Page 41 of Nailing Heat

“Yep, that would be her.”

He nods. “Did she leave a message?”

“No, no voicemails or texts to speak of.”

“She didn’t mean to call you then or, if she did, it was a moment of weakness. Don’t call her back. Trust me, you’re doing her a favor by not. I’m sure she’s jumping every time her phone rings, hoping it’s not you,” he tells me, looking around for the waitress and flagging her down to come to our table.

“You sound like you are speaking from experience,” I comment.

Jase orders a rather dark beer and turns his attention back to me. “I am. My ex-wife would call me up and not leave voice messages. Like you, I didn’t pick up, waiting for the voicemail to see what she wanted. I made the mistake of actually picking up one time.” He shakes his head. “She was crying and begging to see me. Wondering if we had made mistake. So, I went over to talk to her, and we ended up falling back into bed. I could tell the second it was over that she felt shame. So, I did want any good ex-husband would do and got the fuck out of there. I never came back and never answered the call because that shag was the worst thing I could have done with her.”

“What makes you say it was the worst thing that you ever did with her?” I’m curious. I get regret but worst thing he could have done? I’m going to need some more information.

“Because she hated herself for it. I saw the regret and shame in her eyes once we finished. I did the best thing I could for her in that moment. I left immediately and never picked up that phone call again.” He shrugs and looks around the bar. “They think they want to talk to you, but I can assure you, she does not.”

I nod, sipping on my beer. “Thanks, I hadn’t really thought about it like that.”

Jase’s beer arrives and the waitress asks, “Would you gentleman like to order?”

“I’m going to need a minute,” Jase tells her. She giggles and walks away. I watch her walk away, noticing the little giggle and extra sway in her hips. “It’s the accent. Girls love the English accent.”

I snicker and shake my head. “Is that what got Cassie?”

He beams and the man looks like he’s actually fucking glowing. “Nah, I don’t think so. But I think it doesn’t hurt my chances of keeping her either.”

“You’re a lucky motherfucker,” I tell him.

“Well, thank ya.” He gives the menu a quick glance and then asks, “You ready?”

“Yeah, I’m ready.”

The waitress saunters over on cue. “What would you boys like to order?” Her eyes are shining like the grin she wears. “I have options that aren’t available on that menu for you, if you’d like.”

“It’ll just be the fish and chips for me,” Jase replies without even looking in her direction.

“I’ll take the blackened chicken sandwich, please.” I order without even mentioning her other options.

Her black book snaps closed, and she gathers menus, “That should be out in a bit.” Thankfully, she leaves without another word.

Once our food is ordered, Jase asks, “So why did you want to get food tonight? Is this to get some intel on the team or on DJ?” He grins widely at me when he says her name.

I take a quick sip of my beer and shake my head. “I’m not going out with DJ. I told her no.”

I think back to the way that the goosebumps appeared on Amelia’s flesh. How the pajama shorts played peak-a-boo with her ass as she made herself something to eat tonight. Shaking my head, I turn my attention back to Jase.

“Nah, I wanted a night out for a bit.” I shrug and continue, “Thought it would be nice to get beer and dinner with you.”

Jase nods. “Yeah, sounds good. I think Cassie may be coming in to blow up your spot, though. She said something about stopping in; I think she thinks it’s a group thing.” It’s Jase’s turn to shrug. “Sorry.”

I shake my head. “It’s no biggie.”

“So, do you mind if I ask, was the DJ thing out of the blue? I was surprised to hear that she asked you out.” Jase takes a sip of his beer and watches me.

“It was. I’m not sure why she asked me out. I hadn’t reallyspoken to her before this. I did her assessment but that was about it. I split up the positions with Lucas…” My voice trails off.

“I wonder if it’s because August changed the policy and she decided to shoot her shot. See if she could be the first one to fuck the new trainer.” Jase is chuckling as he finishes his sentence.

“Enjoying yourself?” I ask him.