Page 71 of Nailing Heat

“I think I’ll grab a spot at the end. For some of the game, it will be closer to the defense.” I tell them.

“Sounds good. Just remember, we don’t mix messages,” Coach Watts warns.

“I won’t give direction, only encouragement,” I promise.

He pats my shoulder. “I know you won’t. Are you feeling okay? How has the pain been?”

“I’m doing well, it’s getting better. I think the swelling has finally started to go down so that should help too. But no surgery, so that’s good.”

“That’s good. I was so happy to hear that. Dex has been keeping us apprised of how you’re doing at home. It’s kind of nice how you two ended up having to share an apartment, for now.” Watts smiles at me, pleased with this outcome.

I steal a glance at Jase and see that he’s grinning at me. Of course, Cassie told him.

“Yeah, it’s been great,” I reply, hoping not to spark any suspicion.

“I’m sure it has been,” Jase grins at me.

I shoot him a glare that goes unmentioned by Watts and Andie.

“I’m going to head out there and work with the defense for a bit. Get them used to the new players who are coming in,” Watts says, heading off to the field.

“I’ll come with you,” Andie says, jogging to catch up to Coach Watts.

“So, things are going so well at home now, huh?” Jase wiggles his eyebrows at me.

“I hate you so much, and your fucking girlfriend for telling you about it,” I tell him, shaking my head.

“No, you don’t. You love us both.”

“Her more than you,” I remind him.

“Oh, I know. But seriously, how bad can it be? The rule against fraternization has been lifted. Who gives a shit what anyone else thinks or says about you? Let your feet doing the talking out there on that pitch. That is theonlything that matters. The rest of it is gravy.” He pats me warmly on the shoulder. “Think about it.”

“Gravy, huh?”

“Gravy,” he replies, his English accent thicker when he’s speaking lowly. “This life of football isn’t worth it all. At the end of the day, you need someone in your life you care about. Maybe Dex is that person.”

“Maybe,” I say, fidgeting on my crutches. “Do you think, though, with the divorce, that he’s ready?”

He sighs. “Only he knows that.”

I nod. I start to reply but Dex chooses that moment to materialize out of thin air.

“What are you two scheming about over here?” he teases, coming up to us.

“Nothing at all. Just making sure she was okay before the game in all,” Jase tells him, which isn’t a complete lie. But I’m glad he didn’t tell him the full truth. “But now that you’re here I’m going to leave her with you. Your turn to keep her company.”

“Sounds good,” Dex replies. “Everyone good so far?”

Jase nods, “Yeah, we haven’t heard anything different, and Carrie seems to be doing better with her calf, so we’ll see.”

“Great, well, I’ll be out here if you guys need anything.”

The two men bump fits and Jase heads on out to the pitch to warm up the goalies.

“How are you doing? How are youreallydoing?” he asks me, now that it’s only us.

I look over at him and force a smile. “I’m okay, but this is going to be tough. I want to be out there with these girls so bad. They need me.”