Page 125 of Racing Heat

August considers this for a moment. “Yes, I think that’s fine. However, I’m going to ask that you have either Coach Watts or Coach Chapman working with you guys. That way there are no issues or confusion.”

“Can I still talk with her before the games and at practice?” I ask.

He nods. “You can but keep it professional. I know sometimes you might want to pull her in for a hug or a kiss when she does well during the game. I’m not going to say you can’t, because I realize it might just happen, but please keep it professional. Just keep it PG and do your best not to make this a distraction. If we have to, we’ll revisit this issue and see howwe can best handle this as a team, not just me making a harsh decision.”

I smile at August. “Thank you.”

“This is great, August,” Nate tells him. “I appreciate you reconsidering your decision on this. She’s a great asset for our offense and defense. This is huge for the team and the Blaze organization.”

He nods. “I’m just glad I could fix the mistake that I made.”

“You shouldn’t take all the blame for this. We should have trusted you enough to come to you or at least Coach Watts,” Cassie begins. “Sneaking around wasn’t the best plan, but we just weren’t sure if this was anything, so there was no need to sound the alarm. But that wasn’t smart. We should have come to you first. I apologize for the stress and inconvenience I caused the team.”

I nod. “Me too. It wasn’t right, and it won’t happen again.”

“Good,” Andie says. “Now that that’s all out of the way, let’s get to the rules they have to follow.”

“Is there more we need to follow?” I ask.

August sighs. “Unfortunately, legal has come up with a few more that I want to go over.”

“It’s okay, boss,” I tease him.

“Being the boss isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”

“I’m sure it’s not.” I wouldn’t want his job and dealing with things like this. I’m sure it’s the last thing he wants to do. That’s probably why it was easier for him to fire her than to have this type of a conversation.

“You cannot be acting all couple-like when we’re traveling for away games. That means no large public displays of affection. You don’t have to hide that you’re seeing each other, but also, don’t be all over each other. Stay in the separate rooms you’re given, please. And for the love of God, no public sex.”

We all laugh at his last remark.

“So, use common sense?” I ask him.

“Yes, please use your common sense and make sure you don’t end up being too obvious about it.”

“So, be together but don’t really be together so that everyone on the team knows?” Cassie asks him, confused.

“I just don’t want you guys to flaunt it, okay?” August shifts uncomfortably in his chair.

“I think we can figure out how to behave and how not to behave,” I tell him, hoping to end the conversation.

“So that’s it?” Cassie asks, looking around. “I’m back?”

“Yeah,” August tells her. “I just have some official paperwork for you to sign and then you can go join the rest of the girls at practice.”

“Great! I’m so excited to be back out on the field with the team,” Cassie replies.

August claps his hands together. “I need you both to sign this letter disclosing your relationship and promising that there will be no special treatment or interruptions of the team dynamics.”

I get up and walk over to August, and Cassie does the same. We sign the papers, and August shakes my hand and then hers.

“Great to have you officially back. Now go and get ready for practice, all of you. I need to get back to looking at some advertising stats that were sent over.”

We all quickly get up to leave. The coaches come over and pull Cassie into a hug.

“Welcome back, kiddo,” Nate says.

“It’s good to have you back with us,” Andie says.