Page 45 of Racing Heat (The Forbidden Heat #2)

Chapter Forty-Two

~CASSIE~

Istill haven’t figured out what I’m going to do with the rest of my life.

If I’ll remain here in Tampa or go back home.

My parents don’t know that I’ve been fired.

They did text, however, and ask why they didn’t see me at the last game.

Of course, my mom was worried that I had been injured or something.

I assured her that wasn’t the case, but I didn’t say any more.

I’m not sure what to tell them at this point.

They’re going to be so disappointed in me.

Hell, I’m disappointed in me. I’m a cliché.

My phone beeps and I’m sure it’s Mac, Amelia, or Hendrix.

They seem to have taken turns babysitting me, making sure that I’m never alone or that I eat and am not wallowing.

When I’m not with Jase, that is. I enjoy spending time over at his house, in his bed, and on his kitchen island—the latest place he’s bent me over and taken me.

It’s hard to be too sad about it when we’re having hot sex like we are.

But then I’m back here in team housing, alone, and the sadness creeps back in. My phone beeps, and I get up to see that it’s August.

August: I’m in the parking lot. Can I come up?

I read and re-read the message. Was this really meant for me?

Cassie: You know you texted Cassie, right?”

The typing bubbles begin immediately.

August: Yes, I meant to text you.

I sigh. What could he possibly want? Maybe the nightmares I’m having are going to come true and he wants me to work in the concession stand at the Blaze.

Cassie: Sure, come on up.

I open the door and lean against the back of the couch that faces the front door. August knocks on it a few moments later.

“Come on in,” I call to him.

“Hey.” He walks in slowly and looks around like he’s not sure if he should be closing the door or leaving it open.

“Relax, August, I’m not going to report you for coming into my apartment. I know how much you love your fraternization policy.”

“Low blow,” he says with a laugh. “I wasn’t worried about that. I just didn’t want to start any rumors and cause you some hell with the other girls.”

“Or Jase?”

“Jase knows I’m here,” he tells me.

“Ah, cleared it with him, did you?” I make an attempt at humor, but it fails miserably.

August just shrugs and doesn’t laugh.

“So, what’s up?” I ask him, hoping to cut to the chase and get this conversation over with.

“I just wanted to pop in and see how you’re doing,” August says, looking around my place. “This is nice, by the way. I’m glad these turned out so well.”

I look around and see the apartment like he must. Pictures of me playing soccer are still hanging on the walls and are displayed on my bookshelf. The team provided most of the furniture. I just brought in the bookcase so that I can display my books and a few odds and ends.

“Yeah, you did good with these, August. I appreciate you letting me stay here for so long. I’m working on getting out of here.

I think I might just go live with Jase until I figure out what my next move is.

” My arms come up and hug my middle, like I’m trying to protect myself and hold myself together.

He’s already taken so much from me. I can’t imagine what else he’s here to take. “So, what are you doing here?”

I’ve never been one for small talk and I’m not really sure what to say to August. We’ve never been alone together, and even when we’re in a group, we’ve never had a conversation, just the two of us.

Ironically, the only time we did, he fired me.

My signing ceremony with the Blaze included his father, Maxwell Cromwell.

“I wanted to stop in and talk to you about a few things. I’ve felt guilty about firing you over the phone.

I should have had the stones to come over here or call you into the office and do it in person.

And I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately.

The mess that it causes—both me firing you and you dating Jase.

It’s not that I’m not happy for you, because I really am.

I like the two of you together. And other than me firing you, he seems really happy. ”

I just nod. I hate how he keeps mentioning the firing. It feels like a gut punch each time he says it.

He sighs and scrubs a hand down his face. “Ugh, I thought this would be easier to say to you.”

“What else is there left to say? Do you need me to vacate housing sooner because you hired someone new?”

He nods. “I am hoping to hire someone. I think she has a lot of potential and great speed, and she makes a huge difference when she’s on the field. I think you’d like her.”

I stare at him, confused. “August, I appreciate that you hired someone, and I get that you needed to fill the position, but she’s not someone I’d like to meet. I’m sorry. I just don’t think I could. But give me a few days and I can get out of the apartment.”

August moves into the living room and sits on the couch. “Come here. Sit down with me for a minute. I want to tell you a story.”

“Okay.” I’m not sure what he’s doing here or whatever this story is that has to do with me, but I do as he asks. After all, he was my boss, and I feel like after my screwup, I owe him this much respect. “What do you want to tell me?”

