Page 18 of Racing Heat

“We are celebrating,” August corrects her. “Our team just tied a pretty big game. Put us in great standing for the playoffs.”

“Celebrating a tie, huh?” She giggles. “What other kinds of things could be celebrated tonight?”

August leans in closer. “What did you have in mind?”

I can see the glint in his eye when I look over at him. He’s actually interested in taking this woman home. It doesn’t make sense to me. I’ve seen him land hotter chicks than this, and ones with much more class. But maybe when in Rome…or whatever it is they say.

“Oh, I was thinking the three of us could make our way into the back,” she says. “Might be a better way to celebrate your tie.” She puts air quotes around the word tie. She’s lost August.

He leans back and straightens up, the smile leaving his face immediately. “Just the drinks tonight,” he replies curtly.

I beam at him with pride. I’m glad to hear he’s standing up for our girls. Because while it’s not a win, a tie edges us closer to the playoffs. And we’re a team that no one thought would win.

So, the tie is big.

“Good for you,” I tell him, patting him on the back.

“Yeah, let’s not acknowledge what I did there,” he says with a shake of his head.

“Worried someone might call your manhood into question because you turned down a three-way?”

He scoffs. “I would not have done a three-way with you.”

“I’m a catch,” I tease him.

“Have you ever done a three-way?” August is clearly invested in having this conversation. He’s turned his stool and is now facing me, practically salivating over the answer I’m going to give him.

“I’m not answering that question,” I tell him.

Our beers and shots arrive.

“Cheers.” I hold my shot glass up and wait for him to clink them together. August watches me for a moment. “Cheers,” I say again, waiting for him. “Come on, man. It’s bad form not to clink your glass with mine.”

Shaking his head, August picks up the glass. “Cheers.”

We both down our shots. He’s the first to speak. “Just trying to make some conversation.”

“Have you?” I ask him.

“Haveyou?” He lobs the question back at me.

It’s that moment that some of the team comes over to order more drinks. And of course, Cassie is one of them.

“Are you harassing my coach?” Hendrix asks August. Because of course she would have a smart-ass comment for him.

“I’m just trying to get an answer out of him.” August picks up his beer and takes a sip.

“What’s the question?” Amelia asks, her brown eyes and long blonde hair almost making her look doll-like.

“If he’s ever had a threesome,” August proudly announces.

Cassie chokes on air.

“Are you okay?” I ask her. But her eyes won’t meet mine.Great.

“Have you?” Mac asks. “Wait, have you?” She looks over at August with disgust. “Of course you have. You would go home with a bar napkin if it showed enough interest in you.”

The girls are all laughing at the remark. Clearly, they think August is just as gross as Mac does.