Page 104 of Racing Heat

Mac smiles lovingly at me. “He seems pretty wrecked, from what Danny could tell. He was going to go over and see him. See if he could talk him through it or something. Apparently, August already sent a meeting invitation out for Jase and the rest of the coaches tomorrow. Maxwell is going to be there too. So, we’ll see.”

“My fate will be decided by tomorrow night.”

“I’m sure August already has a plan in motion,” Hendrix says with a roll of her eyes. “That bastard will probably end up firing you both.”

“We probably deserve it,” I reply.

“No, you don’t.” Amelia takes a sip of her drink. “He’s not even your coach. You aren’t really under his purview, and your position isn’t impacted by him at all. He can’t decide if you sit or if you play, so this shouldn’t matter. I just hope August sees it that way too.”

I shake my head. “He won’t. He was mad at us when he caught us.”

“Where were you?” Hendrix asks.

“The new sushi place that opened up. August had given Jase the recommendation, so he took me there.”

“How was the food?” she asks.

Mac playfully tosses a pillow at her. “Not the time.”

Hendrix catches it and shakes her head. “I was just curious. I like sushi and the grocery store doesn’t quite cut it.”

That was exactly what I had been thinking, too…before we ruined everything. “It was the first time he’d taken me somewhere local. Normally, we drove at least forty minutes away to have a nice dinner where no one could spot us.”

“Did August have a date?” Hendrix asks.

“Why do you care?” Mac looks at her, grinning.

“Fuck off. Just curious.”

“Yeah, he did.”

“That reminds me of what Danny, and I used to do when we were first dating.” Mac smiles before leaning over and squeezing my thigh. “No matter what happens, we’re here for you.”

“Thanks. I’m just so sorry. I didn’t just break the fraternization policy, but I let the team down. I mean, what was I thinking? How could I be so stupid? I only worried about what it would do to him and me. Or putting you in a weird spot as Captain,” I say, gesturing at Mac. “How could I think that everything would work out like it did for you and Danny?”

“Well, Danny had to lose his job first. And I took some heat from the girls, which thankfully seems to be winding down.”

“It does and now all that anger will be aimed at me. If I’m even still on the team.” I sob.

Mac and Amelia put their arms around me, holding me tightly while I cry some more. Hendrix keeps my glass full of whiskey.

“Do you want me to go take care of him for you?” Hendrix puts quotes around the words take care of. And I know exactly what she means. “I could do it, you know. Might solve all of our problems.”

“I think that ship has already sailed. No amount of bodily harm is going to keep me from the consequences of my actions.”

“You were just following your heart.” Amelia reaches over and gives me a quick hug. “It’s going to be okay. It has to be, right?” She looks around and we all shrug. “I’m going to make sure it is.” The conviction in her voice makes me smile.

“Thanks, Amelia, but I think I’m pretty well fucked here.”

“At least you got a good fuck in, right?” Mac teases me.

It’s the first real smile I’ve given since August caught us.

“It’s going to be okay. We’re here for you.” Amelia hops up and heads into the kitchen. When she returns, she’s holding a carton of ice cream and spoons. “You just need some ice cream therapy and girl talk to make yourself feel better.”

“There’s no chance you’ll spill all the yummy details of you and Jase?” Mac asks.

I shake my head. “I’m not quite ready for that yet. I just want some ice cream and maybe to pass out.”