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

Chapter Two

~JASE~

The Backwoods is pretty crowded tonight.

Danny, August, and I have been able to grab our normal table.

They were my first real friends in the US.

I met August first; him and his father, Maxwell Cromwell, were the ones who hired me.

The Cromwell’s own the Tampa Bay Blaze. Eventually, Maxwell will step away and August will have full ownership.

I knew I would immediately like August. He made an effort to get to know me, took me out for meals and helped me find the lay of the land in Tampa.

Danny used to be a sports reporter for a Tampa Bay paper—until he got caught screwing around with Mackenzie Dixon. His job didn’t survive the fallout, but their relationship did, and now he’s a college swim coach.

When Mac arrives with her friends, she’s going to have a hard time finding a table. Danny said they’re on their way. I’m not sure who that includes, but I hope it means Cassie’s among them.

“Think we should steal them some extra seats to sit with us?” Danny asks.

“Why, are you worried about getting in trouble with the missus?” August teases him.

I laugh along with August, while Danny flips us both off.

Mac and Danny do act like an old married couple, but it’s nice.

It’s nice to see him so happy, and her too.

I don’t dare say that to August, though.

He’s in his bachelor era, and making fun of Danny for being in a relationship is something he really enjoys.

Deep down, I think he’s happy for him. But that’s assuming August has a deep down.

Danny rolls his eyes. “I’m not worried about getting into trouble with her. I just thought it would be nice if the girls had somewhere to sit when they came in.”

“Who is coming in with her?” I ask.

“You know, the usuals—Cassie, Hendrix, Amelia, and I think maybe Andie.” Danny glances at his phone. I assume he’s looking for updates from Mac. “I told her the bar was busy, so hopefully they get their asses here soon.”

Hendrix is the goalie on the team and Amelia is the center-back. The four of them appear to be inseparable. It’s nice how closely they’ve bonded. They’ve even taken Andie, the assistant coach, under their wing. Andie’s quieter than they are, but they sure can make her smile and come alive.

“I’m sure they will.” I take a slow sip of my beer.

“Why is it so busy in here tonight?” Danny asks, looking around.

“I think it’s the fight that has people coming in,” August remarks distractedly as he reads something on his phone.

“The one between the two reality stars?” I ask.

“That would be the one.” August sets his phone down, fully joining our conversation.

“Apparently, that’s what counts for good sports TV these days,” Danny says, his tone thick with sarcasm.

“It’s a good thing you’re not in the media anymore,” August tells Danny. “Would you have had to write a piece on it?”

Danny glances at the TV and turns his attention back to us with a shrug.

“I’m not sure—maybe. It would all depend on how much of an ass my editor felt like being that week.

He liked to punish us with those types of assignments because, like you said, it’s not really good sports TV.

It’s carefully orchestrated, but we have to pretend it’s not. ”

“The dude they replaced you with is so green,” I tell Danny.

“He doesn’t ask the tough questions like you did.

I accompanied Hendrix into the media room the other day because she asked me to.

And boy, the questions were pure softballs.

I think she was a little insulted about how little depth they had. ”

He nods. “Yeah, I’ve been reading a few of his pieces. He doesn’t appear to have the same approach that I do.”

“You mean he’s not an asshole?” August teases him.

He’s right, the guy isn’t. And it’s not that Danny is an asshole; he just asked tough question that made the media rooms, and the stories, come alive.

It was what he was good at. It was what got him, and Mac started.

Verbal sparring in the media room turned into this love affair they have going on now.

“Ever miss it?” I ask Danny.

“Nope,” he replies. “I like coaching swimming more than I thought I would.”

“That’s great, man,” I reply.

“Is it hard to coach knowing you’re never actually going to compete again?”

Danny tenses at August’s question. I do too, because it’s not like I’ll ever play on the professional stage again. Sure, I play in the occasional pickup game. But I’m slower now than I used to be, and I can’t dive. Diving puts me in too much pain.

I completely miss Danny’s answer. I’m too lost in my thoughts, until the girls come over and join us, their boisterous laughter and conversation instantly brightening the table.

Danny places his arm around Mac, pulling her into his side for a kiss.

I look away from the intimate moment. My senses are overwhelmed by the smell of sweet flowers coming from Cassie.

