Page 39 of Racing Heat (The Forbidden Heat #2)

~CASSIE~

Iwake up with a pounding headache, still at Amelia’s.

It feels like someone has driven a truck through that and my heart.

Hushed voices come from the living room.

It’s time to get up and find out what’s going to happen to me today and what they’re going to do to Jase.

That’s what worries me the most. What will they do to him, and will he go back to Manchester?

I don’t think I’d be able to handle working there and not seeing him.

But something is going to be done with one or both of us. I’m sure August is apparently going to hold his ground on this one, which is weird to me considering how much of a manwhore he can be. Why would he choose this to stand his ground on?

Stupid August.

Stupid rules.

Stupid policy they made me sign.

Stupid dreams that just might be over.

I stretch my limbs and climb out of bed.

I might as well go into the living room—face the girls and the music.

My phone isn’t in here. I left it in the living room because I couldn’t trust myself not to contact him last night.

I might have heard something from the Blaze.

I’m sure August was up bright and early trying to figure out all the ways he could ruin my life.

“Morning, everyone,” I say as I make my way into the living room. Mac, Amelia, and Hendrix are standing around the island, talking quietly. “You guys don’t have to be so quiet. I’m up and I know that I royally screwed up.”

Mac is the first one to come over to me. “That’s not what we were talking about, actually. Right, girls?” she says, looking back at them.

“That’s right.” Amelia comes over and wraps me in a hug. “I was telling them how much happier you seemed to be these past couple of weeks, and now I know the reason why. He was making you happy and now all that’s been taken away from you. We’re here for you no matter what.”

I force a smile. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

“And if you want me to, I can slap the shit out of Cromwell,” Hendrix offers.

I pick up my phone and see that I have a few missed calls from the Blaze office. There are no more texts from Jase. That part hurts my heart a bit. I thought I would either wake up to find out that it was all a dream or find out that August decided he no longer cares about that stupid policy.

“The team called,” I tell them. “I guess I should call back and find out what they wanted.”

“Do you want some coffee first?” Amelia offers.

“No, I just want this over with.”

Mac brings me a glass of water. “Here, why don’t you take a few sips of this and then give them a call.”

“I think I’m going to go back to my apartment first.” I look at them and shrug. “You know, just in case it’s not the best news.”

I’m sure it won’t be. The outcome can’t be good. I’ve analyzed it from every angle.

“Why don’t you just stay here?” Hendrix pleads with me.

“I just want to be alone. I’ll send a text with what the outcome is when it’s over. That way you know how to approach me or how sorry you should feel for me.”

“It might not be bad news…” Amelia’s voice trails off. I can hear the hope in it, but I feel like it’s false.

“I’m sure it is. But thanks for everything and for last night. You did help, believe it or not.” I shrug and make my way out of the apartment.

Once I’m in the comfort of my home, I stare at my phone. I know I need to hit send and make the call. I’ll never know what they’re going to say if I don’t call them back. What I wouldn’t give to be able to avoid it just a little longer.

“Fuck it!” I say to the empty apartment.

I hit send.

It rings and rings. Finally, August’s secretary picks up. “Mr. Cromwell’s office.”

“This is Cassie Simmons calling for August Cromwell.”

“Oh yes, he’s been expecting your call. One moment please, dear.” I’m put on hold while she lets him know I’ve called.

“August Cromwell,” he says when he picks up the phone.

“Hi, August. It’s Cassie. I’m returning your phone call.”

“Hi, Cassie.” His tone is tight and all business.

I haven’t heard him speak like this in a long time, and it’s never been directed at me.

I hate that it is now. He sighs. “The management team has met, and we’ve made a decision regarding the infraction that you and Jase Ford have committed.

” He pauses for a moment, and I hold my breath until I hear him speak again.

“The Blaze organization has decided that you’re being relieved of your contract for the violation of our fraternization policy.

We understand that you’re currently residing in team housing, and we have decided that you have sixty days to vacate the premises.

Please come and clear out your locker first thing tomorrow morning so as not to see the team. ”

I feel like I’ve just been stabbed in the chest. Just as soon as I was able to live my dream, it’s being taken away. I can’t believe they actually fired me.

“Okay, thank you for letting me know,” I say. The tears are threatening to fall, and I just want to get off the phone with whatever dignity I have left.

“It wasn’t an easy decision, but there had to be consequences for the infraction that you and Mr. Ford committed.”

I hate the way he’s saying infraction and how he’s used it more than once.

“Was Jase fired as well?” There’s a silence on the line, and I wonder if he heard me. “Did he get fired too?” I ask, rewording the question.

“I’m not sure I should tell you.” I know he’s not being a jerk. That he’s just trying to make sure he makes the decision that the rest of the organization would want him to.

“Okay.” I wonder if Jase would tell me if I called him.

He sighs into the phone. “Fine, I’ll tell you, but it’s not going to make you feel any better.”

