Page 16 of Racing Heat (The Forbidden Heat #2)

Chapter Sixteen

~CASSIE~

The next few days are busy, and we don’t see much of each other. There were no plans made when we separated after our run. I don’t dare ask questions, because it’s time for game day and we have to put our heads down and focus.

So that’s what I do.

I prepare for the game against Kansas City. It’s a must win for us so that we can secure a playoff spot. But I don’t know when enough becomes enough with the playoff talk and pressure. I want to ask Jase that question, but I don’t. Instead, I float the idea to Mac.

“Has Coach calmed down yet about us winning one more? From what I saw the other day on the board, it looked like we might just be there.”

Mac shrugs. “I don’t actually know. Coach Watts and Andie just keep on calling for more and more. I’m sure they’re nervous since it’s the first season and there’s a lot riding on this.”

I nod. “I know the feeling. When we were in college and we were looking toward the NCAA tournament, I feel like the terms of what we needed were so much easier. I thought that when we went pro, there would be a clearer path.”

“There will be,” Jase says behind us. “They’re just trying to keep you hungry.”

We both turn around, and I smile at the sight of him. It’s got to be almost ninety degrees, and he’s wearing pants and a Tampa Bay Blaze polo shirt. God, he looks good standing there so self-assured.

“I don’t like being kept this hungry,” Mac admits.

“What do you want to know, Captain?” he asks her.

She smiles and walks over to him. “Give it to me straight. How many more of these do we need to win so that we can actually be in the playoffs? When can we breathe a bit more?”

Jase nods and pulls out his phone. “Here’s the bracket.

You can see we’re on a bubble with two other teams—the Washington Spirit and the North Carolina Courage.

We need both of them to keep on losing for us to have a sure spot.

Problem is, the Courage aren’t going away as quietly as we thought they might.

So, every win that you girls secure is a help to us.

Every time you knock a team down, the playoffs come closer into view.

It’s not a clear-cut path, and I know you wish it were.

You two just have to stay focused and you’ll get there. ”

Mac nods. “Thank you. I don’t know why Coach Watts can’t show us this kind of shit.” She turns to me. “I’m going to do my pre-game lap. You coming?”

I’m too busy watching Jase to answer. He winks at me.

“You should go for that pre-game walk with your captain. It’ll help calm you both before the game. I’ll catch ya later,” he says before walking off.

We stretch, walk, and do our passes—everything I like to do in order to quiet the voices in my mind before the game.

We’ve been getting more and more fans attending the games, and it’s not as much of a circus as it used to be.

Some people used to come just to see the mess Mac had created.

Because she was a cover story: the striker who fell for the reporter who was supposed to be interviewing her.

I know Mac says it was messy when they got together, but I love their story.

I’m glad she found her version of happy.

The rest of the team begins to roll in, and we start our warmup and routine.

The fans are the next to follow. There’s nothing quite like the energy that fills the stadium on game day.

It’s like the whole stadium is humming with electricity.

It’s palpable and I love it. It’s one of the best feelings in the world.

Playing soccer back in Portland gave me this kind of feeling, but being here in Tampa, it’s on a whole other level.

I don’t know what I would do if I ever lost this like Jase did.

I can’t think of that now. I have to get my head game day ready.

I get a moment alone with Jase before we’re ready to announce the starting lineups and play the anthem.

I’m standing on the sideline going through things in my head.

Remembering which number Coach Watts said to watch out for.

Remembering where I need to place the ball for Mac and Kelsey.

I can almost feel my feet moving along with my head.

“Getting your head right?” He’s standing right beside him. If I moved less than an inch, our arms would be touching.

“I am.” I sneak a peek over at him and he smiles. It makes me feel giddy and light.

“Good. I figured you were, but I just wanted to check in and see how you were doing.”

I nod. “I’m glad you did.”

“I’m not your coach and this is okay,” he tells me.

“Are you telling me or are you telling yourself?” I ask him.

