Page 45 of Racing Heat
~CASSIE~
The next few days are busy, and we don’t see much of each other. There were no plans made when we separated after our run. I don’t dare ask questions, because it’s time for game day and we have to put our heads down and focus.
So that’s what I do.
I prepare for the game against Kansas City. It’s a must win for us so that we can secure a playoff spot. But I don’t know when enough becomes enough with the playoff talk and pressure. I want to ask Jase that question, but I don’t. Instead, I float the idea to Mac.
“Has Coach calmed down yet about us winning one more? From what I saw the other day on the board, it looked like we might just be there.”
Mac shrugs. “I don’t actually know. Coach Watts and Andie just keep on calling for more and more. I’m sure they’re nervous since it’s the first season and there’s a lot riding on this.”
I nod. “I know the feeling. When we were in college and we were looking toward the NCAA tournament, I feel like the terms of what we needed were so much easier. I thought that when we went pro, there would be a clearer path.”
“There will be,” Jase says behind us. “They’re just trying to keep you hungry.”
We both turn around, and I smile at the sight of him. It’s got to be almost ninety degrees, and he’s wearing pants and a Tampa Bay Blaze polo shirt. God, he looks good standing there so self-assured.
“I don’t like being keptthishungry,” Mac admits.
“What do you want to know, Captain?” he asks her.
She smiles and walks over to him. “Give it to me straight. How many more of these do we need to win so that we can actually be in the playoffs? When can we breathe a bit more?”
Jase nods and pulls out his phone. “Here’s the bracket. You can see we’re on a bubble with two other teams—the Washington Spirit and the North Carolina Courage. We need both of them to keep on losing for us to have a sure spot. Problem is, the Courage aren’t going away as quietly as we thought they might. So, every win that you girls secure is a help to us. Every time you knock a team down, the playoffs come closer into view. It’s not a clear-cut path, and I know you wish it were. You two just have to stay focused and you’ll get there.”
Mac nods. “Thank you. I don’t know why Coach Watts can’t show us this kind of shit.” She turns to me. “I’m going to do my pre-game lap. You coming?”
I’m too busy watching Jase to answer. He winks at me.
“You should go for that pre-game walk with your captain. It’ll help calm you both before the game. I’ll catch ya later,” he says before walking off.
We stretch, walk, and do our passes—everything I like to do in order to quiet the voices in my mind before the game. We’ve been getting more and more fans attending the games, and it’s not as much of a circus as it used to be. Some people used to come just to see the mess Mac had created. Because she was a cover story: the striker who fell for the reporter who wassupposed to be interviewing her. I know Mac says it was messy when they got together, but I love their story. I’m glad she found her version of happy.
The rest of the team begins to roll in, and we start our warmup and routine. The fans are the next to follow. There’s nothing quite like the energy that fills the stadium on game day. It’s like the whole stadium is humming with electricity. It’s palpable and I love it. It’s one of the best feelings in the world. Playing soccer back in Portland gave me this kind of feeling, but being here in Tampa, it’s on a whole other level. I don’t know what I would do if I ever lost this like Jase did. I can’t think of that now. I have to get my head game day ready.
I get a moment alone with Jase before we’re ready to announce the starting lineups and play the anthem. I’m standing on the sideline going through things in my head. Remembering which number Coach Watts said to watch out for. Remembering where I need to place the ball for Mac and Kelsey. I can almost feel my feet moving along with my head.
“Getting your head right?” He’s standing right beside him. If I moved less than an inch, our arms would be touching.
“I am.” I sneak a peek over at him and he smiles. It makes me feel giddy and light.
“Good. I figured you were, but I just wanted to check in and see how you were doing.”
I nod. “I’m glad you did.”
“I’m not your coach and this is okay,” he tells me.
“Are you telling me or are you telling yourself?” I ask him.
“Yes” is all he says. He takes a step closer to me. We’re touching now. I can feel the warmth of his body. I’ve never wanted to get lost in someone else’s arms more than I do right now.
But it’s game day and we both have a job to do.
“Are you going out tonight?” I ask him.
“Yeah, I think August said depending on the outcome of the game it’s either bar night or a dancing night. Are you going?”
“Yes. And it’s going to be a dancing night.”