She’s standing beside me, wearing tight black jeans and a white top.

I take a moment to appraise her, hoping that no one else, especially Cassie, notices.

“Good evening,” I say to her, my tone faltering a bit when her dazzling blue eyes meet mine.

“Hey” is all I get in reply. “We heading to the bar to grab drinks?” she asks the girls.

My mood deflates at the fact that as quickly as she came, she may be leaving.

“Nah, no need to go over there,” August says, holding his hand up to get someone’s attention. “We’ll flag down the waitress.”

“It’s nuts in here tonight.” Mac looks around at the crowds huddled over the tables and hovering around the bar. “I can go up to the bar.”

“You sure can. But it’s their job and we’ll tip them handsomely,” August counters, grinning at us.

“Yeah, just stay here,” Danny tells her as he helps her take up residence on his lap, not so covertly squeezing her ass in the process.

“There are other chairs,” August says with a roll of his eyes.

“Not enough for her,” Danny argues, his grip tightening on Mac.

There are only three extra chairs, which Cassie, Amelia, and Hendrix are currently occupying.

“What’s the matter, Auggie, do you not enjoy a little PDA from the happy couple?” Hendrix teases him. “Worried monogamy is a disease you might catch? Because I think you’d be okay. They’re clean—unlike what comes home with you.”

“Damn,” Amelia says with a giggle. “Might not want to antagonize one of our owners.”

We all crack up—except for August, of course. He’s busy glaring at Hendrix.

“Yeah, what are you going to do when contract renewals come around?” His stoic expression makes me think he’s going to enjoy giving her a hard time about her contract.

“Talk to your father,” she fires back.

A waitress comes over to the table, effectively stopping the conversation.

Which might be for the best, because August looks like he could have leveled her with just a stare.

I can’t imagine what was going to come out of his mouth.

He and Hendrix have a history, but he won’t share much.

And none of us are going to press him about it.

The girls order their drinks, everyone getting something fruity but Cassie. She orders a beer.

“You like beer, huh?” I ask her lamely. I immediately wish I’d thought of something else to say.

She smiles brightly in my direction. “Yeah. I like a little bit of everything, but today just seemed like a beer kind of night.”

I nod, unsure what to say to carry on the conversation.

Besides, the girls are talking about the upcoming game.

The team will be traveling to San Francisco to play Angel FC.

I’ve seen the stat sheets; I know what they’re worried about.

The shooters have range, which means the shots will be coming at Hendrix hard, and sometimes from the eighteen.

I’ve been working on long balls with her, but I know she’s still nervous.

“Playoffs are a big possibility,” August says encouragingly. “So, calm your nerves and let’s just take it one match at a time.”

I smile at him. He’s not always the douche he likes to make himself out to be.

He’s a good businessman, and he’ll do well if his father ever hands the reins over.

I, for one, am looking forward to that day because August actually attends the games and makes a point to get to know the players.

His father is too busy with the other sports teams and businesses the Cromwell’s own.

“I’m still nervous about the long balls,” Hendrix says.

I nod in agreement. “We’re going to work on those some more. I’m going to ask Coach Watts if I can borrow Cassie or Mac at practice. I need you guys to fire them hard and fast from the eighteen.”

“Just let us know when you need us,” Cassie says from her stool beside me. She shifts her weight, which causes her leg to brush against mine.

Warmth shoots throughout my body at the nearness of her. I try to shake it off, telling myself that it’s just because it’s been a while since I’ve been with a woman.

I left an ex-wife back in Manchester, and it’s been slow getting back into any form of dating. One-night stands tend to be what I’m after at this point. I still have too many scars and insecurities bubbling up from that train wreck.

“You okay tonight?” August asks quietly from his stool beside me.

“Yeah, I’m good. Why, mate?” I cringe inwardly that he’s noticed my more somber than usual tone. Normally, I would be jumping into the conversation easier. But having her this close to me is making me question everything and hoping that no one notices my internal freak-out.

“You’re just really quiet. Things going alright?” August places a hand on my shoulder, giving it a pat.

“Just tired is all.” I try to shoot him a reassuring smile, but I’m not sure I succeed. I hate lying to August; he’s been great since I got here. Making sure to set me up with a place to stay and becoming my instant friend.

