I just miss him. It’s weird being here without him.”

“You’re telling me. You don’t have to go home and live where he isn’t anymore. It sucks.”

She rested her hand on my knee. “I bet it’s quiet. How are Gran and Gramps taking it?”

“I don’t know. They seem all right. Gran’s a little quieter than usual, but she keeps it inside. She’s tough. Oh, they both said to tell you hello and they miss you. Although Gramps said he misses the kitten.” I chuckled as she grinned. “You should stop by sometime. They’d love that. You too, Funsize.” I looked back at Melissa, who stopped chewing to cock her head at me.

“What did you just call me?”

“You heard me.”

“Why on earth would I go to your grandparents’ house?” She frowned and shook her head at me like I was insane.

“So you can meet your future in-laws.”
Shit.
That just came out, and it was too late to take it back.

Cassie burst out laughing, and Melissa hopped off the counter and stormed up to me.

“You think you can win me over with your nice-guy charm and good looks, but I’ve got news for you, Dean Carter,” she said quickly, as if she’d rehearsed it a million times before.

I cocked a brow as I waited for her to finish. “Yeah? Wait—you think I’m good-looking?” I grinned, and all my nervousness flew out the window.

“Oh, shut up. You know I think you’re adorable. Have ever since I saw you in class.”

“Then why won’t you go out with me?” I asked, dead serious now, and she glanced at Cassie before looking back at me.

“First of all, you’ve never asked. And second, don’t start asking now. It’s too late.” Without giving me a chance to respond, she whirled and stomped to her room, and slammed the door.