Page 20 of Nailing Heat

“Why are you asking?” Hendrix says, biting her lip to keep herself from joining Cassie and Mac in their amusement.

“Because I think when I met Dex in the kitchen this morning, he was a bit afraid of me. He woke me up, and I went out there and snapped at him. That man is easily a foot taller than I am, but he was genuinely afraid of me, I think,” I explain.

“Well, it depends. Did you yell at him?” Cas asks me.

“He woke me up,” I say avoiding everyone’s gaze and looking out at the sea.

“Sounds like he deserved it then,” Mac teases me. “You do call him ‘football.’”

“Oh, you heard that huh?” I ask.

“Yep,” Hendrix says, popping the ‘p’. “The way you say it, it’s like you’re insulting him, though.”

“Well, not all the time,” Mac quickly clarifies. “Just some of the time.”

“I think it might be that you are still getting used to having him in your space. Once you get used to that, it’ll be fine. Just remember it’s not forever, he’s going to leave, and you’ll have the place to yourself again,” Cassie quickly adds.

I sigh and shake my head. “That’s probably all it is. I’m still kind of pissed that August forced him on me and into my space. He said he’s bringing home pizza tonight, so maybe I should be a little nicer to him. I was cranky. He woke me up when I was trying to sleep. My head seriously pounded from all the shots that August ordered last night.”

“It was only three,” Hendrix says, waving me off, as if I might need to toughen up a bit.

“It was only three,” I mock her. “Says the woman who has the tolerance of a man.”

Hendrix shoots me the bird, and we all laugh.

“You grew up with brothers. Where is your tolerance?” Hendrix reminds me.

“My brothers were the overprotective kind. They weren’t always passing me a drink, and they sure weren’t interested in building up my tolerance.”

We lay there under the shade of the tent that Hendrix set up. Cassie and Mac are lying on their stomachs looking like at any moment they will fall asleep. Hendrix has set up a chair and isleafing through a magazine. My Kindle is at my side as I lay back on my chaise, for when the conversation dies down.

“Jase told me last night that he thinks that Dex is nice. He had a quick talk with him at the bar while they were getting pitchers. He thinks he’ll fit in well with the Blaze. As long as he can get used to assessing women’s injuries,” Cassie tells us, effectively changing the subject.

“What do you mean, if he can get used to accessing women’s injuries?” Mac asks.

“Well, he was a trainer for the New England Patriots. What does he know about rehabbing soccer injuries? It can’t be all that similar.” I tell them.

“I wonder if this will be easier for him, being around soccer and not football? Help him get a new life started. Jase said the was looking for a fresh start,” Cassie adds.

“You like him, huh?” I ask Cassie.

“Did you want me to hate him?”

I shake my head. “No, he’s just an infiltrator right now. I guess we have to get used to him. I mean, August is right, we need a trainer.” I sigh and think for a minute. “But does he have to live in my apartment?”

“You have the three-bedroom,” Hendrix reminds me in a tone that is meant to mock August.

I shake my head, watching some kids splashing around carefree in the surf before I speak. “Yeah, yeah, don’t I know it.”

“He’s not so bad, though, right?” Cassie asks after a pause.

“You don’t need my permission to like him, Cas,” I tell her.

“I know. I feel kinda bad for the guy. He’s divorced and forced to live with a stranger. It can’t be easy on him either,” she reminds me.

I sigh. “I hate you.”

“No, you don’t,” she says back sweetly.