“Growing up, I was a different person than I am right now. I was more fun-loving, and I had a lot of promise as a baseball player. It was a fun game for me. My father, though, wasn’t happy that I would be the talent.

He wanted me to be the owner of the team because it came with more money and power—the things that matter most to the man.

” He sighs and shakes his head. “So, I quit. I quit and stopped doing something that I loved. I’ve always missed it. ”

“You could easily play pickup like Jase does,” I tell him.

“No, I don’t think I could. It’s been years since I’ve picked up a bat and glove. But that’s not the point. The point is, I was a different person than I am now. Ask Hendrix—she knows all about the person I used to be.” He pauses for a moment.

“I don’t know what that means,” I tell him.

He chuckles. “She might fill you in. I’m not sure.

Anyway, I thought I needed to tow a certain line when I became the boss.

That I needed to make sure we kept our standards so high that no one could penetrate them.

Everyone told me it was stupid to start another team here, but this is where my father wanted the team.

So, we did it.” He stares at me. “I’m not making a lot of sense, am I? ”

“You’re kind of all over the place,” I admit with a shrug.

“Okay, well, I thought that I needed to be a certain type of boss and not give any leniency so that our team would go to the top of the charts and people would respect us. But I was wrong, and I was a hypocrite. My history with Hendrix is actually a double standard, and the way I hang out with all of you…well, I’ve been told it makes it hard for me to tow such a line. ”

“It’s okay, you don’t have to apologize for it.

I get it. You made a decision. You did what you had to do.

” I swallow back the lump that’s formed in my throat.

I hate that he’s here talking to me about this.

I think the phone call was preferable to sitting here with August and his awkward conversation.

“Cassie, I made a decision based on what I thought my father would want instead of what was for the betterment of the team. You and Jase fell in love, and I shouldn’t have punished you for it.

He’s not directly your coach, and I shouldn’t be making you tow the same line that I’m not willing to enforce for myself. ”

“What are you saying?” I lean forward in anticipation. It sounds like this might be good news.

“I want you to come back to the Blaze. The coaching staff—all of us want you to come back to the Blaze. We’ve talked about it, and we decided that it’s for the best. The midfielder who makes a difference both on and off the field is you.

We’re lacking so much speed without you.

I think I was worried about being the owner my father wanted instead of the owner I wanted to be.

I remember what it was like to have a dream like yours, and I’m sorry I took it away so hastily. ”

“Are you asking me to come back?” I ask him. I’m practically bouncing with anticipation on the couch beside him.

“I am, Cassie. I reacted too quickly, and I shouldn’t have. Can I please rehire you?” He grins from ear to ear.

I lunge at him and hug him. “August, you are the absolute best! Of course I’ll come back!”

“You don’t need a minute to think about it?” he says when I release him.

“No, I don’t. I’m not going to play this cool or make you work for it. I can’t. I’m just happy to be back! Like you have no idea.”

He laughs and shakes his head. “Thank you, Cassie. It’s a weight off my shoulders to have you back on the team.

It really is. I felt like such a sleazeball for doing that to you.

Did you happen to catch the game against Kansas City?

We had no speed. I mean, Kelly did what she could, but she wasn’t you. ”

“That means a lot,” I tell him, tears brimming my eyes. “Thank you for coming to me like this and giving me a second chance. I won’t forget it and I won’t let you down again.”

“It’s not that you let me down. It’s that I handled it the wrong way.”

I shake my head. “You’re not the one at fault here, August. We did break a rule. So please don’t apologize. You were just doing what you felt was best for the team, and I get that. You’re trying to make a name for yourself, and we complicated that.”

“You’re sure did,” he says with a laugh.

“Sorry,” I say, laughing along with him.

“It’s fine. Let’s just make sure your relationship with him doesn’t interfere with the team, okay?”

I nod. “So, you’re okay if we keep seeing each other?”

“Yeah, but we have some ground rules that we have to go over. If you’ll get dressed, we can go to the Blaze offices and go over those.”

I jump and squeal. “Yes, of course. I will go make myself more presentable.”

“I’ll let myself out, and I’ll see you over there.”

“Thank you!” I lunge into his arms again, and he awkwardly hugs me. “I don’t care what anyone says, even Hendrix. —you do have a heart, and you are a good man. I think once your father lets you do things your way, you’re going to make a great owner, August.”

August pulls back and smiles brightly at me. “Thanks for saying that.”

“You’re welcome.”

With that, he leaves, and I head to get ready to go the Blaze offices, feeling like I’m floating on a cloud.

I decide against texting Mac until I know all of my rules. Or maybe I’ll just surprise her by showing up at practice.