Page 119 of Racing Heat

That stops her dead in her tracks. “You’re not going to ask questions about that time in my life. Please, Jase, I’m asking you to let it go.”

I nod. “Okay, sorry. I won’t ask you any questions about it or make references to it. I just can’t get over the two of you dating. I just assumed that…”

“What is the end of that sentence, Jase?”

I laugh. “You’re just opposites,” I say with a shrug.

“I know, but he didn’t used to be this way. He was different his freshman year of college. Before the Ivy League and before his father pulled him into the family business, August was a different man. He was a lot like how you and Danny are. Maybe that’s why you get along so well with him.”

I nod. “Could be.”

We make our way toward his office. The halls are painted in shades of yellow and blue, making it clear that this is where Blaze business is done. Logos are present on the elevator doors, as well as at the ends of hallways, with pictures of the team planning in various home games. I like what he’s done with the place. I like how you can walk the halls and remember special moments from our games.

Hiring Nick was a good idea. He started out taking pictures for Danny’s article, but once August saw his work, he decided to hire him to take photos of the girls during the game. He’s amazing. I wonder if he could just make money off this and not work for the Times. It’s not a gig he enjoys, from what I remember.

“His office is just around this corner.” I motion for her to make the slight right and follow the blue-and-yellow stripe that’s on the wall.

“He hides back here like a rat in a maze,” she quips.

“August isn’t that bad. You’re going to have to be nice to him if we want something from him. So, try to keep your snarky comments to yourself.”

“I can do that.” Her voice is tense, and I wonder if she actually can.

I knock on his office door.

“Come on in,” he calls from the other side of the door.

I open the door and gesture for Hendrix to go in first. Slowly, she steps through the door. August is standing behind his cherry wood desk, a laptop open in the middle, with papers strewn on both sides of it. I notice that it’s causal August today. He’s got a black polo and a pair of jeans on.

“Hey, man, thanks for taking the time,” I tell him as I follow Hendrix into the office.

“Sure, no problem. What’s up? Some goalkeeper business?” he asks with a nervous chuckle. I imagine he doesn’t like being taken by surprise like this.

“No, not really,” I reply.

“Well, let’s go have a seat over here.” He gestures toward the small couch with two chairs across from it. A glass table with newspapers sits between them.

“Thanks.” I gesture, and Hendrix follows me over to the couch. We sit and August joins us.

“Do you all want anything? Coffee, tea, some water?” He fidgets for a beat like he’s nervous.

“No, nothing for me,” Hendrix replies.

I shake my head and wave him off. “We came here to talk to you about the future of the team and how we’re missing a key piece of that future.”

“Oh, okay.” He picks up a pen and pad from the table, all ready to take notes. “Who are we missing and where should I go to see her play?”

“You don’t need to go far,” Hendrix starts. “And we have all the film that we need. She’s proven herself ten times over.”

“Yeah, she really has,” I add in. “The team will be able to keep up the pace of a faster offense with her on the field.”

“Great, so who is she?”

“Cassie.” Hendrix says her name and glares at him, like she’s daring him to challenge the remarks we’ve made about her.

August puts the paper down and shakes his head. “No, that’s not something we can do. I’m sorry, but I can’t bring her back. It’s not going to happen. Is that why you’re here?”

“It is, mate,” I tell him. “We just think that the decision was made hastily, and it’s not fair that I keep my position, and she loses hers. There has to be a compromise. Can’t we work something out?”