He nods, then answers a question Danny asks.

“Maybe you shouldn’t be running so hard,” Cassie says lowly, like she’s trying to keep her voice from being heard by August.

I turn to face her. “But then you would be denied the pleasure of my company, and we both know you don’t want that.”

She blushes, and I swear it makes my chest puff out a bit with pride. I feel dirty and wrong for flirting with her. She’s easily ten years younger than my almost forty years. I wonder if she realizes that, and if it would matter to her.

“I feel like I’m doing just fine out there on the trail. How are you doing with the double workouts? Are you going to be ready or burnt out from your choices?”

“Oh, I’ll be ready.” Her voice dips an octave lower, and I swear it’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard.

“I have no doubt about that.”

She watches me for a bit, mouth lightly parted.

I swallow audibly, my eyes zooming in on her lips.

I wonder what she tastes like. I have since the morning I ran into her at the beach.

She was all sexy and sweaty. I wondered if she’d taste salty or sweet.

She quickly turns her attention back to her friends, while I sit in silence.

“We should play darts or something,” Amelia says fidgeting on her stool between August and Hendrix. She never really can sit still. I’ve noticed that even when the team is standing around listening for directions, she’s moving side to side. Or bouncing on her heels.

“I’m not sure we’d be able to move in here,” I tell her, “as crowded as it is tonight.”

“We could just head over and see if people will let us play,” Mac says with a shrug. “I could use some movement instead of just sitting here all night long.”

“Are you so fidgety that if we don’t, you’ll head home to that rebounder of yours?” Cassie asks her.

“Rebounder?” I ask.

Cassie turns to me, her eyes shining brightly. “Oh, Mac has had this rebounder since she was a kid. It’s in her backyard.”

“Wow. That’s cool,” I reply, more enthusiastically than I should for such an item. I’m just happy to have a reason to have those eyes aimed at me.

“Yeah, it helps me work out some of that aggression. And it clears my head,” Mac adds.

“Danny doesn’t help enough with that?” August asks.

We all laugh, and Mac grows red.

“Leave her be,” Cassie replies, bumping her leg with mine.

“Is that an order?” I drain the rest of my beer while I watch her.

“Might be.” She winks at me.

The rest of the group has gone back to talking or having their own side conversations. I take advantage of that and start up a conversation of my own with Cassie.

“You running tomorrow, or are you going to be too hungover?” I ask her.

“We have an early one tomorrow. Don’t you and Henny have an early practice too?”

I shake my head, laughing. “I forgot we were getting started at seven thirty tomorrow.”

“Yeah, something about it being too hot to practice at the normal time.” She shakes her head and takes a long pull of her drink.

“You look like you need a refill. Want to go to the bar, love?” I ask her. The word ‘love’ just sneaks out, and she leans just a bit closer to me.

“Yeah, let’s do it,” she says, cheeks tinged pink.

We get up and head over to the bar, waiting to be noticed.

It’s gotten a little better in here than when we arrived.

It’s no longer two deep at the bar, which I’m silently cursing.

A larger crowd would mean more time away from the table, where it’s just me and her leaning into each other so that we can hear the words the other is speaking before the noise of the bar eats them up.

“We should get a round for the table,” she remarks.

“So, they aren’t suspicious?” I ask her.

Her grin grows wider. “Something like that.”

“I enjoyed our run this morning. I usually don’t have company.”

“I don’t either,” she admits, her eyes tracking down and studying her feet. “Are we going to make this a regular thing?”

I shrug. “I would like that very much.”

“Good. Me too.”

“This has to be our little secret. No one can know that we’re running together.”

I pull my brows together in confusion. “Why? We’re just running.”

“Because I don’t want them to think something is going on between us. You know how August will be. If he thinks we’re getting sweaty on our runs, he’ll assume that it’s happening somewhere else too.”

I chuckle. “Yeah, we wouldn’t want that.”

“No, we wouldn’t.” Her eyes dance with amusement.

The bartender chooses that moment to come over and take our order. I rattle off the drinks from the table and tell her to add it to my tab.

“How did you remember what everyone ordered? I’m impressed.”

“Oh, I have an excellent memory.”

She grins at me. And I wish I could stay with her at the bar and make her smile like that all night long.