Page 31 of Racing Heat
“Shouldn’t they bring it to you? It’s costing you enough, I’m sure. That fancy-ass German car of yours.”
“We’re sitting in a Mercedes. You do realize that this SUV was made in Germany too, right?” I shake my head. “You’re being an asshole.”
“Fuck, you’re touchy as shit today. What happened? Did you get some bad pussy last night?” When I say nothing, hecontinues. “Nopussy? Is that what it was? You paid for dinner, and she didn’t put out?”
“What the fuck is wrong with you? It has nothing to do with ass. It has nothing to do with my car. I’m just in a shit mood. Now go take a piss, man,” I tell him, shaking my head.
August just laughs. It doesn’t matter what you say to August. He mostly lets it roll off his back. And today is one of those days. He’s in a great mood and is all excited about the plans he has for the team. I respect that and I’m glad to hear he’s not the spoiled little rich kid who’s just going to sit back and let the team run itself. He wants to do well at this. I respect that. Right now, I just wish he’d shut up and let me wallow.
“You miss home, man? Is that what this is?” We stop at a light, and he turns to look at me again. “Dude, I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be insensitive. What do you need? What’s the problem?”
“I’m just in a shitty mood. The workout wasn’t the best this morning, and then my car… I don’t know.”
“Well, hopefully some time out on the field will help clear your head or something.” We start driving again and he chuckles to himself. “Hell, if you’re in a bad mood, take it out on Hendrix. Make her practice a living hell. That should make you feel better, right?”
“I’m not taking it out on the team. That’s not fair to anyone,” I tell him. And I mean it. I had coaches like that when I was growing up, and I hated those bastards for doing that to us. I wouldn’t do that to the girls I coach. They deserve better.
“Look at you being all big and noble,” he says. “Do you want to hit the town tonight and get some ass? I haven’t really seen you with too many women since you moved from across the pond.” August always says the ‘pond’ when he refers to my hometown, but he’d be wrong.
“No, I think I’m just a little knackered. Maybe I need to get some sleep.”
“Knackered? You’re going to have to explain that one, man.”
“Sorry, yeah, that just means I’m tired,” I explain.
“Then just say tired,” he says as we turn into the studio.
“Sure, bloke, anything for you,” I say, laughing at him.
“That one I know!” he exclaims, and I laugh along with him. “Well, at least I made you smile on our little journey into work.”
“Thanks for that.”
“Let me know if you wanna hang out or something later, okay? Boys’ night? I hate to think of you all alone in that big house,” August says as we exit the car.
“Then maybe you shouldn’t have found me such a big place to stay in,” I remind him for what feels like the millionth time. “I certainly didn’t need a four-bedroom house.”
I remember the way Cassie’s wide blue eyes stared at the house as she took it all in. I had already made things awkward by kissing her. But she fucking kissed me back. She wanted it too.
“It’s a great house. It’s only missing a pool.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not putting in a pool. I’m only renting and, honestly, I’m going to find something smaller when the lease is up. It’s too much house.”
“You have a housekeeper and someone who maintains your lawn. Why would you move?” He stares at me like I’ve grown an extra head or something.
“Yes, but all of those things come along with renting the house. And those will be on me once I buy the thing.” Sometimes I swear the man only hears what he wants to hear.
“Are you going to be all frugal when you get a place of your own? Because I like the house. I can see if there’s something available in my building, if you really hate it.”
I shake my head. “No, remember, I told you no penthouses and no apartments. I like having my own space and yard. I don’twant to be attached to anyone, but I definitely don’t need four bedrooms.”
“So, you’ve said.” He shrugs. “Anyway. Boys’ night. We’re doing it!”
It’s fitting for him to just demand that we’re doing a boys’ night. He’s right, though. I could use a boys’ night, so I’ll go without a fight.
We reach the elevators, but I don’t go up to them. August is off to his spacious office to get some of those big ideas in motion, but there’s nothing I need in my office today. Instead, I make my way up the ramp and I’m home.
I love it here. Yes, it’s coaching and I’m not actually playing professionally anymore, so this is the best I can get. But it’s home. It’s the place that has always quieted my nerves and my thoughts. Except now I’m worried that the small brown-haired vixen whose lips I can’t stop thinking about is going to come out here and blow my mind. Make it impossible for me to feel normal or think about anything other than the way she moaned when I had her in my arms.
