Page 87 of Striking Heat
Him being a coach on the team, I would certainly hope not, because Jase could get her in all kinds of trouble with Coach Watts and the Cromwell’s.
I look over at August. “Do you think your dad is going to have me write more articles? Or will one do?”
“I’m not sure. I guess it depends on how well this one does. If it does well, he might want you to do more than one. I guess it also depends on what Martin wants and if he wants more money.”
“That cum sucker? He’d take money from a child in the street,” Nick says, rolling his eyes, not bothering to hide his disdain for our editor.
“Nick,” I say in warning. I know he’s had a few and is working on his third or fourth drink, but I don’t want him airing any dirty laundry that he shouldn’t be. Either about our editor or what’s happening with me.
August grins, and I wonder if he’s figuring things out. He leans in closer to Nick, a shit-eating grin on his face. I worry he’s about to ask Nick something he shouldn’t. I quickly change the subject.
“I think it’s going well. Things are going to turn around for the Blaze, and then you won’t have to worry so much about the perception of the town.”
“That we are,” August says. “I’m going to get another round.”
“I’ll go with you,” Jase says before following August to the bar.
“Keep your fucking mouth shut,” I say quietly to Nick.
“What? I didn’t say anything.”
“You’re walking a dangerous line. You’re going to blow our fucking cover.”
“What fucking cover?” August asks. He looks intrigued as he sits down.
Jase is still at the bar. He must be bringing the drinks back to the table.
“The cover of Danny’s mystery girl,” Nick says. “The one he’s fucking. He thinks I know who she is, but I don’t.”
I mentally cross my fingers, hoping that it helps.
“Why the secrecy with your mystery girl?” August asks.
I sigh. “Because I suck at relationships, and once people realize who my father is, it fucking sucks even worse,” I tell him. It’s not a total lie, because that’s happened many times before. I just hope he buys it.
Jase returns from the bar and hands August his next drink.
He takes a sip of his new drink. “I know exactly what you’re talking about,” August says. It’s then that I feel bad. He thinks we’re bonding right now, and I’m just trying to cover shit up with a lie. “I once had a woman tell me she could date me or my father. And the really fucked-up thing about it isn’t what she said, it’s that he would have done it.”
I shake my head. “I’m sorry, bro. I don’t doubt that my dad would do the same thing.”
Jase doesn’t seem to react to what I’ve said. I have no idea what his family life is like. He doesn’t say much. But he seems to buy the shit I just said as much as August has. I look over at Nick and he winks at me. I hope that worked for now.
“Hendrix did well tonight,” I say, turning to Jase to change the subject.
“She did. She’s a great find. I’m glad she’s in our net.”
The change in subject works. We spend the rest of the night talking about the game and the team. I try not to react too much when they get to Mac.
“She’s got a lot of promise if she can keep that attitude in check,” August says with a chuckle. “But you know all about that.” He turns to me.
“I do?” I ask, surprised.
“Youstarted shit with her in the pressroom after our first home game,” he reminds me.
I could never forget that night. It was the first time I saw her fire. The first time I realized this woman is something special.
Nick, god love him changes the subject to the NBA finals game that ESPN is talking about. Thankfully it works and there is no more talk of Mac or the team. I don’t miss the way that August looks at me a little too long sometimes. But I try to keep my cool and not draw any extra attention to myself.