“Yes” is all he says. He takes a step closer to me. We’re touching now. I can feel the warmth of his body. I’ve never wanted to get lost in someone else’s arms more than I do right now.

But it’s game day and we both have a job to do.

“Are you going out tonight?” I ask him.

“Yeah, I think August said depending on the outcome of the game it’s either bar night or a dancing night. Are you going?”

“Yes. And it’s going to be a dancing night.”

Neither one of us looks at the other while we talk, both staring out at the field like that will help not draw attention to our conversation.

It’s not that he shouldn’t be talking to me before a game; it’s just that Jase has no real reason to.

He should be over with Hendrix and the other goalies, readying them for the game, but instead he’s here with me.

“Hendrix ready?”

“Of course. That girl was born ready. And I think if I send her through one more drill or combination, she’s going to kick my ass herself.”

“That’s my girl. Always ready for something.”

He laughs. “She sure is something.”

“Giving you a run for your money, huh?”

“I’m a big boy. I can handle it.”

That statement causes my head to spin in his direction.

“You’re beautiful, Cassie. Absolutely fucking beautiful.”

My voice gets caught in my throat. No one has ever seen me standing here game day ready, hair in a braid, dressed in my soccer uniform and cleats, and called me beautiful before.

“What’s that look for?” Jase moves and stands in front of me, blocking my view of the field.

“No one has ever called me beautiful before,” I admit to him with a shrug.

“Boys, Cassie. You’ve been dealing with boys. This is what it’s like dealing with someone who is a whole kid-who-can-drive older than you.”

I smile at him. “I guess so.”

“Just make sure it’s a dancing night and not a bar night. I want to celebrate with you.” He turns on his heel and walks away from me.

I watch his retreating form, wondering if he’s going to look back at me. But he doesn’t. And that’s the only conversation we have until after the game.

I’m standing in my spot waiting for the whistle to blow for the second half of our game. The Blaze are up two-nothing. The goals both belong to Mac. She’s on fire tonight. I’m so proud of her. The assist of one of our goals belongs to me, and the other to the center mid, DJ.

The Blaze are looking good tonight. Coach Watts has been sitting for most of the game.

The more we play together, the less he stands and directs.

It makes me nervous sometimes when he sits and isn’t showing any emotion.

Makes me wonder what he’s thinking about the game.

Those thoughts go away, though, as the whistle blows and we’re off and running for the second half.

It’s a tough second half. I end up running box to box trying to keep the ball out of our defense. Hendrix is on fire making save after save. But then she comes out a bit too far and a ball flies into the net.

“Fuck!” she screams.

Amelia goes running over to try to calm her down. The refs can’t hear her swearing like that.

Jase is up on his feet and yelling directions to Hendrix. “We gotta get back. You can’t come out like that and expect the angle to be cut, Hen. Come on, now, let’s freaking go.”

“Easy, we’ve got this,” I call to Jase.

His head snaps in my direction. I don’t normally address him during the games, but yelling at Hendrix right now isn’t going to help things. But it doesn’t stop his emotional response, which is usually kept in check. Except when it’s not.

The Blaze sets back up, and the Kansas City Current have us on the run.

They are definitely more of a second-half team, and they are definitely putting the pressure on us.

But we can win this; I know we can. I sprint so hard that my lungs are burning.

I call for the ball from Amelia and she sends it up to me.

It lands in perfect placement. I fire off without a second thought.

The shot comes from the eighteen, which is far, but I’ve made them before.

This one goes in.

The crowd erupts cheers.

“Yes, girl!” Mac screams as she comes over and hugs me. The rest of the girls engulf me, and we celebrate our now two-goal lead over the Current.

That goal is enough to keep us in the lead, and we close out the game with a win.

Walking through the lines, we say “Good game” to everyone who passes.

One of the girls stops me. “Nice shot, eight,” she says, patting me on the back.

“Thank you.” I glance at her number. It’s not one I remembering going up against, but I take the compliment all the same.

With this win, it’ll be a dancing night for sure. And I can’t wait to see what that means for Jase and me.