Page 26 of Striking Heat

“Right.” Amelia looks in the direction of where Danny disappeared to moments ago. “The tee is certainly tight enough that it doesn’t leave anything to the imagination, but I’d still like to see him without it.”

The girls are busy cracking up, and I’m getting annoyed. “I hope you all sleep on the plane.”

“You gonna be okay?” Cassidy asks. “Since you’ll be on the same plane as him?”

“Maybe they’ll join the Mile High Club!” Hendrix squeals.

“We will certainly not do that. Now please stop shouting. Everyone is fucking looking at us.”

“Who cares! Let them look. We’re fucking awesome.” Hendrix surveys the airport to see just who might be watching.

“We’re not on the same flight. I saw his ticket. He’s on a different airline,” I report.

“Sorry your booty time has been taken away from you,” Amelia says with a giggle. “But you know it’s best to do it in bed anyway.”

Thankfully, there isn’t much longer until we board, and soon, the girls stop teasing me about Danny. Although, as much as I do not want to admit it, they weren’t wrong about how good he looked in that long-sleeve tee.

Before we parted on Monday, he double-checked with me more than once that he had my number, promising me that he would be using it. It was a sweet, almost date-like gesture. I tried not to put too much weight into it, but it made me wonder why. He texted me back later and told me that this was just so he could reach me to interview me. That he didn’t want to have to go through the team.

I sigh and close my eyes. I should sleep. That would be the smart thing to do. We have practice when we land and then another one tomorrow so that we can get ready for match day. Today’s will be more challenging than tomorrow’s. They always take it easier on us before a match, but maybe it will be just the distraction that I need.

I had purchased the in-flight WIFI so that I could watch some movies. I hover over our text conversation. There’s nothing special and nothing to show, but I want there to be more, don’t I? That’s why I’m thinking of texting him now.

Mac:Why are you really here?

I hit send and hope I can fall asleep before he answers me, but no such luck.

Danny:I’m covering the team and you.

I read his response and read it again. He said he was covering the team first. Not me. The team. Okay, so maybe I’m making up the little things that I keep feeling and seeing. He seems to enjoy pushing all my buttons and keeping me off balance. Why does it bother me so much? Maybe because as much as I try to hate him, I can’t. Especially after everything that he wrote about me. I feel like I keep needing to remind myself of that fact. For some reason, my heart and my vagina are trying to tell my brain to forget all of those hurtful things.

Mac:Seems weird for a local reporter to be coming all the way to Chicago. Shouldn’t that be saved for someone who does National coverage?

Danny:I see we’re grumpy today. Here I was worried that, after our lunch, you were actually going to be nice to me.

Mac:Fat chance. What are you really doing here?

Danny:August invited me.

Mac: There it is.

I lean back in my seat. He’s just here to kiss up to the Cromwell’s. Maybe he’s doing it so that when he writes something about me, they won’t care as much. My phone vibrates again and again. I hate how badly I want to look at it. Finally giving into temptation, I take a look.

Danny:There what is?

Danny:Oh, you think I’m only here because August invited me. That I don’t want to see you play? Well, I’ve got news for you. I’m looking forward to it.

Mac: Stand on the sideline.

Danny:Wanna keep me close, do you?

Mac: Yeah, and this time I’ll be sure not to miss you.

“Are we having a good flight?” Cassidy asks me, leaning over to try to see my phone, but I quickly darken the screen.

It vibrates, but I don’t bother to look at it. I want to wait until she’s not suspicious so that I can read the message in peace.

“Oh, just look. I won’t pay any attention.” She playfully pushes at my arm.