Page 26 of Racing Heat

“I think the sugar may help you focus a bit,” she tells me. “I know bananas would be better for your legs, but I think the sugar will be helpful.”

“Thanks.” I take two slices, pull the rinds from the fruit, and suck the oranges down.

“Better?” she asks me when I’ve finished.

“Yeah. I guess I overdid it a bit.”

I feel like an ass. I’ve been running with her for over a week now and I’ve probably slowed her down. Now I’ve made her walkthe last of her run when she should have had no break in her stride.

“What’s wrong?” Cassie asks.

“Huh?” I look over at her, not sure what she’s referring to. Or if somehow she’s a mind reader who’s managed to hear my private thoughts.

“Your face fell there for a moment. There was something there.” She shifts her feet like maybe she said something she shouldn’t have.

“Actually, I was just thinking how embarrassing this is for me,” I admit sheepishly.

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve been holding you back. You’re a faster runner than I’m letting you be, and now I just made you walk.”

“Ah, I don’t mind. You’re forgetting I’m getting these miles in despite what the coaches would want me to be doing. I don’t mind walking with you, Jase. I don’t even mind running with you. It’s nice. I’ve actually stupidly been looking forward to seeing you in the mornings.”

“Why do you say stupidly?” I ask.

“Well, because you’re one of our coaches. It’s not really appropriate.” She shrugs like it’s obvious.

I nod. “Yeah, I know. But that hasn’t really stopped either one of us, huh?”

“Which is why I said stupidly.”

“I don’t have a lot of friends here,” I admit, which I haven’t really told anyone. Not even my family back in Manchester.

“Really?” Her eyes widen and I think there might be another word on the tip of her tongue, but she closes her mouth and smiles at me.

I shrug. “I mean, there’s August and Danny. Then pickup soccer. But I don’t really talk much to those guys other than topass them the ball. Nate has a family. Andie isn’t that friendly. So yeah, no one really to talk to. Talking to you is nice. I like it.”

I feel like an ass for saying that to her. Like I’m guilting her into talking to me when we see each other on runs. Or like I just made her feel sorry for me and now she thinks I’m pathetic.

Cassie sighs. “I get it. I’m not really ever alone because of living over at the apartments with the team. It’s kind of like college. But with Mac having Danny, she’s not around as much as she used to be. Hendrix keeps to herself. And Amelia is so shy and quiet. So, I get it. Plus, I like running with you too. It’s not just a way to keep me from going crazy. It’s nice to talk with you while running.”

“Even though I hold you back?” I tease her.

“Even then.”

We stare at each other awkwardly for a beat. I have an overwhelming urge to touch her, but I don’t.

“I should go,” I say quietly. At first, I’m not sure if she heard me. She’s still just standing there.

Finally, she says, “Yeah, I guess we better go.”

I nod and walk slowly back to my car. Once I’m in the Audi, I look over at her one last time, and she’s still standing there where I left her. I wave lamely. She waves back and heads to her Jeep.

I turn the Audi over, but nothing happens. I try again and again. Still, nothing happens. Only the sad sound of a car about to turn over and let the engine roar to life. But that’s not what happens.

I exit the car and call to her. “Cassie!”

She leans out of the Jeep, beaming at me.