Page 48 of Racing Heat

“Just having some hard conversations,” I tell him.

“Are you coming dancing tonight?”

“Yeah. I’m not much of a dancer, but I’ll be there.”

“I think the dancing is more for the girls. And August, because you know he needs a loud party,” Danny says with a laugh. “Plus, it’ll make some great foreplay for Mac and I.”

I laugh along with him. “Something definitely good will come out of our celebration tonight. And Mac sure has earned it. She looked great out there today.”

He beams at the mention of Mac’s performance. I love how proud and supportive he is of her. It’s nice to see. Especially with as busy as he’s been with coaching his college swim team. It’s not swimming season yet, but he’s still working on things andscouting the girls for next year’s team already. Still, Danny has never missed one of Mac’s games.

“You bet your ass she did. I can’t believe two more goals to add to the tally!”

“She rocked it,” I say, bumping fists with him.

“Cassie looked good tonight too, man.” Danny winks at me.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I furrow my brow.

“Just calling out the players who did well. I could also call out Amelia and Hendrix, but I doubt that would get the same reaction.” He watches me carefully.

It’s times like this that remind me Danny used to be a reporter, which means the man doesn’t miss much.

His photographer friend, Nick comes up and slaps him on the back, effectively ending our conversation. I’m glad for that because I’m not sure what I would have said next.

“Good to see you, Nick,” I say. “I love the pictures you’re getting of the team.”

August hired him around the same time Danny started doing the article on Mac, to take professional shots of the girls. Now he wears a press pass and puts out some great media shots that August and the rest of the team use for marketing.

“Thanks, man,” Nick replies. “Nice win.”

“Let’s get crazy tonight,” Danny says, whooping along with Nick.

I shake my head. “I’m sure we will. See you all in a bit.”

I head into the locker room and hear the tail end of the speech Mac’s giving. I make it just in time for her to say, “Family on three.”

“One, two, three, family!” the room cheers.

I cheer along even though I missed most of it. Hendrix still has her head down. I feel guilty for putting her in a shitty mood, so I go over to her and say, “Come on, Hen, shake it off. You hada good game. Don’t let that play get the best of you. It’s good to be mindful of where we can improve.”

She nods. “Yes, Coach.”

Mac comes over and pats Hendrix on the back. “Come on, girl, shake it off. It happens and we won. All good. You coming out with us tonight?”

“Next time we might not. And now I have an extra practice tomorrow.” She’s pouting, but she’s pouted before in hope that it would make me change her practice. It’s not going to work this time.

“Yep, you sure do,” I add. “And I think it’ll be a good thing for you. It’ll be fine. Just a light practice of Amelia and Cassie shooting on you. Mac can come if she would like.”

Mac sighs. “Wow, you’re trying to take all the fun out of a night out. I’m not even sure I’ll be ready to practice in the morning.”

“It’s at eleven,” I tell her.

“Oh, yeah. Well, I can do that. Sorry, Hen. Looks like we’re practicing in the morning,” Mac says in a singsong voice.

“Oh, you’re coming to that too?” Cassie comes over to us and puts her arm around Hendrix.

“Yeah, I was just invited,” Mac tells her.