Page 113 of Nailing Heat

Cassie nods in agreement. “You both do.”

“I’m sure this goes without saying, but please don’t tell her what my plans are. Or hint around that I want to talk to her or anything like that,” I ask them.

Cassie nods.

“You got it,” Jase replies.

“Thank you. Thank you both so much.”

We spend the rest of the night shooting the shit. Jase and I talk about our experiences playing ball-him soccer and me football. It actually turns out to be a nice night. It’s a hell of a lot better than staring at the wall or crying into my protein shake. But that is all about to change because now I have a plan. I hope it works.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

~AMEILA~

“Come on, you are coming to the bar with us!” Hendrix whines.

“Yeah, you can’t stay locked away in here all the time. This was your city first!” Mac proclaims.

“I’m not hiding!” I yell at them for what feels like the thirtieth time. “I don’t feel like going out tonight. I’ll go the next time.”

“You know, he might not even be there. Jase says he has been keeping his distance from him,” Cassie tells me.

“Nope, come on. It’s time to get off this couch, stop reading books and be with the three-dimensional people, Mac says, coming over to me and taking my stack of books. The ones that he bought me that day at the bookstore. I may be angry at him, but the books didn’t do anything to me, so I’m going to read them. After all, those appear to be the only men that will not let me down.

“You’re not going to let this go, are you?” I ask Mac, noting the determination on her face.

“Nope, not taking no for an answer,” she says, crossing her arms across her chest, her stare determined.

“Come on, Amelia, it’s easier to give into her than to keep on fighting her,” Cassie tells me.

“Ugh! Why can’t I couch rot for a bit?” I plead with them.

“You have been couch rotting for a while now. You’ve had time to rest and relax. Now we want to get you out of this house.” Hendrix smiles widely at me, like trying a different tactic will get me to move.

It’s only been a week and a half since I met his gorgeous wife and he left the apartment. I haven’t seen him up close at all. He avoids the training room when I’m in there with Lucas. I see shadows or outlines of him at the Blaze. But no actual encounters with him. That’s how I prefer it.

“Nope, I think we should hang out around here for the night,” I say, hoping they will take me up on it. “Come on, that was fun the last night.”

Hendrix shakes her head. “Nope, it’s the night before a big game. Most of the team is headed to the Backwoods tonight for some dinner. Because it’s game day tomorrow, we are going to have an early night. So, it will be fun, and you are going.”

“Yeah, it’s like a team bonding night and your captain is ordering you to come with us. So, let’s go. Off that cute butt and put on some respectable clothes. No more of the sweatshirts and T-shirt. Put on something semi-cute and a Blaze top, please,” Mac orders.

I sigh and say, “Fine, I will go and change. But know I’m doing this under protest.”

Mac cackles. “I don’t care how you do this, just that you do.”

I trudge back the hallway and prepare to change.

“Do you need help?” Hendrix calls.

“No, I can dress myself. Just don’t expect me to put on some cute shoes because it’s going to be sneakers,” I call over my shoulder.

“Well, you’re in a brace, so no one expects any different. Get dressed, sweetie,” Cassie calls.

I hear mumbling and I think someone is asking if Dex was invited to this. I can’t hear the answer. But I wonder if he will be. Just in case he will, I spend an extra few minutes running a straightening iron through my long blonde locks. I find my navy blue Blaze top and a good push up bra so that the girls are on full display for him tonight. I grab some jean shorts and slide them on over my brace.

I make my way out to the girls, and I get a few hoots and hollers.