Page 22 of Racing Heat

Mac has been taking her team-captain duties very seriously lately. It’s like she’s finally come into her own and realized that the captain’s hat she wears is something she earned. It wasn’t handed to her on a whim. Mac has come through for our team in spades, always making sure everyone feels included, even the ones who ride the bench. I know that weighs heavily on her. It does on me from time to time. It’s hard to believe that as rookies in the NWSL, we’re starters. And that there are girls who have played for a year or two in the league and they still sit.

I drive us to Fun Palace. Pulling into the parking lot, I notice that Coach Watts and Jase are already here.

“Looks like you’re not the only one who thought they should be here early.” I gesture toward Coach’s truck and Jase’s Audi.

“I recognize Coach Watt’s truck, but who’s Audi is that? It’s nice.”

“Jase Ford’s,” I tell her.

Her head spins in my direction. “Just how do you know that?”

“Because I’ve seen him arrive at practice.” I say the words slowly, like she’s crazy for thinking that it would be for any other reason. No one knows that we’ve fallen into this weird routine where we run together. Sure, I can’t push myself like I’d like to, because he’s slower than me. But I don’t mind. I enjoy his company.

“Ah, okay. Makes sense,” she replies. “Sorry, I guess I’m just keyed up for this.”

“Hey,” I say, placing my hand on her shoulder. “Relax, Captain. It’s going to be so much fun!”

We head toward the building and see that our coaches have yet to find their way inside.

“Hey, Coaches,” Mac calls to Jase and Coach Watts, who are standing behind Coach Watts’s truck.

“What’s up, Captain? Cassie?” Coach Watts replies as he watches us approach.

“Hey,” I say in response. I look only at Coach Watts and not at Jase, but I can feel his eyes on me.

It got weird at the bar the other night. Something about hearing him admit that he’d had a threesome really bothered me. It was like I felt some sort of ownership over him, and I didn’t want something like that to be true. The rational part of my brain knows that I have no reason to be jealous and that feeling that way can only get me into trouble. However, the other side is winning, and it believes that Jase should only be for me.

So, I might just be screwed. Which is why looking at him right now isn’t a good idea.

“I think this will be a fun day.” Jase’s accent fills my ears.

I could sit and listen to this man read me the telephone book and I’d find it sexy.

“Did you guys do anything like this when you played?” Mac asks Jase.

I look up at that moment and our eyes meet.

“Nah, my team didn’t do things like this together,” he says.

She nods. “Hopefully everyone has fun.”

“I think they will. It’s a good choice,” Jase reassures her.

“I’m going to go make sure everything is set up and ready.” Mac heads toward the entrance.

“I’ll come help you.” I follow Mac inside. “Relax, this is a good choice. Better than all of us hanging out at the beach. This is something the girls don’t normally get to do. Did you invite August?” I’m pretty sure she didn’t, but I ask anyway. He’s super involved with all aspects of our team, which is nice. But for this…hopefully, he won’t be here. Unless he wants to foot the bill.

“Nah, I felt like we could do without him.”

The bonding event is in full swing and it’s a hit. I’ve driven a go-kart three times already. I think I could go another one or two times if I wanted to, but I’m currently enjoying some of the pretzels and cheese that are set out for the team to munch on, along with some other concession-stand food. Andie brought some fruit trays, too, which have already been devoured. It’s a cheat day, so I decide to indulge in the pretzels with beer cheese.

“That’s not great pub food,” an English accent tells me on approach.

Jase lowers himself onto the bench beside me. He’s so close that if I moved even an inch, our shoulders would be touching. I can feel the warmth of his body from here.

I giggle. “Well, I’m pretty sure we’re not in a pub. I think this is standard concession-stand food.”

“That’s not what the Blaze serves,” he reminds me.