Page 115 of Nailing Heat
I sigh and listen to the conversations that are occurring around me. Content in not being involved in them but happy to be sitting with my friends. I wonder for a moment if Dex were here tonight, if I would look through him the way Hendrix does August. Is that how we will be if he comes back to hanging out with us? Will there be little jabs here and there? Will I call him a cheater? Do I even have the right to do that? Probably not, because neither one of us knew that he was married when we started sleeping together. It wasn’t something that was done intentionally, but even still, it hurts all the same. I mean, how could I trust someone who cheated on his wife repeatedly? Especially after I saw what she looked like. She was beautiful and what I would call a perfect woman. How could I have a chance with him ifshecouldn’t keep him happy?
“Amelia, you ready to order?” August asks, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“Oh yeah, sorry.” I hadn’t even noticed that the server was taking everyone’s orders. “I’ll take the chopped chicken salad, please.”
“My players are eating so healthy tonight,” Jase teases us.
“I am your only player, technically,” Hendrix reminds him.
He laughs it off. “I’m a coach, so technically, you are all my players. You all could play goal. You wouldn’t, but you could.”
“Let’s hope that never happens,” I chime in. “You wouldn’t want to see me in goal.”
“I’m sure we wouldn’t.” Jase winks at me.
I get ready to answer when I hear Hendrix say, “Shit.” Her eyes are glued to the door.
My head swivels and I look over to see Dex has entered the Backwoods.
“Dex!” August calls to him, holding up his hand to direct him to us.
“What the fuck are you doing? Why are you calling him over here?” Hendrix hisses at him.
“He’s my friend and he’s Blaze staff. I need to let him know that I’m picking up his tab,” August explains and then turns to me. “I’m sorry if this is going to be uncomfortable for you. But I doubt he’ll stay. He’ll get his food to go.”
I nod. My throat goes bone dry as Dex makes his way over to the table.
“It’s going to be fine, honey,” Cassie says, shooting me a wink. She and Jase exchange a glance that I can’t quite read. But I ignore it.
Instead, I sit there, waiting for him to reach the table. I count the seconds. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, and then he arrives. It took him eight seconds to reach us. I glance over my shoulder and our eyes lock.
He stops for a moment and then I hear him clear his throat. “Hey, everyone.” Dex shifts his feet uncomfortably and aside from saying hello to him, no one has spoken.
It’s so awkward.
“Looks like I really know how to break up a party.” He turns to August. “What’s up, man?”
“I’m picking up the tab for everyone that works for the Blaze tonight, so be sure that you tell them you work there, please,” August tells him.
Dex nods and says, “Thanks man. I appreciate it.”
“You wanna join us?” Jase asks him.
Hendrix and Mac’s heads turn remarkably fast in his direction. Their eyes go wide with disbelief.
“Are you serious?” I hear Mac say.
“It’s fine, he can join us if he wants to. He works for the Blaze, same as the rest of us,” I say. I’m pretty sure everyone is surprised because now all eyes are on me. “He’s welcome to stay.”
August places a hand on my shoulder and turns to Dex, “Do you want to, man? I can grab an extra chair if you want.”
I turn in time to see Dex shake his head. “Nah, I appreciate the invite. Thanks, Amelia.” His eyes meet mine and I can see so many questions hiding in there. I want to scream at him to talk, but I don’t. Because I’m sure my eyes are matching his all the same. “I think I’m going to head back home. I’m a bit beat from a long day, so I’m going to hit the hay early.”
“You sure, man?” August asks him, looking from me to Dex.
I turn my attention back to my drink and take a sip. I can feel his eyes on me.
“Have you gotten any clinic time at Dr. Haldman’s?” Jase asks him.