“I’m sure it won’t. I just want to know.”

“We’re putting a letter of reprimand in his file. But he stays.”

The words “he stays” repeat over and over again in my head. How in the hell can he be staying? He had just as much sex as I did. He broke the same clause just as much as I did. How in the fuck is that fair?

I go to open my mouth, but there are no words.

“Look, Cassie, let me just be August for a moment. I’m sorry about this. I really am. It’s nothing personal; it’s just business. I’m sure this will sour our friendship or the group we hang out with. But I had to do this. He was the more valuable piece to the Blaze.”

Those words sting more than being told that Jase kept his job. He was the more valuable piece. Well, fuck if that isn’t the worst thing I’ve heard since August showed up in the restaurant.

“I understand,” I reply. My voice is so small and soft that I’m not even sure he heard me. But then August speaks again.

“Cas, I’m sorry. I mean it. If there’s anything I can do, please let me know.”

“Yeah, can you get me a new NWSL team?” My voice sounds so hollow as my brain rushes to process my options.

“I don’t think I can do that, but I’m sure when the draft opens up again in the spring you may be able to join another team.”

“If all the of the college prospects aren’t taking up all the open spots.”

“There’s always an open tryout,” he reminds me.

“Yeah, sure there is.” I sink onto my couch. “Thank you for letting me know. I’ll clean out my locker tomorrow.”

“Thank you,” he replies. “And I really am sorry. It’s not the decision I wanted to make. In fact, I didn’t want to get rid of you at all. You were a valuable part of this team.”

“Then why did you?” I ask him.

“Because we can’t be the organization where coaches sleep with their players. Do you have any idea how bad that looks?”

I nod. “Yeah, it’s not the best look.”

“We’re still trying to make a name for ourselves. This was a necessary consequence.”

“I understand.”

“Goodbye, Cassie.” He clicks off the line and I fall to the floor crying.

I’m not sure how long I’m down there, but eventually it’s time to pick myself up. I promised the girls I would tell them the outcome, so I text Mac.

Cassie: I was fired. 60 days is all you have left of me being your neighbor.

I hit send and head for the shower. I wash away all of last night’s makeup, the perfume I was wearing just for him, and scrub the shame from my body.

I was so stupid. How could I let a man take something that means so much to me?

How could I be that woman? Didn’t feminism and all the hard work that female athletes put in before me mean anything?

Apparently not, because I was able to throw it away so easily on an English accent and a man with a nice body.

After my shower, I head out to the couch, where I’ve decided I’m going to rot for the day.

I’m giving myself today and tomorrow to wallow, and then I have to start figuring out what I’ll be doing with the rest of my life.

Whether that’s getting a job and remaining in Tampa or running home with my tail between my legs.

Unfortunately, there’s no room on my couch for me to lie down. Mac and Amelia are perched on both ends, while Hendrix is pacing the room.

“I swear to God, I’m going to rip his balls off and feed them to him,” Hendrix roars. “Why the fuck are you fired while Jase gets to keep his job?”

“How do you know that Jase gets to keep his job?” I ask.

“Danny,” Mac answers for her.

I nod. Well, at least someone has checked on him.

I sink down between them on the couch. “You guys still have a team, so you may want to head to practice soon.”

Mac pulls me into a hug. “No, this isn’t over. We’re going to do something. I’m not sure what, but there has to be something that we can do.”

I shake my head. “I broke a very clear clause in my contract. There’s nothing to be done. This has been spun as far as you can spin it.”

“There has to be something we can do,” Amelia chimes in. “You can’t leave.”

“I can’t do this without you,” Mac tells me. “You and me playing together in the NWSL was the dream.”

“Well, I made a stupid decision and killed that dream,” I say, lying back into the couch. “It’s fine. It’s totally fine.”

“No, this can’t be it. This just can’t be it,” Hendrix chimes in, still pacing all around my living room. “There has to be something we can do.”

“Yeah, well, there isn’t.”

“Are you going to call Jase?” Amelia asks. “Do you think he knows that you’ve been fired?”

“I’m sure he does. But he’s probably not allowed to contact me or some shit like that. I’m sure August practically put a boot on his junk when it comes to me.” That makes Hendrix howl with laughter. “Maybe I should just be a comedian. I’m making her laugh.”

“You would totally rule at that. But you’re not going to need to do that. I’m going to fix this,” Hendrix says before storming out.

“It’s sweet of her to try, but there’s nothing she can do to fix this. You girls should go. It’s almost time for practice and you shouldn’t be late. You still play for the team.”

Mac sighs. “This can’t be over.”

“Well, it is.” My words are barely a whisper.

The girls leave for practice with the promise of checking on me later.

I almost hope they don’t. I want to be alone.

The day draws on with no word from Jase.

Not that I expect one. I just really want him to come over or call, but he does neither.

It adds to my sorrow and helps me stay lying on my couch feeling sorry for myself for a mess that I helped create.