He shakes his head, laughing. “I’m not worried about that one. I wasn’t too worried about this game at all. It’s a friendly game but tough enough to get you all ready for the playoffs.”
I nod. “Yeah, the playoffs. It’s all anyone can talk about lately.”
“Are you not ready for them?” Jase asks me. I go back to walking, and he matches my pace heading down the tunnel towards the team room.
“I am. It’s just a lot on my mind lately,” I admit. “I heard he didn’t come to the game. That’s not like him.”
Jase nods. “Are you two fighting? Or did you break up or something?”
Jase always has been direct with the questions; it’s part of what makes him my favorite goalie coach.
I shake my head. “No, no one is broken up. I think we’re both just taking some time off from the other. Figure out where things go from here. The last time we rushed all those discussions and topics, it didn’t end well for either of us,” I say, shrugging before adding, “I prefer to think of it as us just growing a bit maybe?”
Jase nods. “Yeah, growing is a good thing as we get older.”
“Ha ha. Very funny. This is just so freaking weird, being here without him,” I admit. “I hope he doesn’t take that job with the WNBA; he needs to stay here, Jase. He belongs here and he cares for us. I’m not sure who Maxwell says will take over this team, but it can’t happen. It needs to be August,” I say forcefully.
“He’s going to do whatever he can for you and this team. I know August and he’s going to try and make everyone happy in this situation,” Jase says, pulling me in for a quick side hug. “I just hope that he’s not sacrificing himself to make that happen.”
I chuckle. “That sure is different, August sacrificing himself to make others happy. That doesn’t happen often. Or ever that I remember.”
“He’s grown up and I think that’s a good thing. He wants to be a good team owner, and he’s done that. Even though he missed this game,” Dex says, sidling up beside us.
“Yeah, he did.” I sigh, looking over at Dex. “How is he doing?”
A grin spreads wide across his face before he answers me. “I think he is wishing right about now that you would get back to him. He’s losing his mind not talking to you. But I’m glad that you’re worried about him because that means that you haven’t given up on him either.”
“So, he hasn’t given up on me?” I ask, my heart lifting for the first time since I left him standing in that hotel lobby.
“Of course not, Hendrix. You know he hasn’t. He’s just trying to give you space. He will move heaven and earth to keep you.” Dex pulls me in a for side hug. “Just make sure that you’re ready to talk to him when he comes to you.”
I nod. “I do want to talk to him. Maybe I’ll call him tonight after the girls head on home.”
Dex nods. “I think that he would like that.”
We make our way into the team room. Watts is already talking so that silences us quickly, which I’m thankful for because I keep thinking about one of the last things that Dex said to me. “He will move heaven and earth to keep you.” I wonder if that’s really true, and if I would do the same for him. Would I really leave the Blaze to be with him? That’s a question I may never to answer since he changed the fraternization rules. I shouldn’t have to leave the Blaze in order to keep him. At least I hope not.
Later that night, the girls and I are climbing the stairs that lead to my second-floor apartment.
“Did Ash enjoy the game?” Mac asks from behind me.
“He did. But he was bummed that we didn’t win. We haven’t won that many games since he got here. I keep telling him he’s not a jinx and that he can keep watching us play in the playoffs.”
“Have we won since he got here?” Cassie chimes in.
“Yeah, we won one game. Out of the three that we played. That doesn’t make him a bad omen, right?” I say, laughing.
“We’ll see how the playoffs go. And if he is there for our first win, then he can stay. But if we lose…” Mac says, her voice trailing off with laughter.
“How much longer is he staying?” Amelia asks, hobbling up the stairs behind us.
“I’m not sure, actually. He keeps saying that he doesn’t have to work right now and he’s hanging out. So, we’ll see how much longer he stays.” I shrug. “I like having him here, but he’s neverstayed so still for so long. My brother was always working. I think the health scare really got to him.”
“I’m sure it did. He’s so young,” Cassie replies. “Well, it’s nice that you two are getting some time together. Even if he does hate August.”
I laugh as I pull the door open. “Well, that’s getting a little better. Big brother worries and all.”
“Yeah, I know a thing or two about that,” Amelia says, grinning at me, as she settles herself on the couch. “My brothers, should they ever choose to come up here, will be all over Dex.”
