Page 12 of Racing Heat (The Forbidden Heat #2)

~CASSIE~

“Are you ready yet?” Henny is standing right beside my locker as I’m pulling on my shorts.

“Why are you rushing me?” I ask her. “Do you need me to leave or something?”

“You don’t remember, do you?” She’s grinning.

“Clearly I don’t.” I put a bit more edge into my voice than I mean to, but she doesn’t seem to notice. She’s still grinning at me like an idiot.

“Jase is taking us to get fish and chips with him,” she says, lowering herself onto the bench. “You still wanna go, right?”

“Fuck. Do we have to do that today?”

“What’s going on? First Jase is all distracted and weird while we’re practicing, and now you’re trying to bail. I just want some freaking food. Are you really going to make me go eat by myself?”

“No one said I was going to make you do that.” But it’s like she doesn’t hear me as she turns to Mac.

“What are you up to after practice?” Hendrix asks her. “Would you like to come with us?”

“Thanks, Henny. I would love to, but I’m making Danny dinner tonight.” She gathers her stuff and gets ready to leave. “But if it’s good, then let’s go get some another time, okay?” Mac turns to me. “Either Jase or Henny can give you a ride home, right?”

“You got me, Hen?” I ask.

She nods. “Yeah, or you could let Jase give you a ride home.”

“I’ll take ride from you,” I tell her, shaking my head. I finish getting ready and turn toward her. “Are you sure he wants to do this? He didn’t seem to be in a particularly good mood today, like you said. Maybe we should reschedule?”

“No, don’t do that,” Mac says. “He’s going out with the guys tonight, and August is in charge, so they’ll need all the food in them they can get.” She shakes her head. “I swear, August has never grown out of that frat-boy stage.”

“Agreed,” Hendrix replies. “See, we can’t cancel. We need to feed him so that he doesn’t get sloppy drunk tonight.”

“Oh, he’s going to anyway,” I remark.

“We’re fucking going.” Hendrix slams my locker shut. “And he’s going. Now, let’s fucking go.”

“You better go or she’s going to kick your ass,” Mac tells me with a giggle. “And she’ll do it, too.”

“Yeah, yeah” is all I say in return.

“You okay?” she asks, studying my features like that will give her an answer. If she stares at me long enough, I feel like she’ll figure it out. Mac has a way with that.

“I’m good. Just tired, I guess,” I tell her with a shrug.

“Well, you feeling up to a girls’ night tonight? We could eat ice cream and watch some rom-coms?”

“That sounds tempting, but no. I think I just want a night in.”

“Why don’t you go to lunch and get a nice long shower when you get back and then decide? Because I think it would be fun for us to hang out tonight. All of us. We can calm Henny down and bring her. Amelia should come too. I’m not sure what’s up with her, but she’s been so quiet lately.”

I nod, considering it. “Let’s see how I feel after all of those things, and I’ll let you know.”

“Well, I’m saying something to Amelia, so you better get your attitude fixed and come over later.” With that, Mac turns on her heel and leaves the locker room.

“Let’s go!” Hendrix screams from somewhere by the door.

“Keep your shirt on, I’m coming.” I grab my stuff and head over to the exit.

Hendrix and I walk to the parking lot and find Jase standing beside my Jeep.

“Who’s driving?” he asks.

“I can,” I say. I’m assuming that’s why he’s standing behind my Jeep.

“Great!” Hendrix says.

She’s so excited to be going on this lunch date that I feel bad for dreading it. So, I do my best to perk up.

Hopping into the Jeep, I notice that Jase has taken the front seat, and Hendrix is comfortably seated in the back. Her dark brown, almost black, hair is secured in a ponytail since it’ll be flowing all around her once we start driving. I hit play on my favorite playlist once my cell phone connects.

“Where are we headed?” I ask, turning to Jase. “Give me the name and not the turn-by-turn directions.”

He chuckles. “Reef N’ Chips.”

“Thank you.” I smile at him.

He winks at me and my stomach flips.

“Do you not enjoy when I navigate for you?” he teases.

I glance in the rearview mirror to see that Henny is on her phone and not paying attention to what’s happening up front.

“Not especially. I like when I know where I’m going.”

“I’ll remember that. You know, for next time.”

I turn up the music and take us to the restaurant.

It’s over the by beach, almost near where we run.

I haven’t noticed it before, but that doesn’t really surprise me.

I don’t do a lot of exploring of my new home.

I mostly worry with soccer, workouts, and hanging out with the team.

They tend to stay near the stadium or by the beach.

This place though, despite its proximity to the beach, hasn’t been discovered by us yet.

“This is near the Mexican place that Mac loves so much,” I tell them both once the car is parked and my music is no longer blaring.

“What was that? I think I’m deaf.” He shakes his head while rubbing at his ear. “I’ve never heard Taylor Swift quite that loud before.”

“Oh, shut up,” Hendrix says, hopping out of the back of the Jeep. “It’s the only way to play her music on a nice warm day like this.”

I smile at him. “Well, if you can’t appreciate her musical talents, you could walk back to the stadium.”

“You’d make me walk back?” he asks as he climbs out of the Jeep.

“Yeah, I would.” It’s my turn to wink at him and join Henny as she heads into the restaurant. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Jase jogging to keep up with us.

Once inside, we’re seated at a booth in the back of the restaurant.

Hendrix chooses the side with me, and Jase is across from us.

He looks so devilishly attractive sitting there.

His arms are stretched out across the back of the booth, and with the way he’s leaning back, his legs are probably sprawled out underneath the table.

I lean back and stretch my own legs out, and my suspicions are confirmed when my feet find his leg.

They touch and he stares at me as he rubs his foot against mine.

