Page 19 of Racing Heat

“He actually wouldn’t,” I jump in, defending him. “That bartender down there who’s working on your drinks tried to take him into the back room. August said no because she mocked our tie.”

“Well, wonders never cease,” Hendrix replies. “You do have some standards after all.”

Again, there’s laughter from the girls. From all but Cassie. She’s watching me—more like studying me. I wonder what’s going on in that pretty head of hers.

I don’t want to answer him. The answer would make August proud and might kill her at the same time.

“You have, haven’t you?” August slaps me on the back. “I like you so much more now.”

I chuckle. “Does this get me a raise?”

August throws his head back, laughing. “You wouldn’t think so, but it just might.” He laughs again and shakes his head.

“Nice to know how easily you can be bought,” I mutter.

I steal a glance at Cassie. Her eyes are downcast and she’s studying her hands. From what I can tell, she’s wringing them.Her eyes are tight and she’s biting her lip. I want to pick at that for a moment and figure out why, but I don’t.

Instead, I look at August. He’s still on cloud nine.

“I think this calls for more shots,” he calls out to the girls who have gathered around us. “Who all wants some celebratory shots on me?” Even Nate and Lucas are there, cheering him on.

“You’re going to practically buy the whole bar a round of shots?” I ask him.

“The whole bar?” His eyebrows raise.

“Look around you, buddy. The whole bar is basically Blaze players and staff.”

“Well, good. Then they can’t say I never bought them anything.” August grins, seemingly happy to do this for the team and the staff. “Barkeep, I need a round of shots for the whole bar!” he announces.

The bar cheers—those who are part of the Blaze organization and those who aren’t.

“It would be a shame to leave them out,” he says in explanation.

“You’re a good man, August,” I tell him.

“Really? All it took was me buying you some shots for you to call me that, huh? Or is it because I got you to tell me that you had a threesome? Which I still want the details of, by the way.”

I shake my head. “No, that’s not it. I just don’t think you realize what you did here. And that’s okay.”

It’s not worth explaining to him that when I was in the league, it was rare that management came out with us like this. They never bought us drinks and barely treated us like we were people. Instead, they mostly stayed in the offices or the luxury boxes. But not August. He’s determined to make this team a family. The girls might not be able to see that it’s what he’s doing, but I do. And I’m thankful for it. It makes him a little more tolerable in my book, and a good man.

But that’s not necessarily something I can explain to him tonight. Not in this loud bar with shots being passed around.

“That’s gonna be a hell of a bill,” Mac says with a laugh.

“I don’t give a shit. Totally worth it,” August tells her. “Don’t drink your shots until everyone has one. We’re gonna toast!”

The whole bar erupts in cheers. Cassie’s eyes dart around like she’s trying to look anywhere but at me or anyone else at this table. I hate that the knowledge of my threesome may be killing her.

Once everyone has a drink, which takes longer than I expect it to, August jumps up on his barstool, getting everyone’s attention with a whistle. “Everyone! I want you to raise your shot glass to the women of the Tampa Bay Blaze. They went out there and played one hell of a game. They deserve to be celebrated tonight, and they deserve to get shit-faced. So, if you can, buy these girls a drink.” Cheers erupt from all around him again. “To the Blaze!” he shouts.

“To the Blaze!” the whole bar cheers.

I laugh at all the celebrations breaking out around me. I almost don’t get to do my shot with the rest; I’m so enamored by how August pulled them all together. Sure, he’s a smooth talker, but he’s also good with people. It’s what’s going to help him go far with this team. And it’s also what gets him laid too.

Downing my shot, I add the glass to the bar with the rest of them. It’s time to get up and move. I grab my beer and slide off the stool. I make a beeline for Cassie, who’s standing a bit off by herself. I wonder if it’s all because of me and what she learned tonight.

“Are you okay?” I ask her.