Page 46 of Striking Heat
“I do, but what are you getting at?” He asks, brows furrowed in confusion.
“Why would I need a bikini at all?”
He chokes on nothing, and I laugh a little too loudly, causing some of the team to turn and look at us. I just shake my head and do my best to compose myself.
“Woman, you are going to be the death of me,” he replies with a laugh.
“Good, now get what you need and get out.”
I discard my shorts and run down by the water to play soccer and hang out with the team, giving him the view he was hoping for. I barely notice him and let myself get lost in the game. It’s fun to just be together and play soccer. For a second, we all forget about the expectations of the game. What we’re all working for and that we’re just soccer players. The ones who grew up loving the game and were fortunate enough to keep on playing it.
Danny leaves at some point. I have no idea when. But by the time I climb back into Cassie’s Jeep, I have a little bit of a sunburn, and I’m exhausted. But it was a good day, and a lot of bonds were formed. Now I just hope they show on the field.
Chapter Nineteen
~MAC~
My weekend is setting up to be a quiet one. I want to make sure I get some training in today. The team is on their own for lower-body high-volume lifting. I plan on heading to my session with the team trainer. I opted for individual today, as opposed to group. IthinkDanny is coming to watch me train and get more information for the article. Apparently, he’s actually going to ask me some questions. He’s been lurking around the team and me for a few days now—ever since we spent the night together.
We’ve had a few conversations but nothing extensive and nothing too private. I’m not sure if he’s worried about being alone with me or if he’s just playing it cool. I glance down at the text he just sent.
Danny:I’ll see you at training today. We can grab coffee afterward. It’s time to ask you some questions.
I smile at it. I can read the playfulness in his message.
Mac:Are you going to actually work or are you going to watch me do all the work?
I snicker as I send him the text message. Let’s see what he thinks of that.
Danny:I thought it was pretty balanced.
I shake my head.Sure, it was.Truth to be told, it probably was. I just like giving him a hard time. It’s like part of our foreplay or something. Or maybe it’s just how we communicate. Either way, I don’t see either of us being able to have a serious conversation for too long. We managed that one time after the article got assigned, but I chalk that up to him being extra nice to me because he was afraid of how I would react to being interviewed.
After grabbing my water bottle and running shoes, I leave my apartment and get ready to head to the gym. I give it one last look before I head out. It could really use some sprucing up in here. Pictures or something that says that I live here. I haven’t done much to it. I remember that Cassie’s apartment has pictures all over it. I haven’t bothered to make this place look too much like home. Hendrix has teased that it’s because it’s work. She’s not entirely wrong. I pause for a second longer at the door and shrug. I’m not sure what anyone would think of this place. Or what Danny would think when he saw it.
Thinking back to Danny’s place, I remember seeing pictures of him with teammates and family as I was leaving that day. He had someSports Illustratedcovers blown up into posters framed on the wall. There was a display of medals and trophies, but I didn’t dare walk over and check that out. I was too worried about getting the fuck out of there. Getting caught with Danny was not on my list of things to have happen to me. The team is under enough scrutiny, and I am under enough pressure. I don’t need toadd sleeping with the man who was assigned to interview to that list.
I make my way toward the gym, which thankfully isn’t too far from where the team lives. Cromwell would have a fit if he found out about Danny and me. Danny may not work for him, but I know enough about the type of power that man wields to know it wouldn’t end well for Danny. Or for me, for that matter.
I arrive at the gym and shake off all the thoughts that have been consuming me lately. It’s time to focus on getting stronger or maintaining my strength. Or some bullshit that Lucas is always saying to me. I only half pay attention to him because he talks a lot while I lift. I like silence in the gym. I typically wear headphones to drown out the noise. It helps put me in the zone so I can get to work.
Lucas is finishing up working with the midfielders. Cassie, Jess, Marci, Kelly, and Kristy are covered in sweat while they chug down some water. Lucas is standing there talkingatthem, and I’m not sure anyone is listening to him.
“Hey, Cap,” Jess calls out when she sees me standing there, waiting for my turn.
I wave. “Hey, Jess. How was your workout?”
“Great. He worked us hard, but I think it will help. I think it’ll make me more explosive off the start.”
She rambles on about a few other things, and I just smile and nod. I wanna tell her to stop, but I don’t want to sound like a bitch. Jess is always so nervous around me. Like it’s not our first year in the NWSL together. Like we haven’t just been thrown into this experience. I’m just the unlucky one who gets to be called captain.
“Sounds like I’m in for it too,” I say.
“Alright, Mac, you’re all mine,” Lucas says, walking over to me with a huge grin on his face. “Because you wanted to do this session alone, you’re really gonna have to work.”
I nod, internally rolling my eyes. I’ve learned that you don’troll your eyes in front of Lucas, or he’ll make you do push-ups. And I’m not in the mood to start out my session with push-ups.
“Danny is going to be joining us at some point,” Lucas tells me in a low voice once all of the other girls have walked away.