Hendrix is none the wiser. She’s too busy glancing over the menu.

“You don’t need that,” Jase tells her. “We’re all gonna get the fish and chips. That’s why we’re here.”

“Yeah, but they have them with different spice or seasoning levels,” she says, looking up from the menu.

“They do, but you came here for an experience, so we’re going with the original. You know, so you can get a good sense of what an English fish and chips would taste like.”

“In Tampa,” I remind him with a teasing tone.

Jase looks over, eyes locking on mine. “Yeah, in Tampa. But trust me, I’ve been around, and I know what a good one tastes like.”

I watch him for a moment, beaming at him. He looks so proud to be showing me a part of himself. I open my mouth to speak, but the waitress comes over and steals my chance.

“I’ll have a coke, please,” Jase tells her.

“Water,” I reply.

“Same for me,” Hendrix says.

“And we know what we want,” Jase tells her. “We’ll have three of the original, please.”

“I’ll have those drinks right out for you.” Her eyes linger on Jase for a little longer than I would like. She waltzes away, and I’m sure the sway of her hips is for his benefit.

“Well, she’s certainly friendly,” I remark.

Jase chuckles. “Yeah, the service here is really great.”

“I’m sure it is.” I shake my head.

“I’m going to hit the bathroom real quick,” Hendrix says, exiting the booth and leaving us alone.

“Jealous?” he asks me.

I can’t help but notice the casual way he’s draped over the booth. The ease in which he’s smiling at him. I really wish I could go over there and straddle him, getting another one of those mind-blowing kisses from this morning.

“She’s not the one I’m looking at, if it helps you,” he adds.

“Who are you looking at?” I ask him, my throat going dry. I instantly wish that my water was here so that I could have a sip.

“I think you know who I’m looking at.”

“Yeah, I’m just not sure why.” I lean back into the booth and watch him.

“If I have to spell it out for you, then you’re not as bright as I thought you were.”

Hendrix chooses that moment to come back, and of course the spell of whatever was happening here is broken.

I wish she hadn’t come back yet. I would have loved to actually have a conversation with him about this morning.

Is he wanting to start something with me?

It’s wrong and we shouldn’t…but I really want to, consequences be damned.

“What are we talking about?” Hendrix asks, looking between the two of us.

“Nothing,” we answer in unison.

“That was weird,” she mutters. “Something you’re hiding from me?”

Luckily, the waitress is back to flirt with Jase some more, so there’s no need for either of us to answer that question. Jase bumps my foot underneath the table while she talks to him.

“Here are your drinks.” Her eyes are only on Jase as the waters are placed in front of Hendrix and me. His coke is placed in front of him as she leans in. “Is there anything else I can get for you?”

“Nope. Just our meals when they’re ready.” Jase grins widely at her, which she apparently takes as encouragement.

“Gretchen, is it?” I ask, looking at her name tag.

“Yeah.” She doesn’t even acknowledge that it’s me who’s spoken. Her eyes are still on Jase’s.

“We’re good. You can head on to the back or wherever it is that you go. We’ll let you know when we need refills or anything else.” My tone is sharp.

Hendrix snickers beside me, and Jase’s eyes snap to mine. I can’t be certain, but for a split second, I think pride flashes in his brown eyes before he turns back to Gretchen.

“Thanks, we’re good,” he tells her.

That causes her to scurry away.

“God, she was all over you,” Hendrix comments with a shake of her head.

“I think it’s the accent. Most women find it sexy.” He winks at me.

“I’m not really sure why,” I reply.

Jase throws his head back, laughing. “Thanks for humbling me.”

We fall into small talk about the upcoming game against Kansas City.

“I think we have a good shot at beating them,” Hendrix says. “A few of their starters are experiencing injuries, so that will work out well in our favor.”

“I don’t want to win because some of the team is hurt,” I grumble beside her.

“Yeah, well, this team is really good,” Hendrix replies. “They’re already in the playoffs, not on a bubble like we are.”

“Cassie is right, though,” Jase remarks. “It’s better to beat them without injuries, but we can use their injuries to our advantage. Capitalize on the fact that they’re down their best players and kick some ass. It’s a sure way into the playoffs.”

Our food shows up at that moment, effectively killing the conversation. It’s not delivered by Gretchen. I wonder if she complained about the way I spoke to her and won’t be coming back. I kind of hope that’s the case.

“This is so fucking good,” Hendrix says after her first bite of the fish. “I’m not usually a fried fish kind of girl, but this is heavenly.”

I take a bite, and a moan escapes my lips. “I agree. This is so good. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m hungry or if it’s actually that good.”

Jase laughs. “It’s actually that good. But yeah, I’m sure you’re starved.” The way his eyes darken and intently find mine tells me that he doesn’t just mean for food.

The rest of lunch goes by without incident. The conversation flows freely, and I find I enjoy spending time with Hendrix and Jase. It’s nice to be out to lunch with them and joking around.

When we arrive back to the stadium, Hendrix announces, “I’m going home to take a nap.

I could use one after that practice and lunch.

And you have boys’ night tonight, which means we get girls’ night.

It will be nice for all of us to get together.

” She backs away from us to her car. “I’ll see you both later. Thanks for the good food, Jase.”

We watch each other for a moment. I think we’re both hoping the other one says something to keep us here longer. I know that I am.

“The garage was able to bring my car here, so I’m gonna head home. A nap actually sounds great.” He turns to leave, but then he looks back at me and holds his hand up like he’s got a point he wants to get across. But he doesn’t actually say anything. Instead, he drops it and just says, “Bye.”

“See ya,” I say, getting back into the Jeep. I drive home in silence, running over the events of the morning, the kiss, and the lunch, dissecting every detail and wondering what, if anything, it all meant.